[HTML][HTML] CRISPR-Switch regulates sgRNA activity by Cre recombination for sequential editing of two loci

K Chylinski, M Hubmann, RE Hanna, C Yanchus… - Nature …, 2019 - nature.com
K Chylinski, M Hubmann, RE Hanna, C Yanchus, G Michlits, ECH Uijttewaal, J Doench
Nature communications, 2019nature.com
CRISPR-Cas9 is an efficient and versatile tool for genome engineering in many species.
However, inducible CRISPR-Cas9 editing systems that regulate Cas9 activity or sgRNA
expression often suffer from significant limitations, including reduced editing capacity, off-
target effects, or leaky expression. Here, we develop a precisely controlled sgRNA
expression cassette that can be combined with widely-used Cre systems, termed CRISPR-
Switch (SgRNA With Induction/Termination by Cre Homologous recombination). Switch-ON …
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas9 is an efficient and versatile tool for genome engineering in many species. However, inducible CRISPR-Cas9 editing systems that regulate Cas9 activity or sgRNA expression often suffer from significant limitations, including reduced editing capacity, off-target effects, or leaky expression. Here, we develop a precisely controlled sgRNA expression cassette that can be combined with widely-used Cre systems, termed CRISPR-Switch (SgRNA With Induction/Termination by Cre Homologous recombination). Switch-ON facilitates controlled, rapid induction of sgRNA activity. In turn, Switch-OFF-mediated termination of editing improves generation of heterozygous genotypes and can limit off-target effects. Furthermore, we design sequential CRISPR-Switch-based editing of two loci in a strictly programmable manner and determined the order of mutagenic events that leads to development of glioblastoma in mice. Thus, CRISPR-Switch substantially increases the versatility of gene editing through precise and rapid switching ON or OFF sgRNA activity, as well as switching OVER to secondary sgRNAs.
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