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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Columbia, Missouri » Plant Genetics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #393359
Research Project: Development of Gene-editing Technologies in Livestock to Address Agriculturally Relevant Problems

Location: Plant Genetics Research

Title: Gene editing provides a tool to investigate genes involved in reproduction of pigs

Author
item GEISERT, RODNEY - University Of Missouri
item JOHNS, DESTINY - University Of Missouri
item PFEIFFER, CAROLINE - University Of Missouri
item SULLIVAN, RILEY - University Of Missouri
item LUCAS, CAROLINE - University Of Missouri
item SIMINTIRAS, CONSTANTINE - Louisiana State University
item Redel, Bethany
item WELLS, KEVIN - University Of Missouri
item SPENCER, THOMAS - University Of Missouri
item PRATHER, RANDALL - University Of Missouri

Submitted to: Molecular Reproduction and Development
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/1/2022
Publication Date: 6/23/2022
Citation: Geisert, R.D., Johns, D.N., Pfeiffer, C.A., Sullivan, R.M., Lucas, C.G., Simintiras, C.A., Redel, B.K., Wells, K.D., Spencer, T.E., Prather, R.S. 2022. Gene editing provides a tool to investigate genes involved in reproduction of pigs. Molecular Reproduction and Development. 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1002/mrd.23620.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/mrd.23620

Interpretive Summary: N/A

Technical Abstract: CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology provides a method to generate loss-of-function studies to investigate, in vivo, the specific role of specific genes in regulation of reproduction. With proper design and selection of guide RNAs (gRNA) designed to specifically target genes, CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing allows investigation of factors proposed to regulate biological pathways involved with establishment and maintenance of pregnancy. The advantages and disadvantages of using the current gene editing technology in a large farm species is discussed. CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing of porcine conceptuses has generated new perspectives for the regulation of endometrial function during the establishment of pregnancy. The delicate orchestration of conceptus factors facilitates an endometrial proinflammatory response while regulating maternal immune cell migration and expansion at the implantation site is essential for establishment and maintenance of pregnancy. Recent developments and use of endometrial epithelial “organoids” to study endometrial function in vitro provides a future method to screen and target specific endometrial genes as an alternative to generating a gene edited animal model. With continuing improvements in gene editing technology, future researchers will be able to design studies to enhance our knowledge of mechanisms essential for early development and survival of the conceptus.