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Title: A new approach to Cas9-based genome editing in Aspergillus niger that is precise, efficient and selectable

Abstract

Aspergillus niger and other filamentous fungi are widely used in industry, but efficient genetic engineering of these hosts remains nascent. For example, while molecular genetic tools have been developed, including CRISPR/Cas9, facile genome engineering of A. niger remains challenging. To address these challenges, we have developed a simple Cas9-based gene targeting method that provides selectable, iterative, and ultimately marker-free generation of genomic deletions and insertions. This method leverages locus-specific "pop-out" recombination to suppress off-target integrations. We demonstrated the effectiveness of this method by targeting the phenotypic marker albA and validated it by targeting the glaA and mstC loci. After two selection steps, we observed 100% gene editing efficiency across all three loci. This method greatly reduces the effort required to engineer the A. niger genome and overcomes low Cas9 transformations efficiency by eliminating the need for extensive screening. This method represents a significant addition to the A. niger genome engineering toolbox and could be adapted for use in other organisms. It is expected that this method will impact several areas of industrial biotechnology, such as the development of new strains for the secretion of heterologous enzymes and the discovery and optimization of metabolic pathways.

Authors:
ORCiD logo [1];  [2];  [3]; ORCiD logo [4];  [5]; ORCiD logo [4];  [6]
  1. Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (Switzerland); Joint Bioenergy Institute, Emeryville, CA (United States); Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
  2. Joint Bioenergy Institute, Emeryville, CA (United States); Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States); Univ. of California, Berkeley, CA (United States)
  3. Univ. of California, Berkeley, CA (United States)
  4. Joint Bioenergy Institute, Emeryville, CA (United States); Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
  5. Joint Bioenergy Institute, Emeryville, CA (United States); Sandia National Lab. (SNL-CA), Livermore, CA (United States)
  6. Joint Bioenergy Institute, Emeryville, CA (United States); Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States); Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE Office of Science (SC), Biological and Environmental Research (BER); USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Sustainable Transportation Office. Bioenergy Technologies Office; USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Vehicle Technologies Office (EE-3V)
OSTI Identifier:
1508517
Alternate Identifier(s):
OSTI ID: 1559178
Report Number(s):
PNNL-SA-142504
Journal ID: ISSN 1932-6203
Grant/Contract Number:  
AC05-76RL01830; AC02-05CH11231
Resource Type:
Accepted Manuscript
Journal Name:
PLoS ONE
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 14; Journal Issue: 1; Journal ID: ISSN 1932-6203
Publisher:
Public Library of Science
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES

Citation Formats

Leynaud- Kieffer, Laure M. C., Curran, Samuel C., Kim, Irene, Magnuson, Jon K., Gladden, John M., Baker, Scott E., and Simmons, Blake A. A new approach to Cas9-based genome editing in Aspergillus niger that is precise, efficient and selectable. United States: N. p., 2019. Web. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0210243.
Leynaud- Kieffer, Laure M. C., Curran, Samuel C., Kim, Irene, Magnuson, Jon K., Gladden, John M., Baker, Scott E., & Simmons, Blake A. A new approach to Cas9-based genome editing in Aspergillus niger that is precise, efficient and selectable. United States. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0210243
Leynaud- Kieffer, Laure M. C., Curran, Samuel C., Kim, Irene, Magnuson, Jon K., Gladden, John M., Baker, Scott E., and Simmons, Blake A. Thu . "A new approach to Cas9-based genome editing in Aspergillus niger that is precise, efficient and selectable". United States. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0210243. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1508517.
@article{osti_1508517,
title = {A new approach to Cas9-based genome editing in Aspergillus niger that is precise, efficient and selectable},
author = {Leynaud- Kieffer, Laure M. C. and Curran, Samuel C. and Kim, Irene and Magnuson, Jon K. and Gladden, John M. and Baker, Scott E. and Simmons, Blake A.},
abstractNote = {Aspergillus niger and other filamentous fungi are widely used in industry, but efficient genetic engineering of these hosts remains nascent. For example, while molecular genetic tools have been developed, including CRISPR/Cas9, facile genome engineering of A. niger remains challenging. To address these challenges, we have developed a simple Cas9-based gene targeting method that provides selectable, iterative, and ultimately marker-free generation of genomic deletions and insertions. This method leverages locus-specific "pop-out" recombination to suppress off-target integrations. We demonstrated the effectiveness of this method by targeting the phenotypic marker albA and validated it by targeting the glaA and mstC loci. After two selection steps, we observed 100% gene editing efficiency across all three loci. This method greatly reduces the effort required to engineer the A. niger genome and overcomes low Cas9 transformations efficiency by eliminating the need for extensive screening. This method represents a significant addition to the A. niger genome engineering toolbox and could be adapted for use in other organisms. It is expected that this method will impact several areas of industrial biotechnology, such as the development of new strains for the secretion of heterologous enzymes and the discovery and optimization of metabolic pathways.},
doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0210243},
journal = {PLoS ONE},
number = 1,
volume = 14,
place = {United States},
year = {Thu Jan 17 00:00:00 EST 2019},
month = {Thu Jan 17 00:00:00 EST 2019}
}

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Forward genetics screen coupled with whole-genome resequencing identifies novel gene targets for improving heterologous enzyme production in Aspergillus niger
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Ku80 Gene is Related to Non-Homologous End-Joining and Genome Stability in Aspergillus niger
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Cloning, characterization and molecular docking of a highly thermostable β-1,4-glucosidase from Thermotoga petrophila
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Works referencing / citing this record:

CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technology in filamentous fungi: progress and perspective
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Upgrading of efficient and scalable CRISPR–Cas-mediated technology for genetic engineering in thermophilic fungus Myceliophthora thermophila
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