RNA-guided transcriptional silencing in vivo with S. aureus CRISPR-Cas9 repressors

Nat Commun. 2018 Apr 26;9(1):1674. doi: 10.1038/s41467-018-04048-4.

Abstract

CRISPR-Cas9 transcriptional repressors have emerged as robust tools for disrupting gene regulation in vitro but have not yet been adapted for systemic delivery in adult animal models. Here we describe a Staphylococcus aureus Cas9-based repressor (dSaCas9KRAB) compatible with adeno-associated viral (AAV) delivery. To evaluate dSaCas9KRAB efficacy for gene silencing in vivo, we silenced transcription of Pcsk9, a regulator of cholesterol levels, in the liver of adult mice. Systemic administration of a dual-vector AAV8 system expressing dSaCas9KRAB and a Pcsk9-targeting guide RNA (gRNA) results in significant reductions of serum Pcsk9 and cholesterol levels. Despite a moderate host response to dSaCas9KRAB expression, Pcsk9 repression is maintained for 24 weeks after a single treatment, demonstrating the potential for long-term gene silencing in post-mitotic tissues with dSaCas9KRAB. In vivo programmable gene silencing enables studies that link gene regulation to complex phenotypes and expands the CRISPR-Cas9 perturbation toolbox for basic research and gene therapy applications.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism*
  • CRISPR-Cas Systems
  • Cholesterol / blood
  • Endonucleases / genetics
  • Endonucleases / metabolism*
  • Gene Silencing*
  • Genetic Therapy
  • Liver / enzymology
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Proprotein Convertase 9 / blood
  • Proprotein Convertase 9 / genetics*
  • RNA, Guide, CRISPR-Cas Systems / genetics*
  • RNA, Guide, CRISPR-Cas Systems / metabolism
  • Staphylococcus aureus / enzymology*
  • Staphylococcus aureus / genetics
  • Transcription, Genetic

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • RNA, Guide, CRISPR-Cas Systems
  • Cholesterol
  • Endonucleases
  • Pcsk9 protein, mouse
  • Proprotein Convertase 9