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Publications

Journal Article Review Ppublish

PubMed: 40566685 DOI: 10.1016/j.xplc.2025.101427

Programmable genome engineering and gene modifications for plant biodesign.

Plant Commun 6(8):101427

Authors: Jialin Liu, Ruixiang Zhang, Nan Chai, Liying Su, Zhiye Zheng, Taoli Liu, Ziming Guo, Yuanhao Ma, Yongyao Xie, Xianrong Xie, Qiupeng Lin, Letian Chen, Yao-Guang Liu, Qinlong Zhu

Affiliations

  • Guangdong Basic Research Center of Excellence for Precise Breeding of Future Crops, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, College of Agriculture, College of Life Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; Faculty of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China.
  • Guangdong Basic Research Center of Excellence for Precise Breeding of Future Crops, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, College of Agriculture, College of Life Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China.
  • Guangdong Basic Research Center of Excellence for Precise Breeding of Future Crops, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, College of Agriculture, College of Life Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China.
  • Guangdong Basic Research Center of Excellence for Precise Breeding of Future Crops, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, College of Agriculture, College of Life Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China.

Abstract

Plant science has entered a transformative era as genome editing enables precise DNA modifications to address global challenges such as climate adaptation and food security. These modifications are primarily driven by the integration of three modular components-DNA-targeting modules, effector modules, and control modules-that can be selectively activated or suppressed. The field has evolved from protein-based systems (e.g., zinc finger nucleases and transcription activator-like effector nucleases) to RNA-guided systems (e.g., CRISPR-Cas) that can control both genetic and epigenetic states. Modular pairing of DNA-targeting and effector domains, with or without inducible control, enables precise transcriptional regulation and chromatin remodeling. The present review examines these three modules and highlights strategies for their optimization. It also outlines innovative tools, such as optogenetic and receptor-integrated systems, that enable spatiotemporal control over genome editor expression. These modular approaches bypass traditional limitations and allow scientists to create plants with desirable traits, decipher complex gene networks, and promote sustainable agriculture.

MeSH

Plant Physiological Phenomena, Genes, Genome, Synthetic Biology