Generation of Maternal Mutants Using zpc:cas9 Knock-in Zebrafish

Journal:Journal of Visualized Experiments

Abstract:Oogenesis and early embryonic development are critically dependent on maternally derived mRNAs and proteins. Eliminating these maternal factors necessitates homozygous mutations in female zebrafish, often resulting in lethal or infertile phenotypes, which prevent the acquisition of maternal mutant embryos. Our previous work introduced a rapid approach to bypass zygotic lethality through oocyte-specific genome editing. However, the previously reported cas9 transgene exhibits instability and undergoes gradual silencing over successive generations. Furthermore, the presence of Tol2 transposable elements flanking the zpc:cas9 cassette in this line hinders the potential for further sgRNA transgenesis using Tol2 system, which is currently the most efficient transgenic system in zebrafish. Consequently, there is a critical need for a Tol2-free zebrafish line that ensures stable and robust oocyte-specific Cas9 expression. Here, we present a line with zpccas9 knock-in at the rbm24a locus that addresses this requirement. Using this enhanced tool, we provide a pipeline for the rapid generation of maternal mutants of genes with zygotically lethal mutant phenotypes within the zebrafish model.

All the Authors:Ziping Fu,Boya Yang,Jiasheng Wang,Tong Lu,De-Li Shi

First Author:Yizhuang Zhang

Indexed by:Journal paper

Correspondence Author:Ming Shao

Document Code:e68642

Issue:221

Number of Words:6000

Translation or Not:no

Date of Publication:2025-07-01

Included Journals:SCI

Date of Publication:2025-07-01