Open AccessChromosome splitting of Plasmodium berghei using the CRISPR/Cas9 system
Author(s) -
Daniel Addo-Gyan,
Haruka Matsushita,
Enya Sora,
Tsubasa Nishi,
Masao Yuda,
Naoaki Shinzawa,
Shiro Iwanaga
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0260176
Subject(s) - biology , centromere , plasmodium berghei , crispr , chromosome , genetics , telomere , cas9 , gene , microbiology and biotechnology , malaria , immunology
Spatial arrangement of chromosomes is responsible for gene expression in Plasmodium parasites. However, methods for rearranging chromosomes have not been established, which makes it difficult to investigate its role in detail. Here, we report a method for splitting chromosome in rodent malaria parasite by CRISPR/Cas9 system using fragments in which a telomere and a centromere were incorporated. The resultant split chromosomes segregated accurately into daughter parasites by the centromere. In addition, elongation of de novo telomeres were observed, indicating its proper function. Furthermore, chromosome splitting had no effect on development of parasites. Splitting of the chromosome is expected to alter its spatial arrangement, and our method will thus be useful for investigating its biological role related with gene expression.