Development of a CRISPR/Cas9 system in Entamoeba histolytica: proof of concept.

ABSTRACT: The protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica is an important human pathogen and a leading parasitic cause of death on a global scale. The lack of molecular tools for genome editing hinders the study of important biological functions of this parasite. Due to its versatility, the CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat)-Cas9 system has been successfully used to induce site-specific genomic alterations, including in protozoan parasites. In this study, we optimised CRISPR-Cas9 for use as a genetic tool in E. histolytica. We chose a single plasmid approach containing both guide RNA (gRNA) and Cas9 nuclease expression cassettes. The amebic U6 promoter was used to drive the expression of the gRNA and its expression was confirmed by Northern blot analysis. Stable transfect

SUBMITTER: Kangussu-Marcolino MM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7880892 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature