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Hasselbeck S, Cheng X. Molecular Marvels: Small Molecules Paving the Way for Enhanced Gene Therapy. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 17:41. [PMID: 38256875 PMCID: PMC10818943 DOI: 10.3390/ph17010041] [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: 12/09/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
In the rapidly evolving landscape of genetic engineering, the advent of CRISPR-Cas technologies has catalyzed a paradigm shift, empowering scientists to manipulate the genetic code with unprecedented accuracy and efficiency. Despite the remarkable capabilities inherent to CRISPR-Cas systems, recent advancements have witnessed the integration of small molecules to augment their functionality, introducing new dimensions to the precision and versatility of gene editing applications. This review delves into the synergy between CRISPR-Cas technologies based specifically on Cas9 and small-molecule drugs, elucidating the pivotal role of chemicals in optimizing target specificity and editing efficiency. By examining a diverse array of applications, ranging from therapeutic interventions to agricultural advancements, we explore how the judicious use of chemicals enhances the precision of CRISPR-Cas9-mediated genetic modifications. In this review, we emphasize the significance of small-molecule drugs in fine-tuning the CRISPR-Cas9 machinery, which allows researchers to exert meticulous control over the editing process. We delve into the mechanisms through which these chemicals bolster target specificity, mitigate off-target effects, and contribute to the overall refinement of gene editing outcomes. Additionally, we discuss the potential of chemical integration in expanding the scope of CRISPR-Cas9 technologies, enabling tailored solutions for diverse genetic manipulation challenges. As CRISPR-Cas9 technologies continue to evolve, the integration of small-molecule drugs emerges as a crucial avenue for advancing the precision and applicability of gene editing techniques. This review not only synthesizes current knowledge but also highlights future prospects, paving the way for a deeper understanding of the synergistic interplay between CRISPR-Cas9 systems and chemical modulators in the pursuit of more controlled and efficient genetic modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Hasselbeck
- Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany;
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Xinlai Cheng
- Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany;
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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Kang H, Hasselbeck S, Taškova K, Wang N, Oosten LNV, Mrowka R, Utikal J, Andrade-Navarro MA, Wang J, Wölfl S, Cheng X. Development of a next-generation endogenous OCT4 inducer and its anti-aging effect in vivo. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 257:115513. [PMID: 37253308 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115513] [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: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The identification of small molecules capable of replacing transcription factors has been a longstanding challenge in the generation of human chemically induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Recent studies have shown that ectopic expression of OCT4, one of the master pluripotency regulators, compromised the developmental potential of resulting iPSCs, This highlights the importance of finding endogenous OCT4 inducers for the generation of clinical-grade human iPSCs. Through a cell-based high throughput screen, we have discovered several new OCT4-inducing compounds (O4Is). In this work, we prepared metabolically stable analogues, including O4I4, which activate endogenous OCT4 and associated signaling pathways in various cell lines. By combining these with a transcription factor cocktail consisting of SOX2, KLF4, MYC, and LIN28 (referred to as "CSKML") we achieved to reprogram human fibroblasts into a stable and authentic pluripotent state without the need for exogenous OCT4. In Caenorhabditis elegans and Drosophila, O4I4 extends lifespan, suggesting the potential application of OCT4-inducing compounds in regenerative medicine and rejuvenation therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Kang
- Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology, Heidelberg University, Germany
| | - Sebastian Hasselbeck
- Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Katerina Taškova
- Faculty of Biology, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Germany
| | - Nessa Wang
- Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology, Heidelberg University, Germany
| | - Luuk N van Oosten
- Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology, Heidelberg University, Germany
| | - Ralf Mrowka
- Experimentelle Nephrologie, KIM III, Universitätsklinikum, Jena, Germany
| | - Jochen Utikal
- Skin Cancer Unit (G300), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Jichang Wang
- Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Stefan Wölfl
- Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology, Heidelberg University, Germany
| | - Xinlai Cheng
- Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology, Heidelberg University, Germany; Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Germany.
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Shin S, Jang S, Lim D. Small Molecules for Enhancing the Precision and Safety of Genome Editing. Molecules 2022; 27:6266. [PMID: 36234804 PMCID: PMC9573751 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27196266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 09/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-based genome-editing technologies have revolutionized biology, biotechnology, and medicine, and have spurred the development of new therapeutic modalities. However, there remain several barriers to the safe use of CRISPR technologies, such as unintended off-target DNA cleavages. Small molecules are important resources to solve these problems, given their facile delivery and fast action to enable temporal control of the CRISPR systems. Here, we provide a comprehensive overview of small molecules that can precisely modulate CRISPR-associated (Cas) nucleases and guide RNAs (gRNAs). We also discuss the small-molecule control of emerging genome editors (e.g., base editors) and anti-CRISPR proteins. These molecules could be used for the precise investigation of biological systems and the development of safer therapeutic modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyoon Shin
- School of Biopharmaceutical and Medical Sciences, Sungshin University, Seoul 01133, Korea
- Department of Next-Generation Applied Science, Sungshin University, Seoul 01133, Korea
| | - Seeun Jang
- School of Biopharmaceutical and Medical Sciences, Sungshin University, Seoul 01133, Korea
- Department of Next-Generation Applied Science, Sungshin University, Seoul 01133, Korea
| | - Donghyun Lim
- School of Biopharmaceutical and Medical Sciences, Sungshin University, Seoul 01133, Korea
- Department of Next-Generation Applied Science, Sungshin University, Seoul 01133, Korea
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Chen S, Chen D, Liu B, Haisma HJ. Modulating CRISPR/Cas9 genome-editing activity by small molecules. Drug Discov Today 2021; 27:951-966. [PMID: 34823004 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2021.11.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (CRISPR/Cas9)-mediated genome engineering has become a standard procedure for creating genetic and epigenetic changes of DNA molecules in basic biology, biotechnology, and medicine. However, its versatile applications have been hampered by its overall low precise gene modification efficiency and uncontrollable prolonged Cas9 activity. Therefore, overcoming these problems could broaden the therapeutic use of CRISPR/Cas9-based technologies. Here, we review small molecules with the clinical potential to precisely modulate CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome-editing activity and discuss their mechanisms of action. Based on these data, we suggest that direct-acting small molecules for Cas9 are more suitable for precisely regulating Cas9 activity. These findings provide useful information for the identification of novel small-molecule enhancers and inhibitors of Cas9 and Cas9-associated endonucleases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siwei Chen
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Biology, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, Groningen 9713 AV, the Netherlands
| | - Deng Chen
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Biology, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, Groningen 9713 AV, the Netherlands
| | - Bin Liu
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Biology, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, Groningen 9713 AV, the Netherlands; RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA(1)
| | - Hidde J Haisma
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Biology, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, Groningen 9713 AV, the Netherlands.
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Gama-Brambila R, Chen J, Dabiri Y, Tascher G, Němec V, Münch C, Song G, Knapp S, Cheng X. A Chemical Toolbox for Labeling and Degrading Engineered Cas Proteins. JACS AU 2021; 1:777-785. [PMID: 34467332 PMCID: PMC8395650 DOI: 10.1021/jacsau.1c00007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The discovery of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats and their associated proteins (Cas) has revolutionized the field of genome and epigenome editing. A number of new methods have been developed to precisely control the function and activity of Cas proteins, including fusion proteins and small-molecule modulators. Proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) represent a new concept using the ubiquitin-proteasome system to degrade a protein of interest, highlighting the significance of chemically induced protein-E3 ligase interaction in drug discovery. Here, we engineered Cas proteins (Cas9, dCas9, Cas12, and Cas13) by inserting a Phe-Cys-Pro-Phe (FCPF) amino acid sequence (known as the π-clamp system) and demonstrate that the modified CasFCPF proteins can be (1) labeled in live cells by perfluoroaromatics carrying the fluorescein or (2) degraded by a perfluoroaromatics-functionalized PROTAC (PROTAC-FCPF). A proteome-wide analysis of PROTAC-FCPF-mediated Cas9FCPF protein degradation revealed a high target specificity, suggesting a wide range of applications of perfluoroaromatics-induced proximity in the regulation of stability, activity, and functionality of any FCPF-tagging protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo
A. Gama-Brambila
- Buchmann
Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Max-von-Laue-Strasse 15. R. 3.652, D-60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Jie Chen
- Buchmann
Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Max-von-Laue-Strasse 15. R. 3.652, D-60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Yasamin Dabiri
- Institute
of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 364, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Georg Tascher
- Institute
of Biochemistry II, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, D-60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Václav Němec
- Buchmann
Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Max-von-Laue-Strasse 15. R. 3.652, D-60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Christian Münch
- Institute
of Biochemistry II, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, D-60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Guangqi Song
- Department
of Gastroenterology, Zhongshan Hospital
of Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Xuhui District, 200032 Shanghai, China
| | - Stefan Knapp
- Buchmann
Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Max-von-Laue-Strasse 15. R. 3.652, D-60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Xinlai Cheng
- Buchmann
Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Max-von-Laue-Strasse 15. R. 3.652, D-60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Institute
of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 364, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
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Gama-Brambila RA, Chen J, Zhou J, Tascher G, Münch C, Cheng X. A PROTAC targets splicing factor 3B1. Cell Chem Biol 2021; 28:1616-1627.e8. [PMID: 34048672 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2021.04.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Revised: 03/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) are a new technology to degrade target proteins. However, their clinical application is limited currently by lack of chemical binders to target proteins. For instance, it is still unknown whether splicing factor 3B subunit 1 (SF3B1) is targetable by PROTACs. We recently identified a 2-aminothiazole derivative (herein O4I2) as a promoter in the generation of human pluripotent stem cells. In this work, proteomic analysis on the biotinylated O4I2 revealed that O4I2 targeted SF3B1 and positively regulated RNA splicing. Fusing thalidomide-the ligand of the cereblon ubiquitin ligase-to O4I2 led to a new PROTAC-O4I2, which selectively degraded SF3B1 and induced cellular apoptosis in a CRBN-dependent manner. In a Drosophila intestinal tumor model, PROTAC-O4I2 increased survival by interference with the maintenance and proliferation of stem cell. Thus, our finding demonstrates that SF3B1 is PROTACable by utilizing noninhibitory chemicals, which expands the list of PROTAC target proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo A Gama-Brambila
- Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Max-von-Laue-Strasse 15. R. 3.652, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Jie Chen
- Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Max-von-Laue-Strasse 15. R. 3.652, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Jun Zhou
- Division Signaling and Functional Genomics, Department for Cell and Molecular Biology, Medical Faculty Mannheim, German Cancer Research Center and Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Georg Tascher
- Institute of Biochemistry II, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Christian Münch
- Institute of Biochemistry II, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Xinlai Cheng
- Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Max-von-Laue-Strasse 15. R. 3.652, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
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