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Split complementation of base editors reduces off-target edits

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CRISPR-derived base editors can induce guide RNA (gRNA)-independent DNA and RNA off-target edits in eukaryotic cells due to “spurious deamination” by enclosed deaminases. Splitting base editors at a site in a Cas9 nickase-embedded deaminase allows gRNA-mediated base editor reassembly and activation at the target site to suppress unguided off-target edits.

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Fig. 1: Schematic rationale of the split complementation of a base editor.

References

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This is a summary of: Xiong, X. et al. Split complementation of base editors to minimize off-target edits. Nat. Plants https://doi.org/10.1038/s41477-023-01540-8 (2023).

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Split complementation of base editors reduces off-target edits. Nat. Plants 9, 1787–1788 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41477-023-01548-0

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