Balanced expression of ion channels in neurons is critical for maintaining healthy brain activity. Mutations in ion channel genes leading to neuropsychiatric diseases have been extensively studied.

lines, and offers a novel way to investigate gene expression and regulation in a cell-type-specific manner.

We also report an off-target effect of the CRISPRi system that may require future investigation to better

sequencing(ATAC-seq) identified enriched binding motifs of the Kruppel-like factors (KLF) transcription

effectiveness of the development of CRISPRi technology, especially its integration into transgenic mice

factor family within the promoters of certain ion channel genes. Furthermore, in an RNA-seq screen for

knockdown(s). To further understand the potential role of KLFs regulating ion channel gene expression,

genes affected by activity deprivation in neurons, 2 KLF family members (6 and 9) were identified as

Cacna1e, are both potently upregulated during the same time. Mutations in those two ion channels are

known to play an important role in human epilepsy. Based on those observations, we hypothesized that