H11-CAG-hCas Mouse

The CRISPR/Cas system has revolutionized genome editing by enabling precise and efficient genetic modifications in vivo ^[1-2]. This system consists of two principal components: the CRISPR-associated (Cas) endonucleases, which introduces site-specific double-strand breaks in DNA, and a guide RNA (gRNA), a short RNA sequence embedded within a scaffold that directs Cas to its genomic target via sequence complementarity ^[3].

H11-CAG-hCas mice carry a human codon-optimized Streptococcus pyogenes CRISPR-associated protein 9 (SpCas9) expression cassette, driven by the ubiquitous CAG promoter. This configuration ensures systemic expression of Cas protein across tissues. Notably, constitutive Cas expression in these mice does not elicit detectable toxicity, morphological abnormalities, tumorigenesis, or activation of DNA damage or apoptotic pathways. In the presence of sequence-specific single-guide RNAs (sgRNAs), this model enables efficient and simultaneous editing of single or multiple genes. H11-CAG-hCas mice are viable, fertile, and well-suited for a wide range of genome engineering applications.