Efficient CRISPR-Cas9 editing of major evolutionary loci in sticklebacks.

Abstract

CRISPR-Cas9 approaches can be used to induce germline mutations in key evolutionary loci in sticklebacks. Targeted coding region mutations confirm an important role for <i>KITLG</i> and <i>EDA</i> in skin pigmentation and armor plate reduction, respectively. They also provide new information about the functions of these genes in other body structures.