Emerging tools and paradigm shift of gene editing in cereals, fruits, and horticultural crops for enhancing nutritional value and food security

Abstract

Gene editing using sequence‐specific nucleases, particularly CRISPR/Cas ribonucleoprotein, has drawn enormous attention in plant research in recent years. Nearly a decade ago, Cas9 protein was initially discovered for a role in adaptive immunity in bacteria. Owing to vast potential, a large number of reports came out in a short span of time, comprising the identification of Cas protein from different bacterial sources, new Cas9 variants with reduced off‐targets, multiplexing, base editing, prime editing, and RNA manipulation in plants. Studies revealed that CRISPR/Cas‐based gene editing can play a major role in ensuring food security via developing resilient commercial crops with improved yield and nutritional value. Use of the CRISPR/Cas9 system for creating mutation in genes and regulatory regions of promoter generated a number of alleles with variable phenotypes, which can serve as an excellent genetic resource in the breeding program. In this review, we provide a recent overview of state‐of‐art discoveries in the CRISPR/Cas system comprised of new Cas proteins, modifications of existing Cas9, refinements in CRISPR/Cas‐induced gene editing, applications, and outcome emphasizing on major cereals and horticultural crops. We also highlight the current global policy framework for the regulation of gene‐edited crops.