A universal strategy for AAV delivery of base editors to correct genetic point mutations in neonatal PKU mice

Abstract

Base editing tools enabled efficient conversion of C:G or A:T base pairs to T:A or G:C, which are especially powerful for targeting monogenic lesions. However, in vivo correction of disease-causing mutations is still less efficient because of the large size of base editors. Here, we designed a dual adeno-associated virus (AAV) strategy for in vivo delivery of base editors, in which deaminases were linked to Cas9 through the interaction of GCN4 peptide and its single chain variable fragment (scFv) antibody. We found that one or two copies of GCN4 peptide were enough for the assembly of base editors and produced robust targeted editing. By optimization of single-guide RNAs (sgRNAs) that target phenylketonuria (PKU) mutation, we were able to achieve up to 27.7% correction in vitro. In vivo delivery of this dual AAV base editing system resulted in efficient correction of PKU-related mutation in neonatal mice and subsequent rescue of hyperphenylalaninemia-associated syndromes. Considering the similarity between Cas9 proteins from different organisms, our delivery strategy will be compatible with other Cas9-derived base editors.