Optimization of the base editor BE4max in chicken somatic cells

Advanced animal reproductive and breeding biotechnology has made it possible to alter traits or create new genetic resources by the direct knock-in or knock-out of target genes. Base editing technology can achieve single-base mutations without double-stranded DNA breaks, and is a promising tool for use in the genetic modification and breeding of livestock. However, the application of base editors (BEs) in chicken has not been optimized. We evaluated the efficacy of BE4max in chicken somatic cells (DF-1). The key element of BE4max, cytosine deaminase (APOBEC), was optimized for chicken. The base editing efficiency of the optimized chBE4max editor, compared with the original BE4max editor, was improved by 10.4% ± 4.6. By inhibiting the expression of the uracil DNA glycosylase-related gene methyl binding domain protein 4 (MBD4) by siRNA in chicken DF-1 cells, the editing efficiency was enhanced by 4.43% ± 1.4 compared to the control. These results suggest that this editor may have applications in poultry breeding studies.