1
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Peng JM, Liu H, Ying ZM. Rapid one-pot isothermal amplification reassembled of fluorescent RNA aptamer for SARS-CoV-2 detection. Talanta 2024; 276:126264. [PMID: 38761661 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2024.126264] [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] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
The outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 poses a serious threat to human life and health. A rapid nucleic acid tests can effectively curb the spread of the disease. With the advantages of fluorescent RNA aptamers, low background and high sensitivity. A variety of fluorescent RNA aptamer sensors have been developed for the detection of nucleic acid. Here, we report a hypersensitive detection platform in which SARS-CoV-2 initiates RTF-EXPAR to amplify trigger fragments. This activation leads to the reassembled of the SRB2 fluorescent RNA aptamer, restoring its secondary structure for SR-DN binding and turn-on fluorescence. The platform completes the assay in 30 min and all reactions occur in one tube. The detection limit is as low as 116 aM. Significantly, the platform's quantitative analyses were almost identical to qPCR results in simulated tests of positive samples. In conclusion, the platform is sensitive, accurate and provides a new protocol for point-of-care testing of viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Min Peng
- Key Laboratory for Green Organic Synthesis and Application of Hunan Province, Key Laboratory of Environmentally Friendly Chemistry and Application of Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan, 411105, China
| | - Hao Liu
- Key Laboratory for Green Organic Synthesis and Application of Hunan Province, Key Laboratory of Environmentally Friendly Chemistry and Application of Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan, 411105, China
| | - Zhan-Ming Ying
- Key Laboratory for Green Organic Synthesis and Application of Hunan Province, Key Laboratory of Environmentally Friendly Chemistry and Application of Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan, 411105, China.
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2
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Zuo F, Jiang L, Su N, Zhang Y, Bao B, Wang L, Shi Y, Yang H, Huang X, Li R, Zeng Q, Chen Z, Lin Q, Zhuang Y, Zhao Y, Chen X, Zhu L, Yang Y. Imaging the dynamics of messenger RNA with a bright and stable green fluorescent RNA. Nat Chem Biol 2024:10.1038/s41589-024-01629-x. [PMID: 38783134 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-024-01629-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Fluorescent RNAs (FRs) provide an attractive approach to visualizing RNAs in live cells. Although the color palette of FRs has been greatly expanded recently, a green FR with high cellular brightness and photostability is still highly desired. Here we develop a fluorogenic RNA aptamer, termed Okra, that can bind and activate the fluorophore ligand ACE to emit bright green fluorescence. Okra has an order of magnitude enhanced cellular brightness than currently available green FRs, allowing the robust imaging of messenger RNA in both live bacterial and mammalian cells. We further demonstrate the usefulness of Okra for time-resolved measurements of ACTB mRNA trafficking to stress granules, as well as live-cell dual-color superresolution imaging of RNA in combination with Pepper620, revealing nonuniform and distinct distributions of different RNAs throughout the granules. The favorable properties of Okra make it a versatile tool for the study of RNA dynamics and subcellular localization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangting Zuo
- Optogenetics & Synthetic Biology Interdisciplinary Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Li Jiang
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ni Su
- Optogenetics & Synthetic Biology Interdisciplinary Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Yaqiang Zhang
- Optogenetics & Synthetic Biology Interdisciplinary Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Bingkun Bao
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Limei Wang
- Optogenetics & Synthetic Biology Interdisciplinary Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Yajie Shi
- Optogenetics & Synthetic Biology Interdisciplinary Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Huimin Yang
- Optogenetics & Synthetic Biology Interdisciplinary Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Xinyi Huang
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ruilong Li
- Optogenetics & Synthetic Biology Interdisciplinary Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Qingmei Zeng
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhengda Chen
- Optogenetics & Synthetic Biology Interdisciplinary Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiuning Lin
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yingping Zhuang
- School of Bioengineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuzheng Zhao
- Optogenetics & Synthetic Biology Interdisciplinary Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
- Research Unit of New Techniques for Live-cell Metabolic Imaging, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xianjun Chen
- Optogenetics & Synthetic Biology Interdisciplinary Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China.
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China.
- Research Unit of New Techniques for Live-cell Metabolic Imaging, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Linyong Zhu
- Optogenetics & Synthetic Biology Interdisciplinary Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China.
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Yi Yang
- Optogenetics & Synthetic Biology Interdisciplinary Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China.
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China.
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3
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Mumbleau M, Chevance F, Hughes K, Hammond MC. Investigating the Effect of RNA Scaffolds on the Multicolor Fluorogenic Aptamer Pepper in Different Bacterial Species. ACS Synth Biol 2024; 13:1093-1099. [PMID: 38593047 PMCID: PMC11037261 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.4c00009] [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: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
RNA synthetic biology tools have primarily been applied in E. coli; however, many other bacteria are of industrial and clinical significance. Thus, the multicolor fluorogenic aptamer Pepper was evaluated in both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Suitable HBC-Pepper dye pairs were identified that give blue, green, or red fluorescence signals in the E. coli, Bacillus subtilis, and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium). Furthermore, we found that different RNA scaffolds have a drastic effect on in vivo fluorescence, which did not correlate with the in vitro folding efficiency. One such scaffold termed DF30-tRNA displays 199-fold greater fluorescence than the Pepper aptamer alone and permits simultaneous dual color imaging in live cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madeline
M. Mumbleau
- Department
of Chemistry and Henry Eyring Center for Cell and Genome Science, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
| | - Fabienne Chevance
- School
of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
| | - Kelly Hughes
- School
of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
| | - Ming C. Hammond
- Department
of Chemistry and Henry Eyring Center for Cell and Genome Science, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
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4
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Zhao Y, Wang S. Experimental and biophysical modeling of transcription and translation dynamics in bacterial- and mammalian-based cell-free expression systems. SLAS Technol 2024; 29:100036. [PMID: 35231628 DOI: 10.1016/j.slast.2022.02.001] [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: 11/11/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Cell-free expression (CFE) systems have been used extensively in systems and synthetic biology as a promising platform for manufacturing proteins and chemicals. Currently, the most widely used CFE system is in vitro protein transcription and translation platform. As the rapidly increased applications and uses, it is crucial to have a standard biophysical model for quantitative studies of gene circuits, which will provide a fundamental understanding of basic working mechanisms of CFE systems. Current modeling approaches mainly focus on the characterization of E. coli-based CFE systems, a computational model that can be utilized for both bacterial- and mammalian-based CFE has not been investigated. Here, we developed a simple ODE (ordinary differential equation)-based biophysical model to simulate transcription and translation dynamics for both bacterial- and mammalian- based CFE systems. The key parameters were estimated and adjusted based on experimental results. We next tested four gene circuits to characterize kinetic dynamics of transcription and translation in E. coli- and HeLa-based CFE systems. The real-time transcription and translation were monitored using Broccoli aptamer, double stranded locked nucleic acid (dsLNA) probe and fluorescent protein. We demonstrated the difference of kinetic dynamics for transcription and translation in both systems, which will provide valuable information for quantitative genomic and proteomic studies. This simple biophysical model and the experimental data for both E. coli- and HeLa-based CFE will be useful for researchers that are interested in genetic engineering and CFE bio-manufacturing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuwen Zhao
- Department of Chemistry, Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Tagliatela College of Engineering, University of New Haven, West Haven, CT, 06516, United States; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA, 18015, United States
| | - Shue Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Tagliatela College of Engineering, University of New Haven, West Haven, CT, 06516, United States.
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5
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Vallina NS, McRae EKS, Geary C, Andersen ES. An RNA origami robot that traps and releases a fluorescent aptamer. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadk1250. [PMID: 38507482 PMCID: PMC10954211 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adk1250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
RNA nanotechnology aims to use RNA as a programmable material to create self-assembling nanodevices for application in medicine and synthetic biology. The main challenge is to develop advanced RNA robotic devices that both sense, compute, and actuate to obtain enhanced control over molecular processes. Here, we use the RNA origami method to prototype an RNA robotic device, named the "Traptamer," that mechanically traps the fluorescent aptamer, iSpinach. The Traptamer is shown to sense two RNA key strands, acts as a Boolean AND gate, and reversibly controls the fluorescence of the iSpinach aptamer. Cryo-electron microscopy of the closed Traptamer structure at 5.45-angstrom resolution reveals the mechanical mode of distortion of the iSpinach motif. Our study suggests a general approach to distorting RNA motifs and a path forward to build sophisticated RNA machines that through sensing, computing, and actuation modules can be used to precisely control RNA functionalities in cellular systems.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ewan K. S. McRae
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Center for RNA Therapeutics, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Houston Methodist Research Institute, 6670 Bertner Ave, R10-117, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Cody Geary
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Ebbe S. Andersen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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6
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Liu XW, Zhao NN, Yuan HM, Li DL, Liu M, Zhang CY. Demethylation-activated light-up dual-color RNA aptamersensor for label-free detection of multiple demethylases in lung tissues. Biosens Bioelectron 2024; 247:115966. [PMID: 38147719 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2023.115966] [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: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
Methylation is one of the most prevalent epigenetic modifications in natural organisms, and the processes of methylation and demethylation are closely associated with cell growth, differentiation, gene transcription and expression. Abnormal methylation may lead to various human diseases including cancers. Simultaneous analysis of multiple DNA demethylases remains a huge challenge due to the requirement of diverse substrate probes and scarcity of proper signal transduction strategies. Herein, we propose a sensitive and label-free method for simultaneous monitoring of multiple DNA demethylases on the basis of demethylation-activated light-up dual-color RNA aptamers. The presence of targets AlkB homologue-3 (ALKBH3) and fat mass and obesity-associated enzyme (FTO) erases the methyl group in DNA substrate probes, activating the ligation-mediate bidirectional transcription amplification reaction to produce enormous Spinach and Mango aptamers. The resulting RNA aptamers (i.e., Spinach and Mango aptamers) can bind with their cognate nonfluorescent fluorogens (DFHBI and TO1-biotin) to significantly improve the fluorescence signals. This aptamersensor shows high specificity and sensitivity with a limit of detection (LOD) of 8.50 × 10-14 M for ALKBH3 and 6.80 × 10-14 M for FTO, and it can apply to screen DNA demethylase inhibitors, evaluate DNA demethylase kinetic parameters, and simultaneously measure multiple endogenous DNA demethylases in a single cell. Importantly, this aptamersensor can accurately discriminate the expressions of ALKBH3 and FTO between healthy tissues and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patient tissues, offering a powerful platform for clinical diagnosis and drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Wen Liu
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, 250014, China
| | - Ning-Ning Zhao
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, 250014, China
| | - Hui-Min Yuan
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 211189, China
| | - Dong-Ling Li
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 211189, China
| | - Meng Liu
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, 250014, China.
| | - Chun-Yang Zhang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 211189, China.
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7
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Squire S, Sebghati S, Hammond MC. Cytoplasmic Accumulation and Permeability of Antibiotics in Gram Positive and Gram Negative Bacteria Visualized in Real-Time via a Fluorogenic Tagging Strategy. ACS Chem Biol 2024; 19:3-8. [PMID: 38096425 PMCID: PMC10805102 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.3c00510] [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: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
In this study, we describe the first real-time live cell assay for compound accumulation and permeability in both Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. The assay utilizes a novel fluorogenic tagging strategy that permits direct visualization of compound accumulation dynamics in the cytoplasm of live cells, unobscured by washing or other processing steps. Quantitative differences could be reproducibly measured by flow cytometry at compound concentrations below the limit of detection for MS-based approaches. We establish the fluorogenic assay in E. coli and B. subtilis and compare the intracellular accumulation of two antibiotics, ciprofloxacin and ampicillin, with related pharmacophores in these bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott
O. Squire
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
- Henry
Eyring Center for Cell & Genome Science, University of Utah, Salt Lake
City, Utah 84112, United States
| | - Sepehr Sebghati
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
- Henry
Eyring Center for Cell & Genome Science, University of Utah, Salt Lake
City, Utah 84112, United States
| | - Ming C. Hammond
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
- Henry
Eyring Center for Cell & Genome Science, University of Utah, Salt Lake
City, Utah 84112, United States
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8
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Climent-Catala A, Casas-Rodrigo I, Iyer S, Ledesma-Amaro R, Ouldridge TE. Evaluating DFHBI-Responsive RNA Light-Up Aptamers as Fluorescent Reporters for Gene Expression. ACS Synth Biol 2023; 12:3754-3765. [PMID: 37991880 PMCID: PMC10729303 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.3c00599] [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: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
Protein-based fluorescent reporters have been widely used to characterize and localize biological processes in living cells. However, these reporters may have certain drawbacks for some applications, such as transcription-based studies or biological interactions with fast dynamics. In this context, RNA nanotechnology has emerged as a promising alternative, suggesting the use of functional RNA molecules as transcriptional fluorescent reporters. RNA-based aptamers can bind to nonfluorescent small molecules to activate their fluorescence. However, their performance as reporters of gene expression in living cells has not been fully characterized, unlike protein-based reporters. Here, we investigate the performance of three RNA light-up aptamers─F30-2xdBroccoli, tRNA-Spinach, and Tornado Broccoli─as fluorescent reporters for gene expression in Escherichia coli and compare them to a protein reporter. We examine the activation range and effect on the cell growth of RNA light-up aptamers in time-course experiments and demonstrate that these aptamers are suitable transcriptional reporters over time. Using flow cytometry, we compare the variability at the single-cell level caused by the RNA fluorescent reporters and protein-based reporters. We found that the expression of RNA light-up aptamers produced higher variability in a population than that of their protein counterpart. Finally, we compare the dynamical behavior of these RNA light-up aptamers and protein-based reporters. We observed that RNA light-up aptamers might offer faster dynamics compared to a fluorescent protein in E. coli. The implementation of these transcriptional reporters may facilitate transcription-based studies, gain further insights into transcriptional processes, and expand the implementation of RNA-based circuits in bacterial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia Climent-Catala
- Imperial
College Centre for Synthetic Biology, London SW7 2AZ, U.K.
- Department
of Chemistry, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, U.K.
- Department
of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, U.K.
| | - Ivan Casas-Rodrigo
- Department
of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH
Zurich, CH-4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Suhasini Iyer
- Imperial
College Centre for Synthetic Biology, London SW7 2AZ, U.K.
- Department
of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, U.K.
| | - Rodrigo Ledesma-Amaro
- Imperial
College Centre for Synthetic Biology, London SW7 2AZ, U.K.
- Department
of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, U.K.
| | - Thomas E. Ouldridge
- Imperial
College Centre for Synthetic Biology, London SW7 2AZ, U.K.
- Department
of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, U.K.
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9
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Li Y, Wu Y, Xu R, Guo J, Quan F, Zhang Y, Huang D, Pei Y, Gao H, Liu W, Liu J, Zhang Z, Deng R, Shi J, Zhang K. In vivo imaging of mitochondrial DNA mutations using an integrated nano Cas12a sensor. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7722. [PMID: 38001092 PMCID: PMC10673915 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43552-0] [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: 04/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutations in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) play critical roles in many human diseases. In vivo visualization of cells bearing mtDNA mutations is important for resolving the complexity of these diseases, which remains challenging. Here we develop an integrated nano Cas12a sensor (InCasor) and show its utility for efficient imaging of mtDNA mutations in live cells and tumor-bearing mouse models. We co-deliver Cas12a/crRNA, fluorophore-quencher reporters and Mg2+ into mitochondria. This process enables the activation of Cas12a's trans-cleavage by targeting mtDNA, which efficiently cleave reporters to generate fluorescent signals for robustly sensing and reporting single-nucleotide variations (SNVs) in cells. Since engineered crRNA significantly increase Cas12a's sensitivity to mismatches in mtDNA, we can identify tumor tissue and metastases by visualizing cells with mutant mtDNAs in vivo using InCasor. This CRISPR imaging nanoprobe holds potential for applications in mtDNA mutation-related basic research, diagnostics and gene therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanan Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Targeting Therapy and Diagnosis for Critical Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center of New Drug Research and Safety Evaluation, State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Yonghua Wu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Targeting Therapy and Diagnosis for Critical Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center of New Drug Research and Safety Evaluation, State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Ru Xu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Targeting Therapy and Diagnosis for Critical Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center of New Drug Research and Safety Evaluation, State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Jialing Guo
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Targeting Therapy and Diagnosis for Critical Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center of New Drug Research and Safety Evaluation, State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Fenglei Quan
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Targeting Therapy and Diagnosis for Critical Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center of New Drug Research and Safety Evaluation, State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Yongyuan Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Targeting Therapy and Diagnosis for Critical Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center of New Drug Research and Safety Evaluation, State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Di Huang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Targeting Therapy and Diagnosis for Critical Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center of New Drug Research and Safety Evaluation, State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Yiran Pei
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Targeting Therapy and Diagnosis for Critical Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center of New Drug Research and Safety Evaluation, State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Hua Gao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Targeting Therapy and Diagnosis for Critical Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center of New Drug Research and Safety Evaluation, State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Wei Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Targeting Therapy and Diagnosis for Critical Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center of New Drug Research and Safety Evaluation, State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Junjie Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Targeting Therapy and Diagnosis for Critical Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center of New Drug Research and Safety Evaluation, State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Zhenzhong Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Targeting Therapy and Diagnosis for Critical Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center of New Drug Research and Safety Evaluation, State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China.
| | - Ruijie Deng
- College of Biomass Science and Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China.
| | - Jinjin Shi
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Targeting Therapy and Diagnosis for Critical Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center of New Drug Research and Safety Evaluation, State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China.
| | - Kaixiang Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Targeting Therapy and Diagnosis for Critical Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center of New Drug Research and Safety Evaluation, State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China.
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10
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Li Y, Xu R, Wu Y, Guo J, Quan F, Pei Y, Huang D, Zhao X, Gao H, Liu J, Zhang Z, Shi J, Zhang K. Genotype-specific precision tumor therapy using mitochondrial DNA mutation-induced drug release system. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadi1965. [PMID: 37756407 PMCID: PMC10530102 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adi1965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
Precise killing of tumor cells without affecting surrounding normal cells is a challenge. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations, a common genetic variant in cancer, can directly affect metabolic homeostasis, serving as an ideal regulatory switch for precise tumor therapy. Here, we designed a mutation-induced drug release system (MIDRS), using the single-nucleotide variation (SNV) recognition ability and trans-cleavage activity of Cas12a to convert tumor-specific mtDNA mutations into a regulatory switch for intracellular drug release, realizing precise tumor cell killing. Using Ce6 as a model drug, MIDRS enabled organelle-level photodynamic therapy, triggering innate and adaptive immunity simultaneously. In vivo evaluation showed that MIDRSMT could identify tumor tissue carrying SNVs in mtDNA in unilateral, bilateral, and heterogeneous tumor models, producing an excellent antitumor effect (~82.6%) without affecting normal cells and thus resulting in a stronger systemic antitumor immune response. Additionally, MIDRS was suitable for genotype-specific precision drug release of chemotherapeutic drugs. This strategy holds promise for mutation-specific personalized tumor treatment approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanan Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
- Key Laboratory of Targeting Therapy and Diagnosis for Critical Diseases, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, P. R. China
| | - Ru Xu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
- Key Laboratory of Targeting Therapy and Diagnosis for Critical Diseases, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, P. R. China
| | - Yonghua Wu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
- Key Laboratory of Targeting Therapy and Diagnosis for Critical Diseases, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, P. R. China
| | - Jialing Guo
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
- Key Laboratory of Targeting Therapy and Diagnosis for Critical Diseases, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, P. R. China
| | - Fenglei Quan
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
- Key Laboratory of Targeting Therapy and Diagnosis for Critical Diseases, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, P. R. China
| | - Yiran Pei
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
- Key Laboratory of Targeting Therapy and Diagnosis for Critical Diseases, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, P. R. China
| | - Di Huang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
- Key Laboratory of Targeting Therapy and Diagnosis for Critical Diseases, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, P. R. China
| | - Xiu Zhao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
- Key Laboratory of Targeting Therapy and Diagnosis for Critical Diseases, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, P. R. China
| | - Hua Gao
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, P. R. China
| | - Junjie Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
- Key Laboratory of Targeting Therapy and Diagnosis for Critical Diseases, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, P. R. China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of New Drug Research and Safety Evaluation, Zhengzhou 450001, China
- State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Zhengzhou 450001, P. R. China
| | - Zhenzhong Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
- Key Laboratory of Targeting Therapy and Diagnosis for Critical Diseases, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, P. R. China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of New Drug Research and Safety Evaluation, Zhengzhou 450001, China
- State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Zhengzhou 450001, P. R. China
| | - Jinjin Shi
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
- Key Laboratory of Targeting Therapy and Diagnosis for Critical Diseases, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, P. R. China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of New Drug Research and Safety Evaluation, Zhengzhou 450001, China
- State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Zhengzhou 450001, P. R. China
| | - Kaixiang Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
- Key Laboratory of Targeting Therapy and Diagnosis for Critical Diseases, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, P. R. China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of New Drug Research and Safety Evaluation, Zhengzhou 450001, China
- State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Zhengzhou 450001, P. R. China
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11
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Lee KH, Song J, Kim S, Han SR, Lee SW. Real-time monitoring strategies for optimization of in vitro transcription and quality control of RNA. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1229246. [PMID: 37771458 PMCID: PMC10523567 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1229246] [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: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA-based therapeutics and vaccines are opening up new avenues for modern medicine. To produce these useful RNA-based reagents, in vitro transcription (IVT) is an important reaction that primarily determines the yield and quality of the product. Therefore, IVT condition should be well optimized to achieve high yield and purity of transcribed RNAs. To this end, real-time monitoring of RNA production during IVT, which allows for fine tuning of the condition, would be required. Currently, light-up RNA aptamer and fluorescent dye pairs are considered as useful strategies to monitor IVT in real time. Fluorophore-labeled antisense probe-based methods can also be used for real-time IVT monitoring. In addition, a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-based method that can monitor IVT reagent consumption has been developed as a powerful tool to monitor IVT reaction in near real-time. This mini-review briefly introduces some strategies and examples for real-time IVT monitoring and discusses pros and cons of IVT monitoring methods.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jaehwi Song
- R&D Center, Rznomics Inc., Seongnam, Republic of Korea
| | | | | | - Seong-Wook Lee
- R&D Center, Rznomics Inc., Seongnam, Republic of Korea
- Department of Bioconvergence Engineering, Research Institute of Advanced Omics, Dankook University, Yongin, Republic of Korea
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12
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Chen C, Henderson JN, Ruchkin DA, Kirsh JM, Baranov MS, Bogdanov AM, Mills JH, Boxer SG, Fang C. Structural Characterization of Fluorescent Proteins Using Tunable Femtosecond Stimulated Raman Spectroscopy. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11991. [PMID: 37569365 PMCID: PMC10418586 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241511991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The versatile functions of fluorescent proteins (FPs) as fluorescence biomarkers depend on their intrinsic chromophores interacting with the protein environment. Besides X-ray crystallography, vibrational spectroscopy represents a highly valuable tool for characterizing the chromophore structure and revealing the roles of chromophore-environment interactions. In this work, we aim to benchmark the ground-state vibrational signatures of a series of FPs with emission colors spanning from green, yellow, orange, to red, as well as the solvated model chromophores for some of these FPs, using wavelength-tunable femtosecond stimulated Raman spectroscopy (FSRS) in conjunction with quantum calculations. We systematically analyzed and discussed four factors underlying the vibrational properties of FP chromophores: sidechain structure, conjugation structure, chromophore conformation, and the protein environment. A prominent bond-stretching mode characteristic of the quinoidal resonance structure is found to be conserved in most FPs and model chromophores investigated, which can be used as a vibrational marker to interpret chromophore-environment interactions and structural effects on the electronic properties of the chromophore. The fundamental insights gained for these light-sensing units (e.g., protein active sites) substantiate the unique and powerful capability of wavelength-tunable FSRS in delineating FP chromophore properties with high sensitivity and resolution in solution and protein matrices. The comprehensive characterization for various FPs across a colorful palette could also serve as a solid foundation for future spectroscopic studies and the rational engineering of FPs with diverse and improved functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Chen
- Department of Chemistry, Oregon State University, 153 Gilbert Hall, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA;
| | - J. Nathan Henderson
- Center for Molecular Design and Biomimetics, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA; (J.N.H.); (J.H.M.)
| | - Dmitry A. Ruchkin
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Ulitsa Miklukho-Maklaya, 16/10, 117997 Moscow, Russia; (D.A.R.); (M.S.B.); (A.M.B.)
| | - Jacob M. Kirsh
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; (J.M.K.); (S.G.B.)
| | - Mikhail S. Baranov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Ulitsa Miklukho-Maklaya, 16/10, 117997 Moscow, Russia; (D.A.R.); (M.S.B.); (A.M.B.)
- Laboratory of Medicinal Substances Chemistry, Institute of Translational Medicine, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Ostrovitianov 1, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexey M. Bogdanov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Ulitsa Miklukho-Maklaya, 16/10, 117997 Moscow, Russia; (D.A.R.); (M.S.B.); (A.M.B.)
| | - Jeremy H. Mills
- Center for Molecular Design and Biomimetics, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA; (J.N.H.); (J.H.M.)
- School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
| | - Steven G. Boxer
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; (J.M.K.); (S.G.B.)
| | - Chong Fang
- Department of Chemistry, Oregon State University, 153 Gilbert Hall, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA;
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13
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Kotwal SB, Orekondey N, Saradadevi GP, Priyadarshini N, Puppala NV, Bhushan M, Motamarry S, Kumar R, Mohannath G, Dey RJ. Multidimensional futuristic approaches to address the pandemics beyond COVID-19. Heliyon 2023; 9:e17148. [PMID: 37325452 PMCID: PMC10257889 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e17148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Globally, the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been enormous and unrelenting with ∼6.9 million deaths and ∼765 million infections. This review mainly focuses on the recent advances and potentially novel molecular tools for viral diagnostics and therapeutics with far-reaching implications in managing the future pandemics. In addition to briefly highlighting the existing and recent methods of viral diagnostics, we propose a couple of potentially novel non-PCR-based methods for rapid, cost-effective, and single-step detection of nucleic acids of viruses using RNA mimics of green fluorescent protein (GFP) and nuclease-based approaches. We also highlight key innovations in miniaturized Lab-on-Chip (LoC) devices, which in combination with cyber-physical systems, could serve as ideal futuristic platforms for viral diagnosis and disease management. We also discuss underexplored and underutilized antiviral strategies, including ribozyme-mediated RNA-cleaving tools for targeting viral RNA, and recent advances in plant-based platforms for rapid, low-cost, and large-scale production and oral delivery of antiviral agents/vaccines. Lastly, we propose repurposing of the existing vaccines for newer applications with a major emphasis on Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG)-based vaccine engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shifa Bushra Kotwal
- Department of Biological Sciences, BITS Pilani, Hyderabad Campus, Telangana 500078, India
| | - Nidhi Orekondey
- Department of Biological Sciences, BITS Pilani, Hyderabad Campus, Telangana 500078, India
| | | | - Neha Priyadarshini
- Department of Biological Sciences, BITS Pilani, Hyderabad Campus, Telangana 500078, India
| | - Navinchandra V Puppala
- Department of Biological Sciences, BITS Pilani, Hyderabad Campus, Telangana 500078, India
| | - Mahak Bhushan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Kolkata, West Bengal 741246, India
| | - Snehasri Motamarry
- Department of Biological Sciences, BITS Pilani, Hyderabad Campus, Telangana 500078, India
| | - Rahul Kumar
- Department of Biological Sciences, BITS Pilani, Hyderabad Campus, Telangana 500078, India
| | - Gireesha Mohannath
- Department of Biological Sciences, BITS Pilani, Hyderabad Campus, Telangana 500078, India
| | - Ruchi Jain Dey
- Department of Biological Sciences, BITS Pilani, Hyderabad Campus, Telangana 500078, India
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14
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Passalacqua LFM, Banco MT, Moon JD, Li X, Jaffrey SR, Ferré-D'Amaré AR. Intricate 3D architecture of a DNA mimic of GFP. Nature 2023; 618:1078-1084. [PMID: 37344591 PMCID: PMC10754392 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06229-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
Numerous studies have shown how RNA molecules can adopt elaborate three-dimensional (3D) architectures1-3. By contrast, whether DNA can self-assemble into complex 3D folds capable of sophisticated biochemistry, independent of protein or RNA partners, has remained mysterious. Lettuce is an in vitro-evolved DNA molecule that binds and activates4 conditional fluorophores derived from GFP. To extend previous structural studies5,6 of fluorogenic RNAs, GFP and other fluorescent proteins7 to DNA, we characterize Lettuce-fluorophore complexes by X-ray crystallography and cryogenic electron microscopy. The results reveal that the 53-nucleotide DNA adopts a four-way junction (4WJ) fold. Instead of the canonical L-shaped or H-shaped structures commonly seen8 in 4WJ RNAs, the four stems of Lettuce form two coaxial stacks that pack co-linearly to form a central G-quadruplex in which the fluorophore binds. This fold is stabilized by stacking, extensive nucleobase hydrogen bonding-including through unusual diagonally stacked bases that bridge successive tiers of the main coaxial stacks of the DNA-and coordination of monovalent and divalent cations. Overall, the structure is more compact than many RNAs of comparable size. Lettuce demonstrates how DNA can form elaborate 3D structures without using RNA-like tertiary interactions and suggests that new principles of nucleic acid organization will be forthcoming from the analysis of complex DNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luiz F M Passalacqua
- Laboratory of Nucleic Acids, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Michael T Banco
- Laboratory of Nucleic Acids, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jared D Moon
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill-Cornell Medical College, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Xing Li
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill-Cornell Medical College, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
- Beijing Institutes of Life Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Samie R Jaffrey
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill-Cornell Medical College, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Adrian R Ferré-D'Amaré
- Laboratory of Nucleic Acids, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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15
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Allchin ER, Rosch JC, Stoneman AD, Kim H, Lippmann ES. Generalized Strategy for Engineering Mammalian Cell-Compatible RNA-Based Biosensors from Random Sequence Libraries. ACS Sens 2023; 8:2079-2086. [PMID: 37155734 DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.3c00388] [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: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Fluorescent RNA-based biosensors are useful tools for real-time detection of molecules in living cells. These biosensors typically consist of a chromophore-binding aptamer and a target-binding aptamer, whereby the chromophore-binding aptamer is destabilized until a target is captured, which causes a conformational change to permit chromophore binding and an increase in fluorescence. The target-binding region is typically fabricated using known riboswitch motifs, which are already known to have target specificity and undergo structural changes upon binding. However, known riboswitches only exist for a limited number of molecules, significantly constraining biosensor design. To overcome this challenge, we designed a framework for producing mammalian cell-compatible biosensors using aptamers selected from a large random library by Capture-SELEX. As a proof-of-concept, we generated and characterized a fluorescent RNA biosensor against L-dopa, the precursor of several neurotransmitters. Overall, we suggest that this approach will have utility for generating RNA biosensors that can reliably detect custom targets in mammalian cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Everett R Allchin
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37212, United States
| | - Jonah C Rosch
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37212, United States
| | - Alexander D Stoneman
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37212, United States
| | - Hyosung Kim
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37212, United States
| | - Ethan S Lippmann
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37212, United States
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16
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Chen S, Chen X, Su H, Guo M, Liu H. Advances in Synthetic-Biology-Based Whole-Cell Biosensors: Principles, Genetic Modules, and Applications in Food Safety. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24097989. [PMID: 37175695 PMCID: PMC10178329 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24097989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
A whole-cell biosensor based on synthetic biology provides a promising new method for the on-site detection of food contaminants. The basic components of whole-cell biosensors include the sensing elements, such as transcription factors and riboswitches, and reporting elements, such as fluorescence, gas, etc. The sensing and reporting elements are coupled through gene expression regulation to form a simple gene circuit for the detection of target substances. Additionally, a more complex gene circuit can involve other functional elements or modules such as signal amplification, multiple detection, and delay reporting. With the help of synthetic biology, whole-cell biosensors are becoming more versatile and integrated, that is, integrating pre-detection sample processing, detection processes, and post-detection signal calculation and storage processes into cells. Due to the relative stability of the intracellular environment, whole-cell biosensors are highly resistant to interference without the need of complex sample preprocessing. Due to the reproduction of chassis cells, whole-cell biosensors replicate all elements automatically without the need for purification processing. Therefore, whole-cell biosensors are easy to operate and simple to produce. Based on the above advantages, whole-cell biosensors are more suitable for on-site detection than other rapid detection methods. Whole-cell biosensors have been applied in various forms such as test strips and kits, with the latest reported forms being wearable devices such as masks, hand rings, and clothing. This paper examines the composition, construction methods, and types of the fundamental components of synthetic biological whole-cell biosensors. We also introduce the prospect and development trend of whole-cell biosensors in commercial applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shijing Chen
- School of Food and Health, Beijing Technology and Business University (BTBU), Beijing 100048, China
| | - Xiaolin Chen
- School of Food and Health, Beijing Technology and Business University (BTBU), Beijing 100048, China
| | - Hongfei Su
- School of Food and Health, Beijing Technology and Business University (BTBU), Beijing 100048, China
| | - Mingzhang Guo
- School of Food and Health, Beijing Technology and Business University (BTBU), Beijing 100048, China
| | - Huilin Liu
- School of Food and Health, Beijing Technology and Business University (BTBU), Beijing 100048, China
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17
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Zheng R, Wu R, Liu Y, Sun Z, Bagheri Y, Xue Z, Mi L, Tian Q, Pho R, Siddiqui S, Ren K, You M. Multiplexed Sequential Imaging in Living Cells with Orthogonal Fluorogenic RNA Aptamer/Dye Pairs. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.20.537750. [PMID: 37131625 PMCID: PMC10153257 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.20.537750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Single-cell detection of multiple target analytes is an important goal in cell biology. However, due to the spectral overlap of common fluorophores, multiplexed fluorescence imaging beyond two-to-three targets inside living cells remains a technical challenge. Herein, we introduce a multiplexed imaging strategy that enables live-cell target detection via sequential rounds of imaging-and-stripping process, which is named as "sequential Fluorogenic RNA Imaging-Enabled Sensor" (seqFRIES). In seqFRIES, multiple orthogonal fluorogenic RNA aptamers are genetically encoded inside cells, and then the corresponding cell membrane permeable dye molecules are added, imaged, and rapidly removed in consecutive detection cycles. As a proof-of-concept, we have identified in this study five in vitro orthogonal fluorogenic RNA aptamer/dye pairs (>10-fold higher fluorescence signals), four of which can be used for highly orthogonal and multiplexed imaging in living bacterial and mammalian cells. After further optimizing the cellular fluorescence activation and deactivation kinetics of these RNA/dye pairs, the whole four-color semi-quantitative seqFRIES process can now be completed in ~20 min. Meanwhile, seqFRIES-mediated simultaneous detection of two critical signaling molecules, guanosine tetraphosphate and cyclic diguanylate, was also achieved within individual living cells. We expect our validation of this new seqFRIES concept here will facilitate the further development and potential broad usage of these orthogonal fluorogenic RNA/dye pairs for highly multiplexed and dynamic cellular imaging and cell biology studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ru Zheng
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Rigumula Wu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Yuanchang Liu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Zhining Sun
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Yousef Bagheri
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Zhaolin Xue
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Lan Mi
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Qian Tian
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Raymond Pho
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Sidrat Siddiqui
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Kewei Ren
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing, 210094, China
| | - Mingxu You
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
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18
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Tang H, Peng J, Jiang X, Peng S, Wang F, Weng X, Zhou X. A CRISPR-Cas and Tat Peptide with Fluorescent RNA Aptamer System for Signal Amplification in RNA Imaging. BIOSENSORS 2023; 13:293. [PMID: 36832059 PMCID: PMC9954185 DOI: 10.3390/bios13020293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
We reported on an efficient RNA imaging strategy based on a CRISPR-Cas and Tat peptide with a fluorescent RNA aptamer (TRAP-tag). Using modified CRISPR-Cas RNA hairpin binding proteins fused with a Tat peptide array that recruits modified RNA aptamers, this simple and sensitive strategy is capable of visualizing endogenous RNA in cells with high precision and efficiency. In addition, the modular design of the CRISPR-TRAP-tag facilitates the substitution of sgRNAs, RNA hairpin binding proteins, and aptamers in order to optimize imaging quality and live cell affinity. With CRISPR-TRAP-tag, exogenous GCN4, endogenous mRNA MUC4, and lncRNA SatIII were distinctly visualized in single live cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heng Tang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Center for Gene Diagnosis, Program of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education, The Institute for Advanced Studies, College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, The Institute for Advanced Studies, College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Junran Peng
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Center for Gene Diagnosis, Program of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education, The Institute for Advanced Studies, College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, The Institute for Advanced Studies, College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Xin Jiang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Center for Gene Diagnosis, Program of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education, The Institute for Advanced Studies, College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, The Institute for Advanced Studies, College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Shuang Peng
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Center for Gene Diagnosis, Program of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education, The Institute for Advanced Studies, College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, The Institute for Advanced Studies, College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Fang Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Xiaocheng Weng
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Center for Gene Diagnosis, Program of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education, The Institute for Advanced Studies, College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, The Institute for Advanced Studies, College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Xiang Zhou
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Center for Gene Diagnosis, Program of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education, The Institute for Advanced Studies, College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, The Institute for Advanced Studies, College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
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19
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Chen W, Zhao X, Yang N, Li X. Single mRNA Imaging with Fluorogenic RNA Aptamers and Small-molecule Fluorophores. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202209813. [PMID: 36420710 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202209813] [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: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Messenger RNA (mRNA) is the fundamental information transfer system in the cell. Tracking single mRNA from transcription to degradation with fluorescent probes provides spatiotemporal information in cells about how the genetic information is transferred from DNA to proteins. The traditional single mRNA imaging approach utilizes RNA hairpins (e.g. MS2) and tethered fluorescent protein as probes. As an exciting alternative, RNA aptamers: small-molecule fluorophores (SFs) systems have emerged as novel single mRNA imaging probes since 2019, exhibiting several advantages including fluorogenic ability and minimal perturbation. This review summarizes all five reported RNA aptamers: SFs systems for single mRNA imaging in living cells so far. It also discusses the challenges and provides prospects for single mRNA imaging applications. This review is expected to inspire researchers to develop RNA aptamers: SFs systems for studying gene expression at single-molecule resolution in cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Chen
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, the Hengyang Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China.,Beijing Institutes of Life Science, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Xiaoying Zhao
- College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing, 100048, China
| | - Nanyang Yang
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, the Hengyang Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
| | - Xing Li
- Beijing Institutes of Life Science, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing, 100101, China
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20
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Endoh T, Tan JH, Chen SB, Sugimoto N. Cladogenetic Orthogonal Light-Up Aptamers for Simultaneous Detection of Multiple Small Molecules in Cells. Anal Chem 2023; 95:976-985. [PMID: 36541622 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.2c03598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Recent successes in construction of light-up RNA aptamers allowed fluorescence-based live-cell imaging of RNAs. In addition, light-up aptamers have been converted into signaling aptamers that enable fluorometric detection of small chemicals. To date, only a single target chemical has been detected at a time in cells. In this study, we selected cladogenetic orthogonal light-up aptamers that output three different colors from the RNA library having the same ligand binding core. Two of the three functioned in mammalian cells. These two aptamers, which fluoresce blue and green upon binding of cognate fluorogen, were converted into signaling aptamers. Using these signaling aptamers in combination with a previously described light-up aptamer with red fluorescence, we demonstrated simultaneous detection of multiple chemicals in living cells. The cladogenetic orthogonal light-up aptamers developed in this study and the simple strategy for rational designing of the signaling aptamers will provide innovative advances in the field of RNA-based bioimaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamaki Endoh
- Frontier Institute for Biomolecular Engineering Research (FIBER), Konan University, 7-1-20 Minatojima-minamimachi, Kobe650-0047, Japan
| | - Jia-Heng Tan
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou510006, China
| | - Shuo-Bin Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou510006, China
| | - Naoki Sugimoto
- Frontier Institute for Biomolecular Engineering Research (FIBER), Konan University, 7-1-20 Minatojima-minamimachi, Kobe650-0047, Japan.,Graduate School of Frontiers of Innovative Research in Science and Technology (FIRST), Konan University, 7-1-20 Minatojima-minamimachi, Kobe650-0047, Japan
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21
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Soni R, Krishna AM, More SH, Sharma A. Reversible Modulation of Aptamer-Ligand Binding in RNA Light-Up Aptamers Containing G-Quadruplex Using Chemical Stimuli. Chembiochem 2023; 24:e202200574. [PMID: 36352557 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202200574] [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: 10/04/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Regulating a system in equilibrium transiently to out-of-equilibrium by using certain stimuli is the strategy used by natural biomolecules to function. Herein, we showed that the interaction of synthetic RNA aptamers, having a G-quadruplex core structure, with their corresponding ligands could be regulated from their equilibrium state to non-equilibrium state in a reversible manner using simple chemical stimuli (Ag+ and cysteine). The approach would be useful for designing aptamer regulators that work in a dynamic nucleic acid network, where a strict control on aptamer-ligand interaction is needed. In addition, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first report which shows that RNA G-quadruplexes can be disrupted by the addition of silver ions. This would be useful not only in designing RNA-based sensors or regulators but would also be useful for understanding the role of metal ions in RNA folding and catalysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rashi Soni
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Tirupati, Tirupati, 517507, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - A Murali Krishna
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Tirupati, Tirupati, 517507, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - Shahaji H More
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Tirupati, Tirupati, 517507, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - Ashwani Sharma
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Tirupati, Tirupati, 517507, Andhra Pradesh, India.,Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Tirupati, Tirupati, 517507, Andhra Pradesh, India
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22
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Tang H, Peng J, Peng S, Wang Q, Jiang X, Xue X, Tao Y, Xiang L, Ji Q, Liu SM, Weng X, Zhou X. Live-cell RNA imaging using the CRISPR-dCas13 system with modified sgRNAs appended with fluorescent RNA aptamers. Chem Sci 2022; 13:14032-14040. [PMID: 36540819 PMCID: PMC9728512 DOI: 10.1039/d2sc04656c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/06/2022] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of RNA imaging strategies in live cells is essential to improve our understanding of their role in various cellular functions. We report an efficient RNA imaging method based on the CRISPR-dPspCas13b system with fluorescent RNA aptamers in sgRNA (CasFAS) in live cells. Using modified sgRNA attached to fluorescent RNA aptamers that showed reduced background fluorescence, this approach provides a simple, sensitive way to image and track endogenous RNA with high accuracy and efficiency. In addition, color switching can be easily achieved by changing the fluorogenic dye analogues in living cells through user-friendly washing and restaining operations. CasFAS is compatible with orthogonal fluorescent aptamers, such as Broccoli and Pepper, enabling multiple colors RNA labeling or intracellular RNA-RNA interaction imaging. Finally, the visualization of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) was achieved by CasFAS, which may facilitate further studies on this virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heng Tang
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education, The Institute for Advanced Studies, Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Wuhan University Wuhan 430072 Hubei P. R. China
| | - Junran Peng
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education, The Institute for Advanced Studies, Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Wuhan University Wuhan 430072 Hubei P. R. China
| | - Shuang Peng
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education, The Institute for Advanced Studies, Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Wuhan University Wuhan 430072 Hubei P. R. China
| | - Qi Wang
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education, The Institute for Advanced Studies, Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Wuhan University Wuhan 430072 Hubei P. R. China
| | - Xin Jiang
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education, The Institute for Advanced Studies, Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Wuhan University Wuhan 430072 Hubei P. R. China
| | - Xiaocheng Xue
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education, The Institute for Advanced Studies, Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Wuhan University Wuhan 430072 Hubei P. R. China
| | - Yanxin Tao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Center for Gene Diagnosis, and Program of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University Wuhan 430072 Hubei P. R. China
| | - Limin Xiang
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education, The Institute for Advanced Studies, Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Wuhan University Wuhan 430072 Hubei P. R. China
| | - Quanjiang Ji
- School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University Shanghai 201210 P. R. China
| | - Song-Mei Liu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Center for Gene Diagnosis, and Program of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University Wuhan 430072 Hubei P. R. China
| | - Xiaocheng Weng
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education, The Institute for Advanced Studies, Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Wuhan University Wuhan 430072 Hubei P. R. China
| | - Xiang Zhou
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education, The Institute for Advanced Studies, Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Wuhan University Wuhan 430072 Hubei P. R. China
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23
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Kukhtevich IV, Rivero-Romano M, Rakesh N, Bheda P, Chadha Y, Rosales-Becerra P, Hamperl S, Bureik D, Dornauer S, Dargemont C, Kirmizis A, Schmoller KM, Schneider R. Quantitative RNA imaging in single live cells reveals age-dependent asymmetric inheritance. Cell Rep 2022; 41:111656. [DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
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24
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Xu J, Cotruvo JA. Reconsidering the czcD (NiCo) Riboswitch as an Iron Riboswitch. ACS BIO & MED CHEM AU 2022; 2:376-385. [PMID: 35996475 PMCID: PMC9389577 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomedchemau.1c00069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
![]()
Recent work has proposed
a new mechanism of bacterial iron regulation:
riboswitches that undergo a conformational change in response to FeII. The czcD (NiCo) riboswitch was initially
proposed to be specific for NiII and CoII, but
we recently showed via a czcD-based fluorescent sensor
that FeII is also a plausible physiological ligand for
this riboswitch class. Here, we provide direct evidence that this
riboswitch class responds to FeII. Isothermal titration
calorimetry studies of the native czcD riboswitches
from three organisms show no response to MnII, a weak response
to ZnII, and similar dissociation constants (∼1
μM) and conformational responses for FeII, CoII, and NiII. Only the iron response is in the physiological
concentration regime; the riboswitches’ responses to CoII, NiII, and ZnII require 103-, 105-, and 106-fold higher “free”
metal ion concentrations, respectively, than the typical availability
of those metal ions in cells. By contrast, the “Sensei”
RNA, recently claimed to be an iron-specific riboswitch, exhibits
no response to FeII. Our results demonstrate that iron
responsiveness is a conserved property of czcD riboswitches
and clarify that this is the only family of iron-responsive riboswitch
identified to date, setting the stage for characterization of their
physiological function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiansong Xu
- Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
- Center for RNA Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - Joseph A. Cotruvo
- Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
- Center for RNA Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
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25
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Mumbleau MM, Meyer MR, Hammond MC. Determination of In Vitro and Cellular Turn-on Kinetics for Fluorogenic RNA Aptamers. J Vis Exp 2022:10.3791/64367. [PMID: 36036622 PMCID: PMC9701086 DOI: 10.3791/64367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Fluorogenic RNA aptamers have been applied in live cells to tag and visualize RNAs, report on gene expression, and activate fluorescent biosensors that detect levels of metabolites and signaling molecules. In order to study dynamic changes in each of these systems, it is desirable to obtain real-time measurements, but the accuracy of the measurements depends on the kinetics of the fluorogenic reaction being faster than the sampling frequency. Here, we describe methods to determine the in vitro and cellular turn-on kinetics for fluorogenic RNA aptamers using a plate reader equipped with a sample injector and a flow cytometer, respectively. We show that the in vitro kinetics for the fluorescence activation of the Spinach2 and Broccoli aptamers can be modeled as two-phase association reactions and have differing fast phase rate constants of 0.56 s-1 and 0.35 s-1, respectively. In addition, we show that the cellular kinetics for the fluorescence activation of Spinach2 in Escherichia coli, which is further limited by dye diffusion into the Gram-negative bacteria, is still sufficiently rapid to enable accurate sampling frequency on the minute timescale. These methods to analyze fluorescence activation kinetics are applicable to other fluorogenic RNA aptamers that have been developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madeline M Mumbleau
- Department of Chemistry and Henry Eyring Center for Cell & Genome Science, University of Utah
| | - Madeline R Meyer
- Department of Chemistry and Henry Eyring Center for Cell & Genome Science, University of Utah
| | - Ming C Hammond
- Department of Chemistry and Henry Eyring Center for Cell & Genome Science, University of Utah;
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26
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Anisuzzaman S, Geraskin IM, Ilgu M, Bendickson L, Kraus GA, Nilsen-Hamilton M. Ligands with polyfluorophenyl moieties promote a local structural rearrangement in the Spinach2 and Broccoli aptamers that increases ligand affinities. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2022; 28:865-877. [PMID: 35351813 PMCID: PMC9074905 DOI: 10.1261/rna.079005.121] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
The interaction of nucleic acids with their molecular targets often involves structural reorganization that may traverse a complex folding landscape. With the more recent recognition that many RNAs, both coding and noncoding, may regulate cellular activities by interacting with target molecules, it becomes increasingly important to understand how nucleic acids interact with their targets and how drugs might be developed that can influence critical folding transitions. We have extensively investigated the interaction of the Spinach2 and Broccoli aptamers with a library of small molecule ligands modified by various extensions from the imido nitrogen of DFHBI [(Z)-5-(3,5-difluoro-4-hydroxybenzylidene)-2,3-dimethyl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one] that reach out from the Spinach2 ligand binding pocket. Studies of the interaction of these compounds with the aptamers revealed that polyfluorophenyl-modified ligands initiate a slow change in aptamer affinity that takes an extended time (half-life of ∼40 min) to achieve. The change in affinity appears to involve an initial disruption of the entrance to the ligand binding pocket followed by a gradual transition to a more defined structure for which the most likely driving force is an interaction of the gateway adenine with a nearby 2'OH group. These results suggest that polyfluorophenyl modifications might increase the ability of small molecule drugs to disrupt local structure and promote RNA remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharif Anisuzzaman
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, USA
| | - Ivan M Geraskin
- Department of Chemistry, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, USA
| | - Muslum Ilgu
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, USA
| | - Lee Bendickson
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, USA
| | - George A Kraus
- Department of Chemistry, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, USA
| | - Marit Nilsen-Hamilton
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, USA
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27
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Wang Q, Xiao F, Su H, Liu H, Xu J, Tang H, Qin S, Fang Z, Lu Z, Wu J, Weng X, Zhou X. Inert Pepper aptamer-mediated endogenous mRNA recognition and imaging in living cells. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:e84. [PMID: 35580055 PMCID: PMC9371900 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac368] [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: 10/20/2021] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of RNA aptamers/fluorophores system is highly desirable for understanding the dynamic molecular biology of RNAs in vivo. Peppers-based imaging systems have been reported and applied for mRNA imaging in living cells. However, the need to insert corresponding RNA aptamer sequences into target RNAs and relatively low fluorescence signal limit its application in endogenous mRNA imaging. Herein, we remolded the original Pepper aptamer and developed a tandem array of inert Pepper (iPepper) fluorescence turn-on system. iPepper allows for efficient and selective imaging of diverse endogenous mRNA species in live cells with minimal agitation of the target mRNAs. We believe iPepper would significantly expand the applications of the aptamer/fluorophore system in endogenous mRNA imaging, and it has the potential to become a powerful tool for real-time studies in living cells and biological processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Wang
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers-Ministry of Education, Wuhan University, Luojiashan Street, Wuchang District, Wuhan, HuBei 430072, PR China
| | - Feng Xiao
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers-Ministry of Education, Wuhan University, Luojiashan Street, Wuchang District, Wuhan, HuBei 430072, PR China
| | - Haomiao Su
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers-Ministry of Education, Wuhan University, Luojiashan Street, Wuchang District, Wuhan, HuBei 430072, PR China.,Department of Chemistry, Yale University, 225 Prospect Street, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Hui Liu
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers-Ministry of Education, Wuhan University, Luojiashan Street, Wuchang District, Wuhan, HuBei 430072, PR China
| | - Jinglei Xu
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers-Ministry of Education, Wuhan University, Luojiashan Street, Wuchang District, Wuhan, HuBei 430072, PR China
| | - Heng Tang
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers-Ministry of Education, Wuhan University, Luojiashan Street, Wuchang District, Wuhan, HuBei 430072, PR China
| | - Shanshan Qin
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers-Ministry of Education, Wuhan University, Luojiashan Street, Wuchang District, Wuhan, HuBei 430072, PR China
| | - Zhentian Fang
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers-Ministry of Education, Wuhan University, Luojiashan Street, Wuchang District, Wuhan, HuBei 430072, PR China
| | - Ziang Lu
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers-Ministry of Education, Wuhan University, Luojiashan Street, Wuchang District, Wuhan, HuBei 430072, PR China
| | - Jian Wu
- School of Medicine, Wuhan University, Luojiashan Street, Wuchang District, Wuhan, HuBei 430072, PR China
| | - Xiaocheng Weng
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers-Ministry of Education, Wuhan University, Luojiashan Street, Wuchang District, Wuhan, HuBei 430072, PR China
| | - Xiang Zhou
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers-Ministry of Education, Wuhan University, Luojiashan Street, Wuchang District, Wuhan, HuBei 430072, PR China.,The Institute of Advanced Studies, Wuhan University, Luojiashan Street, Wuchang District, Wuhan, HuBei 430072, PR China
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28
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Fam KT, Pelletier R, Bouhedda F, Ryckelynck M, Collot M, Klymchenko AS. Rational Design of Self-Quenched Rhodamine Dimers as Fluorogenic Aptamer Probes for Live-Cell RNA Imaging. Anal Chem 2022; 94:6657-6664. [PMID: 35486532 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.1c04556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
With the growing interest in the understanding of the importance of RNAs in health and disease, detection of RNAs in living cells is of high importance. Fluorogenic dyes that light up specifically selected RNA aptamers constitute an attractive direction in the design of RNA imaging probes. In this work, based on our recently proposed concept of a fluorogenic dimer, we aim to develop a robust molecular tool for intracellular RNA imaging. We rationally designed a fluorogenic self-quenched dimer (orange Gemini, o-Gemini) based on rhodamine and evaluated its capacity to light up its cognate aptamer o-Coral in solution and live cells. We found that the removal of biotin from the dimer slightly improved the fluorogenic response without losing the affinity to the cognate aptamer (o-Coral). On the other hand, replacing sulforhodamine with a carboxyrhodamine produced drastic improvement of the affinity and the turn-on response to o-Coral and, thus, a better limit of detection. In live cells expressing o-Coral-tagged RNAs, the carboxyrhodamine analogue of o-Gemini without a biotin unit displayed a higher signal as well as faster internalization into the cells. We suppose that less hydrophilic carboxyrhodamine compared to sulforhodamine can more readily penetrate through the cell plasma membrane and, together with its higher affinity to o-Coral, provide the observed improvement in the imaging experiments. The promiscuity of the o-Coral RNA aptamer to the fluorogenic dimer allowed us to tune a fluorogen chemical structure and thus drastically improve the fluorescence response of the probe to o-Coral-tagged RNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyong Tkhe Fam
- Laboratoire de Bioimagerie et Pathologies, CNRS UMR 7021, Université de Strasbourg, 67401 Illkirch, France
| | - Rémi Pelletier
- Laboratoire de Bioimagerie et Pathologies, CNRS UMR 7021, Université de Strasbourg, 67401 Illkirch, France
| | - Farah Bouhedda
- CNRS, Architecture et Réactivité de l'ARN, UPR 9002, Université de Strasbourg, F-67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Michael Ryckelynck
- CNRS, Architecture et Réactivité de l'ARN, UPR 9002, Université de Strasbourg, F-67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Mayeul Collot
- Laboratoire de Bioimagerie et Pathologies, CNRS UMR 7021, Université de Strasbourg, 67401 Illkirch, France
| | - Andrey S Klymchenko
- Laboratoire de Bioimagerie et Pathologies, CNRS UMR 7021, Université de Strasbourg, 67401 Illkirch, France
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29
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VarnBuhler BS, Moon J, Dey SK, Wu J, Jaffrey SR. Detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA Using a DNA Aptamer Mimic of Green Fluorescent Protein. ACS Chem Biol 2022; 17:840-853. [PMID: 35341244 PMCID: PMC9780036 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.1c00893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
RNA detection is important in diverse diagnostic and analytical applications. RNAs can be rapidly detected using molecular beacons, which fluoresce upon hybridizing to a target RNA but require oligonucleotides with complex fluorescent dye and quencher conjugations. Here, we describe a simplified method for rapid fluorescence detection of a target RNA using simple unmodified DNA oligonucleotides. To detect RNA, we developed Lettuce, a fluorogenic DNA aptamer that binds and activates the fluorescence of DFHBI-1T, an otherwise nonfluorescent molecule that resembles the chromophore found in green fluorescent protein. Lettuce was selected from a randomized DNA library based on binding to DFHBI-agarose. We further show that Lettuce can be split into two separate oligonucleotide components, which are nonfluorescent on their own but become fluorescent when their proximity is induced by a target RNA. We designed several pairs of split Lettuce fragments that contain an additional 15-20 nucleotides that are complementary to adjacent regions of the SARS-CoV-2 RNA, resulting in Lettuce fluorescence only in the presence of the viral RNA. Overall, these studies describe a simplified RNA detection approach using fully unmodified DNA oligonucleotides that reconstitute the Lettuce aptamer templated by RNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bria S. VarnBuhler
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill-Cornell Medical College, Cornell University, New York, NY 10065, USA,Tri-Institutional PhD Program in Chemical Biology, Weill Cornell Medicine, The Rockefeller University, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Jared Moon
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill-Cornell Medical College, Cornell University, New York, NY 10065, USA,Weill Cornell/Rockefeller/Sloan Kettering Tri-Institutional MD-PhD Program, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Sourav Kumar Dey
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill-Cornell Medical College, Cornell University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Jiahui Wu
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill-Cornell Medical College, Cornell University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Samie R. Jaffrey
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill-Cornell Medical College, Cornell University, New York, NY 10065, USA,Weill Cornell/Rockefeller/Sloan Kettering Tri-Institutional MD-PhD Program, New York, NY 10065, USA
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30
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Hostetter ER, Keyes JR, Poon I, Nguyen JP, Nite JM, Jimenez Hoyos CA, Smith CA. Prediction of Fluorophore Brightness in Designed Mini Fluorescence Activating Proteins. J Chem Theory Comput 2022; 18:3190-3203. [PMID: 35417158 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jctc.1c00748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The de novo computational design of proteins with predefined three-dimensional structure is becoming much more routine due to advancements both in force fields and algorithms. However, creating designs with functions beyond folding is more challenging. In that regard, the recent design of small beta barrel proteins that activate the fluorescence of an exogenous small molecule chromophore (DFHBI) is noteworthy. These proteins, termed mini fluorescence activating proteins (mFAPs), have been shown to increase the brightness of the chromophore more than 100-fold upon binding to the designed ligand pocket. The design process created a large library of variants with different brightness levels but gave no rational explanation for why one variant was brighter than another. Here, we use quantum mechanics and molecular dynamics simulations to investigate how molecular flexibility in the ground and excited states influences brightness. We show that the ability of the protein to resist dihedral angle rotation of the chromophore is critical for predicting brightness. Our simulations suggest that the mFAP/DFHBI complex has a rough energy landscape, requiring extensive ground-state sampling to achieve converged predictions of excited-state kinetics. While computationally demanding, this roughness suggests that mFAP protein function can be enhanced by reshaping the energy landscape toward conformations that better resist DFHBI bond rotation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma R Hostetter
- Department of Chemistry, Wesleyan University, 52 Lawn Ave, Middletown, Connecticut 06459, United States
| | - Jeffrey R Keyes
- Department of Chemistry, Wesleyan University, 52 Lawn Ave, Middletown, Connecticut 06459, United States
| | - Ivy Poon
- Department of Chemistry, Wesleyan University, 52 Lawn Ave, Middletown, Connecticut 06459, United States
| | - Justin P Nguyen
- Department of Chemistry, Wesleyan University, 52 Lawn Ave, Middletown, Connecticut 06459, United States
| | - Jacob M Nite
- Department of Chemistry, Wesleyan University, 52 Lawn Ave, Middletown, Connecticut 06459, United States
| | -
- Department of Chemistry, Wesleyan University, 52 Lawn Ave, Middletown, Connecticut 06459, United States
| | - Carlos A Jimenez Hoyos
- Department of Chemistry, Wesleyan University, 52 Lawn Ave, Middletown, Connecticut 06459, United States
| | - Colin A Smith
- Department of Chemistry, Wesleyan University, 52 Lawn Ave, Middletown, Connecticut 06459, United States
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31
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Peng Y, Ai X, Peng B. Trans-cleaving hammerhead ribozyme in specific regions can improve knockdown efficiency in vivo. J Cell Biochem 2022. [PMID: 35411616 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.30249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Revised: 03/06/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Trans-cleaving techniques have been most enthusiastically embraced in the development of therapy for genetic diseases, particularly in the correction of monogenic recessive mutations at the messenger RNA level. However, easy degradation and poor catalytic activity in vivo remain significant obstacles to trans-cleaving of the hammerhead ribozyme. Herein, we found a novel scaffold RNA that stabilizes the ribozyme structure in trans-cleaving and promotes the knockdown efficiency of the hammerhead ribozyme in specific regions of living cells. We can give the trans-cleaving hammerhead ribozyme the ability to knock down specific genes in specific cell regions by changing different scaffolds. Therefore, our study proves the potential usefulness of the RNA knockdown strategy with high-specific trans-cleaving hammerhead ribozyme as a therapeutic approach in gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Peng
- Medical School, Fuyang Normal University, Fuyang, Anhui, China
- Natural Products Research Center, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xilei Ai
- Natural Products Research Center, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Bo Peng
- College of Life Science and Resources and Environment, Yichun University, Yichun, Jiangxi, China
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32
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Organelle-targeted imaging based on fluorogen-activating RNA aptamers in living cells. Anal Chim Acta 2022; 1209:339816. [DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2022.339816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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33
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Wu T, Cao Y, Liu Q, Wu X, Shang Y, Piao J, Li Y, Dong Y, Liu D, Wang H, Liu J, Ding B. Genetically Encoded Double-Stranded DNA-Based Nanostructure Folded by a Covalently Bivalent CRISPR/dCas System. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:6575-6582. [PMID: 35357193 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c01760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
DNA nanotechnology has been widely employed in the construction of various functional nanostructures. However, most DNA nanostructures rely on hybridization between multiple single-stranded DNAs. Herein, we report a general strategy for the construction of a double-stranded DNA-ribonucleoprotein (RNP) hybrid nanostructure by folding double-stranded DNA with a covalently bivalent clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/nuclease-dead CRISPR-associated protein (dCas) system. In our design, dCas9 and dCas12a can be efficiently fused together through a flexible and stimuli-responsive peptide linker. After activation by guide RNAs, the covalently bivalent dCas9-12a RNPs (staples) can precisely recognize their target sequences in the double-stranded DNA scaffold and pull them together to construct a series of double-stranded DNA-RNP hybrid nanostructures. The genetically encoded hybrid nanostructure can protect genetic information in the folded state, similar to the natural DNA-protein hybrids present in chromosomes, and elicit efficient stimuli-responsive gene transcription in the unfolded form. This rationally developed double-stranded DNA folding and unfolding strategy presents a new avenue for the development of DNA nanotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiantian Wu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing 100190, China.,Dermatology Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510091, China
| | - Yuanwei Cao
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.,State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Qing Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Xiaohui Wu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing 100190, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yingxu Shang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing 100190, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jiafang Piao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Colloid, Interface and Chemical Thermodynamics, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Yujie Li
- Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Yuanchen Dong
- CAS Key Laboratory of Colloid, Interface and Chemical Thermodynamics, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Dongsheng Liu
- Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Haoyi Wang
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.,State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Jianbing Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing 100190, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Baoquan Ding
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing 100190, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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34
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In vitro characterisation of the MS2 RNA polymerase complex reveals host factors that modulate emesviral replicase activity. Commun Biol 2022; 5:264. [PMID: 35338258 PMCID: PMC8956599 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03178-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The RNA phage MS2 is one of the most important model organisms in molecular biology and virology. Despite its comprehensive characterisation, the composition of the RNA replication machinery remained obscure. Here, we characterised host proteins required to reconstitute the functional replicase in vitro. By combining a purified replicase sub-complex with elements of an in vitro translation system, we confirmed that the three host factors, EF-Ts, EF-Tu, and ribosomal protein S1, are part of the active replicase holocomplex. Furthermore, we found that the translation initiation factors IF1 and IF3 modulate replicase activity. While IF3 directly competes with the replicase for template binding, IF1 appears to act as an RNA chaperone that facilitates polymerase readthrough. Finally, we demonstrate in vitro formation of RNAs containing minimal motifs required for amplification. Our work sheds light on the MS2 replication machinery and provides a new promising platform for cell-free evolution.
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35
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Hyun Lee K, Kimoto M, Kawai G, Okamoto I, Fin A, Hirao I. Dye‐Conjugated Spinach RNA by Genetic Alphabet Expansion. Chemistry 2022; 28:e202104396. [DOI: 10.1002/chem.202104396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kyung Hyun Lee
- Institute of Bioengineering and Bioimaging A*STAR 31 Biopolis Way, The Nanos #07-01 Singapore 138669 Singapore
| | - Michiko Kimoto
- Institute of Bioengineering and Bioimaging A*STAR 31 Biopolis Way, The Nanos #07-01 Singapore 138669 Singapore
| | - Gota Kawai
- Chiba Institute of Technology (CIT) Tsudanuma 2-17-1 Narashino Chiba 275-0016 Japan
| | - Itaru Okamoto
- Institute of Bioengineering and Bioimaging A*STAR 31 Biopolis Way, The Nanos #07-01 Singapore 138669 Singapore
| | - Andrea Fin
- Institute of Bioengineering and Bioimaging A*STAR 31 Biopolis Way, The Nanos #07-01 Singapore 138669 Singapore
| | - Ichiro Hirao
- Institute of Bioengineering and Bioimaging A*STAR 31 Biopolis Way, The Nanos #07-01 Singapore 138669 Singapore
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36
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Cao H, Wang Y, Zhang N, Xia S, Tian P, Lu L, Du J, Du Y. Progress of CRISPR-Cas13 Mediated Live-Cell RNA Imaging and Detection of RNA-Protein Interactions. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:866820. [PMID: 35356276 PMCID: PMC8959342 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.866820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Ribonucleic acid (RNA) and proteins play critical roles in gene expression and regulation. The relevant study increases the understanding of various life processes and contributes to the diagnosis and treatment of different diseases. RNA imaging and mapping RNA-protein interactions expand the understanding of RNA biology. However, the existing methods have some limitations. Recently, precise RNA targeting of CRISPR-Cas13 in cells has been reported, which is considered a new promising platform for RNA imaging in living cells and recognition of RNA-protein interactions. In this review, we first described the current findings on Cas13. Furthermore, we introduced current tools of RNA real-time imaging and mapping RNA-protein interactions and highlighted the latest advances in Cas13-mediated tools. Finally, we discussed the advantages and disadvantages of Cas13-based methods, providing a set of new ideas for the optimization of Cas13-mediated methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huake Cao
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- First School of Clinical Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yuechen Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Second School of Clinical Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Ning Zhang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- First School of Clinical Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Siyuan Xia
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Second School of Clinical Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Pengfei Tian
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- First School of Clinical Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Li Lu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Juan Du
- School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China
- Longgang District People’s Hospital of Shenzhen & The Second Affiliated Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China
- *Correspondence: Yinan Du, ; Juan Du,
| | - Yinan Du
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- *Correspondence: Yinan Du, ; Juan Du,
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37
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Dey SK, Filonov GS, Olarerin-George AO, Jackson BT, Finley LWS, Jaffrey SR. Repurposing an adenine riboswitch into a fluorogenic imaging and sensing tag. Nat Chem Biol 2022; 18:180-190. [PMID: 34937909 PMCID: PMC8967656 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-021-00925-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Fluorogenic RNA aptamers are used to genetically encode fluorescent RNA and to construct RNA-based metabolite sensors. Unlike naturally occurring aptamers that efficiently fold and undergo metabolite-induced conformational changes, fluorogenic aptamers can exhibit poor folding, which limits their cellular fluorescence. To overcome this, we evolved a naturally occurring well-folded adenine riboswitch into a fluorogenic aptamer. We generated a library of roughly 1015 adenine aptamer-like RNAs in which the adenine-binding pocket was randomized for both size and sequence, and selected Squash, which binds and activates the fluorescence of green fluorescent protein-like fluorophores. Squash exhibits markedly improved in-cell folding and highly efficient metabolite-dependent folding when fused to a S-adenosylmethionine (SAM)-binding aptamer. A Squash-based ratiometric sensor achieved quantitative SAM measurements, revealed cell-to-cell heterogeneity in SAM levels and revealed metabolic origins of SAM. These studies show that the efficient folding of naturally occurring aptamers can be exploited to engineer well-folded cell-compatible fluorogenic aptamers and devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sourav Kumar Dey
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Medical College, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Grigory S. Filonov
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Medical College, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA.,Present address: Sartorius, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | | | - Benjamin T. Jackson
- Cell Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lydia W. S. Finley
- Cell Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Samie R. Jaffrey
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Medical College, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA.,
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38
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Moon JD, Wu J, Dey SK, Litke JL, Li X, Kim H, Jaffrey SR. Naturally occurring three-way junctions can be repurposed as genetically encoded RNA-based sensors. Cell Chem Biol 2021; 28:1569-1580.e4. [PMID: 34010626 PMCID: PMC8573057 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2021.04.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Revised: 02/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Small molecules can be imaged in living cells using biosensors composed of RNA. However, RNA-based devices are difficult to design. Here, we describe a versatile platform for designing RNA-based fluorescent small-molecule sensors using naturally occurring highly stable three-way junction RNAs. We show that ligand-binding aptamers and fluorogenic aptamers can be inserted into three-way junctions and connected in a way that enables the three-way junction to function as a small-molecule-regulated fluorescent sensor in vitro and in cells. The sensors are designed so that the interhelical stabilizing interactions in the three-way junction are only induced upon ligand binding. We use these RNA-based devices to measure the dynamics of S-adenosylmethionine levels in mammalian cells in real time. We show that this strategy is compatible with diverse metabolite-binding RNA aptamers, fluorogenic aptamers, and three-way junctions. Overall, these data demonstrate a versatile method for readily generating RNA devices that function in living cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jared D Moon
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY 10065, USA; Weill Cornell/Rockefeller/Sloan Kettering Tri-Institutional MD-PhD Program, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Jiahui Wu
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Sourav K Dey
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Jacob L Litke
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Xing Li
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Hyaeyeong Kim
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Samie R Jaffrey
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY 10065, USA.
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39
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Wang C, Chi W, Qiao Q, Tan D, Xu Z, Liu X. Twisted intramolecular charge transfer (TICT) and twists beyond TICT: from mechanisms to rational designs of bright and sensitive fluorophores. Chem Soc Rev 2021; 50:12656-12678. [PMID: 34633008 DOI: 10.1039/d1cs00239b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 124] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The twisted intramolecular charge transfer (TICT) mechanism has guided the development of numerous bright and sensitive fluorophores. This review briefly overviews the history of establishing the TICT mechanism, and systematically summarizes the molecular design strategies in modulating the TICT tendency of various organic fluorophores towards different applications, along with key milestone studies and representative examples. Additionally, we also succinctly review the twisted intramolecular charge shuttle (TICS) and twists during photoinduced electron transfer (PET), and compare their similarities and differences with TICT, with emphasis on understanding the structure-property relationships between the twisted geometries and how they can directly affect the fluorescence of the molecules. Such structure-property relationships presented herein will greatly aid the rational development of fluorophores that involve molecular twisting in the excited state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 457 Zhongshan Road, Dalian 116023, China. .,Fluorescence Research Group, Singapore University of Technology and Design, 8 Somapah Road, 487372, Singapore.
| | - Weijie Chi
- Fluorescence Research Group, Singapore University of Technology and Design, 8 Somapah Road, 487372, Singapore.
| | - Qinglong Qiao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 457 Zhongshan Road, Dalian 116023, China.
| | - Davin Tan
- Fluorescence Research Group, Singapore University of Technology and Design, 8 Somapah Road, 487372, Singapore.
| | - Zhaochao Xu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 457 Zhongshan Road, Dalian 116023, China.
| | - Xiaogang Liu
- Fluorescence Research Group, Singapore University of Technology and Design, 8 Somapah Road, 487372, Singapore.
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40
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Huang K, Chen X, Li C, Song Q, Li H, Zhu L, Yang Y, Ren A. Structure-based investigation of fluorogenic Pepper aptamer. Nat Chem Biol 2021; 17:1289-1295. [PMID: 34725509 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-021-00884-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Pepper fluorescent RNAs are a recently reported bright, stable and multicolor fluorogenic aptamer tag that enable imaging of diverse RNAs in live cells. To investigate the molecular basis of the superior properties of Pepper, we determined the structures of complexes of Pepper aptamer bound with its cognate HBC or HBC-like fluorophores at high resolution by X-ray crystallography. The Pepper aptamer folds in a monomeric non-G-quadruplex tuning-fork-like architecture composed of a helix and one protruded junction region. The near-planar fluorophore molecule intercalates in the middle of the structure and is sandwiched between one non-G-quadruplex base quadruple and one noncanonical G·U wobble helical base pair. In addition, structure-based mutational analysis is evaluated by in vitro and live-cell fluorogenic detection. Taken together, our research provides a structural basis for demystifying the fluorescence activation mechanism of Pepper aptamer and for further improvement of its future application in RNA visualization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaiyi Huang
- Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xianjun Chen
- Optogenetics & Synthetic Biology Interdisciplinary Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center for Biomanufacturing Technology, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China.,CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Institute of Neuroscience, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Chunyan Li
- Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qianqian Song
- Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Huiwen Li
- Optogenetics & Synthetic Biology Interdisciplinary Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center for Biomanufacturing Technology, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China.,CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Institute of Neuroscience, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Linyong Zhu
- Optogenetics & Synthetic Biology Interdisciplinary Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center for Biomanufacturing Technology, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China.
| | - Yi Yang
- Optogenetics & Synthetic Biology Interdisciplinary Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center for Biomanufacturing Technology, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China. .,CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Institute of Neuroscience, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.
| | - Aiming Ren
- Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
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41
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Li X, Wu J, Jaffrey SR. Engineering Fluorophore Recycling in a Fluorogenic RNA Aptamer. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202108338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Xing Li
- Beijing Institutes of Life Science Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing 100101 P. R. China
- Department of Pharmacology Weill Cornell Medicine Cornell University New York NY 10065 USA
| | - Jiahui Wu
- Department of Pharmacology Weill Cornell Medicine Cornell University New York NY 10065 USA
| | - Samie R. Jaffrey
- Department of Pharmacology Weill Cornell Medicine Cornell University New York NY 10065 USA
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42
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Li X, Wu J, Jaffrey SR. Engineering Fluorophore Recycling in a Fluorogenic RNA Aptamer. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021; 60:24153-24161. [PMID: 34490956 PMCID: PMC8661118 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202108338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Revised: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Fluorogenic aptamers can potentially show minimal photobleaching during continuous irradiation since any photobleached fluorophore can exchange with fluorescent dyes in the media. However, fluorophores have not been designed to maximize "fluorophore recycling." Here we describe TBI, a novel fluorophore for the Broccoli fluorogenic aptamer. Previous fluorophores either fail to rapidly dissociate when they undergo photobleaching via cis-trans isomerization, or bind slowly, resulting in extended periods after dissociation of the photobleached fluorophore when no fluorophore is bound. By contrast, photobleached TBI dissociates rapidly from Broccoli, and TBI from the media rapidly replaces dissociated photobleached fluorophore. Using TBI, Broccoli exhibits markedly enhanced fluorescence in cells during continuous imaging. These data show that designing fluorophores to optimize fluorophore recycling can lead to enhanced fluorescence of fluorogenic aptamers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing Li
- Beijing Institutes of Life Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, P. R. China
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Jiahui Wu
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Samie R Jaffrey
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY, 10065, USA
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43
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Drees A, Fischer M. High-Throughput Selection and Characterisation of Aptamers on Optical Next-Generation Sequencers. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:9202. [PMID: 34502110 PMCID: PMC8431662 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22179202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Aptamers feature a number of advantages, compared to antibodies. However, their application has been limited so far, mainly because of the complex selection process. 'High-throughput sequencing fluorescent ligand interaction profiling' (HiTS-FLIP) significantly increases the selection efficiency and is consequently a very powerful and versatile technology for the selection of high-performance aptamers. It is the first experiment to allow the direct and quantitative measurement of the affinity and specificity of millions of aptamers simultaneously by harnessing the potential of optical next-generation sequencing platforms to perform fluorescence-based binding assays on the clusters displayed on the flow cells and determining their sequence and position in regular high-throughput sequencing. Many variants of the experiment have been developed that allow automation and in situ conversion of DNA clusters into base-modified DNA, RNA, peptides, and even proteins. In addition, the information from mutational assays, performed with HiTS-FLIP, provides deep insights into the relationship between the sequence, structure, and function of aptamers. This enables a detailed understanding of the sequence-specific rules that determine affinity, and thus, supports the evolution of aptamers. Current variants of the HiTS-FLIP experiment and its application in the field of aptamer selection, characterisation, and optimisation are presented in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alissa Drees
- Hamburg School of Food Science, Institute of Food Chemistry, University of Hamburg, Grindelallee 117, 20146 Hamburg, Germany;
| | - Markus Fischer
- Hamburg School of Food Science, Institute of Food Chemistry, University of Hamburg, Grindelallee 117, 20146 Hamburg, Germany;
- Center for Hybrid Nanostructures (CHyN), Department of Physics, University of Hamburg, Luruper Chaussee 149, 22761 Hamburg, Germany
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44
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Fluorescent functional nucleic acid: Principles, properties and applications in bioanalyzing. Trends Analyt Chem 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trac.2021.116292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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45
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Large Stokes shift fluorescence activation in an RNA aptamer by intermolecular proton transfer to guanine. Nat Commun 2021; 12:3549. [PMID: 34112799 PMCID: PMC8192780 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23932-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Fluorogenic RNA aptamers are synthetic functional RNAs that specifically bind and activate conditional fluorophores. The Chili RNA aptamer mimics large Stokes shift fluorescent proteins and exhibits high affinity for 3,5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxybenzylidene imidazolone (DMHBI) derivatives to elicit green or red fluorescence emission. Here, we elucidate the structural and mechanistic basis of fluorescence activation by crystallography and time-resolved optical spectroscopy. Two co-crystal structures of the Chili RNA with positively charged DMHBO+ and DMHBI+ ligands revealed a G-quadruplex and a trans-sugar-sugar edge G:G base pair that immobilize the ligand by π-π stacking. A Watson-Crick G:C base pair in the fluorophore binding site establishes a short hydrogen bond between the N7 of guanine and the phenolic OH of the ligand. Ultrafast excited state proton transfer (ESPT) from the neutral chromophore to the RNA was found with a time constant of 130 fs and revealed the mode of action of the large Stokes shift fluorogenic RNA aptamer.
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46
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Iyer A, Baranov M, Foster AJ, Chordia S, Roelfes G, Vlijm R, van den Bogaart G, Poolman B. Chemogenetic Tags with Probe Exchange for Live-Cell Fluorescence Microscopy. ACS Chem Biol 2021; 16:891-904. [PMID: 33913682 PMCID: PMC8154248 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.1c00100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Fluorogenic protein tagging systems have been less developed for prokaryotes than for eukaryotic cell systems. Here, we extend the concept of noncovalent fluorogenic protein tags in bacteria by introducing transcription factor-based tags, namely, LmrR and RamR, for probe binding and fluorescence readout under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. We developed two chemogenetic protein tags that impart fluorogenicity and a longer fluorescence lifetime to reversibly bound organic fluorophores, hence the name Chemogenetic Tags with Probe Exchange (CTPEs). We present an extensive characterization of 30 fluorophores reversibly interacting with the two different CTPEs and conclude that aromatic planar structures bind with high specificity to the hydrophobic pockets of these tags. The reversible binding of organic fluorophores to the CTPEs and the superior photophysical properties of organic fluorophores enable long-term fluorescence microscopy of living bacterial cells. Our protein tags provide a general tool for investigating (sub)cellular protein localization and dynamics, protein-protein interactions, and prolonged live-cell microscopy, even under oxygen-free conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aditya Iyer
- Department
of Biochemistry, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology
Institute, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Maxim Baranov
- Department
of Molecular Immunology, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology
Institute, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Alexander J. Foster
- Department
of Biochemistry, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology
Institute, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Shreyans Chordia
- Stratingh
Institute for Chemistry, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Gerard Roelfes
- Stratingh
Institute for Chemistry, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Rifka Vlijm
- Molecular
Biophysics, Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Geert van den Bogaart
- Department
of Molecular Immunology, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology
Institute, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Bert Poolman
- Department
of Biochemistry, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology
Institute, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
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Chen C, Tachibana SR, Baleeva NS, Myasnyanko IN, Bogdanov AM, Gavrikov AS, Mishin AS, Malyshevskaya KK, Baranov MS, Fang C. Developing Bright Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP)-like Fluorogens for Live-Cell Imaging with Nonpolar Protein-Chromophore Interactions. Chemistry 2021; 27:8946-8950. [PMID: 33938061 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202101250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Fluorescence-activating proteins (FAPs) that bind a chromophore and activate its fluorescence have gained popularity in bioimaging. The fluorescence-activating and absorption-shifting tag (FAST) is a light-weight FAP that enables fast reversible fluorogen binding, thus advancing multiplex and super-resolution imaging. However, the rational design of FAST-specific fluorogens with large fluorescence enhancement (FE) remains challenging. Herein, a new fluorogen directly engineered from green fluorescent protein (GFP) chromophore by a unique double-donor-one-acceptor strategy, which exhibits an over 550-fold FE upon FAST binding and a high extinction coefficient of approximately 100,000 M-1 cm-1 , is reported. Correlation analysis of the excited state nonradiative decay rates and environmental factors reveal that the large FE is caused by nonpolar protein-fluorogen interactions. Our deep insights into structure-function relationships could guide the rational design of bright fluorogens for live-cell imaging with extended spectral properties such as redder emissions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Chen
- Department of Chemistry, Oregon State University, 153 Gilbert Hall, Corvallis, OR 97331-4003, USA
| | - Sean R Tachibana
- Department of Chemistry, Oregon State University, 153 Gilbert Hall, Corvallis, OR 97331-4003, USA
| | - Nadezhda S Baleeva
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Miklukho-Maklaya 16/10, Moscow, 117997, Russia
| | - Ivan N Myasnyanko
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Miklukho-Maklaya 16/10, Moscow, 117997, Russia
| | - Alexey M Bogdanov
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Miklukho-Maklaya 16/10, Moscow, 117997, Russia
| | - Alexey S Gavrikov
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Miklukho-Maklaya 16/10, Moscow, 117997, Russia
| | - Alexander S Mishin
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Miklukho-Maklaya 16/10, Moscow, 117997, Russia
| | - Kseniya K Malyshevskaya
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Miklukho-Maklaya 16/10, Moscow, 117997, Russia
| | - Mikhail S Baranov
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Miklukho-Maklaya 16/10, Moscow, 117997, Russia.,Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Ostrovitianov 1, Moscow, 117997, Russia
| | - Chong Fang
- Department of Chemistry, Oregon State University, 153 Gilbert Hall, Corvallis, OR 97331-4003, USA
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Single-Molecule Imaging in Living Plant Cells: A Methodological Review. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22105071. [PMID: 34064786 PMCID: PMC8151321 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22105071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Single-molecule imaging is emerging as a revolutionary approach to studying fundamental questions in plants. However, compared with its use in animals, the application of single-molecule imaging in plants is still underexplored. Here, we review the applications, advantages, and challenges of single-molecule fluorescence imaging in plant systems from the perspective of methodology. Firstly, we provide a general overview of single-molecule imaging methods and their principles. Next, we summarize the unprecedented quantitative details that can be obtained using single-molecule techniques compared to bulk assays. Finally, we discuss the main problems encountered at this stage and provide possible solutions.
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Yu Q, Ren K, You M. Genetically encoded RNA nanodevices for cellular imaging and regulation. NANOSCALE 2021; 13:7988-8003. [PMID: 33885099 PMCID: PMC8122502 DOI: 10.1039/d0nr08301a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Nucleic acid-based nanodevices have been widely used in the fields of biosensing and nanomedicine. Traditionally, the majority of these nanodevices were first constructed in vitro using synthetic DNA or RNA oligonucleotides and then delivered into cells. Nowadays, the emergence of genetically encoded RNA nanodevices has provided a promising alternative approach for intracellular analysis and regulation. These genetically encoded RNA-based nanodevices can be directly transcribed and continuously produced inside living cells. A variety of highly precise and programmable nanodevices have been constructed in this way during the last decade. In this review, we will summarize the recent advances in the design and function of these artificial genetically encoded RNA nanodevices. In particular, we will focus on their applications in regulating cellular gene expression, imaging, logic operation, structural biology, and optogenetics. We believe these versatile RNA-based nanodevices will be broadly used in the near future to probe and program cells and other biological systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qikun Yu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, USA.
| | - Kewei Ren
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, USA.
| | - Mingxu You
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, USA.
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50
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Biocompatible and noncytotoxic nucleoside-based AIEgens sensor for lighting-up nucleic acids. CHINESE CHEM LETT 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cclet.2021.02.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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