1
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Auradkar A, Guichard A, Kaduwal S, Sneider M, Bier E. Author Correction: tgCRISPRi: efficient gene knock-down using truncated gRNAs and catalytically active Cas9. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3183. [PMID: 38609401 PMCID: PMC11015020 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47644-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ankush Auradkar
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0335, USA
| | - Annabel Guichard
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0335, USA
| | - Saluja Kaduwal
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0335, USA
| | - Marketta Sneider
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0335, USA
| | - Ethan Bier
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0335, USA.
- Tata Institute for Genetics and Society - UCSD, La Jolla, USA.
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2
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Lima L, Berni M, Mota J, Bressan D, Julio A, Cavalcante R, Macias V, Li Z, Rasgon JL, Bier E, Araujo H. Gene Editing in the Chagas Disease Vector Rhodnius prolixus by Cas9-Mediated ReMOT Control. CRISPR J 2024; 7:88-99. [PMID: 38564197 DOI: 10.1089/crispr.2023.0076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Rhodnius prolixus is currently the model vector of choice for studying Chagas disease transmission, a debilitating disease caused by Trypanosoma cruzi parasites. However, transgenesis and gene editing protocols to advance the field are still lacking. Here, we tested protocols for the maternal delivery of CRISPR-Cas9 (clustered regularly spaced palindromic repeats/Cas-9 associated) elements to developing R. prolixus oocytes and strategies for the identification of insertions and deletions (indels) in target loci of resulting gene-edited generation zero (G0) nymphs. We demonstrate successful gene editing of the eye color markers Rp-scarlet and Rp-white, and the cuticle color marker Rp-yellow, with highest effectiveness obtained using Receptor-Mediated Ovary Transduction of Cargo (ReMOT Control) with the ovary-targeting BtKV ligand. These results provide proof of concepts for generating somatic mutations in R. prolixus and potentially for generating germ line-edited lines in triatomines, laying the foundation for gene editing protocols that could lead to the development of novel control strategies for vectors of Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Lima
- Program in Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Mateus Berni
- Program in Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Jamile Mota
- Program in Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Daniel Bressan
- Program in Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Alison Julio
- Program in Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Robson Cavalcante
- Program in Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Vanessa Macias
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas, USA
| | - Zhiqian Li
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Jason L Rasgon
- Department of Entomology, The Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, and the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Ethan Bier
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Helena Araujo
- Program in Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular (INCT-EM), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Li Z, You L, Hermann A, Bier E. Developmental progression of DNA double-strand break repair deciphered by a single-allele resolution mutation classifier. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2629. [PMID: 38521791 PMCID: PMC10960810 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46479-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024] Open
Abstract
DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are repaired by a hierarchically regulated network of pathways. Factors influencing the choice of particular repair pathways, however remain poorly characterized. Here we develop an Integrated Classification Pipeline (ICP) to decompose and categorize CRISPR/Cas9 generated mutations on genomic target sites in complex multicellular insects. The ICP outputs graphic rank ordered classifications of mutant alleles to visualize discriminating DSB repair fingerprints generated from different target sites and alternative inheritance patterns of CRISPR components. We uncover highly reproducible lineage-specific mutation fingerprints in individual organisms and a developmental progression wherein Microhomology-Mediated End-Joining (MMEJ) or Insertion events predominate during early rapid mitotic cell cycles, switching to distinct subsets of Non-Homologous End-Joining (NHEJ) alleles, and then to Homology-Directed Repair (HDR)-based gene conversion. These repair signatures enable marker-free tracking of specific mutations in dynamic populations, including NHEJ and HDR events within the same samples, for in-depth analysis of diverse gene editing events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiqian Li
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Lang You
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Anita Hermann
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Ethan Bier
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
- Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
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4
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Cuccurullo EC, Dong Y, Simões ML, Dimopoulos G, Bier E. Development of an anti-Pfs230 monoclonal antibody as a Plasmodium falciparum gametocyte blocker. Res Sq 2023:rs.3.rs-3757253. [PMID: 38196646 PMCID: PMC10775378 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3757253/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
Vector control is a crucial strategy for malaria elimination by preventing infection and reducing disease transmission. Most gains have been achieved through insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) and indoor residual spraying (IRS), but the emergence of insecticide resistance among Anopheles mosquitoes calls for new tools to be applied. Here, we present the development of a highly effective murine monoclonal antibody, targeting the N-terminal region of the Plasmodium falciparum gametocyte antigen Pfs230, that can decrease the infection prevalence by > 50% when fed to Anopheles mosquitoes with gametocytes in an artificial membrane feeding system. We used a standard mouse immunization protocol followed by protein interaction and parasite-blocking validation at three distinct stages of the monoclonal antibody development pipeline: post-immunization, post-hybridoma generation, and final validation of the monoclonal antibody. We evaluated twenty antibodies identifying one (mAb 13G9) with high Pfs230-affinity and parasite-blocking activity. This 13G9 monoclonal antibody could potentially be developed into a transmission-blocking single-chain antibody for expression in transgenic mosquitoes.
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5
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Kormos A, Dimopoulos G, Bier E, Lanzaro GC, Marshall JM, James AA. Conceptual risk assessment of mosquito population modification gene-drive systems to control malaria transmission: preliminary hazards list workshops. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1261123. [PMID: 37965050 PMCID: PMC10641379 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1261123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The field-testing and eventual adoption of genetically-engineered mosquitoes (GEMs) to control vector-borne pathogen transmission will require them meeting safety criteria specified by regulatory authorities in regions where the technology is being considered for use and other locales that might be impacted. Preliminary risk considerations by researchers and developers may be useful for planning the baseline data collection and field research used to address the anticipated safety concerns. Part of this process is to identify potential hazards (defined as the inherent ability of an entity to cause harm) and their harms, and then chart the pathways to harm and evaluate their probability as part of a risk assessment. The University of California Malaria Initiative (UCMI) participated in a series of workshops held to identify potential hazards specific to mosquito population modification strains carrying gene-drive systems coupled to anti-parasite effector genes and their use in a hypothetical island field trial. The hazards identified were placed within the broader context of previous efforts discussed in the scientific literature. Five risk areas were considered i) pathogens, infections and diseases, and the impacts of GEMs on human and animal health, ii) invasiveness and persistence of GEMs, and interactions of GEMs with target organisms, iii) interactions of GEMs with non-target organisms including horizontal gene transfer, iv) impacts of techniques used for the management of GEMs and v) evolutionary and stability considerations. A preliminary hazards list (PHL) was developed and is made available here. This PHL is useful for internal project risk evaluation and is available to regulators at prospective field sites. UCMI project scientists affirm that the subsequent processes associated with the comprehensive risk assessment for the application of this technology should be driven by the stakeholders at the proposed field site and areas that could be affected by this intervention strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Kormos
- Vector Genetics Laboratory, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - George Dimopoulos
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Malaria Research Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Ethan Bier
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Gregory C. Lanzaro
- Vector Genetics Laboratory, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - John M. Marshall
- Divisions of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Anthony A. James
- Departments of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics and Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
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6
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Auradkar A, Guichard A, Kaduwal S, Sneider M, Bier E. tgCRISPRi: efficient gene knock-down using truncated gRNAs and catalytically active Cas9. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5587. [PMID: 37696787 PMCID: PMC10495392 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40836-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023] Open
Abstract
CRISPR-interference (CRISPRi), a highly effective method for silencing genes in mammalian cells, employs an enzymatically dead form of Cas9 (dCas9) complexed with one or more guide RNAs (gRNAs) with 20 nucleotides (nt) of complementarity to transcription initiation sites of target genes. Such gRNA/dCas9 complexes bind to DNA, impeding transcription of the targeted locus. Here, we present an alternative gene-suppression strategy using active Cas9 complexed with truncated gRNAs (tgRNAs). Cas9/tgRNA complexes bind to specific target sites without triggering DNA cleavage. When targeted near transcriptional start sites, these short 14-15 nts tgRNAs efficiently repress expression of several target genes throughout somatic tissues in Drosophila melanogaster without generating any detectable target site mutations. tgRNAs also can activate target gene expression when complexed with a Cas9-VPR fusion protein or modulate enhancer activity, and can be incorporated into a gene-drive, wherein a traditional gRNA sustains drive while a tgRNA inhibits target gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ankush Auradkar
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0335, USA
| | - Annabel Guichard
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0335, USA
| | - Saluja Kaduwal
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0335, USA
| | - Marketta Sneider
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0335, USA
| | - Ethan Bier
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0335, USA.
- Tata Institute for Genetics and Society - UCSD, La Jolla, USA.
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7
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Guichard A, Lu S, Kanca O, Bressan D, Huang Y, Ma M, Sanz Juste S, Andrews JC, Jay KL, Sneider M, Schwartz R, Huang MC, Bei D, Pan H, Ma L, Lin WW, Auradkar A, Bhagwat P, Park S, Wan KH, Ohsako T, Takano-Shimizu T, Celniker SE, Wangler MF, Yamamoto S, Bellen HJ, Bier E. A comprehensive Drosophila resource to identify key functional interactions between SARS-CoV-2 factors and host proteins. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112842. [PMID: 37480566 PMCID: PMC10962759 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Development of effective therapies against SARS-CoV-2 infections relies on mechanistic knowledge of virus-host interface. Abundant physical interactions between viral and host proteins have been identified, but few have been functionally characterized. Harnessing the power of fly genetics, we develop a comprehensive Drosophila COVID-19 resource (DCR) consisting of publicly available strains for conditional tissue-specific expression of all SARS-CoV-2 encoded proteins, UAS-human cDNA transgenic lines encoding established host-viral interacting factors, and GAL4 insertion lines disrupting fly homologs of SARS-CoV-2 human interacting proteins. We demonstrate the utility of the DCR to functionally assess SARS-CoV-2 genes and candidate human binding partners. We show that NSP8 engages in strong genetic interactions with several human candidates, most prominently with the ATE1 arginyltransferase to induce actin arginylation and cytoskeletal disorganization, and that two ATE1 inhibitors can reverse NSP8 phenotypes. The DCR enables parallel global-scale functional analysis of SARS-CoV-2 components in a prime genetic model system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annabel Guichard
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Shenzhao Lu
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Oguz Kanca
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Daniel Bressan
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Yan Huang
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Mengqi Ma
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Sara Sanz Juste
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Department of Epigenetics & Molecular Carcinogenesis at MD Anderson, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77054, USA; Center for Cancer Epigenetics, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jonathan C Andrews
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Kristy L Jay
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Marketta Sneider
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Ruth Schwartz
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Mei-Chu Huang
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Danqing Bei
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Hongling Pan
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Liwen Ma
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Wen-Wen Lin
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Ankush Auradkar
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Pranjali Bhagwat
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Soo Park
- Biological Systems and Engineering, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Kenneth H Wan
- Biological Systems and Engineering, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Takashi Ohsako
- Advanced Technology Center, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan
| | - Toshiyuki Takano-Shimizu
- Kyoto Drosophila Stock Center and Faculty of Applied Biology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Kyoto 616-8354, Japan
| | - Susan E Celniker
- Biological Systems and Engineering, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Michael F Wangler
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Shinya Yamamoto
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Development, Disease Models & Therapeutics Graduate Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | - Hugo J Bellen
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | - Ethan Bier
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Tata Institute for Genetics and Society - UCSD, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
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8
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Terradas G, Bennett JB, Li Z, Marshall JM, Bier E. Genetic conversion of a split-drive into a full-drive element. Nat Commun 2023; 14:191. [PMID: 36635291 PMCID: PMC9837192 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-35044-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The core components of CRISPR-based gene drives, Cas9 and guide RNA (gRNA), either can be linked within a self-contained single cassette (full gene-drive, fGD) or be provided in two separate elements (split gene-drive, sGD), the latter offering greater control options. We previously engineered split systems that could be converted genetically into autonomous full drives. Here, we examine such dual systems inserted at the spo11 locus that are recoded to restore gene function and thus organismic fertility. Despite minimal differences in transmission efficiency of the sGD or fGD drive elements in single generation crosses, the reconstituted spo11 fGD cassette surprisingly exhibits slower initial drive kinetics than the unlinked sGD element in multigenerational cage studies, but then eventually catches up to achieve a similar level of final introduction. These unexpected kinetic behaviors most likely reflect differing transient fitness costs associated with individuals co-inheriting Cas9 and gRNA transgenes during the drive process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerard Terradas
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.,Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.,Department of Entomology, The Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, and the Huck Institutes for the Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Jared B Bennett
- Biophysics Graduate Group, Division of Biological Sciences, College of Letters and Science, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Zhiqian Li
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.,Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - John M Marshall
- Divisions of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA.,Innovative Genomics Institute, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Ethan Bier
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA. .,Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
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9
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Gantz VM, Bier E. Active genetics comes alive: Exploring the broad applications of CRISPR-based selfish genetic elements (or gene-drives): Exploring the broad applications of CRISPR-based selfish genetic elements (or gene-drives). Bioessays 2022; 44:e2100279. [PMID: 35686327 PMCID: PMC9397133 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202100279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)-based "active genetic" elements developed in 2015 bypassed the fundamental rules of traditional genetics. Inherited in a super-Mendelian fashion, such selfish genetic entities offered a variety of potential applications including: gene-drives to disseminate gene cassettes carrying desired traits throughout insect populations to control disease vectors or pest species, allelic drives biasing inheritance of preferred allelic variants, neutralizing genetic elements to delete and replace or to halt the spread of gene-drives, split-drives with the core constituent Cas9 endonuclease and guide RNA (gRNA) components inserted at separate genomic locations to accelerate assembly of complex arrays of genetic traits or to gain genetic entry into novel organisms (vertebrates, plants, bacteria), and interhomolog based copying systems in somatic cells to develop tools for treating inherited or infectious diseases. Here, we summarize the substantial advances that have been made on all of these fronts and look forward to the next phase of this rapidly expanding and impactful field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentino M Gantz
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Ethan Bier
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, La Jolla, California, USA
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10
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Roy S, Juste SS, Sneider M, Auradkar A, Klanseck C, Li Z, Julio AHF, Lopez del Amo V, Bier E, Guichard A. Cas9/Nickase-induced allelic conversion by homologous chromosome-templated repair in Drosophila somatic cells. Sci Adv 2022; 8:eabo0721. [PMID: 35776792 PMCID: PMC10883370 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abo0721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Repair of double-strand breaks (DSBs) in somatic cells is primarily accomplished by error-prone nonhomologous end joining and less frequently by precise homology-directed repair preferentially using the sister chromatid as a template. Here, a Drosophila system performs efficient somatic repair of both DSBs and single-strand breaks (SSBs) using intact sequences from the homologous chromosome in a process we refer to as homologous chromosome-templated repair (HTR). Unexpectedly, HTR-mediated allelic conversion at the white locus was more efficient (40 to 65%) in response to SSBs induced by Cas9-derived nickases D10A or H840A than to DSBs induced by fully active Cas9 (20 to 30%). Repair phenotypes elicited by Nickase versus Cas9 differ in both developmental timing (late versus early stages, respectively) and the production of undesired mutagenic events (rare versus frequent). Nickase-mediated HTR represents an efficient and unanticipated mechanism for allelic correction, with far-reaching potential applications in the field of gene editing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sitara Roy
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0335, USA
| | - Sara Sanz Juste
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0335, USA
| | - Marketta Sneider
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0335, USA
| | - Ankush Auradkar
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0335, USA
| | - Carissa Klanseck
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0335, USA
| | - Zhiqian Li
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0335, USA
| | - Alison Henrique Ferreira Julio
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho 373, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902 RJ, Brazil
| | - Victor Lopez del Amo
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0335, USA
| | - Ethan Bier
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0335, USA
- Tata Institute for Genetics and Society-UCSD, La Jolla, CA 92093-0335, USA
| | - Annabel Guichard
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0335, USA
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11
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Chakraborty M, Ramaiah A, Adolfi A, Halas P, Kaduskar B, Ngo LT, Jayaprasad S, Paul K, Whadgar S, Srinivasan S, Subramani S, Bier E, James AA, Emerson JJ. Author Correction: Hidden genomic features of an invasive malaria vector, Anopheles stephensi, revealed by a chromosome-level genome assembly. BMC Biol 2022; 20:96. [PMID: 35501892 PMCID: PMC9059397 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-022-01314-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Mahul Chakraborty
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Arunachalam Ramaiah
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.,Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, 92093-0335, USA.,Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, Center at inStem, Bangalore, Karnataka, 560065, India
| | - Adriana Adolfi
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Paige Halas
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Bhagyashree Kaduskar
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, 92093-0335, USA.,Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, Center at inStem, Bangalore, Karnataka, 560065, India
| | - Luna Thanh Ngo
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Suvratha Jayaprasad
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, Bangalore, KA, 560100, India
| | - Kiran Paul
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, Bangalore, KA, 560100, India
| | - Saurabh Whadgar
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, Bangalore, KA, 560100, India
| | - Subhashini Srinivasan
- Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, Center at inStem, Bangalore, Karnataka, 560065, India.,Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, Bangalore, KA, 560100, India
| | - Suresh Subramani
- Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, Center at inStem, Bangalore, Karnataka, 560065, India.,Section of Molecular Biology, University of California, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, 92093-0322, USA.,Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, University of California, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, 92093-0335, USA
| | - Ethan Bier
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, 92093-0335, USA.,Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, University of California, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, 92093-0335, USA
| | - Anthony A James
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.,Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, University of California, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, 92093-0335, USA.,Department of Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - J J Emerson
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA. .,Center for Complex Biological Systems, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.
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12
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Kormos A, Lanzaro GC, Bier E, Santos V, Nazaré L, Pinto J, Aguiar dos Santos A, James AA. Ethical Considerations for Gene Drive: Challenges of Balancing Inclusion, Power and Perspectives. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:826727. [PMID: 35127663 PMCID: PMC8814439 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.826727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Progress in gene-drive research has stimulated discussion and debate on ethical issues including community engagement and consent, policy and governance, and decision-making involved in development and deployment. Many organizations, academic institutions, foundations, and individual professionals have contributed to ensuring that these issues are considered prior to the application of gene-drive technology. Central topics include co-development of the technology with local stakeholders and communities and reducing asymmetry between developers and end-users. Important questions include with whom to conduct engagement and how to define community acceptance, develop capacity-building activities, and regulate this technology. Experts, academics, and funders have suggested that global frameworks, standards, and guidelines be developed to direct research in answering these important questions. Additionally, it has been suggested that ethical principles or commitments be established to further guide research practices. The challenging and interesting contradiction that we explore here is that the vast majority of these conversations transpire with little or no input from potential end-users or stakeholders who, we contend, should ultimately determine the fate of the technology in their communities. The question arises, whose concerns regarding marginalization, disempowerment, and inequity should be included in discussions and decisions concerning how inequities are perceived and how they may be addressed? At what stage will true co-development occur and how will opinions, perspectives and knowledge held by low-income country stakeholders be applied in determining answers to the questions regarding the ethics being debated on the academic stage? Our opinion is that the time is now.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Kormos
- Vector Genetics Laboratory, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
- *Correspondence: Ana Kormos,
| | - Gregory C. Lanzaro
- Vector Genetics Laboratory, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Ethan Bier
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | | | - Lodney Nazaré
- United Nations Development Program, São Tomé, São Tomé and Príncipe
| | - João Pinto
- Vector Genetics Laboratory, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | - Anthony A. James
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, CA, Irvine, United States
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA, Irvine, United States
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13
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Kaduskar B, Kushwah RBS, Auradkar A, Guichard A, Li M, Bennett JB, Julio AHF, Marshall JM, Montell C, Bier E. Reversing insecticide resistance with allelic-drive in Drosophila melanogaster. Nat Commun 2022; 13:291. [PMID: 35022402 PMCID: PMC8755802 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27654-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
A recurring target-site mutation identified in various pests and disease vectors alters the voltage gated sodium channel (vgsc) gene (often referred to as knockdown resistance or kdr) to confer resistance to commonly used insecticides, pyrethroids and DDT. The ubiquity of kdr mutations poses a major global threat to the continued use of insecticides as a means for vector control. In this study, we generate common kdr mutations in isogenic laboratory Drosophila strains using CRISPR/Cas9 editing. We identify differential sensitivities to permethrin and DDT versus deltamethrin among these mutants as well as contrasting physiological consequences of two different kdr mutations. Importantly, we apply a CRISPR-based allelic-drive to replace a resistant kdr mutation with a susceptible wild-type counterpart in population cages. This successful proof-of-principle opens-up numerous possibilities including targeted reversion of insecticide-resistant populations to a native susceptible state or replacement of malaria transmitting mosquitoes with those bearing naturally occurring parasite resistant alleles. Insecticide resistance (IR) poses a major global health challenge. Here, the authors generate common IR mutations in laboratory Drosophila strains and use a CRISPR-based allelic-drive to replace an IR allele with a susceptible wild-type counterpart, providing a potent new tool for vector control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhagyashree Kaduskar
- Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, Center at inStem, Bangalore, Karnataka, 560065, India.,Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.,Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Raja Babu Singh Kushwah
- Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, Center at inStem, Bangalore, Karnataka, 560065, India.,Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.,Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Ankush Auradkar
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Annabel Guichard
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.,Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Menglin Li
- Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106, USA.,Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106, USA
| | - Jared B Bennett
- Biophysics Graduate Group, Division of Biological Sciences, College of Letters and Science, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | | | - John M Marshall
- Division of Biostatistics and Epidemiology - School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA.,Innovative Genomics Institute, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Craig Montell
- Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106, USA.,Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106, USA
| | - Ethan Bier
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA. .,Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
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14
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Abstract
Gene drives are selfish genetic elements that are transmitted to progeny at super-Mendelian (>50%) frequencies. Recently developed CRISPR-Cas9-based gene-drive systems are highly efficient in laboratory settings, offering the potential to reduce the prevalence of vector-borne diseases, crop pests and non-native invasive species. However, concerns have been raised regarding the potential unintended impacts of gene-drive systems. This Review summarizes the phenomenal progress in this field, focusing on optimal design features for full-drive elements (drives with linked Cas9 and guide RNA components) that either suppress target mosquito populations or modify them to prevent pathogen transmission, allelic drives for updating genetic elements, mitigating strategies including trans-complementing split-drives and genetic neutralizing elements, and the adaptation of drive technology to other organisms. These scientific advances, combined with ethical and social considerations, will facilitate the transparent and responsible advancement of these technologies towards field implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ethan Bier
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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15
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Weitzel AJ, Grunwald HA, Weber C, Levina R, Gantz VM, Hedrick SM, Bier E, Cooper KL. Meiotic Cas9 expression mediates gene conversion in the male and female mouse germline. PLoS Biol 2021; 19:e3001478. [PMID: 34941868 PMCID: PMC8699911 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Highly efficient gene conversion systems have the potential to facilitate the study of complex genetic traits using laboratory mice and, if implemented as a "gene drive," to limit loss of biodiversity and disease transmission caused by wild rodent populations. We previously showed that such a system of gene conversion from heterozygous to homozygous after a sequence targeted CRISPR/Cas9 double-strand DNA break (DSB) is feasible in the female mouse germline. In the male germline, however, all DSBs were instead repaired by end joining (EJ) mechanisms to form an "insertion/deletion" (indel) mutation. These observations suggested that timing Cas9 expression to coincide with meiosis I is critical to favor conditions when homologous chromosomes are aligned and interchromosomal homology-directed repair (HDR) mechanisms predominate. Here, using a Cas9 knock-in allele at the Spo11 locus, we show that meiotic expression of Cas9 does indeed mediate gene conversion in the male as well as in the female germline. However, the low frequency of both HDR and indel mutation in both male and female germlines suggests that Cas9 may be expressed from the Spo11 locus at levels too low for efficient DSB formation. We suggest that more robust Cas9 expression initiated during early meiosis I may improve the efficiency of gene conversion and further increase the rate of "super-mendelian" inheritance from both male and female mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander J. Weitzel
- Division of Biological Sciences, Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Hannah A. Grunwald
- Division of Biological Sciences, Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Ceri Weber
- Division of Biological Sciences, Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Rimma Levina
- Division of Biological Sciences, Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Valentino M. Gantz
- Division of Biological Sciences, Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Stephen M. Hedrick
- Division of Biological Sciences, Section of Molecular Biology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Ethan Bier
- Division of Biological Sciences, Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
- Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Kimberly L. Cooper
- Division of Biological Sciences, Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
- Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
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16
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Terradas G, Hermann A, James AA, McGinnis W, Bier E. High-resolution in situ analysis of Cas9 germline transcript distributions in gene-drive Anopheles mosquitoes. G3 (Bethesda) 2021; 12:6428532. [PMID: 34791161 PMCID: PMC8728002 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkab369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Gene drives are programmable genetic elements that can spread beneficial traits into wild populations to aid in vector-borne pathogen control. Two different drives have been developed for population modification of mosquito vectors. The Reckh drive (vasa-Cas9) in Anopheles stephensi displays efficient allelic conversion through males but generates frequent drive-resistant mutant alleles when passed through females. In contrast, the AgNos-Cd1 drive (nos-Cas9) in An. gambiae achieves almost complete allelic conversion through both genders. Here, we examined the subcellular localization of RNA transcripts in the mosquito germline. In both transgenic lines, Cas9 is strictly co-expressed with endogenous genes in stem and pre-meiotic cells of the testes, where both drives display highly efficient conversion. However, we observed distinct co-localization patterns for the two drives in female reproductive tissues. These studies suggest potential determinants underlying efficient drive through the female germline. We also evaluated expression patterns of alternative germline genes for future gene-drive designs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerard Terradas
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.,Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Anita Hermann
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.,Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Anthony A James
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.,Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - William McGinnis
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Ethan Bier
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.,Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
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17
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Auradkar A, Bulger EA, Devkota S, McGinnis W, Bier E. Dissecting the evolutionary role of the Hox gene proboscipedia in Drosophila mouthpart diversification by full locus replacement. Sci Adv 2021; 7:eabk1003. [PMID: 34757777 PMCID: PMC8580299 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abk1003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Hox genes determine positional codes along the head-to-tail axis. Here, we replaced the entire Drosophila melanogaster proboscipedia (pb) Hox locus, which controls the development of the proboscis and maxillary palps, with that from Drosophila mimica, a related species with highly modified mouthparts. The D. mimica replacement rescues most aspects of adult proboscis morphology; however, the shape and orientation of maxillary palps were modified, resembling D. mimica and closely related species. Expressing the D. mimica Pb protein in the D. melanogaster pattern fully rescued D. melanogaster morphology. However, the expression pattern directed by D. mimica pb cis-regulatory sequences differed from that of D. melanogaster pb in cells that produce altered maxillary structures, indicating that pb regulatory sequences can evolve in related species to alter morphology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ankush Auradkar
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Tata Institute for Genetics and Society-UCSD, La Jolla, CA 92093-0335, USA
| | - Emily A. Bulger
- Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Graduate Program, University of California San Francisco, and Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Sushil Devkota
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - William McGinnis
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Ethan Bier
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Tata Institute for Genetics and Society-UCSD, La Jolla, CA 92093-0335, USA
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18
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Bier E, Nizet V. Driving to Safety: CRISPR-Based Genetic Approaches to Reducing Antibiotic Resistance. Trends Genet 2021; 37:745-757. [PMID: 33745750 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2021.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Bacterial resistance to antibiotics has reached critical levels, skyrocketing in hospitals and the environment and posing a major threat to global public health. The complex and challenging problem of reducing antibiotic resistance (AR) requires a network of both societal and science-based solutions to preserve the most lifesaving pharmaceutical intervention known to medicine. In addition to developing new classes of antibiotics, it is essential to safeguard the clinical efficacy of existing drugs. In this review, we examine the potential application of novel CRISPR-based genetic approaches to reducing AR in both environmental and clinical settings and prolonging the utility of vital antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ethan Bier
- Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0349, USA; Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0349, USA.
| | - Victor Nizet
- Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0349, USA; Collaborative to Halt Antibiotic-Resistant Microbes, Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0687, USA; Skaggs School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0687, USA
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19
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Li Z, Marcel N, Devkota S, Auradkar A, Hedrick SM, Gantz VM, Bier E. CopyCatchers are versatile active genetic elements that detect and quantify inter-homolog somatic gene conversion. Nat Commun 2021; 12:2625. [PMID: 33976171 PMCID: PMC8113449 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-22927-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
CRISPR-based active genetic elements, or gene-drives, copied via homology-directed repair (HDR) in the germline, are transmitted to progeny at super-Mendelian frequencies. Active genetic elements also can generate widespread somatic mutations, but the genetic basis for such phenotypes remains uncertain. It is generally assumed that such somatic mutations are generated by non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ), the predominant double stranded break repair pathway active in somatic cells. Here, we develop CopyCatcher systems in Drosophila to detect and quantify somatic gene conversion (SGC) events. CopyCatchers inserted into two independent genetic loci reveal unexpectedly high rates of SGC in the Drosophila eye and thoracic epidermis. Focused RNAi-based genetic screens identify several unanticipated loci altering SGC efficiency, one of which (c-MYC), when downregulated, promotes SGC mediated by both plasmid and homologous chromosome-templates in human HEK293T cells. Collectively, these studies suggest that CopyCatchers can serve as effective discovery platforms to inform potential gene therapy strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiqian Li
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Nimi Marcel
- Section of Molecular Biology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Sushil Devkota
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Ankush Auradkar
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Stephen M Hedrick
- Section of Molecular Biology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Valentino M Gantz
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Ethan Bier
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
- Tata Institute for Genetics and Society-UCSD, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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20
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Terradas G, Buchman AB, Bennett JB, Shriner I, Marshall JM, Akbari OS, Bier E. Inherently confinable split-drive systems in Drosophila. Nat Commun 2021; 12:1480. [PMID: 33674604 PMCID: PMC7935863 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-21771-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
CRISPR-based gene-drive systems, which copy themselves via gene conversion mediated by the homology-directed repair (HDR) pathway, have the potential to revolutionize vector control. However, mutant alleles generated by the competing non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) pathway, resistant to Cas9 cleavage, can interrupt the spread of gene-drive elements. We hypothesized that drives targeting genes essential for viability or reproduction also carrying recoded sequences that restore endogenous gene functionality should benefit from dominantly-acting maternal clearance of NHEJ alleles combined with recessive Mendelian culling processes. Here, we test split gene-drive (sGD) systems in Drosophila melanogaster that are inserted into essential genes required for viability (rab5, rab11, prosalpha2) or fertility (spo11). In single generation crosses, sGDs copy with variable efficiencies and display sex-biased transmission. In multigenerational cage trials, sGDs follow distinct drive trajectories reflecting their differential tendencies to induce target chromosome damage and/or lethal/sterile mosaic Cas9-dependent phenotypes, leading to inherently confinable drive outcomes. NHEJ alleles and Cas9 remnants after a gene drive introduction are scientific and public concerns. Here, the authors use split drives with recoded rescue elements to target essential genes and minimize the appearance of NHEJ alleles while also leaving no trace of Cas9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerard Terradas
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.,Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Anna B Buchman
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Jared B Bennett
- Biophysics Graduate Group, Division of Biological Sciences, College of Letters and Science, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Isaiah Shriner
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - John M Marshall
- Divisions of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.,Innovative Genomics Institute, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Omar S Akbari
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Ethan Bier
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA. .,Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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21
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Kormos A, Lanzaro GC, Bier E, Dimopoulos G, Marshall JM, Pinto J, Aguiar dos Santos A, Bacar A, Sousa Pontes Sacramento Rompão H, James AA. Application of the Relationship-Based Model to Engagement for Field Trials of Genetically Engineered Malaria Vectors. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2021; 104:805-811. [PMID: 33350374 PMCID: PMC7941841 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.20-0868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The transition of new technologies for public health from laboratory to field is accompanied by a broadening scope of engagement challenges. Recent developments of vector control strategies involving genetically engineered mosquitoes with gene drives to assist in the eradication of malaria have drawn significant attention. Notably, questions have arisen surrounding community and regulatory engagement activities and of the need for examples of models or frameworks that can be applied to guide engagement. A relationship-based model (RBM) provides a framework that places stakeholders and community members at the center of decision-making processes, rather than as recipients of predetermined strategies, methods, and definitions. Successful RBM application in the transformation of healthcare delivery has demonstrated the importance of open dialogue and relationship development in establishing an environment where individuals are actively engaged in decision-making processes regarding their health. Although guidelines and recommendations for engagement for gene drives have recently been described, we argue here that communities and stakeholders should lead the planning, development, and implementation phases of engagement. The RBM provides a new approach to the development of ethical, transparent, and effective engagement strategies for malaria control programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Kormos
- Vector Genetics Laboratory, University of California, Davis, California;,Address correspondence to Ana Kormos, Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, Davis, 1089 Veterinary Medicine Dr., Davis, CA 95616. E-mail:
| | | | - Ethan Bier
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, California;,Tata Institute for Genetics and Society (TIGS)-UCSD, San Diego, California
| | - George Dimopoulos
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Malaria Research Institute (JHMRI), Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - John M. Marshall
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, California;,Innovative Genomics Institute, Berkeley, California
| | - João Pinto
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | - Affane Bacar
- Ministry of Health, Programme Nationale de Lutte Contre le Paludisme, Moroni, Union of the Comoros
| | | | - Anthony A. James
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, California;,Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, California
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22
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Chakraborty M, Ramaiah A, Adolfi A, Halas P, Kaduskar B, Ngo LT, Jayaprasad S, Paul K, Whadgar S, Srinivasan S, Subramani S, Bier E, James AA, Emerson JJ. Hidden genomic features of an invasive malaria vector, Anopheles stephensi, revealed by a chromosome-level genome assembly. BMC Biol 2021; 19:28. [PMID: 33568145 PMCID: PMC7876825 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-021-00963-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The mosquito Anopheles stephensi is a vector of urban malaria in Asia that recently invaded Africa. Studying the genetic basis of vectorial capacity and engineering genetic interventions are both impeded by limitations of a vector's genome assembly. The existing assemblies of An. stephensi are draft-quality and contain thousands of sequence gaps, potentially missing genetic elements important for its biology and evolution. RESULTS To access previously intractable genomic regions, we generated a reference-grade genome assembly and full transcript annotations that achieve a new standard for reference genomes of disease vectors. Here, we report novel species-specific transposable element (TE) families and insertions in functional genetic elements, demonstrating the widespread role of TEs in genome evolution and phenotypic variation. We discovered 29 previously hidden members of insecticide resistance genes, uncovering new candidate genetic elements for the widespread insecticide resistance observed in An. stephensi. We identified 2.4 Mb of the Y chromosome and seven new male-linked gene candidates, representing the most extensive coverage of the Y chromosome in any mosquito. By tracking full-length mRNA for > 15 days following blood feeding, we discover distinct roles of previously uncharacterized genes in blood metabolism and female reproduction. The Y-linked heterochromatin landscape reveals extensive accumulation of long-terminal repeat retrotransposons throughout the evolution and degeneration of this chromosome. Finally, we identify a novel Y-linked putative transcription factor that is expressed constitutively throughout male development and adulthood, suggesting an important role. CONCLUSION Collectively, these results and resources underscore the significance of previously hidden genomic elements in the biology of malaria mosquitoes and will accelerate the development of genetic control strategies of malaria transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahul Chakraborty
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Arunachalam Ramaiah
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0335, USA
- Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, Center at inStem, Bangalore, Karnataka, 560065, India
| | - Adriana Adolfi
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Paige Halas
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Bhagyashree Kaduskar
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0335, USA
- Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, Center at inStem, Bangalore, Karnataka, 560065, India
| | - Luna Thanh Ngo
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Suvratha Jayaprasad
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, Bangalore, KA, 560100, India
| | - Kiran Paul
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, Bangalore, KA, 560100, India
| | - Saurabh Whadgar
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, Bangalore, KA, 560100, India
| | - Subhashini Srinivasan
- Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, Center at inStem, Bangalore, Karnataka, 560065, India
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, Bangalore, KA, 560100, India
| | - Suresh Subramani
- Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, Center at inStem, Bangalore, Karnataka, 560065, India
- Section of Molecular Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0322, USA
- Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0335, USA
| | - Ethan Bier
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0335, USA
- Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0335, USA
| | - Anthony A James
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
- Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0335, USA
- Department of Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - J J Emerson
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.
- Center for Complex Biological Systems, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.
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23
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Adolfi A, Gantz VM, Jasinskiene N, Lee HF, Hwang K, Terradas G, Bulger EA, Ramaiah A, Bennett JB, Emerson JJ, Marshall JM, Bier E, James AA. Efficient population modification gene-drive rescue system in the malaria mosquito Anopheles stephensi. Nat Commun 2020; 11:5553. [PMID: 33144570 PMCID: PMC7609566 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-19426-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Cas9/gRNA-mediated gene-drive systems have advanced development of genetic technologies for controlling vector-borne pathogen transmission. These technologies include population suppression approaches, genetic analogs of insecticidal techniques that reduce the number of insect vectors, and population modification (replacement/alteration) approaches, which interfere with competence to transmit pathogens. Here, we develop a recoded gene-drive rescue system for population modification of the malaria vector, Anopheles stephensi, that relieves the load in females caused by integration of the drive into the kynurenine hydroxylase gene by rescuing its function. Non-functional resistant alleles are eliminated via a dominantly-acting maternal effect combined with slower-acting standard negative selection, and rare functional resistant alleles do not prevent drive invasion. Small cage trials show that single releases of gene-drive males robustly result in efficient population modification with ≥95% of mosquitoes carrying the drive within 5-11 generations over a range of initial release ratios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Adolfi
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697-3900, USA
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Vector Biology Department, L3 5QA, Liverpool, UK
| | - Valentino M Gantz
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0349, USA
| | - Nijole Jasinskiene
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697-3900, USA
| | - Hsu-Feng Lee
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697-3900, USA
| | - Kristy Hwang
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697-3900, USA
| | - Gerard Terradas
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0349, USA
- Tata Institute for Genetics and Society (TIGS)-UCSD, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0335, USA
| | - Emily A Bulger
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0349, USA
- Tata Institute for Genetics and Society (TIGS)-UCSD, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0335, USA
- Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Graduate Program, University of California, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
- The Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
| | - Arunachalam Ramaiah
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697-2525, USA
- Tata Institute for Genetics and Society (TIGS)-India, Bangalore, KA, 560065, India
| | - Jared B Bennett
- Biophysics Graduate Group, Division of Biological Sciences, College of Letters and Science, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - J J Emerson
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697-2525, USA
| | - John M Marshall
- Division of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
- Innovative Genomics Institute, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Ethan Bier
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0349, USA
- Tata Institute for Genetics and Society (TIGS)-UCSD, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0335, USA
| | - Anthony A James
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697-3900, USA.
- Department of Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697-4025, USA.
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Rankine L, Wang Z, Bier E, Kelsey C, Marks L, Driehuys B, Das S. Pulmonary Gas Exchange-guided Functional Avoidance Treatment Planning for Thoracic Radiation Therapy Using Hyperpolarized 129Xe Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2020.07.2281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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25
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Xu XRS, Bulger EA, Gantz VM, Klanseck C, Heimler SR, Auradkar A, Bennett JB, Miller LA, Leahy S, Juste SS, Buchman A, Akbari OS, Marshall JM, Bier E. Active Genetic Neutralizing Elements for Halting or Deleting Gene Drives. Mol Cell 2020; 80:246-262.e4. [PMID: 32949493 PMCID: PMC10962758 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2020.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2019] [Revised: 05/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas9-based gene drive systems possess the inherent capacity to spread progressively throughout target populations. Here we describe two self-copying (or active) guide RNA-only genetic elements, called e-CHACRs and ERACRs. These elements use Cas9 produced in trans by a gene drive either to inactivate the cas9 transgene (e-CHACRs) or to delete and replace the gene drive (ERACRs). e-CHACRs can be inserted at various genomic locations and carry two or more gRNAs, the first copying the e-CHACR and the second mutating and inactivating the cas9 transgene. Alternatively, ERACRs are inserted at the same genomic location as a gene drive, carrying two gRNAs that cut on either side of the gene drive to excise it. e-CHACRs efficiently inactivate Cas9 and can drive to completion in cage experiments. Similarly, ERACRs, particularly those carrying a recoded cDNA-restoring endogenous gene activity, can drive reliably to fully replace a gene drive. We compare the strengths of these two systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang-Ru Shannon Xu
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Emily A Bulger
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Graduate Program, University of California, San Francisco, and Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Valentino M Gantz
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Carissa Klanseck
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Stephanie R Heimler
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Ankush Auradkar
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Jared B Bennett
- Biophysics Graduate Group, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Lauren Ashley Miller
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Sarah Leahy
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Sara Sanz Juste
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Anna Buchman
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Omar S Akbari
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - John M Marshall
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA; Innovative Genomics Institute, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Ethan Bier
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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26
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Cheung C, Gamez S, Carballar-Lejarazú R, Ferman V, Vásquez VN, Terradas G, Ishikawa J, Schairer CE, Bier E, Marshall JM, James AA, Akbari OS, Bloss CS. Translating gene drive science to promote linguistic diversity in community and stakeholder engagement. Glob Public Health 2020; 15:1551-1565. [PMID: 32589115 DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2020.1779328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Information about genetic engineering (GE) for vector control in the United States is disseminated primarily in English, though non-English speakers are equally, and in some geographic regions even more affected by such technologies. Non-English-speaking publics should have equal access to such information, which is especially critical when the technology in question may impact whole communities. We convened an interdisciplinary workgroup to translate previously developed narrated slideshows on gene drive mosquitoes from English into Spanish, reviewing each iteration for scientific accuracy and accessibility to laypeople. Using the finalised stimuli, we conducted five online, chat-based focus groups with Spanish-speaking adults from California. Overall, participants expressed interest in the topic and were able to summarise the information presented in their own words. Importantly, participants asked for clarification and expressed scepticism about the information presented, indicating critical engagement with the material. Through collaboration with Spanish-speaking scientists engaged in the development of GE methods of vector control, we translated highly technical scientific information into Spanish that successfully engaged Spanish-speaking participants in conversations about this topic. In this manuscript, we document the feasibility of consulting Spanish-speaking publics about a complex emerging technology by drawing on the linguistic diversity of the scientific teams developing the technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia Cheung
- The Qualcomm Institute, Calit2, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Stephanie Gamez
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | | | - Victor Ferman
- Division of Biostatistics & Epidemiology, School of Public Health, UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Váleri N Vásquez
- Division of Biostatistics & Epidemiology, School of Public Health, UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA.,Innovative Genomics Institute, UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA.,Energy and Resources Group, UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA.,Berkeley Institute for Data Science, UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Gerard Terradas
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.,Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Judy Ishikawa
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Cynthia E Schairer
- Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, School of Medicine, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Ethan Bier
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.,Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - John M Marshall
- Division of Biostatistics & Epidemiology, School of Public Health, UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA.,Innovative Genomics Institute, UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Anthony A James
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, UC Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA.,Department of Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, UC Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Omar S Akbari
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.,Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Cinnamon S Bloss
- The Qualcomm Institute, Calit2, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.,Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, School of Medicine, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
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Schwartz R, Guichard A, Franc NC, Roy S, Bier E. A Drosophila Model for Clostridium difficile Toxin CDT Reveals Interactions with Multiple Effector Pathways. iScience 2020; 23:100865. [PMID: 32058973 PMCID: PMC7011083 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2020.100865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2019] [Revised: 12/05/2019] [Accepted: 01/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Clostridium difficile infections (CDIs) cause severe and occasionally life-threatening diarrhea. Hyper-virulent strains produce CDT, a toxin that ADP-ribosylates actin monomers and inhibits actin polymerization. We created transgenic Drosophila lines expressing the catalytic subunit CDTa to investigate its interaction with host signaling pathways in vivo. When expressed in the midgut, CDTa reduces body weight and fecal output and compromises survival, suggesting severe impairment of digestive functions. At the cellular level, CDTa induces F-actin network collapse, elimination of the intestinal brush border, and disruption of intercellular junctions. We confirm toxin-dependent re-distribution of Rab11 to enterocytes' apical surface and observe suppression of CDTa phenotypes by a Dominant-Negative form of Rab11 or RNAi of the dedicated Rab11GEF Crag (DENND4). We also report that Calmodulin (Cam) is required to mediate CDTa activity. In parallel, chemical inhibition of the Cam/Calcineurin pathway by Cyclosporin A or FK506 also reduces CDTa phenotypes, potentially opening new avenues for treating CDIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth Schwartz
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0335, USA
| | - Annabel Guichard
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0335, USA; Tata Institute for Genetics and Society-UCSD, La Jolla, CA 92093-0335, USA
| | - Nathalie C Franc
- Franc Consulting, San Diego, CA 92117-3314, USA; The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Sitara Roy
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0335, USA
| | - Ethan Bier
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0335, USA; Tata Institute for Genetics and Society-UCSD, La Jolla, CA 92093-0335, USA.
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28
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Kandul NP, Liu J, Buchman A, Gantz VM, Bier E, Akbari OS. Assessment of a Split Homing Based Gene Drive for Efficient Knockout of Multiple Genes. G3 (Bethesda) 2020; 10:827-837. [PMID: 31882406 PMCID: PMC7003086 DOI: 10.1534/g3.119.400985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2019] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Homing based gene drives (HGD) possess the potential to spread linked cargo genes into natural populations and are poised to revolutionize population control of animals. Given that host encoded genes have been identified that are important for pathogen transmission, targeting these genes using guide RNAs as cargo genes linked to drives may provide a robust method to prevent disease transmission. However, effectiveness of the inclusion of additional guide RNAs that target separate genes has not been thoroughly explored. To test this approach, we generated a split-HGD in Drosophila melanogaster that encoded a drive linked effector consisting of a second gRNA engineered to target a separate host-encoded gene, which we term a gRNA-mediated effector (GME). This design enabled us to assess homing and knockout efficiencies of two target genes simultaneously, and also explore the timing and tissue specificity of Cas9 expression on cleavage/homing rates. We demonstrate that inclusion of a GME can result in high efficiency of disruption of both genes during super-Mendelian propagation of split-HGD. Furthermore, both genes were knocked out one generation earlier than expected indicating the robust somatic expression of Cas9 driven by Drosophila germline-limited promoters. We also assess the efficiency of 'shadow drive' generated by maternally deposited Cas9 protein and accumulation of drive-induced resistance alleles along multiple generations, and discuss design principles of HGD that could mitigate the accumulation of resistance alleles while incorporating a GME.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Junru Liu
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology and
| | | | | | - Ethan Bier
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology and
- Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093
| | - Omar S Akbari
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology and
- Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093
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29
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López Del Amo V, Bishop AL, Sánchez C HM, Bennett JB, Feng X, Marshall JM, Bier E, Gantz VM. A transcomplementing gene drive provides a flexible platform for laboratory investigation and potential field deployment. Nat Commun 2020; 11:352. [PMID: 31953404 PMCID: PMC6969112 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-13977-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
CRISPR-based gene drives can spread through wild populations by biasing their own transmission above the 50% value predicted by Mendelian inheritance. These technologies offer population-engineering solutions for combating vector-borne diseases, managing crop pests, and supporting ecosystem conservation efforts. Current technologies raise safety concerns for unintended gene propagation. Herein, we address such concerns by splitting the drive components, Cas9 and gRNAs, into separate alleles to form a trans-complementing split-gene-drive (tGD) and demonstrate its ability to promote super-Mendelian inheritance of the separate transgenes. This dual-component configuration allows for combinatorial transgene optimization and increases safety by restricting escape concerns to experimentation windows. We employ the tGD and a small-molecule-controlled version to investigate the biology of component inheritance and resistant allele formation, and to study the effects of maternal inheritance and impaired homology on efficiency. Lastly, mathematical modeling of tGD spread within populations reveals potential advantages for improving current gene-drive technologies for field population modification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Víctor López Del Amo
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Alena L Bishop
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Héctor M Sánchez C
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Jared B Bennett
- Biophysics Graduate Group, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Xuechun Feng
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - John M Marshall
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Ethan Bier
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0349, USA
| | - Valentino M Gantz
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
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Grunwald HA, Gantz VM, Poplawski G, Xu XRS, Bier E, Cooper KL. Author Correction: Super-Mendelian inheritance mediated by CRISPR-Cas9 in the female mouse germline. Nature 2020; 577:E8. [PMID: 31911657 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-019-1861-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
An Amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah A Grunwald
- Division of Biological Sciences, Section of Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Valentino M Gantz
- Division of Biological Sciences, Section of Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Gunnar Poplawski
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Xiang-Ru S Xu
- Division of Biological Sciences, Section of Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Ethan Bier
- Division of Biological Sciences, Section of Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Kimberly L Cooper
- Division of Biological Sciences, Section of Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
- Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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Valderrama JA, Kulkarni SS, Nizet V, Bier E. A bacterial gene-drive system efficiently edits and inactivates a high copy number antibiotic resistance locus. Nat Commun 2019; 10:5726. [PMID: 31844051 PMCID: PMC6915771 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-13649-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2019] [Accepted: 11/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene-drive systems in diploid organisms bias the inheritance of one allele over another. CRISPR-based gene-drive expresses a guide RNA (gRNA) into the genome at the site where the gRNA directs Cas9-mediated cleavage. In the presence of Cas9, the gRNA cassette and any linked cargo sequences are copied via homology-directed repair (HDR) onto the homologous chromosome. Here, we develop an analogous CRISPR-based gene-drive system for the bacterium Escherichia coli that efficiently copies a gRNA cassette and adjacent cargo flanked with sequences homologous to the targeted gRNA/Cas9 cleavage site. This "pro-active" genetic system (Pro-AG) functionally inactivates an antibiotic resistance marker on a high copy number plasmid with ~ 100-fold greater efficiency than control CRISPR-based methods, suggesting an amplifying positive feedback loop due to increasing gRNA dosage. Pro-AG can likewise effectively edit large plasmids or single-copy genomic targets or introduce functional genes, foreshadowing potential applications to biotechnology or biomedicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Andrés Valderrama
- Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0349, USA
- Collaborative to Halt Antibiotic-Resistant Microbes, Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0760, USA
| | - Surashree S Kulkarni
- Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0349, USA
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0349, USA
| | - Victor Nizet
- Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0349, USA.
- Collaborative to Halt Antibiotic-Resistant Microbes, Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0760, USA.
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0760, USA.
| | - Ethan Bier
- Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0349, USA.
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0349, USA.
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Guichard A, Haque T, Bobik M, Xu XRS, Klanseck C, Kushwah RBS, Berni M, Kaduskar B, Gantz VM, Bier E. Efficient allelic-drive in Drosophila. Nat Commun 2019; 10:1640. [PMID: 30967548 PMCID: PMC6456580 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-09694-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2018] [Accepted: 03/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Gene-drive systems developed in several organisms result in super-Mendelian inheritance of transgenic insertions. Here, we generalize this "active genetic" approach to preferentially transmit allelic variants (allelic-drive) resulting from only a single or a few nucleotide alterations. We test two configurations for allelic-drive: one, copy-cutting, in which a non-preferred allele is selectively targeted for Cas9/guide RNA (gRNA) cleavage, and a more general approach, copy-grafting, that permits selective inheritance of a desired allele located in close proximity to the gRNA cut site. We also characterize a phenomenon we refer to as lethal-mosaicism that dominantly eliminates NHEJ-induced mutations and favors inheritance of functional cleavage-resistant alleles. These two efficient allelic-drive methods, enhanced by lethal mosaicism and a trans-generational drive process we refer to as "shadow-drive", have broad practical applications in improving health and agriculture and greatly extend the active genetics toolbox.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annabel Guichard
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0335, USA
| | - Tisha Haque
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0335, USA
| | - Marketta Bobik
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0335, USA
| | - Xiang-Ru S Xu
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0335, USA
| | - Carissa Klanseck
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0335, USA
| | - Raja Babu Singh Kushwah
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0335, USA
- Tata Institute for Genetics and Society-India (TIGS), TIGS Center at inStem, Bangalore, 560065, India
| | - Mateus Berni
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho 373, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902, RJ, Brazil
- Post-graduate Program in Morphological Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (PCM/UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902, RJ, Brazil
| | - Bhagyashree Kaduskar
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0335, USA
- Tata Institute for Genetics and Society-India (TIGS), TIGS Center at inStem, Bangalore, 560065, India
| | - Valentino M Gantz
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0335, USA
| | - Ethan Bier
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0335, USA.
- Tata Institute for Genetics and Society-UCSD, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0335, USA.
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Grunwald HA, Gantz VM, Poplawski G, Xu XRS, Bier E, Cooper KL. Super-Mendelian inheritance mediated by CRISPR-Cas9 in the female mouse germline. Nature 2019; 566:105-109. [PMID: 30675057 PMCID: PMC6367021 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-019-0875-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 136] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2018] [Accepted: 12/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
A gene drive biases the transmission of one of the two copies of a gene such that it is inherited more frequently than by random segregation. Highly efficient gene drive systems have recently been developed in insects, which leverage the sequence-targeted DNA cleavage activity of CRISPR-Cas9 and endogenous homology-directed repair mechanisms to convert heterozygous genotypes to homozygosity1-4. If implemented in laboratory rodents, similar systems would enable the rapid assembly of currently impractical genotypes that involve multiple homozygous genes (for example, to model multigenic human diseases). To our knowledge, however, such a system has not yet been demonstrated in mammals. Here we use an active genetic element that encodes a guide RNA, which is embedded in the mouse tyrosinase (Tyr) gene, to evaluate whether targeted gene conversion can occur when CRISPR-Cas9 is active in the early embryo or in the developing germline. Although Cas9 efficiently induces double-stranded DNA breaks in the early embryo and male germline, these breaks are not corrected by homology-directed repair. By contrast, Cas9 expression limited to the female germline induces double-stranded breaks that are corrected by homology-directed repair, which copies the active genetic element from the donor to the receiver chromosome and increases its rate of inheritance in the next generation. These results demonstrate the feasibility of CRISPR-Cas9-mediated systems that bias inheritance of desired alleles in mice and that have the potential to transform the use of rodent models in basic and biomedical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah A Grunwald
- Division of Biological Sciences, Section of Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Valentino M Gantz
- Division of Biological Sciences, Section of Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Gunnar Poplawski
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Xiang-Ru S Xu
- Division of Biological Sciences, Section of Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Ethan Bier
- Division of Biological Sciences, Section of Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Kimberly L Cooper
- Division of Biological Sciences, Section of Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
- Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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Adelman Z, Akbari O, Bauer J, Bier E, Bloss C, Carter SR, Callender C, Denis ACS, Cowhey P, Dass B, Delborne J, Devereaux M, Ellsworth P, Friedman RM, Gantz V, Gibson C, Hay BA, Hoddle M, James AA, James S, Jorgenson L, Kalichman M, Marshall J, McGinnis W, Newman J, Pearson A, Quemada H, Rudenko L, Shelton A, Vinetz JM, Weisman J, Wong B, Wozniak C. Rules of the road for insect gene drive research and testing. Nat Biotechnol 2019; 35:716-718. [PMID: 28787415 DOI: 10.1038/nbt.3926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Zach Adelman
- Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Omar Akbari
- University of California Riverside, Riverside, California, USA
| | - John Bauer
- University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Ethan Bier
- University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Cinnamon Bloss
- University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | | | - Craig Callender
- University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | | | - Peter Cowhey
- University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Brinda Dass
- US Food and Drug Administration, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Jason Delborne
- North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Mary Devereaux
- University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | | | | | - Valentino Gantz
- University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Clark Gibson
- University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Bruce A Hay
- California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, USA
| | - Mark Hoddle
- University of California Riverside, Riverside, California, USA
| | | | | | - Lyric Jorgenson
- Office of Science Policy, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | | | - John Marshall
- University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | | | - Jack Newman
- Zagaya Foundation, Emeryville, California, USA
| | - Alan Pearson
- Animal Plant Health Inspection Service, US Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Hector Quemada
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Larisa Rudenko
- US Food and Drug Administration, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Joseph M Vinetz
- University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | | | - Brenda Wong
- University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Chris Wozniak
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, USA
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Negreiros E, Herszterg S, Kang KH, Câmara A, Dias WB, Carneiro K, Bier E, Todeschini AR, Araujo H. N-linked glycosylation restricts the function of Short gastrulation to bind and shuttle BMPs. Development 2018; 145:dev.167338. [PMID: 30355725 DOI: 10.1242/dev.167338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2018] [Accepted: 08/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Disorders of N-linked glycosylation are increasingly reported in the literature. However, the targets that are responsible for the associated developmental and physiological defects are largely unknown. Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) act as highly dynamic complexes to regulate several functions during development. The range and strength of BMP activity depend on interactions with glycosylated protein complexes in the extracellular milieu. Here, we investigate the role of glycosylation for the function of the conserved extracellular BMP antagonist Short gastrulation (Sog). We identify conserved N-glycosylated sites and describe the effect of mutating these residues on BMP pathway activity in Drosophila Functional analysis reveals that loss of individual Sog glycosylation sites enhances BMP antagonism and/or increases the spatial range of Sog effects in the tissue. Mechanistically, we provide evidence that N-terminal and stem glycosylation controls extracellular Sog levels and distribution. The identification of similar residues in vertebrate Chordin proteins suggests that N-glycosylation may be an evolutionarily conserved process that adds complexity to the regulation of BMP activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika Negreiros
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil, 21941-902.,Institute of Biophysics Carlos Chagas Filho, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil, 21941-902
| | - Sophie Herszterg
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil, 21941-902
| | - Kyung-Hwa Kang
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California at San Diego, CA 92093-0349, USA
| | - Amanda Câmara
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil, 21941-902.,Institute of Biophysics Carlos Chagas Filho, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil, 21941-902
| | - Wagner B Dias
- Institute of Biophysics Carlos Chagas Filho, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil, 21941-902
| | - Katia Carneiro
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil, 21941-902
| | - Ethan Bier
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California at San Diego, CA 92093-0349, USA
| | - Adriane Regina Todeschini
- Institute of Biophysics Carlos Chagas Filho, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil, 21941-902
| | - Helena Araujo
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil, 21941-902 .,Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Brasil (INCT-ENEM)
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Liu JZ, Ali SR, Bier E, Nizet V. Innate Immune Interactions between Bacillus anthracis and Host Neutrophils. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2018; 8:2. [PMID: 29404280 PMCID: PMC5786542 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2018.00002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2017] [Accepted: 01/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent of anthrax, has been a focus of study in host-pathogen dynamics since the nineteenth century. While the interaction between anthrax and host macrophages has been extensively modeled, comparatively little is known about the effect of anthrax on the immune function of neutrophils, a key frontline effector of innate immune defense. Here we showed that depletion of neutrophils significantly enhanced mortality in a systemic model of anthrax infection in mice. Ex vivo, we found that freshly isolated human neutrophils can rapidly kill anthrax, with specific inhibitor studies showing that phagocytosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation contribute to this efficient bacterial clearance. Anthrax toxins, comprising lethal toxin (LT) and edema toxin (ET), are known to have major roles in B. anthracis macrophage resistance and systemic toxicity. Employing isogenic wild-type and mutant toxin-deficient B. anthracis strains, we show that despite previous studies that reported inhibition of neutrophil function by purified LT or ET, endogenous production of these toxins by live vegetative B. anthracis failed to alter key neutrophil functions. The lack of alteration in neutrophil function is accompanied by rapid killing of B. anthracis by neutrophils, regardless of the bacteria's expression of anthrax toxins. Lastly, our study demonstrates for the first time that anthrax induced neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janet Z Liu
- Division of Host-Microbe Systems and Therapeutics, Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Syed R Ali
- Division of Host-Microbe Systems and Therapeutics, Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Ethan Bier
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Victor Nizet
- Division of Host-Microbe Systems and Therapeutics, Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States.,Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
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Abstract
Drosophila has long been a premier model for the development and application of cutting-edge genetic approaches. The CRISPR-Cas system now adds the ability to manipulate the genome with ease and precision, providing a rich toolbox to interrogate relationships between genotype and phenotype, to delineate and visualize how the genome is organized, to illuminate and manipulate RNA, and to pioneer new gene drive technologies. Myriad transformative approaches have already originated from the CRISPR-Cas system, which will likely continue to spark the creation of tools with diverse applications. Here, we provide an overview of how CRISPR-Cas gene editing has revolutionized genetic analysis in Drosophila and highlight key areas for future advances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ethan Bier
- Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093-0349
| | - Melissa M Harrison
- Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin 53706
| | - Kate M O'Connor-Giles
- Laboratory of Genetics and Laboratory of Cell and Molecular Biology, Wisconsin 53706
| | - Jill Wildonger
- Biochemistry Department, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wisconsin 53706
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Xu XRS, Gantz VM, Siomava N, Bier E. CRISPR/Cas9 and active genetics-based trans-species replacement of the endogenous Drosophila kni-L2 CRM reveals unexpected complexity. eLife 2017; 6:30281. [PMID: 29274230 PMCID: PMC5800851 DOI: 10.7554/elife.30281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2017] [Accepted: 12/21/2017] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The knirps (kni) locus encodes transcription factors required for induction of the L2 wing vein in Drosophila. Here, we employ diverse CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing tools to generate a series of targeted lesions within the endogenous cis-regulatory module (CRM) required for kni expression in the L2 vein primordium. Phenotypic analysis of these 'in locus' mutations based on both expression of Kni protein and adult wing phenotypes, reveals novel unexpected features of L2-CRM function including evidence for a chromosome pairing-dependent process that promotes transcription. We also demonstrate that self-propagating active genetic elements (CopyCat elements) can efficiently delete and replace the L2-CRM with orthologous sequences from other divergent fly species. Wing vein phenotypes resulting from these trans-species enhancer replacements parallel features of the respective donor fly species. This highly sensitive phenotypic readout of enhancer function in a native genomic context reveals novel features of CRM function undetected by traditional reporter gene analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang-Ru Shannon Xu
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Valentino Matteo Gantz
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Natalia Siomava
- Department of Developmental Biology, Johann-Friedrich-Blumenbach Institute for Zoology and Anthropology, Georg-August-University of Göttingen, Ernst-Caspari-Haus (GZMB), Göttingen, Germany
| | - Ethan Bier
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
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40
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Guichard A, Jain P, Moayeri M, Schwartz R, Chin S, Zhu L, Cruz-Moreno B, Liu JZ, Aguilar B, Hollands A, Leppla SH, Nizet V, Bier E. Anthrax edema toxin disrupts distinct steps in Rab11-dependent junctional transport. PLoS Pathog 2017; 13:e1006603. [PMID: 28945820 PMCID: PMC5612732 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1006603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2016] [Accepted: 08/24/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Various bacterial toxins circumvent host defenses through overproduction of cAMP. In a previous study, we showed that edema factor (EF), an adenylate cyclase from Bacillus anthracis, disrupts endocytic recycling mediated by the small GTPase Rab11. As a result, cargo proteins such as cadherins fail to reach inter-cellular junctions. In the present study, we provide further mechanistic dissection of Rab11 inhibition by EF using a combination of Drosophila and mammalian systems. EF blocks Rab11 trafficking after the GTP-loading step, preventing a constitutively active form of Rab11 from delivering cargo vesicles to the plasma membrane. Both of the primary cAMP effector pathways -PKA and Epac/Rap1- contribute to inhibition of Rab11-mediated trafficking, but act at distinct steps of the delivery process. PKA acts early, preventing Rab11 from associating with its effectors Rip11 and Sec15. In contrast, Epac functions subsequently via the small GTPase Rap1 to block fusion of recycling endosomes with the plasma membrane, and appears to be the primary effector of EF toxicity in this process. Similarly, experiments conducted in mammalian systems reveal that Epac, but not PKA, mediates the activity of EF both in cell culture and in vivo. The small GTPase Arf6, which initiates endocytic retrieval of cell adhesion components, also contributes to junctional homeostasis by counteracting Rab11-dependent delivery of cargo proteins at sites of cell-cell contact. These studies have potentially significant practical implications, since chemical inhibition of either Arf6 or Epac blocks the effect of EF in cell culture and in vivo, opening new potential therapeutic avenues for treating symptoms caused by cAMP-inducing toxins or related barrier-disrupting pathologies. Recent anthrax outbreaks in Zambia and northern Russia and biodefense preparedness highlight the need for new therapies to counteract fatal late-stage pathologies in patients infected with Bacillus anthracis. Indeed, two toxins secreted by this pathogen—edema toxin (ET) and lethal toxin (LT)—can cause death in face of effective antibiotic treatment. ET, a potent adenylate cyclase, severely impacts host cells and tissues through an overproduction of the ubiquitous second messenger cAMP. Previously, we identified Rab11 as a key host factor inhibited by ET. Blockade of Rab11-dependent endocytic recycling resulted in the disruption of intercellular junctions, likely contributing to life threatening vascular effusion observed in anthrax patients. Here we present a multi-system analysis of the mechanism by which EF inhibits Rab11 and exocyst-dependent trafficking. Epistasis experiments in Drosophila reveal that over-activation of the cAMP effectors PKA and Epac/Rap1 interferes with Rab11-mediated trafficking at two distinct steps. We further describe conserved roles of Epac and the small GTPase Arf6 in ET-mediated disruption of vesicular trafficking and show how chemical inhibition of either pathway greatly alleviates ET-induced edema. Thus, our study defines Epac and Arf6 as promising drug targets for the treatment of infectious diseases and other pathologies involving cAMP overload or related barrier disruption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annabel Guichard
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States of America
| | - Prashant Jain
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States of America
| | - Mahtab Moayeri
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
| | - Ruth Schwartz
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States of America
| | - Stephen Chin
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States of America
| | - Lin Zhu
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States of America
| | - Beatriz Cruz-Moreno
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States of America
| | - Janet Z. Liu
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States of America
| | - Bernice Aguilar
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States of America
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and the Immunobiology Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, United States of America
| | - Andrew Hollands
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States of America
| | - Stephen H. Leppla
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
| | - Victor Nizet
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States of America
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States of America
| | - Ethan Bier
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Smelkinson MG, Guichard A, Teijaro JR, Malur M, Loureiro ME, Jain P, Ganesan S, Zúñiga EI, Krug RM, Oldstone MB, Bier E. Influenza NS1 directly modulates Hedgehog signaling during infection. PLoS Pathog 2017; 13:e1006588. [PMID: 28837667 PMCID: PMC5587344 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1006588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2017] [Revised: 09/06/2017] [Accepted: 08/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The multifunctional NS1 protein of influenza A viruses suppresses host cellular defense mechanisms and subverts other cellular functions. We report here on a new role for NS1 in modifying cell-cell signaling via the Hedgehog (Hh) pathway. Genetic epistasis experiments and FRET-FLIM assays in Drosophila suggest that NS1 interacts directly with the transcriptional mediator, Ci/Gli1. We further confirmed that Hh target genes are activated cell-autonomously in transfected human lung epithelial cells expressing NS1, and in infected mouse lungs. We identified a point mutation in NS1, A122V, that modulates this activity in a context-dependent fashion. When the A122V mutation was incorporated into a mouse-adapted influenza A virus, it cell-autonomously enhanced expression of some Hh targets in the mouse lung, including IL6, and hastened lethality. These results indicate that, in addition to its multiple intracellular functions, NS1 also modifies a highly conserved signaling pathway, at least in part via cell autonomous activities. We discuss how this new Hh modulating function of NS1 may influence host lethality, possibly through controlling cytokine production, and how these new insights provide potential strategies for combating infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margery G. Smelkinson
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Annabel Guichard
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - John R. Teijaro
- Immunology and Microbial Science, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Meghana Malur
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, United States of America
| | - Maria Eugenia Loureiro
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
- Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología Dr. César Milstein - CONICET, Saladillo, Argentina
| | - Prashant Jain
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Sundar Ganesan
- Biological Imaging Section, Research Technologies Branch, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Elina I. Zúñiga
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Robert M. Krug
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, United States of America
| | - Michael B. Oldstone
- Immunology and Microbial Science, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Ethan Bier
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Abstract
On December 18, 2014, a yellow female fly quietly emerged from her pupal case. What made her unique was that she had only one parent carrying a mutant allele of this classic recessive locus. Then, one generation later, after mating with a wild-type male, all her offspring displayed the same recessive yellow phenotype. Further analysis of other such yellow females revealed that the construct causing the mutation was converting the opposing chromosome with 95% efficiency. These simple results, seen also in mosquitoes and yeast, open the door to a new era of genetics wherein the laws of traditional Mendelian inheritance can be bypassed for a broad variety of purposes. Here, we consider the implications of this fundamentally new form of "active genetics," its applications for gene drives, reversal and amplification strategies, its potential for contributing to cell and gene therapy strategies, and ethical/biosafety considerations associated with such active genetic elements. Also watch the Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentino M Gantz
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Ethan Bier
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
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Abstract
The ability of the gut epithelium to defend against pathogens while tolerating harmless commensal organisms remains an important puzzle. In this issue of Cell Host & Microbe, Lee et al. (2015) reveal how pathogen-secreted uracil acts at two steps to induce ROS via the Hedgehog pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ethan Bier
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0349, USA.
| | - Victor Nizet
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0687, USA; Skaggs School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0687, USA.
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Akbari OS, Bellen HJ, Bier E, Bullock SL, Burt A, Church GM, Cook KR, Duchek P, Edwards OR, Esvelt KM, Gantz VM, Golic KG, Gratz SJ, Harrison MM, Hayes KR, James AA, Kaufman TC, Knoblich J, Malik HS, Matthews KA, O'Connor-Giles KM, Parks AL, Perrimon N, Port F, Russell S, Ueda R, Wildonger J. BIOSAFETY. Safeguarding gene drive experiments in the laboratory. Science 2015; 349:927-9. [PMID: 26229113 PMCID: PMC4692367 DOI: 10.1126/science.aac7932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 162] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Multiple stringent confinement strategies should be used whenever possible
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Affiliation(s)
- Omar S Akbari
- Department of Entomology, Univ. of California, Riverside, CA 92507, USA. Center for Disease Vector Research, Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, Univ. of California, Riverside, CA 92507, USA
| | - Hugo J Bellen
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA. Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Ethan Bier
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, Univ. of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92095, USA.
| | - Simon L Bullock
- Division of Cell Biology, Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge CB2 0QH, UK
| | - Austin Burt
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Silwood Park, Ascot, Berks SL5 7PY, UK
| | - George M Church
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA. Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Kevin R Cook
- Bloomington Drosophila Stock Center, Department of Biology, Indiana Univ., Bloomington, IN 47405, USA
| | - Peter Duchek
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Owain R Edwards
- CSIRO Centre for Environment and Life Sciences, Underwood Avenue, Floreat, WA 6014, Australia
| | - Kevin M Esvelt
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - Valentino M Gantz
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, Univ. of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92095, USA
| | - Kent G Golic
- Department of Biology, Univ. of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Scott J Gratz
- Laboratory of Genetics, Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Melissa M Harrison
- Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Keith R Hayes
- CSIRO Biosecurity Flagship, General Post Of ce Box 1538, Hobart, Tasmania, 7001, Australia
| | - Anthony A James
- Departments of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics and Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, Univ. of California at Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Thomas C Kaufman
- Bloomington Drosophila Stock Center, Department of Biology, Indiana Univ., Bloomington, IN 47405, USA
| | - Juergen Knoblich
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Harmit S Malik
- Division of Basic Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA. Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Kathy A Matthews
- Bloomington Drosophila Stock Center, Department of Biology, Indiana Univ., Bloomington, IN 47405, USA
| | - Kate M O'Connor-Giles
- Laboratory of Genetics, Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA. Laboratory of Cell and Molecular Biology, Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Annette L Parks
- Bloomington Drosophila Stock Center, Department of Biology, Indiana Univ., Bloomington, IN 47405, USA
| | - Norbert Perrimon
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA. Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Fillip Port
- Division of Cell Biology, Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge CB2 0QH, UK
| | - Steven Russell
- Department of Genetics, Univ. of Cambridge, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Ryu Ueda
- Department of Genetics, Graduate Univ. for Advanced Studies, Mishima, Shizuoka 411-8540, Japan. NIG-Fly Stock Center, National Institute of Genetics, Mishima, Shizuoka 411-8540, Japan
| | - Jill Wildonger
- Department of Biochemistry, Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
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Gantz VM, Bier E. Genome editing. The mutagenic chain reaction: a method for converting heterozygous to homozygous mutations. Science 2015; 348:442-4. [PMID: 25908821 DOI: 10.1126/science.aaa5945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 336] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2014] [Accepted: 03/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
An organism with a single recessive loss-of-function allele will typically have a wild-type phenotype, whereas individuals homozygous for two copies of the allele will display a mutant phenotype. We have developed a method called the mutagenic chain reaction (MCR), which is based on the CRISPR/Cas9 genome-editing system for generating autocatalytic mutations, to produce homozygous loss-of-function mutations. In Drosophila, we found that MCR mutations efficiently spread from their chromosome of origin to the homologous chromosome, thereby converting heterozygous mutations to homozygosity in the vast majority of somatic and germline cells. MCR technology should have broad applications in diverse organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentino M Gantz
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92095, USA.
| | - Ethan Bier
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92095, USA.
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Guichard A, Cruz-Moreno B, Cruz-Moreno BC, Aguilar B, van Sorge NM, Kuang J, Kurkciyan AA, Wang Z, Hang S, Pineton de Chambrun GP, McCole DF, Watnick P, Nizet V, Bier E. Cholera toxin disrupts barrier function by inhibiting exocyst-mediated trafficking of host proteins to intestinal cell junctions. Cell Host Microbe 2014; 14:294-305. [PMID: 24034615 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2013.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2012] [Revised: 06/21/2013] [Accepted: 07/25/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Cholera toxin (CT), a virulence factor elaborated by Vibrio cholerae, is sufficient to induce the severe diarrhea characteristic of cholera. The enzymatic moiety of CT (CtxA) increases cAMP synthesis in intestinal epithelial cells, leading to chloride ion (Cl(-)) efflux through the CFTR Cl(-) channel. To preserve electroneutrality and osmotic balance, sodium ions and water also flow into the intestinal lumen via a paracellular route. We find that CtxA-driven cAMP increase also inhibits Rab11/exocyst-mediated trafficking of host proteins including E-cadherin and Notch signaling components to cell-cell junctions in Drosophila, human intestinal epithelial cells, and ligated mouse ileal loops, thereby disrupting barrier function. Additionally, CtxA induces junctional damage, weight loss, and dye leakage in the Drosophila gut, contributing to lethality from live V. cholerae infection, all of which can be rescued by Rab11 overexpression. These barrier-disrupting effects of CtxA may act in parallel with Cl(-) secretion to drive the pathophysiology of cholera.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annabel Guichard
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
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Guichard A, Cruz-Moreno B, Aguilar B, van Sorge N, Kuang J, Kurkciyan A, Wang Z, Hang S, Pineton de Chambrun G, McCole D, Watnick P, Nizet V, Bier E. Cholera Toxin Disrupts Barrier Function by Inhibiting Exocyst-Mediated Trafficking of Host Proteins to Intestinal Cell Junctions. Cell Host Microbe 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2013.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Grossman TR, Gamliel A, Wessells RJ, Taghli-Lamallem O, Jepsen K, Ocorr K, Korenberg JR, Peterson KL, Rosenfeld MG, Bodmer R, Bier E. Over-expression of DSCAM and COL6A2 cooperatively generates congenital heart defects. PLoS Genet 2011; 7:e1002344. [PMID: 22072978 PMCID: PMC3207880 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1002344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2011] [Accepted: 08/29/2011] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
A significant current challenge in human genetics is the identification of interacting genetic loci mediating complex polygenic disorders. One of the best characterized polygenic diseases is Down syndrome (DS), which results from an extra copy of part or all of chromosome 21. A short interval near the distal tip of chromosome 21 contributes to congenital heart defects (CHD), and a variety of indirect genetic evidence suggests that multiple candidate genes in this region may contribute to this phenotype. We devised a tiered genetic approach to identify interacting CHD candidate genes. We first used the well vetted Drosophila heart as an assay to identify interacting CHD candidate genes by expressing them alone and in all possible pairwise combinations and testing for effects on rhythmicity or heart failure following stress. This comprehensive analysis identified DSCAM and COL6A2 as the most strongly interacting pair of genes. We then over-expressed these two genes alone or in combination in the mouse heart. While over-expression of either gene alone did not affect viability and had little or no effect on heart physiology or morphology, co-expression of the two genes resulted in ≈50% mortality and severe physiological and morphological defects, including atrial septal defects and cardiac hypertrophy. Cooperative interactions between DSCAM and COL6A2 were also observed in the H9C2 cardiac cell line and transcriptional analysis of this interaction points to genes involved in adhesion and cardiac hypertrophy. Our success in defining a cooperative interaction between DSCAM and COL6A2 suggests that the multi-tiered genetic approach we have taken involving human mapping data, comprehensive combinatorial screening in Drosophila, and validation in vivo in mice and in mammalian cells lines should be applicable to identifying specific loci mediating a broad variety of other polygenic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamar R. Grossman
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Amir Gamliel
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | | | - Ouarda Taghli-Lamallem
- Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Kristen Jepsen
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Karen Ocorr
- Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Julie R. Korenberg
- The Brain Institute, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
| | - Kirk L. Peterson
- School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Michael G. Rosenfeld
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Rolf Bodmer
- Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Ethan Bier
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
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50
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Abstract
Many of the cellular mechanisms underlying host responses to pathogens have been well conserved during evolution. As a result, Drosophila can be used to deconstruct many of the key events in host-pathogen interactions by using a wealth of well-developed molecular and genetic tools. In this review, we aim to emphasize the great leverage provided by the suite of genomic and classical genetic approaches available in flies for decoding details of host-pathogen interactions; these findings can then be applied to studies in higher organisms. We first briefly summarize the general strategies by which Drosophila resists and responds to pathogens. We then focus on how recently developed genome-wide RNA interference (RNAi) screens conducted in cells and flies, combined with classical genetic methods, have provided molecular insight into host-pathogen interactions, covering examples of bacteria, fungi and viruses. Finally, we discuss novel strategies for how flies can be used as a tool to examine how specific isolated virulence factors act on an intact host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ethan Bier
- University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92039, USA.
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