One-step generation of sh2isu1 sweet maize via CRISPR/Cas9 cytosine base editor (CBE)

Sweet maize is often referred to as the 'King of fruits and vegetables' due to its richness in polysaccharides, dietary fiber, trace elements, vitamins, linoleic acid, and other essential nutrients. It is not only appreciated for its pleasant taste but also its high nutritional value. Most current varieties, however, are derived from conventional germplasm containing genes from a limited set of natural mutations identified decades ago. Hence. There is a demand for more efficient methods for generating novel mutants.

In a new study published in the Journal of Integrative Agriculture, a team of researchers from China developed a novel sh2isu1 sweet maize germplasm utilizing the CRISPR/Cas9 cytosine base editing system in the maternal inbred line, Jing 724—the maternal inbred line of Jingke 968, a leading maize variety in China. 

The novel sh2isu1 sweet corn germplasm resource developed by the research team offers multiple advantages:

1. Optimized sweetness, texture, and nutritional content to better meet market demands;
2. Extended shelf life, effectively mitigates risks from extreme weather conditions and equipment scheduling issues, enables sweet corn to transcend geographical limitations, and ensures stable yield;
3. Aligns with consumer preferences for natural and safe products, and is compatible with existing management systems for cultivation, production, and processing, making large-scale production highly feasible.

"Our findings demonstrate that gene editing technology is highly effective in accelerating the development of specialty maize cultivars, offering enhanced flexibility in selecting genetic backgrounds," shares corresponding author, Jiuran Zhao, a professor at Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences. "Targeted editing within elite lines enables rapid generation of desired phenotypes without transgenic components within 1–2 years. Gene editing facilitates stacking of multiple favorable alleles, enabling creation of nutritionally specialized fresh-eating maize varieties."

This new approach paves the way for developing high-quality germplasm tailored to diverse consumer demands.

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Contact the author: Lu Zhang, E-mail: zhanglu@maizedna.org; Yao Wang, E-mail: wangyao897@maizedna.org; Mengyuan Liu, E-mail: myliu0518@163.com; #Correspondence Ya Liu, E-mail: liuya@maizedna.org; Ronghuan Wang, E-mail: ronghuanwang@126.com; Jiuran Zhao, E-mail: maizezhao@126.com

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