CRISPR/Cpf1 multiplex genome editing system increases silkworm tolerance to BmNPV

Abstract

The CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technology is now widely used in insect studies, but the use of CRISPR can be further increased to improve insect genome engineering. We established a direct mutation at multiple loci in several genes simultaneously used by CRISPR/Cpf1 multiplex genome editing technology to target the BmNPV genome. We constructed a transgenic line that can target the BmNPV ie-1, gp64, and DNApoly genes simultaneously, and hybridized this line with an FnCpf1 transgenic line to obtain an FnCpf1 × gNPVM binary hybrid expression system and to activate the FnCpf1 gene editing system. We showed that the multiple gene editing system introduced deletions, mutations, and insertions at three target sites, and that it did not affect the economic traits of transgenic silkworm lines. The antiviral response of multiplexed genome editing lines increased significantly, and viral gene transcription and replication were significantly affected in the transgenic silkworm lines. This study provides innovative resistance materials for silkworm breeding and also provides a simplified platform for efficient insect multi genome engineering and genetic operation.