CRISPR/Cas技术在木本植物改良中的应用

木本植物育种周期长、种质资源匮乏,已成为限制木本植物种质创新的主要因素。CRISPR/Cas系统是近年来发展起来的能够实现对基因组进行精准定点编辑的技术,具有操作简单、周期短、效率高等优点,可实现基因的敲除、插入、替换等目的,从而精确地引入目标性状。目前,该技术已在多种家畜、昆虫、作物中得到了成功应用,对大量性状进行了改良,实现了种质资源的原始创新,大大缩短了育种年限。CRISPR/Cas技术的产生为木本植物的遗传改良提供了契机。笔者对CRISPR/Cas技术在杨树(Populus spp.)、苹果(Malus spp.)、柑橘(Citrus spp.)、葡萄(Vitis vinifera)、木薯(Cassava spp.)等木本植物育种中的应用进行了总结,该技术实现了T0代木本植物优良基因型的固定,在生长、材性、抗病性、抗旱性等性状上得到了明显改善,加快了木本植物育种进程,提高了育种效率。但该技术在木本植物中的应用尚处于起步阶段,还存在脱靶率高、编辑效率低、纯合突变少等问题。基于此,对CRISPR/Cas技术在木本植物中的应用前景进行了展望,以期为木本植物基因功能研究及品种改良提供有益参考。

Application of CRISPR/Cas technique in woody plant improvement

Long breeding periods and scarce germplasm resources have become the main bottlenecks in woody plant improvement. Recently, the CRISPR/Cas system has been developed into a precision site-directed editing technology that has been widely used in the breeding of woody plants such as Populus spp., Malus spp., Citrus spp., Vitis vinifera and Cassava spp.. The yield, quality, biotic- and abiotic-stress resistance, and other traits of woody plants have been significantly improved by genome editing, achieving the fixation of excellent genotypes within a single generation. This approach has accelerated the breeding process of woody plants and improves their breeding efficiency. Here, we summarize the application of CRISPR/Cas technology to woody plants, analyzing existing problems and future development trends. This review aims to provide a useful reference for gene function research and improvement of woody plants.