CRISPR/dCas-mediated transcriptional and epigenetic regulation in plants

The CRISPR/Cas (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats/CRISPR Associated) system-mediated precise genome editing has revolutionized genome engineering due to ease of use and versatility of multiplexing. Catalytically inactivated Cas variants (dCas) further expand the usefulness of the CRISPR/Cas system for genetics studies and translational research without inducing DNA double-strand breaks. Fusion of diverse effector domains to dCas proteins empowers the CRISPR/dCas system as a multifunctional platform for gene expression regulation, epigenetic regulation and sequence-specific imaging. In this short review, we summarize the recent advances of CRISPR/dCas-mediated transcriptional activation and repression, and epigenetic modifications. We also highlight the future directions and broader applications of the CRISPR/dCas systems in plants.

Automated summary

The precise genome editing mediated by the CRISPR/Cas system has revolutionized genome engineering, with the use of dCas variants expanding its applications to genetic and translational research without inducing DNA double-strand breaks. Fusion of effector domains to dCas proteins empowers the CRISPR/dCas system as a multifunctional platform, enabling gene expression regulation, epigenetic regulation, and sequence-specific imaging. This review highlights recent advances in transcriptional activation and repression, as well as epigenetic modifications, and discusses the future directions and broader applications of the CRISPR/dCas systems in plants.