Highly efficient CRISPR-mediated gene editing in a rotifer

Abstract

Rotifers have been studied in the laboratory and field for over 100 years in investigations of microevolution, ecological dynamics, and ecotoxicology. In recent years, rotifers have emerged as a model system for modern studies of the molecular mechanisms of genome evolution, development, DNA repair, aging, life history strategy, and desiccation tolerance. However, a lack of gene editing tools and transgenic strains has limited the ability to link genotype to phenotype and dissect molecular mechanisms. To facilitate genetic manipulation and the creation of reporter lines in rotifers, we developed a protocol for highly efficient, transgenerational, CRISPR-mediated gene editing in the monogonont rotifer Brachionus manjavacas by microinjection of Cas9 protein and synthetic single-guide RNA into the vitellaria of young amictic (asexual) females. To demonstrate the efficacy of the method, we created knockout mutants of the developmental gene vasa and the DNA mismatch repair gene mlh3. More than half of mothers survived injection and produced offspring. Genotyping these offspring and successive generations revealed that most carried at least 1 CRISPR-induced mutation, with many apparently mutated at both alleles. In addition, we achieved precise CRISPR-mediated knock-in of a stop codon cassette in the mlh3 locus, with half of injected mothers producing F2 offspring with an insertion of the cassette. Thus, this protocol produces knockout and knock-in CRISPR/Cas9 editing with high efficiency, to further advance rotifers as a model system for biological discovery.

Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeat/CRISPR-Associated Protein and Its Utility All at Sea: Status, Challenges, and Prospects

“…As a prevalent group of zooplankton, rotifers have been well studied in microevolution, ecodynamics and ecotoxicology for over 100 years. Like water fleas, rotifers have a unique way of reproduction [ 235 ]. Yet the lack of gene-editing tools and transgenic strains has limited the ability to link genotypes to phenotypes and dissect molecular mechanisms.…”

“…Yet the lack of gene-editing tools and transgenic strains has limited the ability to link genotypes to phenotypes and dissect molecular mechanisms. A recent study reported that CRISPR-mediated gene editing can effectively address the gap in the research [ 235 ]. MutL is a mismatch repair protein that plays a crucial role in meiosis in sexual organisms, and mlh3 gene is a homologue of the MutL gene [ 235 ].…”

“…A recent study reported that CRISPR-mediated gene editing can effectively address the gap in the research [ 235 ]. MutL is a mismatch repair protein that plays a crucial role in meiosis in sexual organisms, and mlh3 gene is a homologue of the MutL gene [ 235 ]. The knockout of mlh3 in the rotifer Brachionus manjavacas resulted in the loss or reduction in males or surviving dormant eggs, a large number of undeveloped eggs and deformed structures inside the rotifer, sterile F1 offspring, and 1 or 2 small undeveloped eggs in the ovaries.…”