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Wen S, Zhao Y, Qi X, Cai M, Huang K, Liu H, Kong DX. Conformational plasticity of SpyCas9 induced by AcrIIA4 and AcrIIA2: Insights from molecular dynamics simulation. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2024; 23:537-548. [PMID: 38235361 PMCID: PMC10791570 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2023.12.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas9 systems constitute bacterial adaptive immune systems that protect against phage infections. Bacteriophages encode anti-CRISPR proteins (Acrs) that mitigate the bacterial immune response. However, the structural basis for their inhibitory actions from a molecular perspective remains elusive. In this study, through microsecond atomistic molecular dynamics simulations, we demonstrated the remarkable flexibility of Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9 (SpyCas9) and its conformational adaptability during interactions with AcrIIA4 and AcrIIA2. Specifically, we demonstrated that the binding of AcrIIA4 and AcrIIA2 to SpyCas9 induces a conformational rearrangement that causes spatial separation between the nuclease and cleavage sites, thus making the endonuclease inactive. This separation disrupts the transmission of signals between the protospacer adjacent motif recognition and nuclease domains, thereby impeding the efficient processing of double-stranded DNA. The simulation also reveals that AcrIIA4 and AcrIIA2 cause different structural variations of SpyCas9. Our research illuminates the precise mechanisms underlying the suppression of SpyCas9 by AcrIIA4 and AcrIIA2, thus presenting new possibilities for controlling genome editing with higher accuracy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuixiu Wen
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Agricultural Bioinformatics Key Laboratory of Hubei Province, College of Informatics, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, PR China
| | - Yuxin Zhao
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Agricultural Bioinformatics Key Laboratory of Hubei Province, College of Informatics, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, PR China
| | - Xinyu Qi
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Agricultural Bioinformatics Key Laboratory of Hubei Province, College of Informatics, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, PR China
| | - Mingzhu Cai
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Agricultural Bioinformatics Key Laboratory of Hubei Province, College of Informatics, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, PR China
| | - Kaisheng Huang
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Agricultural Bioinformatics Key Laboratory of Hubei Province, College of Informatics, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, PR China
| | - Hui Liu
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Agricultural Bioinformatics Key Laboratory of Hubei Province, College of Informatics, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, PR China
| | - De-Xin Kong
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Agricultural Bioinformatics Key Laboratory of Hubei Province, College of Informatics, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, PR China
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2
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Pandey H, Yadav B, Shah K, Kaur R, Choudhary D, Sharma N, Rishi V. A new method for the robust expression and single-step purification of dCas9 for CRISPR interference/activation (CRISPRi/a) applications. Protein Expr Purif 2024; 220:106500. [PMID: 38718989 DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2024.106500] [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] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas9 (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats-CRISPR associated enzyme 9) is known for its simplicity, versatility, and scalability in genome editing applications. In vitro Cas9, when complexed with sgRNA, binds and cleaves the complementary target sequences with almost perfect precision. The enzyme is exploited for various applications in understanding and changing gene function. dCas9 (deactivated or dead Cas9) is a double mutated version of Cas9 that bears mutations in the nuclease domains of the enzyme and thus cannot cleave the target DNA. dCas9 is equally advantageous since it can alter gene expression using various transcriptional activators CRISPRa and repressors CRISPRi. Additionally, dCas9 can bind to the desired target gene without cleaving it, making it a unique reagent to study the kinetics and stability of RNA-protein-DNA interactions required to design more efficient and specific gene-editing nucleases. An appreciable quantity of pure and homogeneous protein is needed to characterise dCas9 for its structural and functional understanding. This study used an N-terminal acidic tag to express the dCas9 in an E. coli-bacterial host. A simple single-step protocol for robust and efficient production of dCas9 has been described. The study and methods are distinctive as the purification is performed in a single step using inexpensive multi-modal hydroxyapatite chromatography. The purified protein can be used in different in vitro and in vivo studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harshita Pandey
- National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute, Knowledge City, Sector 81, Mohali, Punjab, 140306, India; Regional Center for Biotechnology, Faridabad, Haryana, 160014, India
| | - Binduma Yadav
- National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute, Knowledge City, Sector 81, Mohali, Punjab, 140306, India; Regional Center for Biotechnology, Faridabad, Haryana, 160014, India
| | - Koushik Shah
- National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute, Knowledge City, Sector 81, Mohali, Punjab, 140306, India
| | - Raminder Kaur
- National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute, Knowledge City, Sector 81, Mohali, Punjab, 140306, India
| | - Diksha Choudhary
- National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute, Knowledge City, Sector 81, Mohali, Punjab, 140306, India; Regional Center for Biotechnology, Faridabad, Haryana, 160014, India
| | - Nishtha Sharma
- National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute, Knowledge City, Sector 81, Mohali, Punjab, 140306, India
| | - Vikas Rishi
- National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute, Knowledge City, Sector 81, Mohali, Punjab, 140306, India.
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Gaude AA, Siqueira RH, Botelho SB, Jalmi SK. Epigenetic arsenal for stress mitigation in plants. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2024; 1868:130620. [PMID: 38636616 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2024.130620] [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] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
Plant's ability to perceive, respond to, and ultimately adapt to various stressors is a testament to their remarkable resilience. In response to stresses, plants activate a complex array of molecular and physiological mechanisms. These include the rapid activation of stress-responsive genes, the manufacturing of protective compounds, modulation of cellular processes and alterations in their growth and development patterns to enhance their chances of survival. Epigenetic mechanisms play a pivotal role in shaping the responses of plants to environmental stressors. This review explores the intricate interplay between epigenetic regulation and plant stress mitigation. We delve into the dynamic landscape of epigenetic modifications, highlighting their influence on gene expression and ultimately stress tolerance. This review assembles current research, shedding light on the promising strategies within plants' epigenetic arsenal to thrive amidst adverse conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aishwarya Ashok Gaude
- Discipline of Botany, School of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Goa University, Goa 403206, India.
| | - Roxiette Heromina Siqueira
- Discipline of Botany, School of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Goa University, Goa 403206, India.
| | - Savia Bernadette Botelho
- Discipline of Botany, School of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Goa University, Goa 403206, India.
| | - Siddhi Kashinath Jalmi
- Discipline of Botany, School of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Goa University, Goa 403206, India.
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4
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Yang G, Wang H, Jiang G, Zhao L, Qu F. Aptamer inhibitor selection of SpyCas9 through CE-SELEX. Talanta 2024; 273:125837. [PMID: 38479030 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2024.125837] [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] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
CRISPR/Cas9 is a natural immune system of archaea and bacteria, which has been widely used in gene editing. In order to better control and improve the accuracy and safety of the system, inhibitors for SpyCas9 as "switches" have been selected for several years. The available inhibitors currently are all natural polypeptides inhibitors derived from phages, except one small molecule inhibitor. These natural inhibitors are challenging to obtain and are available in limited quantities, and the small molecule inhibitor is cytotoxic. Herein, we discover aptamers against the SpyCas9 protein, by coupling CE-SELEX within one-round pressure controllable selection strategy. One of the identified aptamers, Apt2, shows high affinity at the nanomolar level and leads for effective SpyCas9 enzymatic inhibition in vitro. It is predicted that Apt2 interacts with the HNH and RuvC domains of SpyCas9, competitively inhibiting the binding of substrate DNA to SpyCas9. The proposed aptamer inhibitor is the oligonucleotide inhibitor of SpyCas9, which has the potential in construction of the universal, simple and precise CRISPR-Cas9 system activity control strategy. Meanwhile, these aptamers could also be valuable tools for study of the functions of CRISPR/Cas9 and the related functional mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ge Yang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, 5 South Zhongguancun Street, Beijing, 100081, China; CAMS Key Laboratory of Antiviral Drug Research, Beijing Key Laboratory of Antimicrobial Agents, NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Huimin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, 5 South Zhongguancun Street, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Guangyu Jiang
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Antiviral Drug Research, Beijing Key Laboratory of Antimicrobial Agents, NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Liping Zhao
- Institute of Quality Standard and Testing Technology of BAAFS, Agricultural Product Quality and Safety Risk Assessment Laboratory of the Department of Agriculture, Beijing, 100097, China.
| | - Feng Qu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, 5 South Zhongguancun Street, Beijing, 100081, China.
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Baluška F, Miller WB, Reber AS. Sentient cells as basic units of tissues, organs and organismal physiology. J Physiol 2024; 602:2491-2501. [PMID: 37847422 DOI: 10.1113/jp284419] [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] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Cells evolved some 4 billion years ago, and since then the integrity of the structural and functional continuity of cellular life has been maintained via highly conserved and ancient processes of cell reproduction and division. The plasma membrane as well as all the cytoplasmic structures are reproduced and inherited uninterruptedly by each of the two daughter cells resulting from every cell division. Although our understanding of the evolutionary emergence of the very first cells is obscured by the extremely long timeline since that revolutionary event, the generally accepted position is that the de novo formation of cells is not possible; all present cells are products of other prior cells. This essential biological principle was first discovered by Robert Remak and then effectively coined as Omnis Cellula e Cellula (every cell of the cell) by Rudolf Virchow: all currently living cells have direct structural and functional connections to the very first cells. Based on our previous theoretical analysis, all cells are endowed with individual sentient cognition that guides their individual agency, behaviour and evolution. There is a vital consequence of this new sentient and cognitive view of cells: when cells assemble as functional tissue ecologies and organs within multicellular organisms, including plants, animals and humans, these cellular aggregates display derivative versions of aggregate tissue- and organ-specific sentience and consciousness. This innovative view of the evolution and physiology of all currently living organisms supports a singular principle: all organismal physiology is based on cellular physiology that extends from unicellular roots.
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Affiliation(s)
- František Baluška
- Institute of Cellular and Molecular Botany, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - William B Miller
- Banner Health Systems - Medicine, Paradise Valley, Phoneix, Arizona, USA
| | - Arthur S Reber
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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6
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Hoikkala V, Graham S, White MF. Bioinformatic analysis of type III CRISPR systems reveals key properties and new effector families. Nucleic Acids Res 2024:gkae462. [PMID: 38808661 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2024] [Revised: 05/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Recognition of RNA from invading mobile genetic elements (MGE) prompts type III CRISPR systems to activate an HD nuclease domain and/or a nucleotide cyclase domain in the Cas10 subunit, eliciting an immune response. The cyclase domain can generate a range of nucleotide second messengers, which in turn activate a diverse family of ancillary effector proteins. These provide immunity by non-specific degradation of host and MGE nucleic acids or proteins, perturbation of membrane potentials, transcriptional responses, or the arrest of translation. The wide range of nucleotide activators and downstream effectors generates a complex picture that is gradually being resolved. Here, we carry out a global bioinformatic analysis of type III CRISPR loci in prokaryotic genomes, defining the relationships of Cas10 proteins and their ancillary effectors. Our study reveals that cyclic tetra-adenylate is by far the most common signalling molecule used and that many loci have multiple effectors. These typically share the same activator and may work synergistically to combat MGE. We propose four new candidate effector protein families and confirm experimentally that the Csm6-2 protein, a highly diverged, fused Csm6 effector, is a ribonuclease activated by cyclic hexa-adenylate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ville Hoikkala
- School of Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9ST, UK
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Shirley Graham
- School of Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9ST, UK
| | - Malcolm F White
- School of Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9ST, UK
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Tian X, Teo WFA, Yang Y, Dong L, Wong A, Chen L, Ahmed H, Choo SW, Jakubovics NS, Tan GYA. Genome characterisation and comparative analysis of Schaalia dentiphila sp. nov. and its subspecies, S. dentiphila subsp. denticola subsp. nov., from the human oral cavity. BMC Microbiol 2024; 24:185. [PMID: 38802738 PMCID: PMC11131293 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-024-03346-w] [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] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Schaalia species are primarily found among the oral microbiota of humans and other animals. They have been associated with various infections through their involvement in biofilm formation, modulation of host responses, and interaction with other microorganisms. In this study, two strains previously indicated as Actinomyces spp. were found to be novel members of the genus Schaalia based on their whole genome sequences. RESULTS Whole-genome sequencing revealed both strains with a genome size of 2.3 Mbp and GC contents of 65.5%. Phylogenetics analysis for taxonomic placement revealed strains NCTC 9931 and C24 as distinct species within the genus Schaalia. Overall genome-relatedness indices including digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH), and average nucleotide/amino acid identity (ANI/AAI) confirmed both strains as distinct species, with values below the species boundary thresholds (dDDH < 70%, and ANI and AAI < 95%) when compared to nearest type strain Schaalia odontolytica NCTC 9935 T. Pangenome and orthologous analyses highlighted their differences in gene properties and biological functions compared to existing type strains. Additionally, the identification of genomic islands (GIs) and virulence-associated factors indicated their genetic diversity and potential adaptive capabilities, as well as potential implications for human health. Notably, CRISPR-Cas systems in strain NCTC 9931 underscore its adaptive immune mechanisms compared to strain C24. CONCLUSIONS Based on these findings, strain NCTC 9931T (= ATCC 17982T = DSM 43331T = CIP 104728T = CCUG 18309T = NCTC 14978T = CGMCC 1.90328T) represents a novel species, for which the name Schaalia dentiphila subsp. dentiphila sp. nov. subsp. nov. is proposed, while strain C24T (= NCTC 14980T = CGMCC 1.90329T) represents a distinct novel subspecies, for which the name Schaalia dentiphila subsp. denticola. subsp. nov. is proposed. This study enriches our understanding of the genomic diversity of Schaalia species and paves the way for further investigations into their roles in oral health. SIGNIFICANCE This research reveals two Schaalia strains, NCTC 9931 T and C24T, as novel entities with distinct genomic features. Expanding the taxonomic framework of the genus Schaalia, this study offers a critical resource for probing the metabolic intricacies and resistance patterns of these bacteria. This work stands as a cornerstone for microbial taxonomy, paving the way for significant advances in clinical diagnostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuechen Tian
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, 50603, Malaysia
- College of Science, Mathematics and Technology, Wenzhou-Kean University, 88 Daxue Road, Ouhai, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, 325060, China
- Wenzhou Municipal Key Laboratory for Applied Biomedical and Biopharmaceutical Informatics, Wenzhou-Kean University, Ouhai, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, 325060, China
- Zhejiang Bioinformatics International Science and Technology Cooperation Center, Wenzhou-Kean University, Ouhai, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, 325060, China
| | - Wee Fei Aaron Teo
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, 50603, Malaysia
| | - Yixin Yang
- College of Science, Mathematics and Technology, Wenzhou-Kean University, 88 Daxue Road, Ouhai, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, 325060, China
- Wenzhou Municipal Key Laboratory for Applied Biomedical and Biopharmaceutical Informatics, Wenzhou-Kean University, Ouhai, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, 325060, China
- Zhejiang Bioinformatics International Science and Technology Cooperation Center, Wenzhou-Kean University, Ouhai, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, 325060, China
- Dorothy and George Hennings College of Science, Mathematics and Technology, Kean University, 1000 Morris Ave, Union, NJ, 07083, USA
| | - Linyinxue Dong
- Wenzhou Municipal Key Laboratory for Applied Biomedical and Biopharmaceutical Informatics, Wenzhou-Kean University, Ouhai, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, 325060, China
- Zhejiang Bioinformatics International Science and Technology Cooperation Center, Wenzhou-Kean University, Ouhai, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, 325060, China
| | - Aloysius Wong
- College of Science, Mathematics and Technology, Wenzhou-Kean University, 88 Daxue Road, Ouhai, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, 325060, China
- Wenzhou Municipal Key Laboratory for Applied Biomedical and Biopharmaceutical Informatics, Wenzhou-Kean University, Ouhai, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, 325060, China
- Zhejiang Bioinformatics International Science and Technology Cooperation Center, Wenzhou-Kean University, Ouhai, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, 325060, China
- Dorothy and George Hennings College of Science, Mathematics and Technology, Kean University, 1000 Morris Ave, Union, NJ, 07083, USA
| | - Li Chen
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, 50603, Malaysia
| | - Halah Ahmed
- School of Dental Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Framlington Place, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE2 4BW, UK
| | - Siew Woh Choo
- College of Science, Mathematics and Technology, Wenzhou-Kean University, 88 Daxue Road, Ouhai, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, 325060, China.
- Wenzhou Municipal Key Laboratory for Applied Biomedical and Biopharmaceutical Informatics, Wenzhou-Kean University, Ouhai, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, 325060, China.
- Zhejiang Bioinformatics International Science and Technology Cooperation Center, Wenzhou-Kean University, Ouhai, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, 325060, China.
- Dorothy and George Hennings College of Science, Mathematics and Technology, Kean University, 1000 Morris Ave, Union, NJ, 07083, USA.
| | - Nicholas S Jakubovics
- School of Dental Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Framlington Place, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE2 4BW, UK.
| | - Geok Yuan Annie Tan
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, 50603, Malaysia.
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8
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Xie H, Zhang R, Li Z, Guo R, Li J, Fu Q, Wang X, Zhou Y. Endogenous Type I-C CRISPR-Cas system of Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus promotes biofilm formation and pathogenicity. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1417993. [PMID: 38841053 PMCID: PMC11150851 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1417993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus (SEZ) is a significant zoonotic pathogen that causes septicemia, meningitis, and mastitis in domestic animals. Recent reports have highlighted high-mortality outbreaks among swine in the United States. Traditionally recognized for its adaptive immune functions, the CRISPR-Cas system has also been implicated in gene regulation, bacterial pathophysiology, virulence, and evolution. The Type I-C CRISPR-Cas system, which is prevalent in SEZ isolates, appears to play a pivotal role in regulating the pathogenicity of SEZ. By constructing a Cas3 mutant strain (ΔCas3) and a CRISPR-deficient strain (ΔCRISPR), we demonstrated that this system significantly promotes biofilm formation and cell adhesion. However, the deficiency in the CRISPR-Cas system did not affect bacterial morphology or capsule production. In vitro studies showed that the CRISPR-Cas system enhances pro-inflammatory responses in RAW264.7 cells. The ΔCas3 and ΔCRISPR mutant strains exhibited reduced mortality rates in mice, accompanied by a decreased bacterial load in specific organs. RNA-seq analysis revealed distinct expression patterns in both mutant strains, with ΔCas3 displaying a broader range of differentially expressed genes, which accounted for over 70% of the differential genes observed in ΔCRISPR. These genes were predominantly linked to lipid metabolism, the ABC transport system, signal transduction, and quorum sensing. These findings enhance our understanding of the complex role of the CRISPR-Cas system in SEZ pathogenesis and provide valuable insights for developing innovative therapeutic strategies to combat infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Honglin Xie
- Department of Life Science, Nanjing Xiaozhuang University, Nanjing, China
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Riteng Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Ziyuan Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Ruhai Guo
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Junda Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Qiang Fu
- School of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, China
| | - Xinglong Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Yefei Zhou
- Department of Life Science, Nanjing Xiaozhuang University, Nanjing, China
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9
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Geyman LJ, Tanner MP, Rosario-Meléndez N, Peters JM, Mandel MJ, van Kessel JC. Mobile-CRISPRi as a powerful tool for modulating Vibrio gene expression. Appl Environ Microbiol 2024:e0006524. [PMID: 38775491 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00065-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
CRISPRi (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Palindromic Repeats interference) is a gene knockdown method that uses a deactivated Cas9 protein (dCas9) that binds a specific gene target locus dictated by an encoded guide RNA (sgRNA) to block transcription. Mobile-CRISPRi is a suite of modular vectors that enable CRISPRi knockdowns in diverse bacteria by integrating IPTG-inducible dcas9 and sgRNA genes into the genome using Tn7 transposition. Here, we show that the Mobile-CRISPRi system functions robustly and specifically in multiple Vibrio species: Vibrio cholerae, Vibrio fischeri, Vibrio vulnificus, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, and Vibrio campbellii. We demonstrate efficacy by targeting both essential and non-essential genes that function to produce defined, measurable phenotypes: bioluminescence, quorum sensing, cell division, and growth arrest. We anticipate that Mobile-CRISPRi will be used in Vibrio species to systematically probe gene function and essentiality in various behaviors and native environments.IMPORTANCEThe genetic manipulation of bacterial genomes is an invaluable tool in experimental microbiology. The development of CRISPRi (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Palindromic Repeats interference) tools has revolutionized genetics in many organisms, including bacteria. Here, we optimized the use of Mobile-CRISPRi in five Vibrio species, each of which has significant impacts on marine environments and organisms that include squid, shrimp, shellfish, finfish, corals, and multiple of which pose direct threats to human health. The Mobile-CRISPRi technology is easily adaptable, moveable from strain to strain, and enables researchers to selectively turn off gene expression. Our experiments demonstrate Mobile-CRISPRi is effective and robust at repressing gene expression of both essential and non-essential genes in Vibrio species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Logan J Geyman
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
| | - Madeline P Tanner
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Natalia Rosario-Meléndez
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Microbiology Doctoral Training Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Jason M Peters
- Microbiology Doctoral Training Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Division, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Mark J Mandel
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Microbiology Doctoral Training Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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10
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Huang Z, Wang J, Huang Z, Tang G, Lv G, Li D, Yang C. Functional prediction of AMP deaminase 1 in Jingyuan chicken and evaluation of the biological activities of its expression vectors. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 271:132546. [PMID: 38782330 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.132546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
This study investigated the function of AMP deaminase 1 (AMPD1) in Jingyuan chicken and the biological activity of its expression vector. AMPD1 was cloned and sequenced from chicken breast muscle tissue by RT-PCR and further analyzed using Cluster, DNASTAR, and online bioinformatics software, as well as vector construction, qPCR, Western blotting, enzymatic digestion, and sequencing. The coding sequence was 2162 bp, encoding 683 amino acids and producing a protein of approximately 78.95 kDa. After verification, the overexpression plasmids pEGFP-AMPD1, Cas9/sgRNA2, and Cas9/sgRNA3 were found to have biological activity in chicken muscle cells and individual chickens, and two sgRNAs (sgRNA2, sgRNA3) were identified that could edit AMPD1. The qPCR and Western blotting result showed that the pEGFP-AMPD1 plasmid significantly increased both mRNA and protein expression of AMPD1. T7EI digestion showed editing efficiencies of approximately 35 %, 37 %, and 33 % for sgRNA2, sgRNA3, and sgRNA2 + sgRNA3 of AMPD1 in chicken muscle cells. In comparison, TA cloning sequencing showed editing efficiencies of approximately 36.7 %, 86.7 %, and 26.7 % and editing efficiencies in chicken individuals of approximately 71 %, 45 %, and 76.7 %, respectively. These results provide a theoretical basis and support for further investigation into the function of the AMPD1 gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zengwen Huang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Xichang University, Xichang, China
| | - Jing Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Xichang University, Xichang, China
| | - Zhiqiu Huang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Xichang University, Xichang, China
| | | | - Gang Lv
- Xinjiang Taikun Group Co., Ltd, China
| | - Dongdong Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Xichang University, Xichang, China
| | - Chaoyun Yang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Xichang University, Xichang, China.
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11
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Wu Y, Jin R, Chang Y, Liu M. A high-fidelity DNAzyme-assisted CRISPR/Cas13a system with single-nucleotide resolved specificity. Chem Sci 2024; 15:6934-6942. [PMID: 38725495 PMCID: PMC11077575 DOI: 10.1039/d4sc01501k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
A CRISPR/Cas system represents an innovative tool for developing a new-generation biosensing and diagnostic strategy. However, the off-target issue (i.e., mistaken cleavage of nucleic acid targets and reporters) remains a great challenge for its practical applications. We hypothesize that this issue can be overcome by taking advantage of the site-specific cleavage ability of RNA-cleaving DNAzymes. To test this idea, we propose a DNAzyme Operation Enhances the Specificity of CRISPR/Cas13a strategy (termed DOES-CRISPR) to overcome the problem of relatively poor specificity that is typical of the traditional CRISPR/Cas13a system. The key to the design is that the partial hybridization of the CRISPR RNA (crRNA) with the cleavage fragment of off-target RNA was not able to activate the collateral cleavage activity of Cas13a. We showed that DOES-CRISPR can significantly improve the specificity of traditional CRISPR/Cas13a-based molecular detection by up to ∼43-fold. The broad utility of the strategy is illustrated through engineering three different systems for the detection of microRNAs (miR-17 and let-7e), CYP2C19*17 gene, SARS-Cov-2 variants (Gamma, Delta, and Omicron) and Omicron subtypes (BQ.1 and XBB.1) with single-nucleotide resolved specificity. Finally, clinical evaluation of this assay using 10 patient blood samples demonstrated a clinical sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 100% for genotyping CYP2C19*17, and analyzing 20 throat swab samples provided a diagnostic sensitivity of 95% and specificity of 100% for Omicron detection, and a clinical sensitivity of 92% and specificity of 100% for XBB.1 detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunping Wu
- School of Environmental Science and Technology, Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering (Ministry of Education), Dalian University of Technology, Dalian POCT Laboratory Dalian 116024 China
| | - Ruigang Jin
- School of Environmental Science and Technology, Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering (Ministry of Education), Dalian University of Technology, Dalian POCT Laboratory Dalian 116024 China
| | - Yangyang Chang
- School of Environmental Science and Technology, Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering (Ministry of Education), Dalian University of Technology, Dalian POCT Laboratory Dalian 116024 China
| | - Meng Liu
- School of Environmental Science and Technology, Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering (Ministry of Education), Dalian University of Technology, Dalian POCT Laboratory Dalian 116024 China
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12
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Wang H, Zhou J, Lei J, Mo G, Wu Y, Liu H, Pang Z, Du M, Zhou Z, Paek C, Sun Z, Chen Y, Wang Y, Chen P, Yin L. Engineering of a compact, high-fidelity EbCas12a variant that can be packaged with its crRNA into an all-in-one AAV vector delivery system. PLoS Biol 2024; 22:e3002619. [PMID: 38814985 PMCID: PMC11139299 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
The CRISPR-associated endonuclease Cas12a has become a powerful genome-editing tool in biomedical research due to its ease of use and low off-targeting. However, the size of Cas12a severely limits clinical applications such as adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based gene therapy. Here, we characterized a novel compact Cas12a ortholog, termed EbCas12a, from the metagenome-assembled genome of a currently unclassified Erysipelotrichia. It has the PAM sequence of 5'-TTTV-3' (V = A, G, C) and the smallest size of approximately 3.47 kb among the Cas12a orthologs reported so far. In addition, enhanced EbCas12a (enEbCas12a) was also designed to have comparable editing efficiency with higher specificity to AsCas12a and LbCas12a in mammalian cells at multiple target sites. Based on the compact enEbCas12a, an all-in-one AAV delivery system with crRNA for Cas12a was developed for both in vitro and in vivo applications. Overall, the novel smallest high-fidelity enEbCas12a, this first case of the all-in-one AAV delivery for Cas12a could greatly boost future gene therapy and scientific research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongjian Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Department of Clinical Oncology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jin Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Department of Clinical Oncology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jun Lei
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Department of Clinical Oncology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Guosheng Mo
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Department of Clinical Oncology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yankang Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Department of Clinical Oncology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Huan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Department of Clinical Oncology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Ziyan Pang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Department of Clinical Oncology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Mingkun Du
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Department of Clinical Oncology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Zihao Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Department of Clinical Oncology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Chonil Paek
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Department of Clinical Oncology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Zaiqiao Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Department of Clinical Oncology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yongshun Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Department of Clinical Oncology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Department of Clinical Oncology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Peng Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Department of Clinical Oncology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Lei Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Department of Clinical Oncology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
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13
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Bi M, Su W, Li J, Mo X. Insights into the inhibition of protospacer integration via direct interaction between Cas2 and AcrVA5. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3256. [PMID: 38627399 PMCID: PMC11021501 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47713-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Spacer acquisition step in CRISPR-Cas system involves the recognition and subsequent integration of protospacer by the Cas1-Cas2 complex in CRISPR-Cas systems. Here we report an anti-CRISPR protein, AcrVA5, and reveal the mechanisms by which it strongly inhibits protospacer integration. Our biochemical data shows that the integration by Cas1-Cas2 was abrogated in the presence of AcrVA5. AcrVA5 exhibits low binding affinity towards Cas2 and acetylates Cas2 at Lys55 on the binding interface of the Cas2 and AcrVA5 N-terminal peptide complex to inhibit the Cas2-mediated endonuclease activity. Moreover, a detailed structural comparison between our crystal structure and homolog structure shows that binding of AcrVA5 to Cas2 causes steric hindrance to the neighboring protospacer resulting in the partial disassembly of the Cas1-Cas2 and protospacer complex, as demonstrated by electrophoretic mobility shift assay. Our study focuses on this mechanism of spacer acquisition inhibition and provides insights into the biology of CRISPR-Cas systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingfang Bi
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, 130062, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Wenjing Su
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, 130062, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Jiafu Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, 130062, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Xiaobing Mo
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, 130062, Changchun, Jilin, China.
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, Jilin University, 130062, Changchun, Jilin, China.
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14
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Scharf A, La-Rostami F, Illarionov BA, Nemes V, Feldmann AM, Höft LS, Lösel H, Bacher A, Fischer M. Systematic Analysis of the Effect of Genomic Knock-Out of Non-Essential Promiscuous HAD-Like Phosphatases YcsE, YitU and YwtE on Flavin and Adenylate Content in Bacillus Subtilis. Chembiochem 2024:e202400165. [PMID: 38616163 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202400165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2024] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
Studying the metabolic role of non-essential promiscuous enzymes is a challenging task, as genetic manipulations usually do not reveal at which point(s) of the metabolic network the enzymatic activity of such protein is beneficial for the organism. Each of the HAD-like phosphatases YcsE, YitU and YwtE of Bacillus subtilis catalyzes the dephosphorylation of 5-amino-6-ribitylamino-uracil 5'-phosphate, which is essential in the biosynthesis of riboflavin. Using CRISPR technology, we have found that the deletion of these genes, individually or in all possible combinations failed to cause riboflavin auxotrophy and did not result in significant growth changes. Analysis of flavin and adenylate content in B. subtilis knockout mutants showed that (i) there must be one or several still unidentified phosphatases that can replace the deleted proteins; (ii) such replacements, however, cannot fully restore the intracellular content of any of three flavins studied (riboflavin, FMN, FAD); (iii) whereas bacterial fitness was not significantly compromised by mutations, the intracellular balance of flavins and adenylates did show some significant changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Scharf
- Hamburg School of Food Science, Institute of Food Chemistry, University of Hamburg, Grindelallee 117, 20146, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Farshad La-Rostami
- Hamburg School of Food Science, Institute of Food Chemistry, University of Hamburg, Grindelallee 117, 20146, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Boris A Illarionov
- Hamburg School of Food Science, Institute of Food Chemistry, University of Hamburg, Grindelallee 117, 20146, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Vivien Nemes
- Hamburg School of Food Science, Institute of Food Chemistry, University of Hamburg, Grindelallee 117, 20146, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Anna M Feldmann
- Hamburg School of Food Science, Institute of Food Chemistry, University of Hamburg, Grindelallee 117, 20146, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Lars S Höft
- Hamburg School of Food Science, Institute of Food Chemistry, University of Hamburg, Grindelallee 117, 20146, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Henri Lösel
- Hamburg School of Food Science, Institute of Food Chemistry, University of Hamburg, Grindelallee 117, 20146, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Adelbert Bacher
- TUM School of Natural Sciences, Technical University of Munich, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - Markus Fischer
- Hamburg School of Food Science, Institute of Food Chemistry, University of Hamburg, Grindelallee 117, 20146, Hamburg, Germany
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15
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Pradeu T, Thomma BPHJ, Girardin SE, Lemaitre B. The conceptual foundations of innate immunity: Taking stock 30 years later. Immunity 2024; 57:613-631. [PMID: 38599162 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2024.03.007] [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] [Received: 01/14/2024] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
While largely neglected over decades during which adaptive immunity captured most of the attention, innate immune mechanisms have now become central to our understanding of immunology. Innate immunity provides the first barrier to infection in vertebrates, and it is the sole mechanism of host defense in invertebrates and plants. Innate immunity also plays a critical role in maintaining homeostasis, shaping the microbiota, and in disease contexts such as cancer, neurodegeneration, metabolic syndromes, and aging. The emergence of the field of innate immunity has led to an expanded view of the immune system, which is no longer restricted to vertebrates and instead concerns all metazoans, plants, and even prokaryotes. The study of innate immunity has given rise to new concepts and language. Here, we review the history and definition of the core concepts of innate immunity, discussing their value and fruitfulness in the long run.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Pradeu
- CNRS UMR 5164 ImmunoConcept, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France; Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France; Presidential Fellow, Chapman University, Orange, CA, USA.
| | - Bart P H J Thomma
- Institute for Plant Sciences, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Stephen E Girardin
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Bruno Lemaitre
- Global Health Institute, School of Life Science, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland.
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16
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Özcan A, Yıbar A, Kiraz D, Ilıkkan ÖK. Comprehensive analysis of the CRISPR-Cas systems in Streptococcus thermophilus strains isolated from traditional yogurts. Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek 2024; 117:63. [PMID: 38561518 DOI: 10.1007/s10482-024-01960-2] [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] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Phage resistance is crucial for lactic acid bacteria in the dairy industry. However, identifying all phages affecting these bacteria is challenging. CRISPR-Cas systems offer a resistance mechanism developed by bacteria and archaea against phages and plasmids. In this study, 11 S. thermophilus strains from traditional yogurts underwent analysis using next-generation sequencing (NGS) and bioinformatics tools. Initial characterization involved molecular ribotyping. Bioinformatics analysis of the NGS raw data revealed that all 11 strains possessed at least one CRISPR type. A total of 21 CRISPR loci were identified, belonging to CRISPR types II-A, II-C, and III-A, including 13 Type II-A, 1 Type III-C, and 7 Type III-A CRISPR types. By analyzing spacer sequences in S. thermophilus bacterial genomes and matching them with phage/plasmid genomes, notable strains emerged. SY9 showed prominence with 132 phage matches and 30 plasmid matches, followed by SY12 with 35 phage matches and 25 plasmid matches, and SY18 with 49 phage matches and 13 plasmid matches. These findings indicate the potential of S. thermophilus strains in phage/plasmid resistance for selecting starter cultures, ultimately improving the quality and quantity of dairy products. Nevertheless, further research is required to validate these results and explore the practical applications of this approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Özcan
- Animal Originated Foodstuffs Department, Central Research Institute of Food and Feed Control, Bursa, Turkey.
- Food Hygiene and Technology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Uludağ University, Bursa, Turkey.
| | - Artun Yıbar
- Food Hygiene and Technology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Uludağ University, Bursa, Turkey
| | - Deniz Kiraz
- Animal Originated Foodstuffs Department, Central Research Institute of Food and Feed Control, Bursa, Turkey
| | - Özge Kahraman Ilıkkan
- Kahramankazan Vocational School, Food Quality Control and Analysis Program, Başkent University, Ankara, Turkey
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17
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Dicks LMT, Vermeulen W. Bacteriophage-Host Interactions and the Therapeutic Potential of Bacteriophages. Viruses 2024; 16:478. [PMID: 38543843 PMCID: PMC10975011 DOI: 10.3390/v16030478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Healthcare faces a major problem with the increased emergence of antimicrobial resistance due to over-prescribing antibiotics. Bacteriophages may provide a solution to the treatment of bacterial infections given their specificity. Enzymes such as endolysins, exolysins, endopeptidases, endosialidases, and depolymerases produced by phages interact with bacterial surfaces, cell wall components, and exopolysaccharides, and may even destroy biofilms. Enzymatic cleavage of the host cell envelope components exposes specific receptors required for phage adhesion. Gram-positive bacteria are susceptible to phage infiltration through their peptidoglycan, cell wall teichoic acid (WTA), lipoteichoic acids (LTAs), and flagella. In Gram-negative bacteria, lipopolysaccharides (LPSs), pili, and capsules serve as targets. Defense mechanisms used by bacteria differ and include physical barriers (e.g., capsules) or endogenous mechanisms such as clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeat (CRISPR)-associated protein (Cas) systems. Phage proteins stimulate immune responses against specific pathogens and improve antibiotic susceptibility. This review discusses the attachment of phages to bacterial cells, the penetration of bacterial cells, the use of phages in the treatment of bacterial infections, and the limitations of phage therapy. The therapeutic potential of phage-derived proteins and the impact that genomically engineered phages may have in the treatment of infections are summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leon M. T. Dicks
- Department of Microbiology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch 7600, South Africa;
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18
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Li X, Bu F, Wang L, Kim C, Xue W, Zhang M, Kawabata S, Zhang Q, Li Y, Zhang Y. Optimization of CRISPR-Cas9 system in Eustoma grandiflorum. iScience 2024; 27:109053. [PMID: 38361623 PMCID: PMC10864798 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
The optimization of the CRISPR-Cas9 system for enhancing editing efficiency holds significant value in scientific research. In this study, we optimized single guide RNA and Cas9 promoters of the CRISPR-Cas9 vector and established an efficient protoplast isolation and transient transformation system in Eustoma grandiflorum, and we successfully applied the modified CRISPR-Cas9 system to detect editing efficiency of the EgPDS gene. The activity of the EgU6-2 promoter in E. grandiflorum protoplasts was approximately three times higher than that of the GmU6 promoter. This promoter, along with the EgUBQ10 promoter, was applied in the CRISPR-Cas9 cassette, the modified CRISPR-Cas9 vectors that pEgU6-2::sgRNA-2/pEgUBQ10::Cas9-2 editing efficiency was 37.7%, which was 30.3% higher than that of the control, and the types of mutation are base substitutions, small fragment deletions and insertions. Finally we obtained an efficient gene editing vector for E. grandiflorum. This project provides an important technical platform for the study of gene function in E. grandiflorum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueqi Li
- Key Laboratory of Saline-alkali Vegetation Ecology Restoration (Northeast Forestry University), Ministry of Education, Harbin 150040, China
- College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Fanqi Bu
- Key Laboratory of Saline-alkali Vegetation Ecology Restoration (Northeast Forestry University), Ministry of Education, Harbin 150040, China
- College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Lishan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Saline-alkali Vegetation Ecology Restoration (Northeast Forestry University), Ministry of Education, Harbin 150040, China
- College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Cholmin Kim
- College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
- Branch of Biotechnology, State Academy of Sciences, Pyongyang, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
| | - Wanjie Xue
- Key Laboratory of Saline-alkali Vegetation Ecology Restoration (Northeast Forestry University), Ministry of Education, Harbin 150040, China
- College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Man Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Saline-alkali Vegetation Ecology Restoration (Northeast Forestry University), Ministry of Education, Harbin 150040, China
- College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Saneyuki Kawabata
- Institute for Sustainable Agroecosystem Services, Graduate School of Agriculture and Life Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Qingzhu Zhang
- College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Yuhua Li
- Key Laboratory of Saline-alkali Vegetation Ecology Restoration (Northeast Forestry University), Ministry of Education, Harbin 150040, China
- College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Yang Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Saline-alkali Vegetation Ecology Restoration (Northeast Forestry University), Ministry of Education, Harbin 150040, China
- College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
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Chia SPS, Pang JKS, Soh BS. Current RNA strategies in treating cardiovascular diseases. Mol Ther 2024; 32:580-608. [PMID: 38291757 PMCID: PMC10928165 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2024.01.028] [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] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) continues to impose a significant global health burden, necessitating the exploration of innovative treatment strategies. Ribonucleic acid (RNA)-based therapeutics have emerged as a promising avenue to address the complex molecular mechanisms underlying CVD pathogenesis. We present a comprehensive review of the current state of RNA therapeutics in the context of CVD, focusing on the diverse modalities that bring about transient or permanent modifications by targeting the different stages of the molecular biology central dogma. Considering the immense potential of RNA therapeutics, we have identified common gene targets that could serve as potential interventions for prevalent Mendelian CVD caused by single gene mutations, as well as acquired CVDs developed over time due to various factors. These gene targets offer opportunities to develop RNA-based treatments tailored to specific genetic and molecular pathways, presenting a novel and precise approach to address the complex pathogenesis of both types of cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, we discuss the challenges and opportunities associated with delivery strategies to achieve targeted delivery of RNA therapeutics to the cardiovascular system. This review highlights the immense potential of RNA-based interventions as a novel and precise approach to combat CVD, paving the way for future advancements in cardiovascular therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shirley Pei Shan Chia
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A∗STAR), 61 Biopolis Drive, Proteos, Singapore 138673, Singapore; Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 16 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117558, Singapore
| | - Jeremy Kah Sheng Pang
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A∗STAR), 61 Biopolis Drive, Proteos, Singapore 138673, Singapore
| | - Boon-Seng Soh
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A∗STAR), 61 Biopolis Drive, Proteos, Singapore 138673, Singapore; Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 16 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117558, Singapore.
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20
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Sultana S, Azlan A, Mohd Desa MN, Mahyudin NA, Anburaj A. A review of CRISPR-Cas and PCR-based methods for the detection of animal species in the food chain-current challenges and future prospects. Food Addit Contam Part A Chem Anal Control Expo Risk Assess 2024; 41:213-227. [PMID: 38284970 DOI: 10.1080/19440049.2024.2304577] [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] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
Regular testing and systematic investigation play a vital role to ensure product safety. Until now, the existing food authentication techniques have been based on proteins, lipids, and nucleic acid-based assays. Among various deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)-based methods, the recently developed Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) based bio-sensing is an innovative and fast-expanding technology. The CRISPR/Cas-9 is known as Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats due to the flexibility and simplicity of the CRISPR/Cas9 site-specific editing tool has been applied in many biological research areas such as Gene therapy, cell line development, discovering mechanisms of disease, and drug discovery. Nowadays, the CRISPR-Cas system has also been introduced into food authentication via detecting DNA barcodes of poultry and livestock both in processed and unprocessed food samples. This review documents various DNA based approaches, in an accessible format. Future CRISPR technologies are forecast while challenges are outlined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharmin Sultana
- Laboratory of Halal Science Research, Halal Products Research Institute, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia
| | - Azrina Azlan
- Laboratory of Halal Science Research, Halal Products Research Institute, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia
- Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia
- Research Centre of Excellence for Nutrition and Non-Communicable Diseases, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia
| | | | - Nor Ainy Mahyudin
- Laboratory of Halal Science Research, Halal Products Research Institute, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia
| | - Amaladoss Anburaj
- Centre for Aquaculture and Veterinary Science (CAVS), School of Applied Science, Temasek Polytechnic, Singapore, Singapore
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21
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Wan S, Lai M, Gao X, Zhou M, Yang S, Li Q, Li F, Xia L, Tan Y. Recent progress in engineering Clostridium autoethanogenum to synthesize the biochemicals and biocommodities. Synth Syst Biotechnol 2024; 9:19-25. [PMID: 38205027 PMCID: PMC10776380 DOI: 10.1016/j.synbio.2023.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Excessive mining and utilization fossil fuels has led to drastic environmental consequences, which will contribute to global warming and cause further climate change with severe consequences for the human population. The magnitude of these challenges requires several approaches to develop sustainable alternatives for chemicals and fuels production. In this context, biological processes, mainly microbial fermentation, have gained particular interest. For example, autotrophic gas-fermenting acetogenic bacteria are capable of converting CO, CO2 and H2 into biomass and multiple metabolites through Wood-Ljungdahl pathway, which can be exploited for large-scale fermentation processes to sustainably produce bulk biochemicals and biofuels (e.g. acetate and ethanol) from syngas. Clostridium autoethanogenum is one representative of these chemoautotrophic bacteria and considered as the model for the gas fermentation. Recently, the development of synthetic biology toolbox for this strain has enabled us to study and genetically improve their metabolic capability in gas fermentation. In this review, we will summarize the recent progress involved in the understanding of physiological mechanism and strain engineering for C. autoethanogenum, and provide our perspectives on the future development about the basic biology and engineering biology of this strain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sai Wan
- Qingdao C1 Refinery Engineering Research Center, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, 266101, Shandong, China
| | - Mingchi Lai
- Qingdao C1 Refinery Engineering Research Center, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, 266101, Shandong, China
- School of Life Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, Shandong, China
| | - Xinyu Gao
- Qingdao C1 Refinery Engineering Research Center, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, 266101, Shandong, China
- School of Biological Science and Technology, University of Jinan, Jinan, 250022, Shandong, China
| | - Mingxin Zhou
- CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Science, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Shenzhen Powered Carbon Biotechnology Co., Ltd, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Song Yang
- School of Life Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, Shandong, China
| | - Qiang Li
- School of Biological Science and Technology, University of Jinan, Jinan, 250022, Shandong, China
| | - Fuli Li
- Qingdao C1 Refinery Engineering Research Center, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, 266101, Shandong, China
| | - Lin Xia
- Shenzhen Powered Carbon Biotechnology Co., Ltd, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Yang Tan
- Qingdao C1 Refinery Engineering Research Center, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, 266101, Shandong, China
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22
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Liu Z, Xu J, Huang S, Dai W, Zhang W, Li L, Xiao X, Wu T. Gene point mutation information translation and detection: Leveraging single base extension and CRISPR/Cas12a. Biosens Bioelectron 2024; 247:115936. [PMID: 38142668 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2023.115936] [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] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
Gene point mutations play a significant role in the development of cancer. Therefore, developing a sensitive, specific, and universally applicable method for detecting gene point mutation is crucial for clinical diagnosis, prognosis, and cancer treatment. Recently, gene point mutation detection methods based on CRISPR/Cas12a detection have emerged. However, existing methods generally lack universality and specificity. In this study, we have developed a CRISPR/Cas12a-based method that combines improved allele-specific polymerase chain reaction and single base extension to translate the point mutation information in the target dsDNA into length information in ssDNA activators to overcome the limitations associated with PAM sequences in the CRISPR/Cas12a system. Our method achieved a detection limit of 0.002% for clinically significant EGFR T790M mutation. The CRISPR/Cas12a system we constructed demonstrates high sensitivity, specificity, and universality in detecting gene point mutations, making it a promising tool for clinical cancer screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhujun Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Jie Xu
- School of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Shan Huang
- School of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Wei Dai
- School of Life Science and Technology, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan, 430023, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Longjie Li
- School of Life Science and Technology, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan, 430023, China
| | - Xianjin Xiao
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Tongbo Wu
- School of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
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23
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Valdivia-Francia F, Sendoel A. No country for old methods: New tools for studying microproteins. iScience 2024; 27:108972. [PMID: 38333695 PMCID: PMC10850755 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.108972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Microproteins encoded by small open reading frames (sORFs) have emerged as a fascinating frontier in genomics. Traditionally overlooked due to their small size, recent technological advancements such as ribosome profiling, mass spectrometry-based strategies and advanced computational approaches have led to the annotation of more than 7000 sORFs in the human genome. Despite the vast progress, only a tiny portion of these microproteins have been characterized and an important challenge in the field lies in identifying functionally relevant microproteins and understanding their role in different cellular contexts. In this review, we explore the recent advancements in sORF research, focusing on the new methodologies and computational approaches that have facilitated their identification and functional characterization. Leveraging these new tools hold great promise for dissecting the diverse cellular roles of microproteins and will ultimately pave the way for understanding their role in the pathogenesis of diseases and identifying new therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabiola Valdivia-Francia
- University of Zurich, Institute for Regenerative Medicine (IREM), Wagistrasse 12, 8952 Schlieren-Zurich, Switzerland
- Life Science Zurich Graduate School, Molecular Life Science Program, University of Zurich/ ETH Zurich, Schlieren-Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ataman Sendoel
- University of Zurich, Institute for Regenerative Medicine (IREM), Wagistrasse 12, 8952 Schlieren-Zurich, Switzerland
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24
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Wang H, Zheng K, Wang M, Ma K, Ren L, Guo R, Ma L, Zhang H, Liu Y, Xiong Y, Wu M, Shao H, Sung YY, Mok WJ, Wong LL, McMinn A, Liang Y. Shewanella phage encoding a putative anti-CRISPR-like gene represents a novel potential viral family. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0336723. [PMID: 38214523 PMCID: PMC10846135 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03367-23] [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] [Received: 09/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Shewanella is a prevalent bacterial genus in deep-sea environments including marine sediments, exhibiting diverse metabolic capabilities that indicate its significant contributions to the marine biogeochemical cycles. However, only a few Shewanella phages were isolated and deposited in the NCBI database. In this study, we report the isolation and characterization of a novel Shewanella phage, vB_SbaS_Y11, that infects Shewanella KR11 and was isolated from the sewage in Qingdao, China. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that vB_SbaS_Y11 has an icosahedral head and a long tail. The genome of vB_SbaS_Y11 is a linear, double-stranded DNA with a length of 62,799 bp and a G+C content of 46.9%, encoding 71 putative open reading frames. No tRNA genes or integrase-related feature genes were identified. An uncharacterized anti-CRISPR AcrVA2 gene was detected in its genome. Phylogenetic analysis based on the amino acid sequences of whole genomes and comparative genomic analyses indicate that vB_SbaS_Y11 has a novel genomic architecture and shares low similarity to Pseudomonas virus H66 and Pseudomonas phage F116. vB_SbaS_Y11 represents a potential new family-level virus cluster with eight metagenomic assembled viral genomes named Ranviridae.IMPORTANCEThe Gram-negative Shewanella bacterial genus currently includes about 80 species of mostly aquatic Gammaproteobacteria, which were isolated around the globe in a multitude of environments, such as freshwater, seawater, coastal sediments, and the deepest trenches. Here, we present a Shewanella phage vB_SbaS_Y11 that contains an uncharacterized anti-CRISPR AcrVA2 gene and belongs to a potential virus family, Ranviridae. This study will enhance the knowledge about the genome, diversity, taxonomic classification, and global distribution of Shewanella phage populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongmin Wang
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, MOE Key Laboratory of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, Center for Ocean Carbon Neutrality, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
| | - Kaiyang Zheng
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, MOE Key Laboratory of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, Center for Ocean Carbon Neutrality, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
| | - Min Wang
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, MOE Key Laboratory of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, Center for Ocean Carbon Neutrality, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
- Haide College, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
- Universiti Malaysia Terengganu-Ocean Unversity of China Joint Centre for Marine Studies, Qingdao, China
- The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Keran Ma
- Haide College, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
| | - Linyi Ren
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, MOE Key Laboratory of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, Center for Ocean Carbon Neutrality, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
| | - Ruizhe Guo
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, MOE Key Laboratory of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, Center for Ocean Carbon Neutrality, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
| | - Lina Ma
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, MOE Key Laboratory of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, Center for Ocean Carbon Neutrality, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
- School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hong Zhang
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, MOE Key Laboratory of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, Center for Ocean Carbon Neutrality, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
| | - Yundan Liu
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, MOE Key Laboratory of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, Center for Ocean Carbon Neutrality, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
| | - Yao Xiong
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, MOE Key Laboratory of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, Center for Ocean Carbon Neutrality, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
| | - Miaolan Wu
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, MOE Key Laboratory of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, Center for Ocean Carbon Neutrality, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
| | - Hongbing Shao
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, MOE Key Laboratory of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, Center for Ocean Carbon Neutrality, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
- Universiti Malaysia Terengganu-Ocean Unversity of China Joint Centre for Marine Studies, Qingdao, China
| | - Yeong Yik Sung
- Universiti Malaysia Terengganu-Ocean Unversity of China Joint Centre for Marine Studies, Qingdao, China
- Institute of Marine Biotechnology, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia
| | - Wen Jye Mok
- Universiti Malaysia Terengganu-Ocean Unversity of China Joint Centre for Marine Studies, Qingdao, China
- Institute of Marine Biotechnology, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia
| | - Li Lian Wong
- Universiti Malaysia Terengganu-Ocean Unversity of China Joint Centre for Marine Studies, Qingdao, China
- Institute of Marine Biotechnology, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia
| | - Andrew McMinn
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, MOE Key Laboratory of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, Center for Ocean Carbon Neutrality, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Yantao Liang
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, MOE Key Laboratory of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, Center for Ocean Carbon Neutrality, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
- Universiti Malaysia Terengganu-Ocean Unversity of China Joint Centre for Marine Studies, Qingdao, China
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25
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Liu S, Liu H, Wang X, Shi L. The immune system of prokaryotes: potential applications and implications for gene editing. Biotechnol J 2024; 19:e2300352. [PMID: 38403433 DOI: 10.1002/biot.202300352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Gene therapy has revolutionized the treatment of genetic diseases. Spearheading this revolution are sophisticated genome editing methods such as TALENs, ZFNs, and CRISPR-Cas, which trace their origins back to prokaryotic immune systems. Prokaryotes have developed various antiviral defense systems to combat viral attacks and the invasion of genetic elements. The comprehension of these defense mechanisms has paved the way for the development of indispensable tools in molecular biology. Among them, restriction endonuclease originates from the innate immune system of bacteria. The CRISPR-Cas system, a widely applied genome editing technology, is derived from the prokaryotic adaptive immune system. Single-base editing is a precise editing tool based on CRISPR-Cas system that involves deamination of target base. It is worth noting that prokaryotes possess deamination enzymes as part of their defense arsenal over foreign genetic material. Furthermore, prokaryotic Argonauts (pAgo) proteins, also function in anti-phage defense, play an important role in complementing the CRISPR-Cas system by addressing certain limitations it may have. Recent studies have also shed light on the significance of Retron, a reverse transcription transposon previously showed potential in genome editing, has also come to light in the realm of prokaryotic immunity. These noteworthy findings highlight the importance of studying prokaryotic immune system for advancing genome editing techniques. Here, both the origin of prokaryotic immunity underlying aforementioned genome editing tools, and potential applications of deaminase, pAgo protein and reverse transcriptase in genome editing among prokaryotes were introduced, thus emphasizing the fundamental mechanism and significance of prokaryotic immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyang Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Hongling Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xue Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Lei Shi
- School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
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26
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Lv P, Su F, Chen F, Yan C, Xia D, Sun H, Li S, Duan Z, Ma C, Zhang H, Wang M, Niu X, Zhu J, Zhang J. Genome editing in rice using CRISPR/Cas12i3. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2024; 22:379-385. [PMID: 37822083 PMCID: PMC10826996 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.14192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
The CRISPR/Cas type V-I is a family of programmable nuclease systems that prefers a T-rich protospacer adjacent motif (PAM) and is guided by a short crRNA. In this study, the genome-editing application of Cas12i3, a type V-I family endonuclease, was characterized in rice. We developed a CRIPSR/Cas12i3-based Multiplex direct repeats (DR)-spacer Array Genome Editing (iMAGE) system that was efficient in editing various genes in rice. Interestingly, iMAGE produced chromosomal structural variations with a higher frequency than CRISPR/Cas9. In addition, we developed base editors using deactivated Cas12i3 and generated herbicide-resistant rice plants using the base editors. These CRIPSR/Cas12i3-based genome editing systems will facilitate precision molecular breeding in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Lv
- Bellagen Biotechnology Co. LtdJi'nanChina
- School of Life SciencesShandong Normal UniversityJi'nanChina
| | - Fei Su
- Bellagen Biotechnology Co. LtdJi'nanChina
- School of Life SciencesShandong Normal UniversityJi'nanChina
- Center for Advanced Bioindustry TechnologiesChinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Fangyuan Chen
- Bellagen Biotechnology Co. LtdJi'nanChina
- School of Life SciencesShandong Normal UniversityJi'nanChina
| | - Chunxue Yan
- Bellagen Biotechnology Co. LtdJi'nanChina
- School of Life SciencesShandong Normal UniversityJi'nanChina
| | - Dandan Xia
- Bellagen Biotechnology Co. LtdJi'nanChina
- School of Life SciencesShandong Normal UniversityJi'nanChina
| | - Hui Sun
- Bellagen Biotechnology Co. LtdJi'nanChina
| | | | | | - Changle Ma
- School of Life SciencesShandong Normal UniversityJi'nanChina
| | - Hui Zhang
- College of Life ScienceShanghai Normal UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Mugui Wang
- National Nanfan Research Institute (Sanya)Chinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesSanyaChina
| | - Xiaomu Niu
- Bellagen Biotechnology Co. LtdJi'nanChina
| | - Jian‐Kang Zhu
- Center for Advanced Bioindustry TechnologiesChinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesBeijingChina
- Institute of Advanced Biotechnology and School of Life SciencesSouthern University of Science and TechnologyShenzhenChina
| | - Jinshan Zhang
- Bellagen Biotechnology Co. LtdJi'nanChina
- School of Life SciencesShandong Normal UniversityJi'nanChina
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27
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Geyman L, Tanner M, Rosario-Melendez N, Peters J, Mandel MJ, van Kessel JC. Mobile-CRISPRi as a powerful tool for modulating Vibrio gene expression. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.17.575898. [PMID: 38293084 PMCID: PMC10827217 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.17.575898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
CRISPRi (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Palindromic Repeats interference) is a gene knockdown method that uses a deactivated Cas9 protein (dCas9) that binds a specific gene target locus dictated by an encoded guide RNA (sgRNA) to block transcription. Mobile-CRISPRi is a suite of modular vectors that enable CRISPRi knockdowns in diverse bacteria by integrating IPTG-inducible dcas9 and sgRNA genes into the genome using Tn 7 transposition. Here, we show that the Mobile-CRISPRi system functions robustly and specifically in multiple Vibrio species: Vibrio cholerae, Vibrio fischeri, Vibrio vulnificus, Vibrio parahaemolyticus , and Vibrio campbellii . We demonstrate efficacy by targeting both essential and non-essential genes that function to produce defined, measurable phenotypes: bioluminescence, quorum sensing, cell division, and growth arrest. We anticipate that Mobile-CRISPRi will be used in Vibrio species to systematically probe gene function and essentiality in various behaviors and native environments.
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28
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Zheng L, Shen J, Chen R, Hu Y, Zhao W, Leung ELH, Dai L. Genome engineering of the human gut microbiome. J Genet Genomics 2024:S1673-8527(24)00003-1. [PMID: 38218395 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgg.2024.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
The human gut microbiome, a complex ecosystem, significantly influences host health, impacting crucial aspects such as metabolism and immunity. To deepen our comprehension and control of the molecular mechanisms orchestrating the intricate interplay between gut commensal bacteria and human health, the exploration of genome engineering for gut microbes is a promising frontier. Nevertheless, the complexities and diversities inherent in the gut microbiome pose substantial challenges to the development of effective genome engineering tools for human gut microbes. In this comprehensive review, we provide an overview of the current progress and challenges in genome engineering of human gut commensal bacteria, whether executed in vitro or in situ. A specific focus is directed towards the advancements and prospects in cargo DNA delivery and high-throughput techniques. Additionally, we elucidate the immense potential of genome engineering methods to deepen our understanding of the human gut microbiome and engineer the microorganisms to enhance human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linggang Zheng
- Dr Neher's Biophysics Laboratory for Innovative Drug Discovery/State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macau 999078, China; CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Juntao Shen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Ruiyue Chen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yucan Hu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Wei Zhao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Elaine Lai-Han Leung
- Cancer Center, Faculty of Health Science, University of Macau, Macau, China; MOE Frontiers Science Center for Precision Oncology, University of Macau, Macau 999078, China.
| | - Lei Dai
- CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
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29
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Zhang H, Zhao H, Cao L, Yu B, Wei J, Pan G, Bao J, Zhou Z. Harnessing multiplex crRNA enables an amplification-free/CRISPR-Cas12a-based diagnostic methodology for Nosema bombycis. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0301423. [PMID: 38014967 PMCID: PMC10783057 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03014-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE The multiplex-crRNA CRISPR/Cas12a detection method saves hands-on time, reduces the risk of aerosol pollution, and can be directly applied to detecting silkworms infected with Nosema bombycis. This study provides a new approach for the inspection and quarantine of silkworm pébrine disease in sericulture and provides a new method for the detection of other pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huarui Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Microsporidia Infection and Control, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Huijuan Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Microsporidia Infection and Control, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Lu Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Microsporidia Infection and Control, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Bin Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Microsporidia Infection and Control, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Junhong Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Microsporidia Infection and Control, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Guoqing Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Microsporidia Infection and Control, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jialing Bao
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Microsporidia Infection and Control, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zeyang Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Microsporidia Infection and Control, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- College of Life Science, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China
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30
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Jungfer K, Sigg A, Jinek M. Substrate selectivity and catalytic activation of the type III CRISPR ancillary nuclease Can2. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:462-473. [PMID: 38033326 PMCID: PMC10783487 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad1102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Type III CRISPR-Cas systems provide adaptive immunity against foreign mobile genetic elements through RNA-guided interference. Sequence-specific recognition of RNA targets by the type III effector complex triggers the generation of cyclic oligoadenylate (cOA) second messengers that activate ancillary effector proteins, thus reinforcing the host immune response. The ancillary nuclease Can2 is activated by cyclic tetra-AMP (cA4); however, the mechanisms underlying cA4-mediated activation and substrate selectivity remain elusive. Here we report crystal structures of Thermoanaerobacter brockii Can2 (TbrCan2) in substrate- and product-bound complexes. We show that TbrCan2 is a single strand-selective DNase and RNase that binds substrates via a conserved SxTTS active site motif, and reveal molecular interactions underpinning its sequence preference for CA dinucleotides. Furthermore, we identify a molecular interaction relay linking the cA4 binding site and the nuclease catalytic site to enable divalent metal cation coordination and catalytic activation. These findings provide key insights into the molecular mechanisms of Can2 nucleases in type III CRISPR-Cas immunity and may guide their technological development for nucleic acid detection applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenny Jungfer
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Annina Sigg
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Martin Jinek
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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31
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Yang C, Lei Y, Ren T, Yao M. The Current Situation and Development Prospect of Whole-Genome Screening. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:658. [PMID: 38203828 PMCID: PMC10779205 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
High-throughput genetic screening is useful for discovering critical genes or gene sequences that trigger specific cell functions and/or phenotypes. Loss-of-function genetic screening is mainly achieved through RNA interference (RNAi), CRISPR knock-out (CRISPRko), and CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) technologies. Gain-of-function genetic screening mainly depends on the overexpression of a cDNA library and CRISPR activation (CRISPRa). Base editing can perform both gain- and loss-of-function genetic screening. This review discusses genetic screening techniques based on Cas9 nuclease, including Cas9-mediated genome knock-out and dCas9-based gene activation and interference. We compare these methods with previous genetic screening techniques based on RNAi and cDNA library overexpression and propose future prospects and applications for CRISPR screening.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Mingze Yao
- Shanxi Provincial Key Laboratory for Medical Molecular Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education and Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China; (C.Y.); (Y.L.); (T.R.)
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Martínez-Trejo A, Ruiz-Ruiz JM, Gonzalez-Avila LU, Saldaña-Padilla A, Hernández-Cortez C, de Jesús Colmenero-Solís R, Bello-López JM, Castro-Escarpulli G. The CRISPR-Cas system in clinical strains of Acinetobacter baumannii: an in-silico analysis. Lett Appl Microbiol 2024; 77:ovae003. [PMID: 38211976 DOI: 10.1093/lambio/ovae003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2023] [Revised: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
Acinetobacter baumannii is a relevant bacterium due to its high-resistance profile. It is well known that antimicrobial resistance is primarily linked to mutations and the acquisition of external genomic material, such as plasmids or phages, to which the Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats associated with Cas proteins, or CRISPR-Cas, system is related. It is known that the system can influence the acquisition of foreign genetic material and play a role in various physiological pathways. In this study, we conducted an in-silico analysis using 91 fully assembled genomes of clinical strains obtained from the NCBI database. Among the analyzed genomes, the I-F1 subtype of the CRISPR-Cas system was detected showcasing variations in architecture and phylogeny. Using bioinformatic tools, we determined the presence, distribution, and specific characteristics of the CRISPR-Cas system. We found a possible association of the system with resistance genes but not with virulence determinants. Analysis of the system's components, including spacer sequences, suggests its potential role in protecting against phage infections, highlighting its protective function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arturo Martínez-Trejo
- Laboratorio de Investigación Clínica y Ambiental, Departamento de Microbiología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City 11340, Mexico
| | - Juan Manuel Ruiz-Ruiz
- Laboratorio Clínico, Unidad Médica de Alta Especialidad, Hospital de Pediatría Dr. Silvestre Frenk Freud, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City 06720, Mexico
| | - Luis Uriel Gonzalez-Avila
- Laboratorio de Investigación Clínica y Ambiental, Departamento de Microbiología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City 11340, Mexico
| | - Andres Saldaña-Padilla
- Laboratorio de Investigación Clínica y Ambiental, Departamento de Microbiología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City 11340, Mexico
- Laboratorio de Bioquímica Microbiana, Departamento de Microbiología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City 11340, Mexico
| | - Cecilia Hernández-Cortez
- Laboratorio de Bioquímica Microbiana, Departamento de Microbiología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City 11340, Mexico
| | - Raúl de Jesús Colmenero-Solís
- Laboratorio de Investigación Clínica y Ambiental, Departamento de Microbiología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City 11340, Mexico
| | | | - Graciela Castro-Escarpulli
- Laboratorio de Investigación Clínica y Ambiental, Departamento de Microbiología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City 11340, Mexico
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Freudhofmaier M, Hoyle JW, Maghuly F. CRISPR/Cas9 Vector Construction for Gene Knockout. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2788:295-316. [PMID: 38656522 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3782-1_18] [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: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
This protocol outlines the construction of a plant transformation plasmid to express both the Cas9 nuclease and individual guide RNA (gRNA), facilitating the induction of double-stranded breaks (DSBs) in DNA and subsequent imprecise repair via the non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) pathway. The gRNA expression cassettes are assembled from three components. First, the Medicago truncatula U6.6 (MtU6) promoter (352 bp) and scaffold (83 bp) sequences are amplified from a pUC-based plasmid. Additionally, a third fragment, corresponding to the target sequence, is synthesized as an oligonucleotide. The three gRNA expression fragments are then loosely assembled in a ligation-free cloning reaction and used as a template for an additional PCR step to amplify a single gRNA expression construct, ready for assembly into the transformation vector. The benefits of this design include cost efficiency, as subsequent cloning reactions only require 59 oligonucleotides and standard cloning reagents. Researchers engaged in CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing in plants will find this protocol a clear and resource-efficient approach to create transformation plasmids for their experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Freudhofmaier
- Plant Functional Genomics Lab, Institute of Molecular Biotechnology, Department of Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU), Vienna, Austria.
| | - Jacob W Hoyle
- Institute of Plant Breeding Genetics and Genomics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
- Living Carbon PBC, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Fatemeh Maghuly
- Plant Functional Genomics Lab, Institute of Molecular Biotechnology, Department of Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU), Vienna, Austria
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Shimomura Y, Sugi Y, Kume A, Tanaka W, Yoshihara T, Matsuura T, Komiya Y, Ogata Y, Suda W, Hattori M, Higurashi T, Nakajima A, Matsumoto M. Strain-level detection of Fusobacterium nucleatum in colorectal cancer specimens by targeting the CRISPR-Cas region. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0512322. [PMID: 37819098 PMCID: PMC10714804 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.05123-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Fusobacterium nucleatum is one of the predominant oral bacteria in humans. However, this bacterium is enriched in colorectal cancer (CRC) tissues and may be involved in CRC development. Our previous research suggested that F. nucleatum is present in CRC tissues originating from the oral cavity using a traditional strain-typing method [arbitrarily primed polymerase chain reaction (AP-PCR)]. First, using whole-genome sequencing, this study confirmed an exemplary similarity between the oral and tumoral strains derived from each patient with CRC. Second, we successfully developed a method to genotype this bacterium at the strain level, targeting the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) and CRISPR-associated system, which is hypervariable (defined as F. nucleatum-strain genotyping PCR). This method can identify F. nucleatum strains in cryopreserved samples and is significantly superior to traditional AP-PCR, which can only be performed on isolates. The new methods have great potential for application in etiological studies of F. nucleatum in CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yumi Shimomura
- Dairy Science and Technology Institute, Kyodo Milk Industry Co. Ltd., Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yutaka Sugi
- Dairy Science and Technology Institute, Kyodo Milk Industry Co. Ltd., Tokyo, Japan
| | - Aiko Kume
- Dairy Science and Technology Institute, Kyodo Milk Industry Co. Ltd., Tokyo, Japan
| | - Wataru Tanaka
- Dairy Science and Technology Institute, Kyodo Milk Industry Co. Ltd., Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tsutomu Yoshihara
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Yokohama City University School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Matsuura
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Yokohama City University School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Yasuhiko Komiya
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Yokohama City University School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Yusuke Ogata
- Laboratory for Microbiome Sciences, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Wataru Suda
- Laboratory for Microbiome Sciences, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Masahira Hattori
- Laboratory for Microbiome Sciences, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Takuma Higurashi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Yokohama City University School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Atsushi Nakajima
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Yokohama City University School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Mitsuharu Matsumoto
- Dairy Science and Technology Institute, Kyodo Milk Industry Co. Ltd., Tokyo, Japan
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Tian X, Teo WFA, Wee WY, Yang Y, Ahmed H, Jakubovics NS, Choo SW, Tan GYA. Genome characterization and taxonomy of Actinomyces acetigenes sp. nov., and Actinomyces stomatis sp. nov., previously isolated from the human oral cavity. BMC Genomics 2023; 24:734. [PMID: 38049764 PMCID: PMC10696680 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-023-09831-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Actinomyces strains are commonly found as part of the normal microflora on human tissue surfaces, including the oropharynx, gastrointestinal tract, and female genital tract. Understanding the diversity and characterization of Actinomyces species is crucial for human health, as they play an important role in dental plaque formation and biofilm-related infections. Two Actinomyces strains ATCC 49340 T and ATCC 51655 T have been utilized in various studies, but their accurate species classification and description remain unresolved. RESULTS To investigate the genomic properties and taxonomic status of these strains, we employed both 16S rRNA Sanger sequencing and whole-genome sequencing using the Illumina HiSeq X Ten platform with PE151 (paired-end) sequencing. Our analyses revealed that the draft genome of Actinomyces acetigenes ATCC 49340 T was 3.27 Mbp with a 68.0% GC content, and Actinomyces stomatis ATCC 51655 T has a genome size of 3.08 Mbp with a 68.1% GC content. Multi-locus (atpA, rpoB, pgi, metG, gltA, gyrA, and core genome SNPs) sequence analysis supported the phylogenetic placement of strains ATCC 51655 T and ATCC 49340 T as independent lineages. Digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH), average nucleotide identity (ANI), and average amino acid identity (AAI) analyses indicated that both strains represented novel Actinomyces species, with values below the threshold for species demarcation (70% dDDH, 95% ANI and AAI). Pangenome analysis identified 5,731 gene clusters with strains ATCC 49340 T and ATCC 51655 T possessing 1,515 and 1,518 unique gene clusters, respectively. Additionally, genomic islands (GIs) prediction uncovered 24 putative GIs in strain ATCC 49340 T and 16 in strain ATCC 51655 T, contributing to their genetic diversity and potential adaptive capabilities. Pathogenicity analysis highlighted the potential human pathogenicity risk associated with both strains, with several virulence-associated factors identified. CRISPR-Cas analysis exposed the presence of CRISPR and Cas genes in both strains, indicating these strains might evolve a robust defense mechanism against them. CONCLUSION This study supports the classification of strains ATCC 49340 T and ATCC 51655 T as novel species within the Actinomyces, in which the name Actinomyces acetigenes sp. nov. (type strain ATCC 49340 T = VPI D163E-3 T = CCUG 34286 T = CCUG 35339 T) and Actinomyces stomatis sp. nov. (type strain ATCC 51655 T = PK606T = CCUG 33930 T) are proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuechen Tian
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Wee Fei Aaron Teo
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Centre for Research in Biotechnology for Agriculture, Universiti Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Wei Yee Wee
- School of Science, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, Subang Jaya, Selangor, 46150, Malaysia
| | - Yixin Yang
- College of Science, Mathematics and Technology, Wenzhou-Kean University, 88 Daxue Road, Ouhai, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, 325060, China
- Wenzhou Municipal Key Laboratory for Applied Biomedical and Biopharmaceutical Informatics, Wenzhou-Kean University, 88 Daxue Road, Ouhai, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, 325060, China
- Zhejiang Bioinformatics International Science and Technology Cooperation Center, Wenzhou-Kean University, 88 Daxue Road, Ouhai, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, 325060, China
| | - Halah Ahmed
- School of Dental Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Framlington Place, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE2 4BW, UK
| | - Nicholas S Jakubovics
- School of Dental Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Framlington Place, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE2 4BW, UK.
| | - Siew Woh Choo
- College of Science, Mathematics and Technology, Wenzhou-Kean University, 88 Daxue Road, Ouhai, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, 325060, China.
- Wenzhou Municipal Key Laboratory for Applied Biomedical and Biopharmaceutical Informatics, Wenzhou-Kean University, 88 Daxue Road, Ouhai, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, 325060, China.
- Zhejiang Bioinformatics International Science and Technology Cooperation Center, Wenzhou-Kean University, 88 Daxue Road, Ouhai, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, 325060, China.
| | - Geok Yuan Annie Tan
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
- Centre for Research in Biotechnology for Agriculture, Universiti Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
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Ding S, Liu J, Han X, Tang M. CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Genome Editing in Cancer Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16325. [PMID: 38003514 PMCID: PMC10671490 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242216325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (CRISPR/Cas9) system, an RNA-based adaptive immune system found in bacteria and archaea, has catalyzed the development and application of a new generation of gene editing tools. Numerous studies have shown that this system can precisely target a wide range of human genes, including those associated with diseases such as cancer. In cancer research, the intricate genetic mutations in tumors have promoted extensive utilization of the CRISPR/Cas9 system due to its efficient and accurate gene editing capabilities. This includes improvements in Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR)-T-cell therapy, the establishment of tumor models, and gene and drug target screening. Such progress has propelled the investigation of cancer molecular mechanisms and the advancement of precision medicine. However, the therapeutic potential of genome editing remains underexplored, and lingering challenges could elevate the risk of additional genetic mutations. Here, we elucidate the fundamental principles of CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing and its practical applications in tumor research. We also briefly discuss the primary challenges faced by CRISPR technology and existing solutions, intending to enhance the efficacy of this gene editing therapy and shed light on the underlying mechanisms of tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Ding
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine and Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China;
| | - Jinfeng Liu
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine and Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China;
| | - Xin Han
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine and Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China;
| | - Mengfan Tang
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine and Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China;
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37
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Hardy A, Shomar H, Bernheim A. [Bacterial immunity: Uncovering a new world]. Med Sci (Paris) 2023; 39:862-868. [PMID: 38018930 DOI: 10.1051/medsci/2023163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Viruses are parasites that infect all living organisms, and bacteria are no exception. To defend themselves against their viruses (phages), bacteria have developed numerous and sophisticated defense mechanisms, our understanding of which is rapidly growing. In the 2000s, only a handful of mechanisms were known and only two of them seemed to be found in most bacteria. In 2018, a new key method based on genome analysis revealed that there were likely many others. Indeed, over the past five years, more than 150 new mechanisms have been discovered. It is now estimated that there are probably thousands. This remarkable diversity, paralleled with the tremendous viral diversity, is evident both in terms of possible combinations of systems in bacterial genomes and in molecular mechanisms. One of the most surprising observations emerging from the exploration of this diversity is the discovery of striking similarities between certain bacterial defense systems and antiviral systems in humans, as well as plant (and eukaryotes in general) immune systems. Contrary to the previously accepted paradigm, organisms as diverse as fungi, plants, bacteria and humans share certain molecular strategies to fight viral infections, suggesting that an underestimated part of eukaryotic antiviral immunity could have evolved from bacterial antiviral defense systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aël Hardy
- Institut Pasteur, université Paris Cité, Inserm U1284, Diversité moléculaire des microbes (Molecular Diversity of Microbes lab), 75015 Paris, France
| | - Helena Shomar
- Institut Pasteur, université Paris Cité, Inserm U1284, Diversité moléculaire des microbes (Molecular Diversity of Microbes lab), 75015 Paris, France
| | - Aude Bernheim
- Institut Pasteur, université Paris Cité, Inserm U1284, Diversité moléculaire des microbes (Molecular Diversity of Microbes lab), 75015 Paris, France
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38
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Liu L, Helal SE, Peng N. CRISPR-Cas-Based Engineering of Probiotics. BIODESIGN RESEARCH 2023; 5:0017. [PMID: 37849462 PMCID: PMC10541000 DOI: 10.34133/bdr.0017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Probiotics are the treasure of the microbiology fields. They have been widely used in the food industry, clinical treatment, and other fields. The equivocal health-promoting effects and the unknown action mechanism were the largest obstacles for further probiotic's developed applications. In recent years, various genome editing techniques have been developed and applied to explore the mechanisms and functional modifications of probiotics. As important genome editing tools, CRISPR-Cas systems that have opened new improvements in genome editing dedicated to probiotics. The high efficiency, flexibility, and specificity are the advantages of using CRISPR-Cas systems. Here, we summarize the classification and distribution of CRISPR-Cas systems in probiotics, as well as the editing tools developed on the basis of them. Then, we discuss the genome editing of probiotics based on CRISPR-Cas systems and the applications of the engineered probiotics through CRISPR-Cas systems. Finally, we proposed a design route for CRISPR systems that related to the genetically engineered probiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Liu
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, Hubei, China
- CABIO Biotech (Wuhan) Co. Ltd., Wuhan, China
| | - Shimaa Elsayed Helal
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, Hubei, China
| | - Nan Peng
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, Hubei, China
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Zheng R, Wang C, Cai R, Shan Y, Sun C. Mechanisms of nucleic acid degradation and high hydrostatic pressure tolerance of a novel deep-sea wall-less bacterium. mBio 2023; 14:e0095823. [PMID: 37551978 PMCID: PMC10470597 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00958-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Wall-less bacteria are broadly distributed in diverse habitats. They evolved from a common ancestor within the Firmicutes phylum through reductive evolution. Here, we report the cultivation, characterization, and polyphasic taxonomic analysis of the novel free-living wall-less bacterium, Hujiaoplasma nucleasis zrk29. We demonstrated that strain zrk29 had a strong ability to degrade DNA and RNA both under laboratory conditions and in the deep sea. We found that nucleic acids induced strain zrk29 to release chronic bacteriophages which supported strain zrk29 and other marine bacteria to metabolize nucleic acids without lysing host cells. We also showed that strain zrk29 tolerated high hydrostatic pressure via two pathways: (i) by transporting cations into its cells to increase intracellular osmotic pressure and (ii) by adjusting the unsaturated fatty acid chain content in its cell membrane phospholipids to increase cell membrane fluidity. This study extends our understanding of free-living wall-less bacteria and provides a useful model to explore the unique adaptation mechanisms of deep-sea microbes. IMPORTANCE The unique physiology and survival strategies of the Tenericutes bacterium-a typical wall-less bacterium-have fascinated scientists and the public, especially in extreme deep-sea environments where there is high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) and limited availability of nutrients. Here, we have isolated a novel free-living Tenericutes strain from deep-sea sediment and have found that it metabolizes nucleic acids with the support of chronic bacteriophages. This Tenericutes strain tolerates HHP stress by increasing intracellular osmotic pressure and the unsaturated fatty acid chain content of phospholipids in its cell membrane. Our results provide insights into the unique physiology of deep-sea free-living Tenericutes bacteria and highlight the significant role that chronic bacteriophages play in assisting wall-less bacteria to adapt to harsh conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rikuan Zheng
- CAS and Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology & Center of Deep Sea Research, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, Shandong, China
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, Shandong, China
- Center of Ocean Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Chong Wang
- CAS and Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology & Center of Deep Sea Research, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, Shandong, China
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, Shandong, China
- Center of Ocean Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Ruining Cai
- CAS and Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology & Center of Deep Sea Research, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, Shandong, China
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, Shandong, China
- Center of Ocean Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, Shandong, China
- College of Earth Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yeqi Shan
- CAS and Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology & Center of Deep Sea Research, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, Shandong, China
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, Shandong, China
- Center of Ocean Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, Shandong, China
- College of Earth Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chaomin Sun
- CAS and Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology & Center of Deep Sea Research, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, Shandong, China
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, Shandong, China
- Center of Ocean Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, Shandong, China
- College of Earth Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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40
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Zhan X, Tu Z, Song W, Nie B, Li S, Zhang J, Zhang F. Cas13a-based multiplex RNA targeting for potato virus Y. PLANTA 2023; 258:70. [PMID: 37620620 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-023-04216-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
MAIN CONCLUSION The Cas13a-based multiplex RNA targeting system can be engineered to confer resistance to RNA viruses, whereas the number and expression levels of gRNAs have no significant effect on viral interference. The CRISPR-Cas systems provide adaptive immunity to bacterial and archaeal species against invading phages and foreign plasmids. The class 2 type VI CRISPR/Cas effector Cas13a has been harnessed to confer the protection against RNA viruses in diverse eukaryotic species. However, whether the number and expression levels of guide RNAs (gRNAs) have effects on the efficiency of RNA virus inhibition is unknown. Here, we repurpose CRISPR/Cas13a in combination with an endogenous tRNA-processing system (polycistronic tRNA-gRNA) to target four genes of potato virus Y (PVY) with varying expression levels. We expressed Cas13a and four different gRNAs in potato lines, and the transgenic plants expressing multiple gRNAs displayed similar suppression of PVY accumulation and reduced disease symptoms as those expressing a single gRNA. Moreover, PTG/Cas13a-transformed plants with different expression levels of multiple gRNAs displayed similar resistance to PVY strains. Collectively, this study suggests that the Cas13a-based multiplex RNA targeting system can be utilized to engineer resistance to RNA viruses in plants, whereas the number and expression levels of gRNAs have no significant effect on CRISPR/Cas13a-mediated viral interference in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohui Zhan
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Hubei University, Wuhan, 430062, China
| | - Zhen Tu
- Key Laboratory of Potato Biology and Biotechnology, Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Wenlei Song
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Hubei University, Wuhan, 430062, China
| | - Bihua Nie
- Key Laboratory of Potato Biology and Biotechnology, Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Shengchun Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Hubei University, Wuhan, 430062, China
| | - Jiang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Hubei University, Wuhan, 430062, China
- Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Fengjuan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Hubei University, Wuhan, 430062, China.
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41
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Shmakov SA, Barth ZK, Makarova KS, Wolf Y, Brover V, Peters J, Koonin E. Widespread CRISPR-derived RNA regulatory elements in CRISPR-Cas systems. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:8150-8168. [PMID: 37283088 PMCID: PMC10450183 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023] Open
Abstract
CRISPR-cas loci typically contain CRISPR arrays with unique spacers separating direct repeats. Spacers along with portions of adjacent repeats are transcribed and processed into CRISPR(cr) RNAs that target complementary sequences (protospacers) in mobile genetic elements, resulting in cleavage of the target DNA or RNA. Additional, standalone repeats in some CRISPR-cas loci produce distinct cr-like RNAs implicated in regulatory or other functions. We developed a computational pipeline to systematically predict crRNA-like elements by scanning for standalone repeat sequences that are conserved in closely related CRISPR-cas loci. Numerous crRNA-like elements were detected in diverse CRISPR-Cas systems, mostly, of type I, but also subtype V-A. Standalone repeats often form mini-arrays containing two repeat-like sequence separated by a spacer that is partially complementary to promoter regions of cas genes, in particular cas8, or cargo genes located within CRISPR-Cas loci, such as toxins-antitoxins. We show experimentally that a mini-array from a type I-F1 CRISPR-Cas system functions as a regulatory guide. We also identified mini-arrays in bacteriophages that could abrogate CRISPR immunity by inhibiting effector expression. Thus, recruitment of CRISPR effectors for regulatory functions via spacers with partial complementarity to the target is a common feature of diverse CRISPR-Cas systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergey A Shmakov
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD 20894, USA
| | - Zachary K Barth
- Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Kira S Makarova
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD 20894, USA
| | - Yuri I Wolf
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD 20894, USA
| | - Vyacheslav Brover
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD 20894, USA
| | - Joseph E Peters
- Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Eugene V Koonin
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD 20894, USA
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Chakrabarty P, Sen R, Sengupta S. From parasites to partners: exploring the intricacies of host-transposon dynamics and coevolution. Funct Integr Genomics 2023; 23:278. [PMID: 37610667 DOI: 10.1007/s10142-023-01206-w] [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] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
Transposable elements, often referred to as "jumping genes," have long been recognized as genomic parasites due to their ability to integrate and disrupt normal gene function and induce extensive genomic alterations, thereby compromising the host's fitness. To counteract this, the host has evolved a plethora of mechanisms to suppress the activity of the transposons. Recent research has unveiled the host-transposon relationships to be nuanced and complex phenomena, resulting in the coevolution of both entities. Transposition increases the mutational rate in the host genome, often triggering physiological pathways such as immune and stress responses. Current gene transfer technologies utilizing transposable elements have potential drawbacks, including off-target integration, induction of mutations, and modifications of cellular machinery, which makes an in-depth understanding of the host-transposon relationship imperative. This review highlights the dynamic interplay between the host and transposable elements, encompassing various factors and components of the cellular machinery. We provide a comprehensive discussion of the strategies employed by transposable elements for their propagation, as well as the mechanisms utilized by the host to mitigate their parasitic effects. Additionally, we present an overview of recent research identifying host proteins that act as facilitators or inhibitors of transposition. We further discuss the evolutionary outcomes resulting from the genetic interactions between the host and the transposable elements. Finally, we pose open questions in this field and suggest potential avenues for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prayas Chakrabarty
- Department of Life Sciences, Presidency University Kolkata, 86/1 College Street, Kolkata, 700073, India
| | - Raneet Sen
- Department of Life Sciences, Presidency University Kolkata, 86/1 College Street, Kolkata, 700073, India
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Department of RNA Metabolism, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Sugopa Sengupta
- Department of Life Sciences, Presidency University Kolkata, 86/1 College Street, Kolkata, 700073, India.
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43
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Ma J, Li X, Lou C, Lin X, Zhang Z, Chen D, Yang S. Utility of CRISPR/Cas mediated electrochemical biosensors. ANALYTICAL METHODS : ADVANCING METHODS AND APPLICATIONS 2023; 15:3785-3801. [PMID: 37489056 DOI: 10.1039/d3ay00903c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Abstract
Electrochemical biosensors represent a class of sensors that employ biological materials as sensitive elements, electrodes as conversion elements, and potential or current as detection signals. The integration of CRISPR/Cas systems into electrochemical biosensors holds immense potential, offering enhanced versatility, heightened sensitivity and specificity, reduced recovery time, and the ability to capture and identify analytes at low concentrations. In this review, we provided a succinct summary of the fundamental principles underlying electrochemical biosensors and CRISPR/Cas systems, and new progress of electrochemical biosensors based on CRISPR/Cas systems in virus, bacteria, and cancer detections. Besides, we discussed its pros and cons, present gaps, potential problem-solvers, and future prospects. To sum up, CRISPR/Cas mediated electrochemical biosensors will surely benefit us a lot in the detection of cells and microorganisms, and of course in other promising fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiajie Ma
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
| | - Xinwei Li
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Medical College of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Chenyang Lou
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
| | - Xinyue Lin
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
| | - Zhenzhong Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
- Key Laboratory of Targeting Therapy and Diagnosis for Critical Diseases of Henan Province, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Di Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
- Key Laboratory of Targeting Therapy and Diagnosis for Critical Diseases of Henan Province, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Sen Yang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
- Key Laboratory of Targeting Therapy and Diagnosis for Critical Diseases of Henan Province, Zhengzhou, China
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44
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Amundson KK, Roux S, Shelton JL, Wilkins MJ. Long-term CRISPR locus dynamics and stable host-virus co-existence in subsurface fractured shales. Curr Biol 2023; 33:3125-3135.e4. [PMID: 37402375 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.06.033] [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] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023]
Abstract
Viruses are the most ubiquitous biological entities on Earth. Even so, elucidating the impact of viruses on microbial communities and associated ecosystem processes often requires identification of unambiguous host-virus linkages-an undeniable challenge in many ecosystems. Subsurface fractured shales present a unique opportunity to first make these strong linkages via spacers in CRISPR-Cas arrays and subsequently reveal complex long-term host-virus dynamics. Here, we sampled two replicated sets of fractured shale wells for nearly 800 days, resulting in 78 metagenomes from temporal sampling of six wells in the Denver-Julesburg Basin (Colorado, USA). At the community level, there was strong evidence for CRISPR-Cas defense systems being used through time and likely in response to viral interactions. Within our host genomes, represented by 202 unique MAGs, we also saw that CRISPR-Cas systems were widely encoded. Together, spacers from host CRISPR loci facilitated 2,110 CRISPR-based viral linkages across 90 host MAGs spanning 25 phyla. We observed less redundancy in host-viral linkages and fewer spacers associated with hosts from the older, more established wells, possibly reflecting enrichment of more beneficial spacers through time. Leveraging temporal patterns of host-virus linkages across differing well ages, we report how host-virus co-existence dynamics develop and converge through time, possibly reflecting selection for viruses that can evade host CRISPR-Cas systems. Together, our findings shed light on the complexities of host-virus interactions as well as long-term dynamics of CRISPR-Cas defense among diverse microbial populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaela K Amundson
- Colorado State University, Department of Soil & Crop Sciences, 301 University Ave., Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.
| | - Simon Roux
- DOE Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Jenna L Shelton
- United States Geological Survey, 12201 Sunrise Valley Dr., Reston, VA 20192, USA
| | - Michael J Wilkins
- Colorado State University, Department of Soil & Crop Sciences, 301 University Ave., Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
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Sun W, Cheng Z, Wang J, Yang J, Li X, Wang J, Chen M, Yang X, Sheng G, Lou J, Wang Y. AcrIIC4 inhibits type II-C Cas9 by preventing R-loop formation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2303675120. [PMID: 37494395 PMCID: PMC10400994 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2303675120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Anti-CRISPR (Acr) proteins are encoded by phages and other mobile genetic elements and inhibit host CRISPR-Cas immunity using versatile strategies. AcrIIC4 is a broad-spectrum Acr that inhibits the type II-C CRISPR-Cas9 system in several species by an unknown mechanism. Here, we determined a series of structures of Haemophilus parainfluenzae Cas9 (HpaCas9)-sgRNA in complex with AcrIIC4 and/or target DNA, as well as the crystal structure of AcrIIC4 alone. We found that AcrIIC4 resides in the crevice between the REC1 and REC2 domains of HpaCas9, where its extensive interactions restrict the mobility of the REC2 domain and prevent the unwinding of target double-stranded (ds) DNA at the PAM-distal end. Therefore, the full-length guide RNA:target DNA heteroduplex fails to form in the presence of AcrIIC4, preventing Cas9 nuclease activation. Altogether, our structural and biochemical studies illuminate a unique Acr mechanism that allows DNA binding to the Cas9 effector complex but blocks its cleavage by preventing R-loop formation, a key step supporting DNA cleavage by Cas9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Sun
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100101, China
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100101, China
| | - Zhi Cheng
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100101, China
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100101, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100049, China
| | - Jiuyu Wang
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100101, China
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100101, China
| | - Jing Yang
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100101, China
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100101, China
| | - Xueyan Li
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100101, China
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100101, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100049, China
| | - Jinlong Wang
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100101, China
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100101, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100049, China
| | - Minxuan Chen
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100101, China
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100101, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100049, China
| | - Xiaoqi Yang
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100101, China
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100101, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100049, China
| | - Gang Sheng
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100101, China
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100101, China
| | - Jizhong Lou
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100101, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100049, China
| | - Yanli Wang
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100101, China
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100101, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100049, China
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Buyuklyan JA, Zakalyukina YV, Osterman IA, Biryukov MV. Modern Approaches to the Genome Editing of Antibiotic Biosynthetic Clusters in Actinomycetes. Acta Naturae 2023; 15:4-16. [PMID: 37908767 PMCID: PMC10615194 DOI: 10.32607/actanaturae.23426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Representatives of the phylum Actinomycetota are one of the main sources of secondary metabolites, including antibiotics of various classes. Modern studies using high-throughput sequencing techniques enable the detection of dozens of potential antibiotic biosynthetic genome clusters in many actinomycetes; however, under laboratory conditions, production of secondary metabolites amounts to less than 5% of the total coding potential of producer strains. However, many of these antibiotics have already been described. There is a continuous "rediscovery" of known antibiotics, and new molecules become almost invisible against the general background. The established approaches aimed at increasing the production of novel antibiotics include: selection of optimal cultivation conditions by modifying the composition of nutrient media; co-cultivation methods; microfluidics, and the use of various transcription factors to activate silent genes. Unfortunately, these tools are non-universal for various actinomycete strains, stochastic in nature, and therefore do not always lead to success. The use of genetic engineering technologies is much more efficient, because they allow for a directed and controlled change in the production of target metabolites. One example of such technologies is mutagenesis-based genome editing of antibiotic biosynthetic clusters. This targeted approach allows one to alter gene expression, suppressing the production of previously characterized molecules, and thereby promoting the synthesis of other unknown antibiotic variants. In addition, mutagenesis techniques can be successfully applied both to new producer strains and to the genes of known isolates to identify new compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- J A Buyuklyan
- Center for Translational Medicine, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi, 354340 Russian Federation
| | - Yu V Zakalyukina
- Center for Translational Medicine, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi, 354340 Russian Federation
- Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119234 Russian Federation
| | - I A Osterman
- Center for Translational Medicine, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi, 354340 Russian Federation
- Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Skolkovo, Moscow Region, 143025 Russian Federation
| | - M V Biryukov
- Center for Translational Medicine, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi, 354340 Russian Federation
- Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119234 Russian Federation
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Bauer R, Haider D, Grempels A, Roscher R, Mauerer S, Spellerberg B. Diversity of CRISPR-Cas type II-A systems in Streptococcus anginosus. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1188671. [PMID: 37396379 PMCID: PMC10310304 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1188671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus anginosus is a commensal Streptococcal species that is often associated with invasive bacterial infections. However, little is known about its molecular genetic background. Many Streptococcal species, including S. anginosus, harbor clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-Cas systems. A CRISPR-Cas type II-A system as well as a type II-C system have been reported for this species. To characterize the CRISPR-Cas type II systems of S. anginosus in more detail, we conducted a phylogenetic analysis of Cas9 sequences from CRISPR-Cas type II systems with a special focus on streptococci and S. anginosus. In addition, a phylogenetic analysis of S. anginosus strains based on housekeeping genes included in MLST analysis, was performed. All analyzed Cas9 sequences of S. anginosus clustered with the Cas9 sequences of CRISPR type II-A systems, including the Cas9 sequences of S. anginosus strains reported to harbor a type II-C system. The Cas9 genes of the CRISPR-Cas type II-C systems of other bacterial species separated into a different cluster. Moreover, analyzing the CRISPR loci found in S. anginosus, two distinct csn2 genes could be detected, a short form showing high similarity to the canonical form of the csn2 gene present in S. pyogenes. The second CRISPR type II locus of S. anginosus contained a longer variant of csn2 with close similarities to a csn2 gene that has previously been described in Streptococcus thermophilus. Since CRISPR-Cas type II-C systems do not contain a csn2 gene, the S. anginosus strains reported to have a CRISPR-Cas type II-C system appear to carry a variation of CRISPR-Cas type II-A harboring a long variant of csn2.
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48
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Hillman T. The use of plant-derived exosome-like nanoparticles as a delivery system of CRISPR/Cas9-based therapeutics for editing long non-coding RNAs in cancer colon cells. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1194350. [PMID: 37388221 PMCID: PMC10301836 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1194350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Colon cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer in the United States. Colon cancer develops from the many gene mutations found in the genomes of colon cancer cells. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) can cause the development and progression of many cancers, including colon cancer. LncRNAs have been and could be corrected through the gene-editing technology of the clustered repeats of the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-associated nuclease 9 (CRISPR/Cas9) system to reduce the proliferation of cancer cells in the colon. However, many current delivery systems for transporting CRISPR/Cas9-based therapeutics in vivo need more safety and efficiency. CRISPR/Cas9-based therapeutics require a safe and effective delivery system to more directly and specifically target cancer cells present in the colon. This review will present pertinent evidence for the increased efficiency and safety of using plant-derived exosome-like nanoparticles as nanocarriers for delivering CRISPR/Cas9-based therapeutics to target colon cancer cells directly.
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49
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Walsh SK, Imrie RM, Matuszewska M, Paterson GK, Weinert LA, Hadfield JD, Buckling A, Longdon B. The host phylogeny determines viral infectivity and replication across Staphylococcus host species. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011433. [PMID: 37289828 PMCID: PMC10284401 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Virus host shifts, where a virus transmits to and infects a novel host species, are a major source of emerging infectious disease. Genetic similarity between eukaryotic host species has been shown to be an important determinant of the outcome of virus host shifts, but it is unclear if this is the case for prokaryotes where anti-virus defences can be transmitted by horizontal gene transfer and evolve rapidly. Here, we measure the susceptibility of 64 strains of Staphylococcaceae bacteria (48 strains of Staphylococcus aureus and 16 non-S. aureus species spanning 2 genera) to the bacteriophage ISP, which is currently under investigation for use in phage therapy. Using three methods-plaque assays, optical density (OD) assays, and quantitative (q)PCR-we find that the host phylogeny explains a large proportion of the variation in susceptibility to ISP across the host panel. These patterns were consistent in models of only S. aureus strains and models with a single representative from each Staphylococcaceae species, suggesting that these phylogenetic effects are conserved both within and among host species. We find positive correlations between susceptibility assessed using OD and qPCR and variable correlations between plaque assays and either OD or qPCR, suggesting that plaque assays alone may be inadequate to assess host range. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the phylogenetic relationships between bacterial hosts can generally be used to predict the susceptibility of bacterial strains to phage infection when the susceptibility of closely related hosts is known, although this approach produced large prediction errors in multiple strains where phylogeny was uninformative. Together, our results demonstrate the ability of bacterial host evolutionary relatedness to explain differences in susceptibility to phage infection, with implications for the development of ISP both as a phage therapy treatment and as an experimental system for the study of virus host shifts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah K. Walsh
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation; Faculty of Environment, Science, and Economy; Biosciences; University of Exeter; Cornwall; United Kingdom
- Environment and Sustainability Institute; University of Exeter; Cornwall; United Kingdom
| | - Ryan M. Imrie
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation; Faculty of Environment, Science, and Economy; Biosciences; University of Exeter; Cornwall; United Kingdom
| | - Marta Matuszewska
- Department of Medicine; University of Cambridge; Cambridge; United Kingdom
| | - Gavin K. Paterson
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and the Roslin Institute; University of Edinburgh;Edinburgh; United Kingdom
| | - Lucy A. Weinert
- Department of Veterinary Medicine; University of Cambridge; Cambridge; United Kingdom
| | - Jarrod D. Hadfield
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology; The University of Edinburgh; Edinburgh; United Kingdom
| | - Angus Buckling
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation; Faculty of Environment, Science, and Economy; Biosciences; University of Exeter; Cornwall; United Kingdom
- Environment and Sustainability Institute; University of Exeter; Cornwall; United Kingdom
| | - Ben Longdon
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation; Faculty of Environment, Science, and Economy; Biosciences; University of Exeter; Cornwall; United Kingdom
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50
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Jia HJ, Jia PP, Yin S, Bu LK, Yang G, Pei DS. Engineering bacteriophages for enhanced host range and efficacy: insights from bacteriophage-bacteria interactions. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1172635. [PMID: 37323893 PMCID: PMC10264812 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1172635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteriophages, the most abundant organisms on earth, have the potential to address the rise of multidrug-resistant bacteria resulting from the overuse of antibiotics. However, their high specificity and limited host range can hinder their effectiveness. Phage engineering, through the use of gene editing techniques, offers a means to enhance the host range of bacteria, improve phage efficacy, and facilitate efficient cell-free production of phage drugs. To engineer phages effectively, it is necessary to understand the interaction between phages and host bacteria. Understanding the interaction between the receptor recognition protein of bacteriophages and host receptors can serve as a valuable guide for modifying or replacing these proteins, thereby altering the receptor range of the bacteriophage. Research and development focused on the CRISPR-Cas bacterial immune system against bacteriophage nucleic acids can provide the necessary tools to promote recombination and counter-selection in engineered bacteriophage programs. Additionally, studying the transcription and assembly functions of bacteriophages in host bacteria can facilitate the engineered assembly of bacteriophage genomes in non-host environments. This review highlights a comprehensive summary of phage engineering methods, including in-host and out-of-host engineering, and the use of high-throughput methods to understand their role. The main aim of these techniques is to harness the intricate interactions between bacteriophages and hosts to inform and guide the engineering of bacteriophages, particularly in the context of studying and manipulating the host range of bacteriophages. By employing advanced high-throughput methods to identify specific bacteriophage receptor recognition genes, and subsequently introducing modifications or performing gene swapping through in-host recombination or out-of-host synthesis, it becomes possible to strategically alter the host range of bacteriophages. This capability holds immense significance for leveraging bacteriophages as a promising therapeutic approach against antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huang-Jie Jia
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing, China
| | - Pan-Pan Jia
- School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Supei Yin
- Urinary Nephropathy Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ling-Kang Bu
- College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Guan Yang
- Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing, China
| | - De-Sheng Pei
- School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
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