Nazim Hussain
Rudolph Fredua-Agyeman- 1Independent Researcher, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- 2Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
Editorial on the Research Topic
CRISPR-based genome editing for seed oil improvements in Brassica napus L.
Rapeseed (Brassica napus L., AACC, 2n = 38) is the world’s third-significant oilseed crop after soybean and oil palm, renowned for its high-quality edible oil and biofuel production (USDA ERS, 2021). The demand for rapeseed in various industries continues to surge, necessitating advancements in genetic traits to meet market requirements. Enhancing crop traits, both quantitatively and qualitatively, has always remained a focal point for agricultural researchers. Conventional and molecular approaches have been employed in the past; however, they are often time-consuming, lack precision and may result in genetic instability of desirable breeding traits. Recent advancements in genome editing technology, specifically Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) and CRISPR-associated (Cas) proteins, have revolutionized the field of plant breeding. This editorial delves into the potential of CRISPR technology in augmenting Brassica’s seed oil and fatty acid composition, as evidenced by publications featured in this Frontiers’ Research Topic titled “CRISPR-Based Genome Editing for Seed Oil Improvements in Brassica napus L.” By meticulously examining five publications, including one mini-review, and four research articles, this editorial aims to inspire researchers to embrace this revolutionary approach for rapeseed oil improvement and genetic enhancement. The insights presented here aim to emphasize CRISPR technology’s significance in empowering researchers towards achieving sustainable and enhanced agricultural practices. In this editorial, we summarize the key findings and perspectives outlined in each of the accepted articles.
CRISPR/Cas9 technology for precision genome engineering
Ali and Zhang briefly reviewed CRISPR-mediated technology for seed oil improvement in rapeseed. Significant points are as follows: CRISPR/Cas9 technology has revolutionized genome editing by leveraging the Cas9 protein and single-guide RNAs (sgRNAs) to target specific regions of the genome (Cong et al., 2013; Lawrenson et al., 2015). In the case of rapeseed, an allotetraploid species with redundant genes (Chalhoub et al., 2014), CRISPR/Cas9 presents clear advantages over traditional breeding techniques. It enables simultaneous mutations in multiple copies of genes, making it a valuable tool for understanding polyploidy and achieving desired genetic improvements. Whether employing a single or multiplex genome editing strategy, the CRISPR/Cas9 system has proven effective for crop improvement (Lohani et al., 2020).
Unraveling the role of STM in rapeseed development
The shoot apical meristem (SAM) is vital for plant growth, and studying its development can help create high-yield rapeseed breeds with desirable traits like multi-inflorescence structures and multilocular silique by editing the crucial genes in SAM (Yang et al., 2018; Xue et al., 2020; Lu et al., 2022). Thus, understanding SAM development is crucial for improving rapeseed varieties in agriculture. The SHOOT MERISTEMLESS (STM) gene, a transcription factor found in Arabidopsis, plays a vital role in SAM function and tissue boundary formation. However, the function of STM in rapeseed remains largely unexplored. In one of the articles published under the theme of our Research Topic, Yu et al. employed CRISPR/Cas9 technology to create single and double mutants of BnaSTM genes in rapeseed. The results unveiled the significance of BnaA09.STM and BnaC09.STM redundancy in regulating SAM development in rapeseed. Moreover, the findings shed light on the distinct role of BnaSTM in SAM maintenance compared to Arabidopsis. This breakthrough not only expands our understanding of rapeseed development but also highlights the potential of CRISPR technology in unraveling gene functions in polyploid crops.
Enhancing seed oleic acid content through CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing
Seed oleic acid content is a desirable trait in rapeseed breeding programs due to its health benefits (Terés et al., 2007; Terés et al., 2008) and impact on oil quality (Roszkowska et al., 2015; Cao et al., 2020; López et al., 2022). One of the studies under the current Research Topic by Liu et al. focused on the precise editing of the BnFAD2 gene, responsible for seed oleic acid content, using CRISPR/Cas9 technology. By editing the double loci of BnFAD2, researchers were able to significantly increase the seed oleic acid content in rapeseed. The study meticulously evaluated editing efficiency, regeneration, and transformation rates, demonstrating the potential of CRISPR technology in enhancing seed oil traits. This breakthrough paves the way for the development of rapeseed varieties with improved oil quality through targeted genetic modifications.
Portable diagnostic methods for identifying plant pathogens
Rapid and accurate detection of plant pathogens is crucial for preventing the spread of diseases and ensuring crop health. Leptosphaeria maculans (L. maculans), a fungus responsible for phoma stem canker disease in rapeseed, causes substantial yield losses (Rouxel and Balesdent, 2005; Fitt et al., 2006). Lei et al. developed a portable detection method that combines CRISPR/Cas12a-based detection with recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA). This innovative approach allows for on-site detection of L. maculans, enabling timely disease management decisions. The integration of CRISPR technology in plant pathology diagnostics represents a significant advancement in disease surveillance and control strategies.
Enhancing MUFA content: a challenge and opportunity
Our Research Topic also explores recent advancements in genetic engineering to address the challenge of low Monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) levels in vegetable oils. MUFAs, like oleic acid, are favored in both industrial (biodiesel fuels and biolubircants), and food applications due to their higher thermal-oxidative stability and viscosity compared to other fatty acids (Smith et al., 2007; Davis et al., 2008). However, most vegetable oils have high Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and low MUFA levels. To tackle this, Lee et al. used CRISPR-Cas9-mediated gene editing with one single guide RNA (sgRNA) to create a triple CsFAD2 KO Camelina (a genus in the Brassicaceae family) mutant plants. The mutant successfully increased MUFA content in Camelina seeds but at the cost of inhibited growth and compromised agronomic traits. So, achieving MUFA levels above 80% while maintaining a normal phenotype has proven to be a challenging endeavor.
The researchers, Lee et al., propose a multi-pronged approach to circumvent the growth limitations associated with increased monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) content in Camelina seeds. Firstly, they suggest targeting the gene(s) responsible for polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) accumulation in addition to the CsFAD2 knockout mutation to further enhance MUFA levels. This would create a CsFAD2 double mutant form (aa/bb/CC) where PUFA-related genes are mutated alongside CsFAD2, achieving a balance between increased MUFA content and normal growth. Another approach they suggest is overexpressing the gene(s) involved in PUFA biosynthesis within the chloroplasts of the CsFAD2 triple mutant form (aa/bb/cc). This strategy could lead to the development of Camelina varieties with enhanced MUFA content while maintaining the desired agronomic traits necessary for robust growth and development. Successful implementation of these strategies not only expands the applications of Camelina seed oil but also enables the production of unconventional fatty acids derived from MUFAs, such as hydroxy fatty acids, which could be valuable precursors for various industrial purposes.
Challenges and future prospects
The studies discussed in this editorial exemplify the power of CRISPR technology in enhancing rapeseed’s oil quality, unraveling gene functions, and developing portable diagnostic methods for disease management. While the potential of CRISPR technology for rapeseed improvement is promising, challenges and ethical considerations remain. Off-target effects, regulatory hurdles, and public acceptance are among the key challenges faced by researchers. Addressing these concerns requires stringent guidelines, thorough risk assessment, and effective communication between scientists, policymakers, and the public. Furthermore, optimizing CRISPR delivery systems, improving editing efficiency, and expanding targetable genetic elements are crucial for the future success of CRISPR-mediated rapeseed improvement.
Author contributions
NH: Conceptualization, Supervision, Validation, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing. RF: Validation, Writing – review & editing.
Acknowledgments
We wish to acknowledge the indispensable contributions of the authors, reviewers, and dedicated Frontiers editorial staff, for collectively transforming this Research Topic into a beacon of scholarly excellence.
Conflict of interest
The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
Publisher’s note
All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article, or claim that may be made by its manufacturer, is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.
References
Cao, J., Jiang, X., Chen, Q. Y., Zhang, H., Sun, H. H., Zhang, W. M., et al. (2020). Oxidative stabilities of olive and camellia oils: Possible mechanism of aldehydes formation in oleic acid triglyceride at high temperature. LWT 118, 108858. doi: 10.1016/j.lwt.2019.108858
Chalhoub, B., Denoeud, F., Liu, S., Parkin, I. A., Tang, H., Wang, X., et al. (2014). Early allopolyploid evolution in the post-neolithic brassica napus oilseed genome. science 345 (6199), 950–953. doi: 10.1126/science.1253435
Cong, L., Ran, F. A., Cox, D., Lin, S., Barretto, R., Habib, N., et al. (2013). Multiplex genome engineering using CRISPR/Cas systems. Science 339 (6121), 819–823. doi: 10.1126/science.1231143
Davis, J. P., Dean, L. O., Faircloth, W. H., Sanders, T. H. (2008). Physical and chemical characterizations of normal and high-oleic oils from nine commercial cultivars of peanut. J. Am. Oil Chem. Soc 85, 235–243. doi: 10.1007/s11746-007-1190-x
Fitt, B. D. L., Brun, H., Barbetti, M. J., Rimmer, S. R. (2006). Worldwide importance of phoma stem canker (Leptosphaeria maculans and LBiglobosa) on oilseed rape (Brassica napus). Eur. J. Plant Pathol. 114, 3–15. doi: 10.1007/s10658-005-2233-5
Lawrenson, T., Shorinola, O., Stacey, N., Li, C., Østergaard, L., Patron, N., et al. (2015). Induction of targeted, A mutations in barley and brassica oleracea using RNAguided Cas9 nuclease. Genome Biol. 16 (1), 1–13. doi: 10.1186/s13059-015-0826-7
Lohani, N., Jain, D., Singh, M. B., Bhalla, P. L. (2020). Engineering multiple abiotic stress tolerance in canola, brassica napus. Front. Plant Sci. 11. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2020.00003
López, P. L., Marchesino, M. A., Grosso, N. R., Olmedo, R. H. (2022). Comparative study of accelerated assays for dermination of equivalent days in the shelf life of roasted high oleic peanuts: Chemical and volatile oxidation indicators in accelerated and room temperature conditions. Food Chem. 373, 131479. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2021.131479
Lu, H., Wu, H., Zhu, G., Yin, C., Zhao, L., Wen, J., et al. (2022). Identification and fine mapping of the candidate gene controlling multi-inflorescence in brassica napus. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 23 (13), 7244. doi: 10.3390/ijms23137244
Roszkowska, B., Tańska, M., Czaplicki, S., Konopka, I. (2015). Variation in the composition and oxidative stability of commercial rapeseed oils during their shelf life. Eur. J. Lipid Sci. Technol. 117, 673–683. doi: 10.1002/ejlt.201400271
Rouxel, T., Balesdent, M. H. (2005). The stem canker (blackleg) fungus, Leptosphaeria maculans, enters the genomic era. Mol. Plant Pathol. 6, 225–241. doi: 10.1111/j.1364-3703.2005.00282.x
Smith, S. A., King, R. E., Min, D. B. (2007). Oxidative and thermal stabilities of genetically modified high oleic sunflower oil. Food Chem. 102, 1208–1213. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2006.06.058
Terés, S., Barceló-Coblijn, G., Alemany, R., Benet, M., Escribá, P. V. (2007). Oleic acid is responsible for the blood pressure reduction induced by olive oil through its “membrane-lipid therapy”. action. Chem. Phys. Lipids 149, s71–s72. doi: 10.1016/j.chemphyslip.2007.06.162
Terés, S., Barceló-Coblijn, G., Benet, M., Álvarez, R., Bressani, R., Halver, J. E., et al. (2008). Oleic acid content is responsible for the reduction in blood pressure induced by olive oil. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 105, 13811–13816. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0807500105
USDA ERS (2021). Available at: https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/oil-cropsyearbook/.
Xue, Z., Liu, L., Zhang, C. (2020). Regulation of shoot apical meristem and axillary meristem development in plants. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 21 (8), 2917. doi: 10.3390/ijms21082917
Keywords: Brassica napus L., seed oil, fatty acids, mutation, breeding, CRISPR/Cas9, CRISPR-associated (Cas) proteins
Citation: Hussain N and Fredua-Agyeman R (2023) Editorial: CRISPR-based genome editing for seed oil improvements in Brassica napus L.. Front. Plant Sci. 14:1273980. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1273980
Received: 07 August 2023; Accepted: 14 August 2023;
Published: 25 August 2023.
Edited and Reviewed by:
Chao Li, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), ChinaCopyright © 2023 Hussain and Fredua-Agyeman. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
*Correspondence: Nazim Hussain, hussain138@yahoo.com