CRISPR/Cas9-mediated MSTN disruption accelerates the growth of Chinese Bama pigs.

CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing technology is a simple and highly efficient and specific genome modification approach with wide applications in the animal industry. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing combined with somatic cell nuclear transfer rapidly constructs gene-edited somatic cell-cloned pigs for the genetic improvement of traits or simulation of human diseases. Chinese Bama pigs are an excellent indigenous minipig breed from Bama County of China.

Efficient CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing in Guangdong small-ear spotted pig cells using an optimized electrotransfection method.

Objectives: Guangdong Small-ear Spotted (GDSS) pigs are a pig breed native to China that possesses unfortunate disadvantages, such as slow growth rate, low lean-meat percentage, and reduced feed utilization. In contrast to traditional genetic breeding methods with long cycle time and high cost, CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing for the modification of the pig genome can quickly improve production traits, and therefore this technique exhibits important potential in the genetic improvement and resource development of GDSS pigs. In the present study, we aimed to establish an efficient CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene-editing system for GDSS pig cells by optimizing the electrotransfection parameters, and to realize efficient CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing of GDSS pig cells.