Generation of Cashmere Goats Carrying an EDAR Gene Mutant Using CRISPR-Cas9-Mediated Genome Editing

This study demonstrated the use of the CRISPR-Cas9 system for targeted genome editing in large mammals, specifically Cashmere goats, by targeting the EDAR gene. Researchers designed two sgRNAs for complete EDAR gene targeting and co-transfected them with a Cas9-encoding plasmid into goat fibroblasts. Out of 89 cell lines, 62 showed successful EDAR gene targeting, with a mutation efficiency of 69.7%. From these, EDAR gene-targeted embryos were created and transferred to 79 recipients, resulting in the birth of six male goats, of which only two survived. These goats exhibited abnormal primary hair follicles and lacked hair on their heads, highlighting the potential of this model for studying EDAR gene-related phenotypes and hair follicle development. This study showed that CRISPR-Cas9 could be effectively used for gene editing in large mammals.