Tomato protoplasts as cell target for ribonucleoprotein (RNP)-mediated multiplexed genome editing

The possibility to produce plants edited in multiple genes by means of DNA-free approaches opens new perspectives for breeding purposes and acceptance of resultant genotypes. In this work, we have explored the polyethylene glycol (PEG)-mediated delivery of ribonucleoproteins (RNPs) in tomato protoplasts using a multiplexing approach (i.e. two genes targeted simultaneously using two sgRNAs per gene) for the first time. We have analysed the editing outcome in fully developed green calli and demonstrated that tomato protoplasts are a valid cell target for RNP-mediated multiplexed genome editing with high efficiency.Key message RNP could be applied with high efficiency in a multiplexing genome editing approach in tomato protoplasts.