[HTML][HTML] Adapting CRISPR/Cas9 system for targeting mitochondrial genome

SRA Hussain, ME Yalvac, B Khoo, S Eckardt… - Frontiers in …, 2021 - frontiersin.org
SRA Hussain, ME Yalvac, B Khoo, S Eckardt, KJ McLaughlin
Frontiers in Genetics, 2021frontiersin.org
Gene editing of the mitochondrial genome using the CRISPR-Cas9 system is highly
challenging mainly due to sub-efficient delivery of guide RNA and Cas9 enzyme complexes
into the mitochondria. In this study, we were able to perform gene editing in the
mitochondrial DNA by appending an NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase chain 4 (ND4)
targeting guide RNA to an RNA transport-derived stem loop element (RP-loop) and
expressing the Cas9 enzyme with a preceding mitochondrial localization sequence. We …
Gene editing of the mitochondrial genome using the CRISPR-Cas9 system is highly challenging mainly due to sub-efficient delivery of guide RNA and Cas9 enzyme complexes into the mitochondria. In this study, we were able to perform gene editing in the mitochondrial DNA by appending an NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase chain 4 (ND4) targeting guide RNA to an RNA transport-derived stem loop element (RP-loop) and expressing the Cas9 enzyme with a preceding mitochondrial localization sequence. We observe mitochondrial colocalization of RP-loop gRNA and a marked reduction of ND4 expression in the cells carrying a 11205G variant in their ND4 sequence coincidently decreasing the mtDNA levels. This proof-of-concept study suggests that a stem-loop element added sgRNA can be transported to the mitochondria and functionally interact with Cas9 to mediate sequence-specific mtDNA cleavage. Using this novel approach to target the mtDNA, our results provide further evidence that CRISPR-Cas9-mediated gene editing might potentially be used to treat mitochondrial-related diseases.
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