CRISPR-Cas9-mediated 75.5-Mb inversion in maize

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Genetics
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• CRISPR-Cas9 is a versatile gene editing tool.
• Its application has primarily focused on gene knockouts and deletions.
• Targeted gene edits and insertions are less common but established uses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate the use of CRISPR-Cas9 for large-scale chromosomal rearrangements.
• To induce a targeted pericentric inversion in maize chromosome 2.
• To explore new avenues for genetic variation and crop improvement.

Main Methods:

• Utilized CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology.
• Targeted a 75.5-Mb pericentric inversion on chromosome 2 in elite maize.
• Applied the technology in one of Corteva Agriscience's elite maize inbred lines.

Main Results:

• Successfully mediated a targeted 75.5-Mb pericentric inversion in maize chromosome 2.
• The induced inversion unlocked a significant chromosomal region.
• This region now exhibits increased potential for genetic recombination.

Conclusions:

• CRISPR-Cas9 can be effectively employed to engineer large chromosomal inversions.
• This technique provides a novel strategy to access and utilize genetic variance.
• Facilitates the development of new maize varieties with enhanced phenotypes.