Optimizing genome editing strategy by primer-extension-mediated sequencing

High specificity of e\ngineered nucleases ensures precise genome editing. Couple methods were developed to identify off-target sites of CRISPR/Cas9, but hardly any high-throughput sequencing method can unequivocally determine their targeting efficiencies. Here we describe a comprehensive method, primer-extension-mediated sequencing (PEM-seq), which could sensitively detect CRISPR/Cas9 off-target sites as well as assess their editing efficiency by quantifying DNA interference events at on-target sites. Demonstrated by PEM-seq, we generated a high-fidelity Cas9 variant FeCas9 that possesses similar targeting ability as the wild-type while with extremely low off-target activities. Moreover, we provided further evidences for the broader range of xCas9 protospacer adjacent sequence. We also found the AcrIIA4 inhibitor could inhibit both on- and off-target activities of SpCas9, but it suppressed SpCas9 cleavage at the off-target loci not so efficiently as at the on-target sites. Finally, we believe PEM-seq is applicable to optimizing genome editing strategy for clinical purpose or creating animal model. Overall design: Detecting editing efficiency and off-targets of engineered nucleases. 3 biological replicates were operated for each sample and Illumina Hiseq was used for sequencing.