Exploring the functions of nonclassical MHC class Ib genes in Xenopus laevis by the CRISPR/Cas9 system.
A large family of highly related and clustered Xenopus nonclassical MHC class Ib (XNC) genes influences Xenopus laevis immunity and potentially other physiological functions. Using RNA interference (RNAi) technology, we previously demonstrated that one of XNC genes, XNC10.1, is critical for the development and function of a specialized innate T (iT) cell population. However, RNAi limitation such as a variable and unstable degree of gene silencing in F0 and F1 generations is hampering a thorough functional analysis of XNC10.1 and other XNC genes. To overcome this obstacle, we adapted the CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing technique for XNC genes. We efficiently and specifically generated single gene knockouts of XNC10.1, XNC11, and XNC1 as well as double gene knockouts of XNC10.1 and XNC11 in X. laevis. In single XNC10.1 knockout X. laevis tadpoles, the absence of XNC10.1 and Vα6-Jα1.43 invariant T cell receptor rearrangement transcripts indicated XNC10.1 loss-of-function and deficiency in Vα6-Jα1.43 iT cells. Notably, targeting XNC10.1 did not affect neighboring XNC genes exhibiting high sequence similarity. Furthermore, XNC1 gene disruption induced mortality during developmental stage 47, suggesting some non-immune but essential function of this gene. These data demonstrate that the CRISPR/Cas9 system can be successfully adapted for genetic analysis in F0 generation of X. laevis.
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA.
Maureen
M
Banach
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA.
Eva-Stina
ES
Edholm
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA. Electronic address: Jacques_Robert@urmc.rochester.edu.
Jacques
J
Robert
D000818:Animals; D017849:Animals, Inbred Strains; D001483:Base Sequence; D064113:CRISPR-Cas Systems; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian; D055786:Gene Knockout Techniques; D005805:Genes, MHC Class I; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D007814:Larva; D008845:Microinjections; D005810:Multigene Family; D009154:Mutation; D000072417:Protein Domains; D000094704:RNA, Guide, CRISPR-Cas Systems / Q000235:genetics; D059386:Reverse Genetics; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D012689:Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid; D014981:Xenopus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D029867:Xenopus Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D014982:Xenopus laevis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology
D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D000094704:RNA, Guide, CRISPR-Cas Systems; D029867:Xenopus Proteins
Amphibians; Comparative immunology; Gene knockout; Genomics; Reverse genetic; XNC