Shuffling the yeast genome using CRISPR/Cas9-generated DSBs that target the transposable Ty1 elements

We explored how Cas9-induced double-strand breaks (DSBs) on Ty1 produce genomic alterations in the diploid yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Following Cas9 induction, we observed a significant elevation of chromosome rearrangements (large deletions and duplications), loss of heterozygosity (gene conversions, crossovers, and break-induced replication), and aneuploidy. Almost all of the chromosomal rearrangements reflect the repairing of DSBs at Ty1 elements by homologous recombination.