Site-Specific Nucleases In Plant Genome Editing

The ability to edit DNA sequences in plant genomes via site-directed mutagenesis is of great importance for basic plant biology and agriculture biotechnology. Targeted genome modifications become possible using site-specific nucleases- new synthetic biology tools. Recent advances in genetic engineering allow to modify naturally occurring nucleases. Designed domains derived from zinc finger transcription factors or transcription activator-like effectors fused to endonuclease domain of a class II restriction enzyme are responsible for identifying and introducing desired changes in the selected locus. Precise editing of DNA sequence occurs by introducing double strand break and repair by subsequent mechanism involving either non-homologous end joining or homologous recombination. Site-specific nucleases comprise meganucleases, zinc-finger nucleases, transcription activator-like effector nucleases, and clustered regulatory interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated system. The application of these tools can help overcome legal problems related to use of genetically modified organisms. We present and discuss commonly used systems for site-specific genome engineering and highlight the ability to create non-transgenic plants for modern plant breeding.