ABSTRACT

The daunting task of feeding an ever-growing population is an immense challenge for the contemporary scientific community, especially in view of the rapidly changing climate throughout the world. Amidst these threatening crises, we witness rapid development in genome editing (GE) technologies, revolutionizing the field of applied genomics and molecular breeding. Various GE tools have been developed during the last two decades, but the CRISPR/Cas system has most recently made a significant impact on crop improvement. The major breakthroughs of this versatile toolbox are genomic modifications like single base-substitutions, multiplex GE, gene regulation, screening mutagenesis, and enhancing the breeding of wild crop plants. Previously, this toolbox was used to modify genes related to significant traits such as biotic/abiotic resistance/tolerance, post-harvest traits, nutritional regulation, and to address self-incompatibility analysis-related challenges. In the present review, we have demonstrated the functional dynamics of CRISPR-based GE and its applicability in targeting genes to accomplish novel editing of crops. The compiled knowledge will provide a solid foundation for highlighting the primary source for applying CRISPR/Cas as a toolbox for enhancing crops, to achieve food and nutritional security.

摘要

养活不断增长的人口的艰巨任务对当代科学界来说是一项巨大的挑战，特别是考虑到世界各地气候的迅速变化。在这些威胁性的危机中，我们见证了基因组编辑（GE）技术的快速发展，彻底改变了应用基因组学和分子育种领域。在过去的二十年里，人们开发出了各种基因工程工具，但 CRISPR/Cas 系统最近对作物改良产生了重大影响。这个多功能工具箱的主要突破是基因组修饰，如单碱基取代、多重GE、基因调控、筛选诱变和增强野生作物育种。此前，该工具箱用于修改与生物/非生物抗性/耐受性等重要性状相关的基因，收获后性状、营养调节，并解决自交不亲和性分析相关的挑战。在本综述中，我们展示了基于 CRISPR 的 GE 的功能动力学及其在靶向基因以完成作物新编辑方面的适用性。汇编的知识将为突出应用 CRISPR/Cas 作为增强作物的工具箱的主要来源提供坚实的基础，以实现粮食和营养安全。