CRISPR/Cas as a Genome-Editing Technique in Fruit Tree Breeding

Abstract

CRISPR (short for “Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats”) is a technology that research scientists use to selectively modify the DNA of living organisms. CRISPR was adapted for use in the laboratory from the naturally occurring genome-editing systems found in bacteria. In this work, we reviewed the methods used to introduce CRISPR/Cas-mediated genome editing into fruit species, as well as the impacts of the application of this technology to activate and knock out target genes in different fruit tree species, including on tree development, yield, fruit quality, and tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses. The application of this gene-editing technology could allow the development of new generations of fruit crops with improved traits by targeting different genetic segments or even could facilitate the introduction of traits into elite cultivars without changing other traits. However, currently, the scarcity of efficient regeneration and transformation protocols in some species, the fact that many of those procedures are genotype-dependent, and the convenience of segregating the transgenic parts of the CRISPR system represent the main handicaps limiting the potential of genetic editing techniques for fruit trees. Finally, the latest news on the legislation and regulations about the use of plants modified using CRISPR/Cas systems has been also discussed.

Research Progress on Plant Responses to Stress Combinations in the Context of Climate Change

“…Nanomaterials can enhance plant resistance by enhancing ROS-activated stress signaling pathways, regulating the expression of defense genes and stomatal status, increasing the efficiency of PSII response centers, and stress-training plants to enhance resistance [ 38 , 82 , 83 ]. Genome editing technologies such as CRISPR/Cas9 are also important tools for studying plant responses to stress combinations [ 84 ], which allow editing of the genome in a highly accurate way to obtain desired traits [ 85 ], and have been successfully applied to a wide range of plants such as cereals [ 86 ] and fruit trees [ 87 ], as well as to pest management [ 88 ].…”