Enhanced homologous recombination by the modulation of targeting vector ends

Sci Rep. 2020 Feb 13;10(1):2518. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-58893-9.

Abstract

The field of genome editing was founded on the establishment of methods, such as the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR) and CRISPR-associated protein (CRISPR/Cas) system, used to target DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). However, the efficiency of genome editing also largely depends on the endogenous cellular repair machinery. Here, we report that the specific modulation of targeting vectors to provide 3' overhangs at both ends increased the efficiency of homology-directed repair (HDR) in embryonic stem cells. We applied the modulated targeting vectors to produce homologous recombinant mice directly by pronuclear injection, but the frequency of HDR was low. Furthermore, we combined our method with the CRISPR/Cas9 system, resulting in a significant increase in HDR frequency. Thus, our HDR-based method, enhanced homologous recombination for genome targeting (eHOT), is a new and powerful method for genome engineering.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • CRISPR-Cas Systems*
  • Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats
  • DNA Breaks, Double-Stranded*
  • Female
  • Gene Editing* / methods
  • Gene Targeting* / methods
  • Genetic Vectors / genetics
  • Homologous Recombination*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Inbred ICR
  • Recombinational DNA Repair