CRISPR/Cas9 Mediated Mutagenesis of a Supressor of Defense Response in T. cacao

Application of CRISPR/Cas9 technology to plant species offers a powerful tool for functional genomics and accelerated plant breeding. For tree crops with long generation times, like T. cacao, use of CRISPR/Cas9 strategies enables accelerated generation of improved varieties with agriculturally desirable phenotypes. Our group has previously demonstrated that NPR3 (Non-expressor of PR-1 3), a transcriptional co-regulator, suppress the defense response in cacao tissue. Using a multiplexed design for mutagenesis, we demonstrate CRISPR/Cas9 activity in cacao leaves using our transient transformation system. Work in progress to confirm the function the NPR3 mutant in cacao tissue and the regeneration of CRISPR mutagenized plants will be discussed.

Authors: Drew Fister, Lena Landherr Sheaffer, Siela N. Maximova and Mark J. Guiltinan