Targeted genome editing of carotenoid isomerase gene by CRISPR/Cas9 causes color changes in tomato tissues. Solanum lycopersicum cultivar:PKM1

Targeted genome editing of Solanum lycopersicum c.v. PKM1 was carried out using guide RNAs targeted to the 5 prime UTR and Exon 1 of Carotenoid isomerase (CRTISO) gene. The resulting plants showed changes in gene expression which were analyzed by RNAseq analysis. A single event with mutation in Exon1 leading to generation of tangerine colored fruits was obtained. Another event with a deletion in the 5 prime UTR of the gene was also obtained which resulted in light red fruit phenotype compared to the bright red color in the wild type. RNA was isolated from wild type and the two genome edited events, stranded RNAseq libraries were prepared and sequenced on Illumina HiseqX.