Genome editing of pea (Pisum sativum L.) using CRISPR/Cas9 technology: Review

This review highlights recent advancements in genome editing of pea (Pisum sativum L.) using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. Although CRISPR/Cas9 has been employed in plant biotechnology for over a decade, successful genome editing in pea was achieved only in 2023, when researchers introduced mutations in the model gene PsPDS, whose disruption results in plant albinism. Furthermore, CRISPR/Cas9 has facilitated targeted mutations in the PsLOX2 gene, which encodes lipoxygenase, leading to a reduction in volatile compounds responsible for undesirable seed odor, as well as in the PsBAS1 gene, thereby blocking saponin synthesis and improving the seeds' palatability. This review examines modifications of the CRISPR/Cas9 system tailored to pea, discusses its potential applications in pea genome editing, and explores future prospects for using CRISPR/Cas9 to enhance the specificity and efficiency of pea symbiosis with nitrogen-fixing bacteria.