Fine-tuning quantitative traits for continuous subtle phenotypes is highly advantageous. We engineer the highly conserved upstream open reading frame (uORF) of FvebZIPs1.1 in strawberry ( Fragaria vesca ), using base editor A3A-PBE. Seven novel alleles are generated. Sugar content of the homozygous T1 mutant lines is 33.9–83.6% higher than that of the wild-type. We also recover a series of transgene-free mutants with 35 novel genotypes containing a continuum of sugar content. All the novel genotypes could be immediately fixed in subsequent generations by asexual reproduction. Genome editing coupled with asexual reproduction offers tremendous opportunities for quantitative trait improvement.

中文翻译：

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微调草莓中的糖含量

微调连续微妙表型的数量性状是非常有利的。我们使用碱基编辑器 A3A-PBE 在草莓 (Fragaria vesca) 中设计了 FvebZIPs1.1 的高度保守的上游开放阅读框 (uORF)。产生了七个新的等位基因。纯合 T1 突变株系的糖含量比野生型高 33.9-83.6%。我们还恢复了一系列具有 35 种新基因型的无转基因突变体，这些基因型含有连续的糖含量。所有新的基因型都可以通过无性繁殖立即在后代中固定下来。基因组编辑与无性繁殖相结合为数量性状的改善提供了巨大的机会。