CRISPR/Cas9 Technology-generated High-amylose Rice Varieties

  Objective  A series of new rice germplasms with high content of amylose derived from Zhonghua 11 using the CRISPR/Cas9 technology was generated.

  Method   The gene of starch branching enzyme in rice, OsSBE3, was targeted for the genetic editing by CRISPR/Cas9. Homozygous T-DNA-free mutants were verified by PCR with starch content measured.

  Result  Ten mutant lines were obtained from the T₀ generation. From the T₁ generation, 5 homozygous T-DNA-free lines were obtained that included 4 lines, i.e., sbe3-22-6, sbe3-25-3, Sbe3-25-4, and sbe3-25-6, showing significantly increased amylose content and amylose/amylopectin ratio over the wild type.

  Conclusion  A series of new rice germplasms with high amylose content was created.