CRISPR/Cas9 Homoeolog-Specific Gene Editing in Strawberries

Researchers from institutions including Kongju National University and the University of Florida successfully converted red strawberries into stable white fruit by precisely editing a single dominant gene copy using CRISPR/Cas9 technology. Cultivated octoploid strawberries contain eight sets of chromosomes, making genetic modification challenging due to gene redundancy, but the team targeted the MYB10-1B gene copy responsible for regulating anthocyanin pigment production. Published on August 25, 2026, in Horticulture Research, the study demonstrated that disrupting MYB10-1B results in white fruit while keeping seeds red, showing tissue-specific pigmentation control and minimal off-target genome changes. The study's authors emphasize that precision in polyploid crop breeding matters more than broad modifications, proving that editing a single dominantly expressed homoeolog is enough to drive a stable phenotypic change without disrupting all gene copies. Transcriptome analysis confirmed that MYB10-1B was strongly expressed in red fruit, and its inactivation sharply reduced the activity of important pigment-producing genes like CHS, DFR, and ANS, while related homoeologs failed to compensate for the loss. This targeted strategy establishes a practical roadmap for functional genomics and agricultural trait improvement, overcoming historical difficulties associated with complex polyploid genomes in crops. By selectively editing influential gene copies rather than knocking out every related variant, breeders can achieve dramatic trait modifications while preserving valuable genetic backgrounds of established crop varieties. The successful application of homoeolog-specific CRISPR editing opens new possibilities for fine-tuning complex traits in polyploid fruits and vegetables, including flavor, nutritional content, and stress tolerance. As high-quality reference genomes and precise CRISPR designs continue to improve, agricultural researchers can apply this targeted methodology to accelerate crop development and enhance resilience against environmental pressures.