Genetic containment in vegetatively propagated forest trees: CRISPR disruption of LEAFY function in Eucalyptus gives sterile indeterminate inflorescences and normal juvenile development.

ABSTRACT: Eucalyptus is among the most widely planted taxa of forest trees worldwide. However, its spread as an exotic or genetically engineered form can create ecological and social problems. To mitigate gene flow via pollen and seeds, we mutated the Eucalyptus orthologue of LEAFY (LFY) by transforming a Eucalyptus grandis × urophylla wild-type hybrid and two Flowering Locus T (FT) overexpressing (and flowering) lines with CRISPR Cas9 targeting its LFY orthologue, ELFY. We achieved high rates of elfy biallelic knockouts, often approaching 100% of transgene insertion events. Frameshift mutations and deletions removing conserved amino acids caused strong floral alterations, including indeterminacy in floral development and an absence of male and female gametes. These mutants were otherwise visibly no

SUBMITTER: Elorriaga E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8428835 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature