CRISPR-Cas: A new technology for studding genes playing a role in reproduction

Background: CRISPR-Cas (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats/CRISPR-associated) is a new tool for genome editing which is modified from an immune system in prokaryotes against viruses and plasmid. CRISPR-Cas system works by introducing a site specific double strand cut in DNA which allows existing genes to be removed or new one added. This technology can also be used to create mouse models carrying a special insertion, deletion or point mutation much easier. In this way CRISPR-Cas system can be used for studding different genes and molecular mechanisms which play a role in male germ cells. For example zfy1/2 double knockout mouse have shown infertility and abnormal sperm morphology. In this review, we will describe how CRISPR-Cas system works and will review some of the studies which have used this system to explore the role of some genes in spermatogenesis, infertility and reproduction.Methods: Relevant literature was identified by a PubMed search of English-language literature using the terms CRISPR-Cas, genome editing, reproduction and spermatogenesis.Result: The role of different genes in spermatogenesis, infertility and reproduction could have been successfully studied using CRISPR-Cas system.Conclusion: CRISPR-Cas is a fast technique to make knockout or mutated mouse models and studding and editing genome.

Keywords:

Genome editing , Reproduction , Spermatogenesis , CRISPR-Cas