CRISPR/Cas9-mediated viral interference in plants

• DOI: 10.1186/s13059-015-0799-6
• Publication Date: 2015-10-24T20:54:10Z
• Authors: Zahir Ali; Aala Abulfaraj; Ali Idris; Shakila Ali; Manal Tashkandi; Magdy M. Mahfouz
• Keywords: Geminiviridae

The CRISPR/Cas9 system provides bacteria and archaea with molecular immunity against invading phages conjugative plasmids. Recently, has been used for targeted genome editing in diverse eukaryotic species.In this study, we investigate whether the could be plants to confer DNA viruses. We deliver sgRNAs specific coding non-coding sequences of tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) into Nicotiana benthamiana stably overexpressing Cas9 endonuclease, subsequently challenge these TYLCV. Our data demonstrate that TYLCV degradation introduced mutations at target sequences. All tested exhibit interference activity, but those targeting stem-loop sequence within origin replication intergenic region (IR) are most effective. N. expressing delayed or reduced accumulation viral DNA, abolishing significantly attenuating symptoms infection. Moreover, simultaneously multiple viruses.These establish efficacy plants, thereby extending utility technology opening possibility producing resistant infections.