Targeted multiplex gene knockouts in Lemna minor using CRISPR/Cas9.

Abstract

Lemna minor (commonly known as duckweed) is a fast-growing aquatic plant recognized as a promising green bioreactor for recombinant protein production. Its rapid proliferation, high protein yield, environmental adaptability, and edibility make it highly attractive for biotechnological applications. It is essential to develop and expand genetic tools tailored to this species to maximize these advantages and further unlock its biotechnological potential. A key strategy for achieving this goal is the implementation of advanced genome editing technologies, such as the CRISPR/Cas9 system. Although multiplex CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing has previously been successfully applied in Lemna aequinoctialis, the capability of the endogenous plant tRNA processing system for multiplex editing in L. minor using the polycistronic tRNA-sgRNA (PTG)/Cas9 system has not yet been explored. In this study, a PTG construct was engineered to include four sgRNAs designed to simultaneously target two plant-specific glycosyltransferase genes: α-1,3-fucosyltransferase (FucT) and β-1,2-xylosyltransferase (XylT). As anticipated, the PTG-Cas9 system successfully induced frameshift mutations, characterized by insertions and deletions (indels), in regenerated L. minor plants derived from transformed calli. Validation via PCR and RT-PCR analysis, followed by sequencing of the target loci, confirmed the presence of indels at the target sites. Furthermore, western blot analyses utilizing antibodies specific to XylT and FucT in two homozygous lines (lines 44 and 217) revealed truncated XylT proteins in both lines. Moreover, an in-frame FucT protein was detected in line 217, whereas FucT expression was absent in line 44. This study marked the first successful demonstration of PTG-Cas9 system for multiplex genome editing in L. minor, paving the way for advanced genetic engineering in this species.