CRISPR/Cas12a Ribonucleoprotein Complexes Target Conserved WDV Sequences: An In Vitro Proof-of-Concept for Non-GMO Antiviral Strategy

Buse Baran; Tarık Teymur; Ali Ferhan Morca; Muhsin Konuk; Beyza Aydın; Cihan Taştan

doi:10.15832/ankutbd.1712124

CRISPR/Cas12a Ribonucleoprotein Complexes Target Conserved WDV Sequences: An In Vitro Proof-of-Concept for Non-GMO Antiviral Strategy

Abstract

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a staple crop globally, but its yield and quality are significantly affected by viral diseases, particularly the Wheat Dwarf virus (WDV). Developing antiviral strategies is crucial for enhancing wheat productivity. This study aims to investigate the use of CRISPR/Cas12a as an antiviral agent against WDV without requiring genetic modification of the host plants. A total of 10 WDV isolates from wheat and barley collected across six provinces in Türkiye, along with four reference isolates from Hungary, Sweden, and Iran, were analysed. The study demonstrates selective cleavage of conserved WDV regions by CRISPR/Cas12a RNPs in vitro, representing an early proof-of-concept for non-GMO antiviral approaches rather than a direct field application. The designed gRNAs effectively induced DNA cleavage in WDV genomes, with gRNA1 showing consistent performance across all tested isolates. gRNA2 exhibited variability, successfully targeting seven out of ten isolates. No off-target effects were observed in control assays, confirming the specificity of the gRNAs. The CRISPR/Cas12a system, guided by specifically designed gRNAs, can effectively target and cleave WDV genomes, providing a potent, non-GMO antiviral strategy. This approach has potential applications for managing WDV infections in wheat and barley, highlighting its versatility and effectiveness.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

Uskudar University

Project Number

1919B012004554

Ethical Statement

There's no ethical statement.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Plant Biotechnology in Agriculture

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Buse Baran This is me
0000-0001-8279-8519
Türkiye

Tarık Teymur This is me
0000-0002-7442-9446
Türkiye

Ali Ferhan Morca
0000-0002-7480-922X
Türkiye

Muhsin Konuk
0000-0002-6651-718X
Türkiye

Beyza Aydın This is me
0009-0000-1230-6785
Türkiye

Cihan Taştan ^*
0000-0002-4173-6634
Türkiye

Publication Date

March 24, 2026

Submission Date

June 2, 2025

Acceptance Date

November 16, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 32 Number: 2

DOI

https://doi.org/10.15832/ankutbd.1712124

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA55DR93LW

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Baran, B., Teymur, T., Morca, A. F., Konuk, M., Aydın, B., & Taştan, C. (2026). CRISPR/Cas12a Ribonucleoprotein Complexes Target Conserved WDV Sequences: An In Vitro Proof-of-Concept for Non-GMO Antiviral Strategy. Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 32(2), 279-289. https://doi.org/10.15832/ankutbd.1712124

AMA

1.Baran B, Teymur T, Morca AF, Konuk M, Aydın B, Taştan C. CRISPR/Cas12a Ribonucleoprotein Complexes Target Conserved WDV Sequences: An In Vitro Proof-of-Concept for Non-GMO Antiviral Strategy. J Agr Sci-Tarim Bili. 2026;32(2):279-289. doi:10.15832/ankutbd.1712124

Chicago

Baran, Buse, Tarık Teymur, Ali Ferhan Morca, Muhsin Konuk, Beyza Aydın, and Cihan Taştan. 2026. “CRISPR/Cas12a/Ribonucleoprotein/Complexes/Target/Conserved/WDV/Sequences:/An/In/Vitro/Proof-of-Concept/for/Non-GMO/Antiviral/Strategy”. Journal of Agricultural Sciences 32 (2): 279-89. https://doi.org/10.15832/ankutbd.1712124.

EndNote

Baran B, Teymur T, Morca AF, Konuk M, Aydın B, Taştan C (March 1, 2026) CRISPR/Cas12a Ribonucleoprotein Complexes Target Conserved WDV Sequences: An In Vitro Proof-of-Concept for Non-GMO Antiviral Strategy. Journal of Agricultural Sciences 32 2 279–289.

IEEE

[1]B. Baran, T. Teymur, A. F. Morca, M. Konuk, B. Aydın, and C. Taştan, “CRISPR/Cas12a Ribonucleoprotein Complexes Target Conserved WDV Sequences: An In Vitro Proof-of-Concept for Non-GMO Antiviral Strategy”, J Agr Sci-Tarim Bili, vol. 32, no. 2, pp. 279–289, Mar. 2026, doi: 10.15832/ankutbd.1712124.

ISNAD

Baran, Buse - Teymur, Tarık - Morca, Ali Ferhan - Konuk, Muhsin - Aydın, Beyza - Taştan, Cihan. “CRISPR/Cas12a/Ribonucleoprotein/Complexes/Target/Conserved/WDV/Sequences:/An/In/Vitro/Proof-of-Concept/for/Non-GMO/Antiviral/Strategy”. Journal of Agricultural Sciences 32/2 (March 1, 2026): 279-289. https://doi.org/10.15832/ankutbd.1712124.

JAMA

1.Baran B, Teymur T, Morca AF, Konuk M, Aydın B, Taştan C. CRISPR/Cas12a Ribonucleoprotein Complexes Target Conserved WDV Sequences: An In Vitro Proof-of-Concept for Non-GMO Antiviral Strategy. J Agr Sci-Tarim Bili. 2026;32:279–289.

MLA

Baran, Buse, et al. “CRISPR/Cas12a/Ribonucleoprotein/Complexes/Target/Conserved/WDV/Sequences:/An/In/Vitro/Proof-of-Concept/for/Non-GMO/Antiviral/Strategy”. Journal of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 32, no. 2, Mar. 2026, pp. 279-8, doi:10.15832/ankutbd.1712124.

Vancouver

1.Buse Baran, Tarık Teymur, Ali Ferhan Morca, Muhsin Konuk, Beyza Aydın, Cihan Taştan. CRISPR/Cas12a Ribonucleoprotein Complexes Target Conserved WDV Sequences: An In Vitro Proof-of-Concept for Non-GMO Antiviral Strategy. J Agr Sci-Tarim Bili. 2026 Mar. 1;32(2):279-8. doi:10.15832/ankutbd.1712124