Patent Grant
11388892
This application contains a sequence listing submitted in Computer Readable Form (CRF). The CFR file containing the sequence listing entitled “PA440-0008_ST25”, which was created on Mar. 25, 2021, and is 29,039 bytes in size. The information in the sequence listing is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
The present invention relates to a method for preparing an animal model by using Cas9 technology, in particular to a method for preparing a CKO/KI animal model.
CKO/KI animal models have always been an important tool for studying gene function and screening drugs. However, the conventional preparation method requires a series of steps such as complex targeting vector construction, ES cell screening, and chimeric mouse breeding. The process is not only cumbersome and has high requirements on technology, but also is expensive and time-consuming, and the success rate is limited by many factors. Even for laboratories with relatively mature technology, it usually takes not less than one year to construct gene knockout rats and mice using conventional technology.
CRISPR/Cas9 is a technology that appeared in 2013 in which RNA directs Cas nuclease to perform specific DNA modification on targeted genes. In this system, a crRNA (CRISPR-derived RNA) combines with a tracrRNA (trans-activating RNA) through base pairing to form a double-stranded RNA. The tracrRNA/crRNA binary complex directs the Cas9 protein to cut a double-stranded DNA at a target locus of a crRNA guide sequence to produce a double-strand break (DSB). A cell repairs the broken double strands through nonhomologous or homologous DNA end joining (NHEJ: nonhomologous DNA end joining; HR, homology-directed repair), so as to achieve precise editing of the genome, such as: conditional gene knockout, gene knock-in, gene replacement, and point mutation.
The CRISPR/Cas9 technology is the fourth method that can be used for locus-specific construction of genetically modified animals following zinc finger nuclease (ZFN), ES cell targeting, TALEN technology, and the like, and has the characteristics of high efficiency, high speed, simplicity, economy, strong reproductive system transfer ability, and a very broad application prospect in animal model construction.
At present, when domestic and foreign laboratories and companies use the CRISPR/Cas9 technology, a Cas9-mRNA transcribed in vitro is generally transferred into embryos to express the Cas9 protein. However, the protein expression efficiency of the Cas9-mRNA transcribed in vitro in embryos is affected by the quality of an mRNA transcribed in vitro, which in turn affects the targeting efficiency. In addition, the targeting efficiency is also affected by the sgRNA cleavage efficiency, and the sgRNA activity score predicted by the website does not reflect the true cleavage efficiency of the sgRNA in the embryos. In addition, random insertion of a double-stranded targeting vector associated with the CRISPR/Cas9 technology cannot be ignored. However, a large number of studies have shown that using a single-stranded DNA as a repair template can reduce the random insertion rate.
This process has problems that the quality of the Cas9-mRNA is difficult to control, the cleavage efficiency of the sgRNA in vivo is unknown, and the double-stranded targeting vector is randomly inserted, which increase the cost and time of the experiment and limit wide application of the technology.
In order to solve the above problems, the present invention replaces a Cas9-mRNA with a Cas9 protein expressed and purified in vitro, a large amount of Cas9 proteins can be prepared at one time, and the proteins can be applied to production after active cleavage. Meantime, in order to ensure the success rate of a project, first the sgRNA cleavage efficiency is tested with embryos to screen out high-efficiency sgRNA. In addition, we use a single-stranded DNA as a targeting vector, and the random insertion rate is greatly reduced.
The present invention aims to use the CRIPSR/Cas9 gene editing technology to realize multi-locus targeting of a genome by combining a protein obtained by in vitro expression and a high-efficiency sgRNA obtained through embryo screening, to cut multiple loci on a target gene, and to achieve the purpose of genome modification.
The present invention provides a method for preparing a CKO/KI animal model by using Cas9 technology, including: a Cas9 protein expressed and purified in vitro, a high-efficiency sgRNA screened by an sgRNA cleavage efficiency test on embryos and targeting a gene locus to be modified, and a single-stranded DNA targeting vector prepared according to model requirements are mixed and subjected to animal embryo injection and transplantation; F0 mice born after transplantation are subjected to genotype identification; F0 with the correct genotype identification are bred to obtain F1 mice; and the F1 mice are identified, analyzed and verified to obtain the CKO/KI animal model.
Specifically, the flow of the method of the present invention is as shown in
step 1: preparation of a Cas9 protein with nuclease activity for subsequent steps, wherein the Cas9 protein is prepared by expression and purification in vitro;
step 2: screening of sgRNA
(1) designing an sgRNA targeting a gene locus to be modified and preparing a transcription template;
(2) transcribing the sgRNA in vitro using a transcription kit, and the transcribed sgRNA being for later use;
(3) transferring the sgRNA from step (2) and the Cas9 protein from step 1 into mouse fertilized eggs by microinjection or electroporation, and testing the obtained embryos for sgRNA cleavage activity; and screening out the sgRNA with the best cleavage activity for later use;
step 3: design and construction of targeting vector scheme
developing a model production scheme according to needs, and designing the targeting vector scheme based on the model production scheme, preparing the vector according to the targeting vector scheme, and using a single-stranded DNA as the targeting vector;
step 4: embryo injection and transplantation
mixing the targeting vector constructed correctly in step 3, the Cas9 protein from step 1, and the sgRNA with the best cleavage activity obtained in step 2, and carrying out embryo injection and transplantation by using the mixed sample; and
step 5: marking mice born after transplantation as F0 and carrying out the genotype identification of F0; breeding sexually mature F0 with the correct genotype identification, and marking the offspring mice thereof as F1; analyzing and verifying the F1 mice, and the F1 mice with the correct genotype verification being the prepared CKO/KI animal model.
In step 1 of the method of the present invention, the cleavage activity of Cas9-protein can be judged according to the cleavage ratio, and the Cas9 protein with a cleavage ratio of 50% or above can be used in subsequent steps.
The step (1) of step 2 may specifically be: an sgRNA targeting a modified locus is designed through a design website, an sgRNA transcription vector is constructed, and an in vitro transcription template is prepared by digestion and purification of the transcription vector.
The step (2) of step 2 may specifically be: the RNA is transcribed according to the operation manual of an RNA in vitro transcription kit (NEB #E2050S), and the RNA is purified according to the operation manual of an RNA purification kit (Ambion AM1908).
Reagent I: HiScribe™ T7 Quick High Yield RNA Synthesis Kit (NEB #E2050S)
Reagent II: AmbionMEGAclear kit (AmbionAM1908)
In vitro transcription of the RNA is carried out according to the operation manual of the HiScribe™ T7 Quick High Yield RNA Synthesis Kit (NEB #E2050S), and RNA purification is carried out according to the operation manual of the AmbionMEGAclear kit (Ambion AM1908).
The sgRNA cleavage activity test on the obtained embryos in the step (3) of step 2 is specifically: PCR identification of the obtained embryos is carried out to confirm the sgRNA cleavage activity.
The beneficial effects of the present invention are embodied in: the present invention replaces a Cas9-mRNA with a Cas9 protein expressed and purified in vitro, and the preparation of multiple models can be satisfied with preparation at one time. The technical efficiency is high, and the experimental cost is lowered. The sgRNA cleavage efficiency is tested with the embryos to screen out high-efficiency sgRNA, and the success rate of the project is ensured. In addition, we use the single-stranded DNA as the targeting vector, and the random insertion rate is greatly reduced. The technical process is complete, multiple technical services can be carried out at the same time, and different customized needs are met. The problems of difficult control of Cas9-mRNA quality, unknown sgRNA cleavage efficiency in vivo, random insertion of double-stranded targeting vectors, and the like are solved, and the experimental cost is reduced.
Note: the number in the figure represents the mouse number; B6 is a negative control, and is the mouse genomic DNA (MouseGRC38/mm10); N is a blank control, the control without a template; P is a positive plasmid control; TRANS2K PLUS II strip: 8000 bp\5000 bp\3000 bp\2000 bp\1000 bp\750 bp\500 bp\250 bp\100 bp.
Example 1: a method for preparing a Nes-Cre animal model based on Cas9 technology is realized by the following steps.
Step 1: a Cas9 protein was prepared. The Cas9 protein was prepared by expression and purification in vitro, and the activity thereof was tested. The protein with nuclease activity can be used for subsequent experiments. A commercial Cas9 active protein may also be purchased.
Reagent I: PrimeSTAR Max DNA Polymerase (Takara R045A)
Reagent II: Gel/PCR DNA Fragments Extraction Kit (Geneaid DF100)
Reagent III: NEBuffer3.1 (10×) (NEB #B7203S)
Reagent IV: 10× Loading Buffer (Takara 9157)
1) A C57BL/6 genome (MouseGRCm38/mm10) was used as a template, and PCR amplification was performed according to the operation manual of PrimeSTAR Max DNA Polymerase (Takara R045A). The primer information is as follows:
The PCR system is as follows:
The PCR procedure is as follows:
2) The amplified target fragment was detected by agarose gel electrophoresis, and the PCR product was recovered through the operation manual of a Gel/PCR DNA Fragments Extraction Kit (Geneaid DF100). The PCR product concentration measured by an ultraviolet spectrophotometer is 76.95 ng/μl (GD 260/280=1.85), and the PCR product sequence is as set forth in SEQ ID NO.10.
A sample addition system is as follows:
The order of sample addition is: water, Buffer, Cas9-Protein, sgRNA-1, and PCR recovery product. After the sample was added, the sample was mixed well using a pipette. After mixing, the sample was incubated at 37° C. for 1 h, heated at 72° C. for 10 min, and kept at 4° C.
The sgRNA-1 sequence is GAGGGCAGCTCTTGCAGAC (SEQ ID NO.65).
After completion, the sample was taken out immediately and placed on ice to cool for 5 min. 3.4 μl of 1% SDS was added, and 4 μl of 10× loading buffer was added after water bath action at 55° C. for 10 min. Agarose gel electrophoresis was performed, and the electrophoresis result is as shown in
Step 2: screening of sgRNA
(1) The sgRNA targeting a knock-in locus was designed and an sgRNA transcription template was prepared.
The sgRNA targeting the KI locus was designed using a Cas9sgRNA design website crispr.mit.edu, and a corresponding Oligo was ordered to construct the sgRNA.
The sgRNA sequences are as follows:
Forward an reverse pnmers were annealed to orm double strands, an then the double strands were ligated with a pUC57-T7 universal vector singly digested with Bsal to construct a transcription vector containing the sgRNA sequence. The sequencing verification by a professional sequencing company showed that the target plasmid was obtained.
The obtained target plasmid was digested at 37° C. overnight. After completion, agarose gel electrophoresis was performed. The target strips were cut for gel recovery, and a final product obtained was recovered as a transcription template.
(2) All sgRNAs were transcribed in vitro using a transcription kit, and the transcribed sgRNAs were for later use.
Reagent I: HiScribe™ T7 Quick High Yield RNA Synthesis Kit (NEB #E2050S)
Reagent II: AmbionMEGAclear kit (Ambion AM1908)
In vitro transcription of the RNAs was carried out according to the operation manual of a HiScribe™ T7 Quick High Yield RNA Synthesis Kit (NEB #E2050S), and RNA purification was carried out according to the operation manual of an AmbionMEGAclear kit (AmbionAM1908).
(3) The sgRNA and Cas9 protein were transferred into mouse fertilized eggs by microinjection or electroporation according to the method in the “Mouse Embryo Operation Experiment Manual”. The obtained embryos were tested for sgRNA cleavage activity by nested PCR. The PCR products were sequenced and verified by a professional sequencing company, and the Nes-Cre-S2 with high efficiency of a knock-in locus was obtained by screening.
The PCR system is as follows:
PCR primers are as follows:
The PCR procedure is as follows:
The sgRNA cleavage efficiency is as follows:
There is a difference between the sgRAN activity score predicted by the website and the sgRNA cleavage efficiency of embryos. We chose the Nes-Cre-S2, with a higher cleavage efficiency in embryo testing, as the sgRNA for targeting.
Step 3: a targeting vector containing a knock-in locus homologous arm, a Nestin promoter, Cre CDS, and HGHpolyA originals was designed and constructed. The above fragments were ligated with a PMID18T universal vector through a NEBuilder® HiFi DNA Assembly Master Mix (E2621 S) kit. Finally, the Nes-Cre targeting vector was obtained. The sequence of the Nes-Cre targeting vector is as set forth in SEQ ID NO. 11.
Step 4: embryo injection and transplantation
The correctly constructed targeting vector Nes-Cre, the Cas9 protein and the Nes-Cre-S2sgRNA were mixed, and the mixed injection sample was provided to the injection personnel for carrying out embryo injection and transplantation.
Step 5: the mice born after transplantation were marked as F0, and sexually mature positive F0 with correct genotype identification was bred. The offspring mice were marked as F1, and theF1 mice were analyzed and verified.
The PCR system for genotype identification of F1 mice is as follows:
PCR primers are as follows:
The PCR procedure is as follows:
The genotype identification result of the Nes-CreF1 mice is as shown in
Example 2: Functional Analysis of Nes-Cre Model Mice
Under the action of the nestin-promoter, the model expresses a Cre enzyme specifically in the central and peripheral nervous system, and can be used as a Cre tool mouse for specific induction of LoxP recombination in the central and peripheral nervous system. The positive F1 mice obtained in Example 1 were mated with fluorescent reporter gene tool mice (rosa26-loxP-tdtomato-loxP-GFP) to breed. Rosa26-loxP-tdtomato-loxP-GFP tool mice expressed red fluorescence, and when they were mated with Cre recombinase-expres sing mice, the offspring expressed green fluorescence because tdTtomato was missing in cells expressing ere. By observing frozen sections, the expression of green fluorescence could be observed to confirm the expression of ere protein in the central and peripheral nervous system, so as to perform functional analysis of the model.
By observing the frozen sections, it can be seen that in the offspring mice bred by mating the fluorescent reporter gene tool mice with the Nes-Cre mice, the tdTomato and stop originals in the brain and spinal cord cells were cut, and the brain and spinal cord cells could express green fluorescent EGFP. Other cells that could not express cre still expressed red fluorescence. The detection diagrams are as shown in
Example 3: a comparative test of the effects of the Cas9-mRNA and the Cas9 protein on the sgRNA-2 cleavage efficiency proves that the sgRNA cleavage efficiency of the Cas9-Protein+sgRNA combination is higher than that of the Cas9-mRNA+sgRNA combination.
Step 1: the sgRNA-2 was used as the sgRNA for testing, and the sequence of the sgRNA-2 is as follows:
The sequence of the sgRNA-2 is as follows:
Step 2: the sgRNA and the Cas9 system were transferred into mouse fertilized eggs by microinjection or electroporation according to the method in the “Mouse Embryo Operation Experiment Manual”. The obtained embryos were tested for sgRNA cleavage activity by nested PCR. The PCR products were sequenced and verified by a professional sequencing company, and the result shows that the cleavage efficiency of the Cas9-Protein+sgRNA is better than that of the Cas9-mRNA+sgRNA.
The PCR system is as follows:
PCR primers are as follows:
The PCR procedure is as follows:
The sgRNA cleavage efficiency is as follows:
Example 4: a comparative test of the effects of the Cas9-mRNA and the Cas9 protein on the Erbb2ip gene targeting efficiency proves that the targeting efficiency of the Cas9-Protein+sgRNA+Donor combination is higher than that of the Cas9-mRNA+sgRNA+Donor combination.
Step 1: the sgRNA corresponding to the Erbb2ip gene was used, and the sequence of the sgRNA is as follows:
An Erbb2ip gene targeting donor was used, and the targeting donor sequence is as set forth in SEQ ID NO.27.
The sgRNA, donor, and Cas9 system were transferred into mouse fertilized eggs by microinjection or electroporation according to the method in the “Mouse Embryo Operation Experiment Manual”, and the obtained embryos were tested for the gene targeting efficiency by nested PCR. The result shows that the Cas9-Protein+sgRNA+Donor combination has higher targeting efficiency than the Cas9-mRNA+sgRNA+Donor combination.
The specific targeting efficiency result is as follows:
The PCR system is as follows:
PCR primers are as follows:
The PCR procedure is as follows:
The result of Cas9-mRNA+Erbb2ip donor targeting identification is as shown in
The result of Cas9-Protein+Erbb2ip donor targeting identification is as shown in
Example 5: a comparative test of the effects of the Cas9-mRNA and the Cas9 protein on the Ly101 gene targeting efficiency proves that the targeting efficiency of the Cas9-Protein+sgRNA+Donor combination is higher than that of the Cas9-mRNA+sgRNA+Donor combination.
Step 1: the sgRNA corresponding to a Ly101 gene was used, and the sequence of the sgRNA is as follows:
A Ly101 gene targeting donor was used, and the sequence is as set forth in SEQ ID NO.36.
The sgRNA, donor, and Cas9 system were transferred into mouse fertilized eggs by microinjection or electroporation according to the method in the “Mouse Embryo Operation Experiment Manual”, and the obtained embryos were tested for the gene targeting efficiency by nested PCR. The result shows that the Cas9-Protein+sgRNA+Donor combination has higher targeting efficiency than the Cas9-mRNA+sgRNA+Donor combination.
The specific targeting efficiency result is as follows:
The PCR system is as follows:
PCR primers are as follows:
The PCR procedure is as follows:
The result of Cas9-m+Ly101 donor targeting identification is as shown in
The result of Cas9-Protein+Ly101 donor targeting identification is as shown in
Example 6: a Gsdma123-Cas9-CKO mouse model was prepared, and F1 mice with the correct genotype identification can be used as animal models for studying the Gsdma gene.
Step 1: the sgRNA targeting a Gsdma locus was designed, and an sgRNA transcribe template was prepared.
The sgRNA targeting the Gsdma locus was designed using a Cas9sgRNA design website crispr.mit.edu, and a corresponding Oligo was ordered to construct the sgRNA.
The sgRNA sequences are as follows:
Forward and reverse primers were annealed to form double strands, and then the double strands were ligated with a pUC57-T7 universal vector singly digested with Bsal to construct a transcription vector containing the sgRNA sequence. The sequencing verification by a professional sequencing company showed that the target plasmid was obtained.
The obtained target plasmid was digested at 37° C. overnight. After completion, agarose gel electrophoresis was performed. The target strips were cut for gel recovery, and a final product obtained was recovered as a transcription template.
Step 2: all sgRNAs were transcribed in vitro using a transcription kit, and the transcribed sgRNAs were for later use.
Reagent I: HiScribe™ T7 Quick High Yield RNA Synthesis Kit (NEB #E2050S)
Reagent II: AmbionMEGAclear kit (AmbionAM1908)
In vitro transcription of the RNAs was carried out according to the operation manual of the HiScribe™ T7 Quick High Yield RNA Synthesis Kit (NEB #E2050S), and RNA purification was carried out according to the operation manual of the AmbionMEGAclear kit (AmbionAM1908).
Step 3: the sgRNA targeting Gsdma locus and the Cas9 protein were transferred into mouse fertilized eggs by microinjection or electroporation according to the method in the “Mouse Embryo Operation Experiment Manual”. The obtained embryos were tested for sgRNA cleavage activity by nested PCR. The PCR products were sequenced and verified by a professional sequencing company, and a high-efficiency sgRNA was obtained by screening.
The PCR system is as follows:
PCR primers are as follows:
The PCR procedure is as follows:
The sgRNA cleavage efficiency is as follows:
Step 4: an Oligo targeting vector of Gsdma-Cas9-CKO and an identification scheme were designed and prepared. According to the targeting vector scheme, the targeting OligossDNA was ordered. The sequence is as follows:
Step 5: embryo injection and transplantation
The synthetic OligossDNA, the Cas9 protein, the Gsdma-5 S, and the Gsdma-3 SsgRNA were mixed, and the mixed injection sample was provided to the injection personnel for carrying out embryo injection and transplantation.
Step 6: the mice born after transplantation were marked as F0, and sexually mature positive F0 with correct genotype identification was bred. The offspring mice were marked as F1, and the F1 mice were subjected to genotype identification. Positive F1 mice can be used as animal models for studying the Gsdma gene.
The identification result found that the PCR positive rate of the F0 mice obtained by the Gsdma-Oligo single-stranded vector and the Cas9 technology was 8.20% (5/61).
Genotype identification of F0 mice:
The PCR system of F0 is as follows:
The PCR primers of F0 are as follows:
The PCR procedure of F0 is as follows:
The electrophoresis result of F0 genotype identification is as shown in
Genotype identification of F1 mice:
The PCR system of F1 is as follows:
The PCR primers of F1 are as follows:
The PCR procedure of F1 is as follows:
The electrophoresis result of genotype identification of F1 mice is as shown in
The genotype identification result shows that 140 #, 141 #, 144 #, 145 #, 150-152 #, and 155 # were positive F1 mice with Loxp at both ends targeted.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 201811208538.6 | Oct 2018 | CN | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/CN2019/075880 | 2/22/2019 | WO | 00 |
| Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| WO2020/077930 | 4/23/2020 | WO | A |
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11021719 | Gong | Jun 2021 | B2 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 107043787 | Aug 2017 | CN |
| 108424930 | Aug 2018 | CN |
| 108504657 | Sep 2018 | CN |
| 109266680 | Jan 2019 | CN |
| 2018069474 | Apr 2018 | WO |
| 2018177440 | Oct 2018 | WO |
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20210307303 A1 | Oct 2021 | US |
