The spok regulatory region drives expression of dCas9(D10A.N863A). The coding sequence is tagged with nuclear localization signals at both the N-terminal and C-terminal ends of the open reading frame. The transgene can be used for transcription interference (CRISPRi) in combination with an sgRNA that targets dCas9(D10A.N863A) to a promoter; the promoter-bound dCas9(D10A.N863A) can sterically interfere with the formation of the pre-initiation complex, disrupting transcription.