Plant Epigenetic Editing to Analyze the Function of Histone Modifications in Gene-Specific Regulation

Epigenetic editing enables the locus-specific manipulation of chromatin modifications. It allows the functional analysis of interactions between chromatin modifications and epigenetically stable gene expression states, thus establishing causal relationships, where previously correlations were suspected. Here, we describe the procedures for gene-specific epigenetic editing in plants that are based on targeting a histone modifier using an inactive dCas9 fusion protein that is recruited by a set of three distinct single guide RNAs (sgRNAs) that all target a region within the promoter of the target gene. We outline design principles and emphasize the need for suitable control constructs. In summary, the protocol will be widely useful for plant scientists looking to manipulate chromatin modifications in a locus-specific manner.