1
|
Abbriano RM, George J, Kahlke T, Commault AS, Fabris M. Mobilization of a diatom mutator-like element (MULE) transposon inactivates the uridine monophosphate synthase (UMPS) locus in Phaeodactylum tricornutum. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2023; 115:926-936. [PMID: 37147901 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.16271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Diatoms are photosynthetic unicellular microalgae that drive global ecological phenomena in the biosphere and are emerging as sustainable feedstock for an increasing number of industrial applications. Diatoms exhibit enormous taxonomic and genetic diversity, which often results in peculiar biochemical and biological traits. Transposable elements (TEs) represent a substantial portion of diatom genomes and have been hypothesized to exert a relevant role in enriching genetic diversity and making a core contribution to genome evolution. Here, through long-read whole-genome sequencing, we identified a mutator-like element (MULE) in the model diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum, and we report the direct observation of its mobilization within the course of a single laboratory experiment. Under selective conditions, this TE inactivated the uridine monophosphate synthase (UMPS) gene of P. tricornutum, one of the few endogenous genetic loci currently targeted for selectable auxotrophy for functional genetics and genome-editing applications. We report the observation of a recently mobilized transposon in diatoms with unique features. These include the combined presence of a MULE transposase with zinc-finger SWIM-type domains and a diatom-specific E3 ubiquitin ligase of the zinc-finger UBR type, which are suggestive of a mobilization mechanism. Our findings provide new elements for the understanding of the role of TEs in diatom genome evolution and in the enrichment of intraspecific genetic variability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Raffaela M Abbriano
- Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology, 15 Broadway, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - Jestin George
- Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology, 15 Broadway, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - Tim Kahlke
- Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology, 15 Broadway, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - Audrey S Commault
- Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology, 15 Broadway, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - Michele Fabris
- Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology, 15 Broadway, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia
- CSIRO Synthetic Biology Future Science Platform, GPO Box 2583, Brisbane, QLD, 4001, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Scott L, Wigglesworth MJ, Siewers V, Davis AM, David F. Genetically Encoded Whole Cell Biosensor for Drug Discovery of HIF-1 Interaction Inhibitors. ACS Synth Biol 2022; 11:3182-3189. [PMID: 36223492 PMCID: PMC9594322 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.2c00274] [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: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
The heterodimeric transcription factor, hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF-1), is an important anticancer target as it supports the adaptation and response of tumors to hypoxia. Here, we optimized the repressed transactivator yeast two-hybrid system to further develop it as part of a versatile yeast-based drug discovery platform and validated it using HIF-1. We demonstrate both fluorescence-based and auxotrophy-based selections that could detect HIF-1α/HIF-1β dimerization inhibition. The engineered genetic selection is tunable and able to differentiate between strong and weak interactions, shows a large dynamic range, and is stable over different growth phases. Furthermore, we engineered mechanisms to control for cellular activity and off-target drug effects. We thoroughly characterized all parts of the biosensor system and argue this tool will be generally applicable to a wide array of protein-protein interaction targets. We anticipate this biosensor will be useful as part of a drug discovery platform, particularly when screening DNA-encoded new modality drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Louis
H. Scott
- Discovery
Sciences, Biopharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, SE-41320 Gothenburg, Sweden,Department
of Biology and Biological Engineering, Division of Systems and Synthetic
Biology, Chalmers University of Technology, SE-41296 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Mark J. Wigglesworth
- Discovery
Sciences, Biopharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Alderley Park SK10 2NA, U.K.
| | - Verena Siewers
- Department
of Biology and Biological Engineering, Division of Systems and Synthetic
Biology, Chalmers University of Technology, SE-41296 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Andrew M. Davis
- Discovery
Sciences, Biopharmaceutical R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, CB2 0AA, U.K.
| | - Florian David
- Department
of Biology and Biological Engineering, Division of Systems and Synthetic
Biology, Chalmers University of Technology, SE-41296 Gothenburg, Sweden,
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Baldera-Aguayo PA, Lee A, Cornish VW. High-Titer Production of the Fungal Anhydrotetracycline, TAN-1612, in Engineered Yeasts. ACS Synth Biol 2022; 11:2429-2444. [PMID: 35699947 PMCID: PMC9480237 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.2c00116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance is a growing global health threat, demanding urgent responses. Tetracyclines, a widely used antibiotic class, are increasingly succumbing to antibiotic resistance; generating novel analogues is therefore a top priority for public health. Fungal tetracyclines provide structural and enzymatic diversity for novel tetracycline analogue production in tractable heterologous hosts, like yeasts, to combat antibiotic-resistant pathogens. Here, we successfully engineered Saccharomyces cerevisiae (baker's yeast) and Saccharomyces boulardii (probiotic yeast) to produce the nonantibiotic fungal anhydrotetracycline, TAN-1612, in synthetic defined media─necessary for clean purifications─through heterologously expressing TAN-1612 genes mined from the fungus, Aspergillus niger ATCC 1015. This was accomplished via (i) a promoter library-based combinatorial pathway optimization of the biosynthetic TAN-1612 genes coexpressed with a putative TAN-1612 efflux pump, reducing TAN-1612 toxicity in yeasts while simultaneously increasing supernatant titers and (ii) the development of a medium-throughput UV-visible spectrophotometric assay that facilitates TAN-1612 combinatorial library screening. Through this multipronged approach, we optimized TAN-1612 production, yielding an over 450-fold increase compared to previously reported S. cerevisiae yields. TAN-1612 is an important tetracycline analogue precursor, and we thus present the first step toward generating novel tetracycline analogue therapeutics to combat current and emerging antibiotic resistance. We also report the first heterologous production of a fungal polyketide, like TAN-1612, in the probiotic S. boulardii. This highlights that engineered S. boulardii can biosynthesize complex natural products like tetracyclines, setting the stage to equip probiotic yeasts with synthetic therapeutic functionalities to generate living therapeutics or biocontrol agents for clinical and agricultural applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pedro A. Baldera-Aguayo
- Integrated Program in Cellular, Molecular and Biomedical Studies, Columbia University, New York, New York 10032, United States; Department of Chemistry, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027, United States
| | - Arden Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027, United States
| | - Virginia W. Cornish
- Department of Chemistry, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027, United States; Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University Irving Cancer Research Center, New York, New York 10032, United States
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Engineering eukaryote-like regulatory circuits to expand artificial control mechanisms for metabolic engineering in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Commun Biol 2022; 5:135. [PMID: 35173283 PMCID: PMC8850539 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03070-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Temporal control of heterologous pathway expression is critical to achieve optimal efficiency in microbial metabolic engineering. The broadly-used GAL promoter system for engineered yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) suffers from several drawbacks; specifically, unintended induction during laboratory development, and unintended repression in industrial production applications, which decreases overall production capacity. Eukaryotic synthetic circuits have not been well examined to address these problems. Here, we explore a modularised engineering method to deploy new genetic circuits applicable for expanding the control of GAL promoter-driven heterologous pathways in S. cerevisiae. Trans- and cis- modules, including eukaryotic trans-activating-and-repressing mechanisms, were characterised to provide new and better tools for circuit design. A eukaryote-like tetracycline-mediated circuit that delivers stringent repression was engineered to minimise metabolic burden during strain development and maintenance. This was combined with a novel 37 °C induction circuit to relief glucose-mediated repression on the GAL promoter during the bioprocess. This delivered a 44% increase in production of the terpenoid nerolidol, to 2.54 g L-1 in flask cultivation. These negative/positive transcriptional regulatory circuits expand global strategies of metabolic control to facilitate laboratory maintenance and for industry applications.
Collapse
|
5
|
David F, Davis AM, Gossing M, Hayes MA, Romero E, Scott LH, Wigglesworth MJ. A Perspective on Synthetic Biology in Drug Discovery and Development-Current Impact and Future Opportunities. SLAS DISCOVERY 2021; 26:581-603. [PMID: 33834873 DOI: 10.1177/24725552211000669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The global impact of synthetic biology has been accelerating, because of the plummeting cost of DNA synthesis, advances in genetic engineering, growing understanding of genome organization, and explosion in data science. However, much of the discipline's application in the pharmaceutical industry remains enigmatic. In this review, we highlight recent examples of the impact of synthetic biology on target validation, assay development, hit finding, lead optimization, and chemical synthesis, through to the development of cellular therapeutics. We also highlight the availability of tools and technologies driving the discipline. Synthetic biology is certainly impacting all stages of drug discovery and development, and the recognition of the discipline's contribution can further enhance the opportunities for the drug discovery and development value chain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Florian David
- Department of Biology and Biological Engineering, Division of Systems and Synthetic Biology, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Andrew M Davis
- Discovery Sciences, Biopharmaceutical R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Michael Gossing
- Discovery Sciences, Biopharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Martin A Hayes
- Discovery Sciences, Biopharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Elvira Romero
- Discovery Sciences, Biopharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Louis H Scott
- Discovery Sciences, Biopharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
|