prime editing
An advanced CRISPR-based genome-editing approach that uses a prime editor (PE) protein and a pegRNA to install precise edits—including all transition and transversion mutations and small indels—without double-strand breaks.
Full Definition
Prime editing combines a Cas9 nickase with an engineered reverse transcriptase and a prime editing guide RNA (pegRNA) to directly write new genetic information into a specified genomic locus. The pegRNA both targets the site and encodes the desired edit, which is reverse-transcribed into the nicked DNA strand. Prime editing can theoretically correct about 89% of known pathogenic variants. Editors should render it as two words ('prime editing') and define 'pegRNA' and 'PE' at first use. Contrast with base editing (which can only convert between specific base pairs) and classical CRISPR-Cas9 (which requires a DSB and donor template for precise edits).
Usage
Usage note: Two words, no hyphen. 'pegRNA' (prime editing guide RNA) must be distinguished from standard gRNA. 'PE' as an abbreviation for prime editor should be defined at first use.
In Context
- "Prime editing was used to install a precise single-nucleotide correction in the HEXA gene without detectable indels." — Results section
- "The methods section described a prime editing approach using PE3 and a paired pegRNA." — Manuscript review