In the ever-evolving landscape of agricultural biotechnology, a groundbreaking study led by Jun Sung Seo from the Department of Crop Science and Biotechnology at Dankook University has unveiled a promising alternative to conventional genome editing methods in rice. Published in the journal *Applied Biological Chemistry* (translated as *Applied Biological Chemistry*), the research focuses on the application of the OsRPS5 promoter for CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing, potentially revolutionizing the way we approach crop improvement.
Traditionally, constitutive promoters like CaMV 35S and ubiquitin have been the go-to tools for genome editing in crops. However, their widespread activity can lead to unintended off-target effects, posing challenges for precise genetic modifications. Seo and his team identified the Oryza sativa RPS5 (OsRPS5) promoters as a viable solution to this problem. “The RPS5A promoter has shown remarkable efficiency in dicots, but its potential in monocots like rice was largely unexplored,” Seo explained. “We aimed to bridge this gap and evaluate its utility in genome editing.”
The study involved assessing the activities of the OsRPS5 promoters using GFP reporter expression in rice protoplasts. The team then validated the promoters’ genome editing capability by targeting two endogenous genes, OsPDS and OsBADH2. The results were striking. Genome editing driven by the OsRPS5 promoter targeting OsPDS resulted in albino phenotypes in approximately 50% of the transgenic lines, with insertion/deletion mutations confirmed through sequencing analysis. Notably, the efficiency of the OsRPS5 promoter was comparable to that of widely used constitutive promoters in monocots.
“This research opens up new avenues for more precise and efficient genome editing in rice and potentially other monocot crops,” Seo remarked. The implications of this study extend beyond the laboratory, offering significant commercial impacts for the agricultural sector. By providing a more targeted approach to genome editing, the OsRPS5 promoter could enhance the development of crops with improved traits, such as disease resistance, yield, and nutritional content, ultimately benefiting farmers and consumers alike.
The findings suggest that the OsRPS5 promoter could become a valuable tool in the arsenal of agricultural biotechnologists, shaping the future of crop improvement. As the field continues to evolve, the integration of tissue-specific and developmentally regulated promoters like OsRPS5 may pave the way for more sophisticated and precise genetic modifications, driving innovation and sustainability in agriculture.