Effects of CRISPR/Cas9-mediated stearoyl-Coenzyme A desaturase 1 knockout on mouse embryo development and lipid synthesis.

Background: Lipid synthesis is an indispensable process during embryo and growth development. Abnormal lipid synthesis metabolism can cause multiple metabolic diseases including obesity and hyperlipidemia. Stearoyl-Coenzyme A desaturase 1 (SCD1) is responsible for catalyzing the synthesis of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and plays an essential role in lipid metabolism. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effects of SCD1 on embryo development and lipid synthesis in a knockout mice model.

Methods: We used the CRISPR/Cas9 system together with microinjection for the knockout mouse model generation. Ten-week-old female C57BL/6 mice were used for zygote collection. RNase-free water was injected into mouse zygotes at different cell phases in order to select the optimal time for microinjection. Five sgRNAs were designed and transcription was performed to obtain sgRNAs and Cas9 mRNA. RNase-free water, NC sgRNA/Cas9 mRNA, and sgRNA/Cas9 mRNA were injected into zygotes to observe the morula and blastocyst formation rates. Embryos that were injected with sgRNA/Cas9 mRNA and developed to the two-cell stage were used for embryo transfer. Body weight, triacylglycerol (TAG), and cholesterol in knockout mice serum were analyzed to determine the effects of SCD1 on lipid metabolism.

Results: Microinjection performed during the S phase presented with the highest zygote survival rate ( < 0.05). Of the five sgRNAs targeted to , two sgRNAs with relatively higher gene editing efficiency were used for knockout embryos and mice generation. Genome sequence modification was observed at exons in embryos, and knockout reduced blastocyst formation rates ( < 0.05). Three monoallelic knockout mice were obtained. In mice, the protein level of SCD1 decreased ( < 0.05), and the body weight and serum TAG and cholesterol contents were all reduced ( < 0.01).