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Updated: Jan 2, 2026
10:19
Screening and Identification of RNA Silencing Suppressors from Secreted Effectors of Plant Pathogens
Published on: February 3, 2020
6.8K
CRISPR-Cas13d mediates robust RNA virus interference in plants
Ahmed Mahas1, Rashid Aman1, Magdy Mahfouz2
1Laboratory for Genome Engineering and Synthetic Biology, Division of Biological Sciences, 4700 King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia.
Genome Biology
|December 4, 2019
Summary
CasRx is the most effective CRISPR-Cas13 variant for plant RNA virus interference. This robust system offers high specificity and targets viruses efficiently in planta, aiding virus biology research.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Plant Pathology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- CRISPR-Cas systems provide adaptive immunity in bacteria and archaea.
- CRISPR-Cas9 and Cas13 have been adapted for gene editing and RNA targeting in eukaryotes.
- Previous studies showed modest RNA virus interference with CRISPR-Cas13a in plants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize CRISPR-Cas13 variants for efficient RNA virus interference in plants.
- To identify the most robust and specific Cas13 variant for in planta applications.
Main Methods:
- Transient and stable overexpression assays in Nicotiana benthamiana.
- Evaluation of LwaCas13a, PspCas13b, and CasRx variants.
- Assessment of interference activity, robustness, and specificity against RNA viruses.
Main Results:
- LwaCas13a, PspCas13b, and CasRx showed high interference in transient assays.
- CasRx demonstrated robust interference in both transient and stable assays.
- CasRx exhibited high specificity and no collateral activity against target RNA viruses in planta.
Conclusions:
- CasRx is the most robust Cas13 variant for plant RNA virus interference.
- CasRx is suitable for studying virus biology and developing antiviral strategies in plants.
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