Engineering plants using diverse CRISPR-associated proteins and deregulation of genome-edited crops.

Genome editing provides exciting new opportunities to develop transgene-free mutants with desired modifications to meet global food demands. Current developments in genome editing and the diversity of CRISPR-associated proteins with various protospacer adjacent motif regions have redefined our ability to edit plant genomes. Improved Cas nucleases have been developed that could increase editing efficiencies and reduce off-targets as next-generation Cas-nuclease systems for genome-editing crops. Mutant sequencing and integration of data with artificial intelligence approaches could be used to seek any off-target edits and predict possible new protein–protein interactions. Regulatory authorities are increasingly viewing targeted mutagenesis as an extension of conventional plant breeding: the trend is to deregulate edited products if they could have been generated by conventional plant breeding processes. The CRISPR/Cas system comprises RNA-guided nucleases, the target specificity of which is directed by Watson–Crick base pairing of target loci with single guide (sg)RNA to induce the desired edits. CRISPR-associated proteins and other engineered nucleases are opening new avenues of research in crops to induce heritable mutations. Here, we review the diversity of CRISPR-associated proteins and strategies to deregulate genome-edited (GEd) crops by considering them to be close to natural processes. This technology ensures yield without penalties, advances plant breeding, and guarantees manipulation of the genome for desirable traits. DNA-free and off-target-free GEd crops with defined characteristics can help to achieve sustainable global food security under a changing climate, but need alignment of international regulations to operate in existing supply chains. The CRISPR/Cas system comprises RNA-guided nucleases the target specificity of which is directed by Watson–Crick base pairing of target loci with single guide (sg)RNA to induce the desired edits. CRISPR-associated proteins and other engineered nucleases are opening new avenues of research in crops to induce heritable mutations. Here, we review the diversity of CRISPR-associated proteins and strategies to deregulate genome-edited (GE) crops by considering them to be close to natural processes. This technology ensures yield without penalties, advances plant breeding, and guarantees manipulation of the genome for desirable traits. DNA-free and off-target-free GE crops with defined characteristics can help to achieve sustainable global food security under a changing climate, but need alignment of international regulations to operate in existing supply chains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]