发育生物学

In the Japanese rhinoceros beetle Trypoxylus dichotomus, gene function studies have relied mainly on systemic larval RNA interference (RNAi), as gain-of-function techniques remain underdeveloped and germline transgenesis is impractical given the species’ approximately one-year generation time. In addition, because larval RNAi is systemic, it has been difficult to analyze the function of lethal genes. Here, we present a simple and efficient protocol for the direct introduction of exogenous DNA into T. dichotomus larvae via in vivo electroporation. This protocol includes optimized procedures for adult breeding and egg collection, as well as a rigorously parameterized electroporation technique that delivers a piggyBac transposon vector into region-specific larval tissues. Within one day after electroporation, treated larvae exhibit mosaic expression of a reporter gene, enabling rapid tissue-specific functional analysis without the need to establish stable germline transgenic lines. Moreover, the key promoter used in this system (T. dichotomus actinA3 promoter) is effective across diverse insect species, indicating that the method can be readily adapted to other non-model insects. Overall, this electroporation-based approach provides a valuable gain-of-function tool for T. dichotomus and potentially many other insect species.

Telomere shortening is a hallmark of human aging, and telomerase regulation plays a critical role in cellular proliferation and replicative senescence. In human cells, telomere length imposes a limit on proliferative potential, a phenomenon known as the Hayflick limit. However, species-specific differences in telomere dynamics and telomerase regulation between humans and mice present challenges to using mice as accurate models for human telomere-related research. To address this limitation, we engineered a humanized telomerase gene (hmTert) in mice by replacing the non-coding sequences within the mouse Tert locus (mTert) with corresponding regulatory sequences from the human TERT gene. Breeding of these genetically modified mice resulted in progressive telomere shortening over successive generations, ultimately reaching human-like lengths (below 10 kb). This protocol outlines the development of this humanized telomere mouse model, referred to as HuT mice, offering a robust platform for studying human telomere biology and aging-related diseases.

CRISPR-Cas9 has democratized genome engineering due to its simplicity and efficacy. Adapted from a bacterial defense mechanism, CRISPR-Cas9 comprises the Cas9 endonuclease and a site-specific guide RNA. In vivo, the Cas9 ribonucleoprotein (RNP) can target specific genomic loci and generate double-strand breaks. Eukaryotic endogenous DNA repair mechanisms recognize the cut site and attempt to repair the DNA either by non-homologous end joining, which introduces insertions/deletions, resulting in a loss of reading frame in coding genes, or through homology-directed repair that maintains the reading frame. The latter approach allows the insertion of fluorescent reporter sequences in frame with protein-coding genes in order to monitor gene expression and protein dynamics in cells and whole organisms. Here, we provide a protocol for targeting endogenous genes to introduce sequences coding for fluorescent reporters in medaka (Oryzias latipes). The method is simple, robust, and efficient, thus facilitating straightforward organismal genome editing.

The adeno-associated virus serotype 9 (AAV9)-delivered gene expression driven by the cardiac troponin T (Tnnt2) promoter is broadly considered to be cardiac-specific. However, in cases where low AAV expression is sufficient to trigger a profound biological effect in CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing, the ectopic AAV9-Tnnt2 expression and gene editing in the liver becomes non-negligible. MicroRNA122 is a microRNA that is specifically expressed in the liver. The incorporation of the microRNA122 target sequence (miR122TS) into the 3' untranslated region (UTR) of the AAV transgene could reduce ectopic gene expression in the liver. Here, we provide a protocol for sgRNA design, plasmid construction, AAV packaging, and in vivo validation of a new AAV9-Tnnt2-SaCas9-miR122TS vector using publicly available materials and tools. The application of this new vector enables cardiac-specific gene editing while circumventing leakages in the liver.

In this paper, we present a detailed protocol for microinjecting DNA, RNA, or protein solutions into fertilized eggs of the multicolored Asian ladybird beetle, Harmonia axyridis, under a stereomicroscope equipped with an injection apparatus. H. axyridis is an emerging model organism for studying various biological fields, showing intraspecific polymorphisms exhibiting highly diverse color patterns on the elytra. Here, we describe how to rear ladybird beetles in a laboratory and obtain fertilized eggs for microinjection experiments. We also provide a constant fluid flow injection method, which enhances the efficiency of microinjection and improves throughput. Our step-by-step protocol is applicable to generating transgenic or genome-edited ladybird beetles, facilitating functional genetics in H. axyridis; the microinjection method should be applicable to other insect eggs.

Maternal mRNAs and proteins are produced during oogenesis by more than 60% of zebrafish genes. They are indispensable for fertilization and early embryogenesis. Generation and analysis of the maternal mutant is the most direct way to characterize the maternal function of the specific gene. However, due to the lethality of zygotic mutants, the maternal function of most genes in zebrafish remains elusive. Several methods have been developed to circumvent this obstacle, including mRNA rescue, germ-line replacement, oocyte microinjection in situ, mosaic mutation, and bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC)-mediated conditional rescue. Here, we provide an alternative approach to generate zebrafish maternal mutants rapidly and efficiently by introducing four tandem sgRNA expression cassettes into Tg(zpc:zcas9) embryos. This method is more technically feasible and cost- and time-effective than other established methods.

Efficient precision genome engineering requires high frequency and specificity of integration at the genomic target site. Multiple design strategies for zebrafish gene targeting have previously been reported with widely varying frequencies for germline recovery of integration alleles. The GeneWeld protocol and pGTag (plasmids for Gene Tagging) vector series provide a set of resources to streamline precision gene targeting in zebrafish. Our approach uses short homology of 24-48 bp to drive targeted integration of DNA reporter cassettes by homology-mediated end joining (HMEJ) at a CRISPR/Cas induced DNA double-strand break. The pGTag vectors contain reporters flanked by a universal CRISPR sgRNA sequence to liberate the targeting cassette in vivo and expose homology arms for homology-driven integration. Germline transmission rates for precision-targeted integration alleles range 22-100%. Our system provides a streamlined, straightforward, and cost-effective approach for high-efficiency gene targeting applications in zebrafish.

Graphic Abstract:

GeneWeld method for CRISPR/Cas9 targeted integration.