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Updated: Jun 12, 2026

Enhanced Genome Editing with Cas9 Ribonucleoprotein in Diverse Cells and Organisms
09:51

Enhanced Genome Editing with Cas9 Ribonucleoprotein in Diverse Cells and Organisms

Published on: May 25, 2018

Adaptive Spo11 RNA editing gate optimizes meiosis I pace and mitotic proliferation while preserving ascospore

Mengchun Wu1, Junfeng Liu1, Jiahui Han2

  • 1State Key Laboratory for Crop Stress Resistance and High-Efficiency Production, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China.

Science Advances
|June 10, 2026
PubMed

Insights

In Fusarium graminearum, RNA editing corrects a stop codon in FgSpo11, regulating its dosage for proper meiosis and development. This editing acts as a crucial switch for fungal sexual reproduction and mitotic control.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Mycology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Spo11-mediated DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are crucial for meiotic recombination.
  • Temporal regulation of Spo11 activity during mitosis and fungal development is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Investigate the role of FgSpo11 in meiosis and postmeiotic mitoses in *Fusarium graminearum*.
  • Elucidate the mechanism of FgSpo11 regulation, including the role of RNA editing.

Main Methods:

  • Genetic analysis of *Fusarium graminearum* mutants.
  • RNA editing analysis.
  • Evolutionary analysis of Spo11 deployment.

Main Results:

  • FgSpo11 has DSB-independent and DSB-dependent roles in meiosis and postmeiotic divisions.
  • Adenosine-to-inosine RNA editing corrects a premature stop codon in FgSpo11 during sexual reproduction.
  • This RNA editing fine-tunes FgSpo11 dosage, acting as a rheostat for meiotic regulation.
  • Genomic correction bypassing RNA editing leads to meiotic and mitotic defects.

Conclusions:

  • A single-site RNA editing event acts as a critical gatekeeper for FgSpo11 function during sexual reproduction.
  • Transcriptome plasticity through RNA editing allows adaptation to life cycle demands in fungal pathogens.
  • Recurrent gain and loss of this RNA editing suggest adaptive modulation of Spo11 function.

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