Targeted DNA demethylation of the Arabidopsis genome using the SunTag-dCpf1-TET1cd system

DNA methylation is a stable and heritable epigenetic mark, and it plays an important role in regulation of gene expression and transposon silencing. Here we developed a CRISPR/dCpf1-based targeted demethylation system using the catalytic domain of the human demethylase TEN-ELEVEN TRANSLOCATION1 (TET1cd) and a SunTag system. The SunTag-dCpf1-TET1cd system is able to achieve targeted DNA demethylation and up-regulate gene expression when guided to the FWA or CACTA1 loci in Arabidopsis thaliana . Our study provides tools for targeted removal of DNA cytosine methylation, and activation of protein-coding genes or transposons expression.