Recent progress in genome engineering techniques in the silkworm, Bombyx mori. (1st November 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Daimon, Takaaki; Kiuchi, Takashi; Takasu, Yoko
• Is Part Of: Development growth and differentiation. Volume 56:Number 1(2014)
• Page Start: 14
• Page End: 25
• Publication Date: 2013-11-01
• Subjects: Embryology -- Periodicals; Developmental biology -- Periodicals; Growth -- Periodicals; 574.3
• DOI: 10.1111/dgd.12096
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0012-1592

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="dgd12096-abs-0001"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p>Rapid advances in genome engineering tools, such as zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs), transcription activator‐like effector nucleases (TALENs), and the clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats/CRISPR‐associated (CRISPR/Cas) system, have enabled efficient gene knockout experiments in a wide variety of organisms. Here, we review the recent progress in targeted gene disruption techniques in the silkworm, <italic>Bombyx mori</italic>. Although efficiency of targeted mutagenesis was very low in an early experiment using ZFNs, recent studies have shown that TALENs can induce highly efficient mutagenesis of desired target genes in <italic>Bombyx</italic>. Notably, mutation frequencies induced by TALENs can reach more than 50% of G₀ gametes. Thus, TALENs can now be used as a standard tool for gene targeting studies, even when mutant phenotypes are unknown. We also propose guidelines for experimental design and strategy for knockout experiments in <italic>Bombyx</italic>. Genome editing technologies will greatly increase the usefulness of <italic>Bombyx</italic> as a model for lepidopteran insects, the major agricultural pests, and lead to sophisticated breeding of <italic>Bombyx</italic> for use in sericulture and biotechnology.</p> </abstract>