Construction of CRISPR Plasmids and Detection of Knockout Efficiency in Mammalian Cells through a Dual Luciferase Reporter System

Summary

Here, we present a protocol describing a streamlined method for the efficient generation of plasmids expressing both the CRISPR enzyme and associated single guide RNA (sgRNAs). Co-transfection of mammalian cells with this sgRNA/CRISPR vector and a dual luciferase reporter vector that examines double-strand break repair allows evaluation of knockout efficiency.

Abstract

Although highly efficient, modification of a genomic site by the CRISPR enzyme requires the generation of a sgRNA unique to the target site(s) beforehand. This work describes the key steps leading to the construction of efficient sgRNA vectors using a strategy that allows the efficient detection of the positive colonies by PCR prior to DNA sequencing. Since efficient genome editing using the CRISPR system requires a highly efficient sgRNA, a preselection of candidate sgRNA targets is necessary to save time and effort. A dual luciferase reporter system has been developed to evaluate knockout efficiency by examining double-strand break repair via single strand annealing. Here, we use this reporter system to pick up the preferred xCas9/sgRNA target from candidate sgRNA vectors for specific gene editing. The protocol outlined will provide a preferred sgRNA/CRISPR enzyme vector in 10 days (starting with appropriately designed oligonucleotides).

Introduction

The CRISPR sgRNAs comprise a 20-nucleotide sequence (the protospacer), which is complementary to the genomic target sequence^1,2. Although highly efficient, the ability of the CRISPR/Cas system to modify a given genomic site requires the generation of a vector carrying an efficient sgRNA unique to the target site(s)². This paper describes the key steps in the generation of that sgRNA vector.

For successful genome editing using the CRISPR/Cas system, the use of highly efficient sgRNAs is a crucial prerequisite^3,

Protocol

1. sgRNA oligonucleotide design

1. Design sgRNAs using online tools such as the Cas-Designer online tool (http://www.rgenome.net/cas-designer/). The PAM sequence is important based on the Cas9 being used. For xCas9, the relevant PAM sequences are NG and the former referred Cas-Designer online tool can generate xCas9 relevant sgRNAs.
   1. Use sgRNA design tools that encompass algorithms for on- and off-target prediction (http://www.broadinstitute.org/rnai/public/analysis-tools/sgrna-design)¹¹. A score of 0.2 or greater is preferred.
2. Select up to 3 gene editing targets for an optimum screening (e.g., T1, T2....

Results

The methods outlined in this protocol are for the construction of sgRNA and xCas9 expression vectors and then for the optimization screening of sgRNA oligos with relatively higher gene targeting efficiencies. Here we display a representative example of 3 sgRNA targets to sheep DKK2 exon 1. SgRNA and xCas9 expressing vectors can be built by predigesting the vector backbone (Figure 2) followed by ligating it in a series of short double-strand DNA fragments through annealing oligo pair.......

Discussion

The sgRNA vector cloning procedures we have described here facilitates efficient production of sgRNAs, with most of the costs derived from the oligonucleotide ordering and vector sequencing. While the outlined method is designed to allow users to generate sgRNAs for use with CRISPR/Cas9, the protocol can easily be adapted for use with Cas9 orthologues or other RNA-guided endonucleases such as Cpf1, introducing minor modifications to the vector backbone and the oligonucleotide overhanging sequences.

Materials

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
A new generation of full touch screen gradient PCR instrument	LongGene	A200	Target gene amplification
AscI restriction enzymes	New England Biolabs	R0558V	Cutting target vectors
BbsI restriction enzyme	New England Biolabs	R0539S	Cutting target vectors
Clean workbench	AIRTECH	SW-CJ-2FD/VS-1300L-U	A partial purification device in the form of a vertical laminar flow, which creates a local high clean air environment
DH5α Competent Cells	TaKaRa	K613	Plasmid vector transformation
Dual-Luciferas Reporter Assay System	Promega	E1910	Dual-luciferas reporter assay
Electric thermostatic water bath	Sanfa Scientific Instruments	DK-S24	Heating reagent by constant temperature in water bath
Electrophoresis	Beijing Liuyi Biotechnology Co., Ltd.	DYY-6C	Control voltage, current, etc.
Eppendorf Reference 2	Eppendorf China Ltd.	Reference 2	Accurately draw and transfer traces of liquid
Gel imaging analyzer	Beijing Liuyi Biotechnology Co., Ltd.	WD-9413B	For the analysis of electrophoresis gel images
GloMax 20/20 Luminometer	Promega	E5311	Detect dual luciferase activity
High speed refrigerated centrifuge	BMH	sigma 3K15	Nucleic acid extraction and purification
Intelligent biochemical incubator	Sanfa Scientific Instruments	SHP-160	Provide a suitable temperature environment for the enzyme digestion experiment
LB Broth Agar	Sangon Biotech	A507003-0250	For the cultivation of E.coli
Lipofectamine 3000 Transfection Reagent Kit	Thermo Fisher	L3000015	DNA Transfection
SalI restriction enzymes	New England Biolabs	R3138V	Cutting target vectors
SanPrep Column DNA Gel Extraction Kit	Sangon Biotech	B518131-0050	Recycling DNA fragments
SanPrep Column Plasmid Mini-Preps Kit	Sangon Biotech	B518191-0100	Extraction of plasmid DNA
T4 DNA Ligase	New England Biolabs	M0202V	Link DNA fragment
TaKaRa MiniBEST DNA Fragment Purification Kit Ver.4.0	TaKaRa	9761	DNA purification
Vertical pressure steam sterilizer	JIBIMED	LS-50LD	High temperature and autoclave to kill bacteria, fungi and other microorganisms in laboratory equipment
Water bath thermostat	Changzhou Guoyu Instrument Manufacturing Co., Ltd.	SHZ-82	Let the bacteria keep shaking, which is good for contact with air.