CRISPR/Cas9 targeted genetic screening in Physcomitrella identifies novel cell division genes.

ABSTRACT: Although plants share core cell division mechanisms with other eukaryotes, their unique features, such as acentrosomal spindle formation and cytokinesis via the phragmoplast, suggest the existence of plant-specific genes. This study used the model bryophyte Physcomitrium patens, commonly known as Physcomitrella, to uncover such genes and employed CRISPR/Cas9-based and localization-based screening to identify novel cell division genes. Co-expression data from known mitotic genes were used to create a pool of 216 candidate genes, which were targeted for CRISPR/Cas9 screening. Frameshift mutants with division defects were characterized using high-resolution imaging and fluorophore-based protein localization. Three novel gene families-CYR (Cytokinesis-Related), LACH (Lagging Chro

SUBMITTER: Maekawa K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12708537 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature