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Targeted gene mutation was successfully achieved in rice using the CRISPR–Cas9 system. Experimental analyses of mutation efficiency and off-target effect as well as genome-wide prediction of specific guide RNA seeds suggest that the CRISPR–Cas9 system is a simple and effective tool for plant functional genomics and crop improvement.Precise and straightforward methods to edit the plant genome are much needed for functional genomics and crop improvement. Recently, RNA-guided genome editing using bacterial Type II cluster regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-associated nuclease (Cas) is emerging as an efficient tool for genome editing in microbial and animal systems. Here, we report the genome editing and targeted gene mutation in plants via the CRISPR–Cas9 system. Three guide RNAs (gRNAs) with a 20–22-nt seed region were designed to pair with distinct rice genomic sites which are followed by the protospacer-adjacent motif (PAM). The engineered gRNAs were shown to direct the Cas9 nuclease for precise cleavage at the desired sites and introduce mutation (insertion or deletion) by error-prone non-homologous end joining DNA repairing. By analyzing the RNA-guided genome-editing events, the mutation efficiency at these target sites was estimated to be 3–8%. In addition, the off-target effect of an engineered gRNA–Cas9 was found on an imperfectly paired genomic site, but it had lower genome-editing efficiency than the perfectly matched site. Further analysis suggests that mismatch position between gRNA seed and target DNA is an important determinant of the gRNA–Cas9 targeting specificity, and specific gRNAs could be designed to target more than 90% of rice genes. Our results demonstrate that the CRISPR–Cas system can be exploited as a powerful tool for gene targeting and precise genome editing in plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genome editing technology has rapidly evolved to knock-out genes, create targeted genetic variation, install precise insertion/deletion and single nucleotide changes, and perform large-scale alteration. The flexible and multipurpose editing technologies have started playing a substantial role in the field of plant disease management. CRISPR-Cas has reduced many limitations of earlier technologies and emerged as a versatile toolbox for genome manipulation. This review summarizes the phenomenal progress of the use of the CRISPR toolkit in the field of plant pathology. CRISPR-Cas toolbox aids in the basic studies on host-pathogen interaction, in identifying virulence genes in pathogens, deciphering resistance and susceptibility factors in host plants, and engineering host genome for developing resistance. We extensively reviewed the successful genome editing applications for host plant resistance against a wide range of biotic factors, including viruses, fungi, oomycetes, bacteria, nematodes, insect pests, and parasitic plants. Recent use of CRISPR-Cas gene drive to suppress the population of pathogens and pests has also been discussed. Furthermore, we highlight exciting new uses of the CRISPR-Cas system as diagnostic tools, which rapidly detect pathogenic microorganism. This comprehensive yet concise review discusses innumerable strategies to reduce the burden of crop protection. • Array of CRISPR tools are available for correcting pathogenic mutations in plant genomes. • CRISPR-mediated functional genomics identify virulence genes in pathogens as well as susceptibility and resistant genes in plants. • CRISPR-toolkit has been successfully applied for developing resistance against myriads of plant pathogens and pests. • CRISPR-based diagnostic platforms are rapid, accurate, and field-deployable for the early detection of plant diseases. • CRISPR tools have tremendous potential in engineering plant genomes for developing novel disease management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]