Genome-wide prediction of CRISPR/Cas9 targets in Kluyveromyces marxianus and its application to obtain a stable haploid strain

Sci Rep. 2018 May 9;8(1):7305. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-25366-z.

Abstract

Kluyveromyces marxianus, a probiotic yeast, is important in industrial applications because it has a broad substrate spectrum, a rapid growth rate and high thermotolerance. To date, however, there has been little effort in its genetic engineering by the CRISPR/Cas9 system. Therefore, we aimed at establishing the CRISPR/Cas9 system in K. marxianus and creating stable haploid strains, which will make genome engineering simpler. First, we predicted the genome-wide target sites of CRISPR/Cas9 that have been conserved among the eight sequenced genomes of K. marxianus strains. Second, we established the CRISPR/Cas9 system in the K. marxianus 4G5 strain, which was selected for its high thermotolerance, rapid growth, a pH range of pH3-9, utilization of xylose, cellobiose and glycerol, and toxin tolerance, and we knocked out its MATα3 to prevent mating-type switching. Finally, we used K. marxianus MATα3 knockout diploid strains to obtain stable haploid strains with a growth rate comparable to that of the diploid 4G5 strain. In summary, we present the workflow from identifying conserved CRISPR/Cas9 targets in the genome to knock out the MATα3 genes in K. marxianus to obtain a stable haploid strain, which can facilitate genome engineering applications.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • CRISPR-Cas Systems / genetics*
  • Conserved Sequence
  • Gene Knockout Techniques
  • Genomics*
  • Haploidy*
  • Kluyveromyces / genetics*
  • Kluyveromyces / physiology
  • Spores, Fungal / physiology
  • Transformation, Genetic