Publications | Improved Genome Editing in Human Cell Lines Using the CRISPR Method

The Cas9/CRISPR system has become a popular choice for genome editing. In this system, binding of a single guide (sg) RNA to a cognate genomic sequence enables the Cas9 nuclease to induce a double-strand break at that locus. This break is next repaired by an error-prone mechanism, leading to mutation and gene disruption. In this study we describe a range of refinements of the method, including stable cell lines expressing Cas9, and a PCR based protocol for the generation of the sgRNA. We also describe a simple methodology that allows both elimination of Cas9 from cells after gene disruption and re-introduction of the disrupted gene. This advance enables easy assessment of the off target effects associated with gene disruption, as well as phenotype-based structure-function analysis. In our study, we used the Fan1 DNA repair gene as control in these experiments. Cas9/CRISPR-mediated Fan1 disruption occurred at frequencies of around 29%, and resulted in the anticipated spectrum of genotoxin hypersensitivity, which was rescued by re-introduction of Fan1.

Principal Investigator(s):

Author(s):
Munoz, I. M., Szyniarowski, P., Toth, R., Rouse, J., Lachaud, C.

PubMed:
25303670
Citation:
Munoz, I. M., Szyniarowski, P., Toth, R., Rouse, J., Lachaud, C.
PLoS One
2014
9
e109752
PMID: 25303670