In vitro and in cellula site-directed RNA editing using the λNDD-BoxB system

Site-directed RNA editing (SDRE) exploits the enzymatic activity of Adenosine Deaminases Acting on RNAs (ADAR) to program changes in genetic information as it passes through RNA. ADARs convert adenosine (A) to inosine (I) through a hydrolytic deamination and since I can be read as guanosine (G) during translation, this change can regulate gene function and correct G→A genetic mutations. In SDRE, ADARs are redirected to convert user-defined A's to I's. SDRE also has certain advantages over genome editing because the changes in RNA are reversible and thus safer. In addition, ADARs are endogenously expressed in humans and therefore unlikely to provoke immunological complications when administered. Recently, a variety of systems for SDRE have been developed. Some rely on harnessing endogenously expressed ADARs and other deliver engineered versions of ADAR's catalytic domain. All systems are currently under refinement, and there are still challenges associated with raising their efficiency and specificity to levels that are adequate for therapeutics. This chapter provides a detailed protocol for in vitro and in cellula editing assays using the λNDD-BoxB system, one of the first systems developed for SDRE. The λNDD-BoxB system relies on gRNAs that are linked to the catalytic domain of human ADAR2 through a small RNA binding protein-RNA stem/loop interaction. We provide step-by-step protocols for (a) the construction of guide RNAs and editing enzyme plasmids, and (b) their use in vitro and in cellula for editing assays using a fluorescent protein-based reporter system containing a premature termination codon that can be corrected by editing.