CRISPR/Cas9-mediated foreign gene targeted knock-in into the chicken EAV-HP genome

Abstract

The study aims to use CRISPR/Cas9 introducing foreign gene targeted knock-in into chicken EAV-HP genome. First, specific primers were designed for amplification of EAV-HP left, right homologous arms and enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) expression cassette. PCR products of homologous arms were ligated to both sides of eGFP by overlap extension PCR, resulting in full-length donor DNA fragment designated as LER. Then LER fragments were cloned into pMD19-T to obtain donor vector pMDT-LER. Subsequently, the donor vector pMDT-LER was transfected into HEK293T cells to verify the expression of eGFP gene. Furthermore, co-transfection of CRISPR/Cas9 expression vector and pMDT-LER into chicken DF-1 cells was performed to achieve eGFP transgenic cells. Meanwhile, eGFP expression was observed in cells, and the event of eGFP integration into EAV-HP genome was detectable by amplification of target DNA. Finally, the transgenic DF-1 cells were passaged seven times, and the stable integration and expression of eGFP was checked by PCR and Western blotting. These results demonstrated that eGFP gene was knocked into the EAV-HP genome successfully, which provides a new integration site for research of transgenic chicken.