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Cui W, Lin Q, Wu Y, Wang X, Zhang Y, Lin X, Zhang L, Liu X, Han L, Zhou Z. Creation of Architecturally Minimal Transcriptionally Activating Riboswitches Responsive to Theophylline Reveals an Unconventional Design Strategy. ACS Synth Biol 2023; 12:3716-3729. [PMID: 38052004 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.3c00519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
Riboswitches are noncoding RNA switches that are largely utilized in bacteria and play a significant role in synthetic biology. Nonetheless, their natural counterparts possess lengthy sequences and intricate structures, posing challenges for their modular integration into complex gene circuits. Consequently, it is imperative to develop simplified synthetic riboswitches that can be effortlessly incorporated into gene circuits. The conventional approach to generate synthetic riboswitches entails tedious library construction and extensive screening, which frequently yields suboptimal performance. To overcome this obstacle, alternative methods are urgently needed. In this study, we created a novel approach to designing a diverse set of transcription-activating riboswitches that exhibit high performance and broad compatibility. The strategy involved starting with a synthetic theophylline RNA aptamer and designing an expression platform that forms a transcriptional terminator in its inactive state but switches to an antiterminator when it is activated. Several sequences were designed, constructed, and subjected to virtual screening, resulting in the identification of two transcription-activating riboswitches. These riboswitches were then engineered to reduce the basal leakage and increase the activation level through extending the hairpin region using a screened random sequence. These architecturally minimal synthetic riboswitches were highly adapted to different constitutive promoters in a modular manner, generating a differentially responsive output to theophylline. As a proof-of-principle, the synthetic riboswitches were applied to rewire a synthetic quorum-sensing circuit (QSC). The reprogrammed QSC successfully modulated the temporal responsive profile against the activation. This strategy is expected to expand the variety of high-performance riboswitches that are responsive to different ligands, thereby further facilitating the design of complex genetic circuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjing Cui
- School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, MOE, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Qiao Lin
- School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Yi Wu
- School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Xinran Wang
- School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Yuqing Zhang
- School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Xinyu Lin
- School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Linpei Zhang
- School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, MOE, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Xu Liu
- School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Laichuang Han
- School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, MOE, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Zhemin Zhou
- School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, MOE, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
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