1
|
De Carluccio G, Fusco V, di Bernardo D. Engineering a synthetic gene circuit for high-performance inducible expression in mammalian systems. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3311. [PMID: 38632224 PMCID: PMC11024104 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47592-y] [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: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Inducible gene expression systems can be used to control the expression of a gene of interest by means of a small-molecule. One of the most common designs involves engineering a small-molecule responsive transcription factor (TF) and its cognate promoter, which often results in a compromise between minimal uninduced background expression (leakiness) and maximal induced expression. Here, we focus on an alternative strategy using quantitative synthetic biology to mitigate leakiness while maintaining high expression, without modifying neither the TF nor the promoter. Through mathematical modelling and experimental validations, we design the CASwitch, a mammalian synthetic gene circuit based on combining two well-known network motifs: the Coherent Feed-Forward Loop (CFFL) and the Mutual Inhibition (MI). The CASwitch combines the CRISPR-Cas endoribonuclease CasRx with the state-of-the-art Tet-On3G inducible gene system to achieve high performances. To demonstrate the potentialities of the CASwitch, we apply it to three different scenarios: enhancing a whole-cell biosensor, controlling expression of a toxic gene and inducible production of Adeno-Associated Virus (AAV) vectors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giuliano De Carluccio
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Naples, Italy
- University of Naples Federico II, Department of Chemical Materials and Industrial Engineering, Naples, Italy
- Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Virginia Fusco
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Naples, Italy
- University of Naples Federico II, Department of Chemical Materials and Industrial Engineering, Naples, Italy
| | - Diego di Bernardo
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Naples, Italy.
- University of Naples Federico II, Department of Chemical Materials and Industrial Engineering, Naples, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Peruzzi JA, Steinkühler J, Vu TQ, Gunnels TF, Hu VT, Lu P, Baker D, Kamat NP. Hydrophobic mismatch drives self-organization of designer proteins into synthetic membranes. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3162. [PMID: 38605024 PMCID: PMC11009411 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47163-1] [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: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
The organization of membrane proteins between and within membrane-bound compartments is critical to cellular function. Yet we lack approaches to regulate this organization in a range of membrane-based materials, such as engineered cells, exosomes, and liposomes. Uncovering and leveraging biophysical drivers of membrane protein organization to design membrane systems could greatly enhance the functionality of these materials. Towards this goal, we use de novo protein design, molecular dynamic simulations, and cell-free systems to explore how membrane-protein hydrophobic mismatch could be used to tune protein cotranslational integration and organization in synthetic lipid membranes. We find that membranes must deform to accommodate membrane-protein hydrophobic mismatch, which reduces the expression and co-translational insertion of membrane proteins into synthetic membranes. We use this principle to sort proteins both between and within membranes, thereby achieving one-pot assembly of vesicles with distinct functions and controlled split-protein assembly, respectively. Our results shed light on protein organization in biological membranes and provide a framework to design self-organizing membrane-based materials with applications such as artificial cells, biosensors, and therapeutic nanoparticles.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Justin A Peruzzi
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
| | - Jan Steinkühler
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
| | - Timothy Q Vu
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
| | - Taylor F Gunnels
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
| | - Vivian T Hu
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
| | - Peilong Lu
- Key Laboratory of Structural Biology of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Institute of Biology, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - David Baker
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Neha P Kamat
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA.
- Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Gunter HM, Youlten SE, Reis ALM, McCubbin T, Madala BS, Wong T, Stevanovski I, Cipponi A, Deveson IW, Santini NS, Kummerfeld S, Croucher PI, Marcellin E, Mercer TR. A universal molecular control for DNA, mRNA and protein expression. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2480. [PMID: 38509097 PMCID: PMC10954659 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46456-9] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The expression of genes encompasses their transcription into mRNA followed by translation into protein. In recent years, next-generation sequencing and mass spectrometry methods have profiled DNA, RNA and protein abundance in cells. However, there are currently no reference standards that are compatible across these genomic, transcriptomic and proteomic methods, and provide an integrated measure of gene expression. Here, we use synthetic biology principles to engineer a multi-omics control, termed pREF, that can act as a universal molecular standard for next-generation sequencing and mass spectrometry methods. The pREF sequence encodes 21 synthetic genes that can be in vitro transcribed into spike-in mRNA controls, and in vitro translated to generate matched protein controls. The synthetic genes provide qualitative controls that can measure sensitivity and quantitative accuracy of DNA, RNA and peptide detection. We demonstrate the use of pREF in metagenome DNA sequencing and RNA sequencing experiments and evaluate the quantification of proteins using mass spectrometry. Unlike previous spike-in controls, pREF can be independently propagated and the synthetic mRNA and protein controls can be sustainably prepared by recipient laboratories using common molecular biology techniques. Together, this provides a universal synthetic standard able to integrate genomic, transcriptomic and proteomic methods.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Helen M Gunter
- Australian Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- BASE mRNA Facility, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Scott E Youlten
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- St Vincent's Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Andre L M Reis
- Genomics and Inherited Disease Program, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Centre for Population Genomics, Garvan Institute of Medical Research and Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Electrical and Information Engineering, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Tim McCubbin
- Australian Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Bindu Swapna Madala
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Centre for Population Genomics, Garvan Institute of Medical Research and Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ted Wong
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Igor Stevanovski
- Genomics and Inherited Disease Program, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Centre for Population Genomics, Garvan Institute of Medical Research and Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Arcadi Cipponi
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- St Vincent's Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ira W Deveson
- Genomics and Inherited Disease Program, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Centre for Population Genomics, Garvan Institute of Medical Research and Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Electrical and Information Engineering, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Nadia S Santini
- Centro Nacional de Investigación Disciplinaria en Conservación y Mejoramiento de Ecosistemas Forestales, INIFAP, Ciudad de México, 04010, Mexico
| | - Sarah Kummerfeld
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- St Vincent's Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Peter I Croucher
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- St Vincent's Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Esteban Marcellin
- Australian Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Tim R Mercer
- Australian Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
- BASE mRNA Facility, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Fuchs H, Ullrich SR, Hedrich S. Vibrio natriegens as a superior host for the production of c-type cytochromes and difficult-to-express redox proteins. Sci Rep 2024; 14:6093. [PMID: 38480761 PMCID: PMC10937671 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-54097-7] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
C-type cytochromes fulfil many essential roles in both aerobic and anaerobic respiration. Their characterization requires large quantities of protein which can be obtained through heterologous production. Heterologous production of c-type cytochromes in Escherichia coli is hindered since the ccmABCDEFGH genes necessary for incorporation of heme c are only expressed under anaerobic conditions. Different strategies were devised to bypass this obstacle, such as co-expressing the ccm genes from the pEC86 vector. However, co-expression methods restrict the choice of expression host and vector. Here we describe the first use of Vibrio natriegens Vmax X2 for the recombinant production of difficult-to-express redox proteins from the extreme acidophile Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans CCM4253, including three c-type cytochromes. Co-expression of the ccm genes was not required to produce holo-c-type cytochromes in Vmax X2. E. coli T7 Express only produced holo-c-type cytochromes during co-expression of the ccm genes and was not able to produce the inner membrane cytochrome CycA. Additionally, Vmax X2 cell extracts contained higher portions of recombinant holo-proteins than T7 Express cell extracts. All redox proteins were translocated to the intended cell compartment in both hosts. In conclusion, V. natriegens represents a promising alternative for the production of c-type cytochromes and difficult-to-express redox proteins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Helena Fuchs
- TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Institute of Biosciences, Leipziger Straße 29, 09599, Freiberg, Germany.
| | - Sophie R Ullrich
- TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Institute of Biosciences, Leipziger Straße 29, 09599, Freiberg, Germany
| | - Sabrina Hedrich
- TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Institute of Biosciences, Leipziger Straße 29, 09599, Freiberg, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Levrier A, Karpathakis I, Nash B, Bowden SD, Lindner AB, Noireaux V. PHEIGES: all-cell-free phage synthesis and selection from engineered genomes. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2223. [PMID: 38472230 PMCID: PMC10933291 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46585-1] [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: 07/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Bacteriophages constitute an invaluable biological reservoir for biotechnology and medicine. The ability to exploit such vast resources is hampered by the lack of methods to rapidly engineer, assemble, package genomes, and select phages. Cell-free transcription-translation (TXTL) offers experimental settings to address such a limitation. Here, we describe PHage Engineering by In vitro Gene Expression and Selection (PHEIGES) using T7 phage genome and Escherichia coli TXTL. Phage genomes are assembled in vitro from PCR-amplified fragments and directly expressed in batch TXTL reactions to produce up to 1011 PFU/ml engineered phages within one day. We further demonstrate a significant genotype-phenotype linkage of phage assembly in bulk TXTL. This enables rapid selection of phages with altered rough lipopolysaccharides specificity from phage genomes incorporating tail fiber mutant libraries. We establish the scalability of PHEIGES by one pot assembly of such mutants with fluorescent gene integration and 10% length-reduced genome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Antoine Levrier
- School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
- Université Paris Cité, INSERM U1284, Center for Research and Interdisciplinarity, F-75006, Paris, France
| | - Ioannis Karpathakis
- School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
- Facultatea de Biotehnologii, USAMV Bucuresti, Sector 1, Cod 011464, Bucureşti, Romania
| | - Bruce Nash
- DNA Learning Center, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, 11724, USA
| | - Steven D Bowden
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN, 55108, USA
| | - Ariel B Lindner
- Université Paris Cité, INSERM U1284, Center for Research and Interdisciplinarity, F-75006, Paris, France.
| | - Vincent Noireaux
- School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Apostolopoulos A, Kawamoto N, Chow SYA, Tsuiji H, Ikeuchi Y, Shichino Y, Iwasaki S. dCas13-mediated translational repression for accurate gene silencing in mammalian cells. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2205. [PMID: 38467613 PMCID: PMC10928199 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46412-7] [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: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Current gene silencing tools based on RNA interference (RNAi) or, more recently, clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)‒Cas13 systems have critical drawbacks, such as off-target effects (RNAi) or collateral mRNA cleavage (CRISPR‒Cas13). Thus, a more specific method of gene knockdown is needed. Here, we develop CRISPRδ, an approach for translational silencing, harnessing catalytically inactive Cas13 proteins (dCas13). Owing to its tight association with mRNA, dCas13 serves as a physical roadblock for scanning ribosomes during translation initiation and does not affect mRNA stability. Guide RNAs covering the start codon lead to the highest efficacy regardless of the translation initiation mechanism: cap-dependent, internal ribosome entry site (IRES)-dependent, or repeat-associated non-AUG (RAN) translation. Strikingly, genome-wide ribosome profiling reveals the ultrahigh gene silencing specificity of CRISPRδ. Moreover, the fusion of a translational repressor to dCas13 further improves the performance. Our method provides a framework for translational repression-based gene silencing in eukaryotes.
Collapse
Grants
- JP20H05784 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)
- JP21H05278 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)
- JP21H05734 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)
- JP23H04268 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)
- JP20H05786 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)
- JP23H02415 MEXT | Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)
- JP20K07016 MEXT | Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)
- JP23K05648 MEXT | Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)
- JP21K15023 MEXT | Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)
- JP23KJ2175 MEXT | Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)
- JP20gm1410001 Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED)
- JP20gm1410001 Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED)
- JP23gm6910005h0001 Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED)
- JP23gm6910005 Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED)
- JP20gm1410001 Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED)
- Pioneering Projects MEXT | RIKEN
- Pioneering Projects MEXT | RIKEN
- Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems (ExCELLS), 23EX601
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Antonios Apostolopoulos
- Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-8561, Japan
- RNA Systems Biochemistry Laboratory, RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering Research, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
| | - Naohiro Kawamoto
- RNA Systems Biochemistry Laboratory, RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering Research, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
| | - Siu Yu A Chow
- Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 153-8505, Japan
| | - Hitomi Tsuiji
- Education and Research Division of Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Aichi Gakuin University, Nagoya, Aichi, 464-8650, Japan
| | - Yoshiho Ikeuchi
- Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 153-8505, Japan
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
- Institute for AI and Beyond, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Yuichi Shichino
- RNA Systems Biochemistry Laboratory, RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering Research, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan.
| | - Shintaro Iwasaki
- Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-8561, Japan.
- RNA Systems Biochemistry Laboratory, RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering Research, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Claes K, Van Herpe D, Vanluchene R, Roels C, Van Moer B, Wyseure E, Vandewalle K, Eeckhaut H, Yilmaz S, Vanmarcke S, Çıtak E, Fijalkowska D, Grootaert H, Lonigro C, Meuris L, Michielsen G, Naessens J, van Schie L, De Rycke R, De Bruyne M, Borghgraef P, Callewaert N. OPENPichia: licence-free Komagataella phaffii chassis strains and toolkit for protein expression. Nat Microbiol 2024; 9:864-876. [PMID: 38443579 PMCID: PMC10914597 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-023-01574-w] [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: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
The industrial yeast Komagataella phaffii (formerly named Pichia pastoris) is commonly used to synthesize recombinant proteins, many of which are used as human therapeutics or in food. However, the basic strain, named NRRL Y-11430, from which all commercial hosts are derived, is not available without restrictions on its use. Comparative genome sequencing leaves little doubt that NRRL Y-11430 is derived from a K. phaffii type strain deposited in the UC Davis Phaff Yeast Strain Collection in 1954. We analysed four equivalent type strains in several culture collections and identified the NCYC 2543 strain, from which we started to develop an open-access Pichia chassis strain that anyone can use to produce recombinant proteins to industry standards. NRRL Y-11430 is readily transformable, which we found to be due to a HOC1 open-reading-frame truncation that alters cell-wall mannan. We introduced the HOC1 open-reading-frame truncation into NCYC 2543, which increased the transformability and improved secretion of some but not all of our tested proteins. We provide our genome-sequenced type strain, the hoc1tr derivative that we named OPENPichia as well as a synthetic, modular expression vector toolkit under liberal end-user distribution licences as an unencumbered OPENPichia resource for the microbial biotechnology community.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katrien Claes
- Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium.
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Dries Van Herpe
- Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Inbiose NV, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Robin Vanluchene
- Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Charlotte Roels
- Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Berre Van Moer
- Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Elise Wyseure
- Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Kristof Vandewalle
- Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Hannah Eeckhaut
- Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Semiramis Yilmaz
- Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Sandrine Vanmarcke
- Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Erhan Çıtak
- Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Daria Fijalkowska
- Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Hendrik Grootaert
- Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Chiara Lonigro
- Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Leander Meuris
- Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Gitte Michielsen
- Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Justine Naessens
- Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Loes van Schie
- Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Riet De Rycke
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- BioImaging Core, VIB, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Michiel De Bruyne
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- BioImaging Core, VIB, Ghent, Belgium
| | | | - Nico Callewaert
- Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium.
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Köck Z, Schnelle K, Persechino M, Umbach S, Schihada H, Januliene D, Parey K, Pockes S, Kolb P, Dötsch V, Möller A, Hilger D, Bernhard F. Cryo-EM structure of cell-free synthesized human histamine 2 receptor/G s complex in nanodisc environment. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1831. [PMID: 38418462 PMCID: PMC10901899 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46096-z] [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: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Here we describe the cryo-electron microscopy structure of the human histamine 2 receptor (H2R) in an active conformation with bound histamine and in complex with Gs heterotrimeric protein at an overall resolution of 3.4 Å. The complex was generated by cotranslational insertion of the receptor into preformed nanodisc membranes using cell-free synthesis in E. coli lysates. Structural comparison with the inactive conformation of H2R and the inactive and Gq-coupled active state of H1R together with structure-guided functional experiments reveal molecular insights into the specificity of ligand binding and G protein coupling for this receptor family. We demonstrate lipid-modulated folding of cell-free synthesized H2R, its agonist-dependent internalization and its interaction with endogenously synthesized H1R and H2R in HEK293 cells by applying a recently developed nanotransfer technique.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zoe Köck
- Centre for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance, Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Goethe-University of Frankfurt/Main, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Kilian Schnelle
- Department of Biology/Chemistry, Structural Biology section, University of Osnabrück, Osnabrück, Germany
- Center of Cellular Nanoanalytic Osnabrück (CellNanOs), University of Osnabrück, Osnabrück, Germany
| | | | - Simon Umbach
- Centre for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance, Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Goethe-University of Frankfurt/Main, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Hannes Schihada
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Dovile Januliene
- Department of Biology/Chemistry, Structural Biology section, University of Osnabrück, Osnabrück, Germany
- Center of Cellular Nanoanalytic Osnabrück (CellNanOs), University of Osnabrück, Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Kristian Parey
- Department of Biology/Chemistry, Structural Biology section, University of Osnabrück, Osnabrück, Germany
- Center of Cellular Nanoanalytic Osnabrück (CellNanOs), University of Osnabrück, Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Steffen Pockes
- Institute of Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Peter Kolb
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Volker Dötsch
- Centre for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance, Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Goethe-University of Frankfurt/Main, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Arne Möller
- Department of Biology/Chemistry, Structural Biology section, University of Osnabrück, Osnabrück, Germany.
- Center of Cellular Nanoanalytic Osnabrück (CellNanOs), University of Osnabrück, Osnabrück, Germany.
| | - Daniel Hilger
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany.
| | - Frank Bernhard
- Centre for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance, Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Goethe-University of Frankfurt/Main, Frankfurt, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Cautereels C, Smets J, Bircham P, De Ruysscher D, Zimmermann A, De Rijk P, Steensels J, Gorkovskiy A, Masschelein J, Verstrepen KJ. Combinatorial optimization of gene expression through recombinase-mediated promoter and terminator shuffling in yeast. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1112. [PMID: 38326309 PMCID: PMC10850122 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-44997-7] [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: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Microbes are increasingly employed as cell factories to produce biomolecules. This often involves the expression of complex heterologous biosynthesis pathways in host strains. Achieving maximal product yields and avoiding build-up of (toxic) intermediates requires balanced expression of every pathway gene. However, despite progress in metabolic modeling, the optimization of gene expression still heavily relies on trial-and-error. Here, we report an approach for in vivo, multiplexed Gene Expression Modification by LoxPsym-Cre Recombination (GEMbLeR). GEMbLeR exploits orthogonal LoxPsym sites to independently shuffle promoter and terminator modules at distinct genomic loci. This approach facilitates creation of large strain libraries, in which expression of every pathway gene ranges over 120-fold and each strain harbors a unique expression profile. When applied to the biosynthetic pathway of astaxanthin, an industrially relevant antioxidant, a single round of GEMbLeR improved pathway flux and doubled production titers. Together, this shows that GEMbLeR allows rapid and efficient gene expression optimization in heterologous biosynthetic pathways, offering possibilities for enhancing the performance of microbial cell factories.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Cautereels
- VIB Laboratory for Systems Biology, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
- Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, Center of Microbial and Plant Genetics, Department M2S, KU Leuven, Gaston Geenslaan 1, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
| | - Jolien Smets
- VIB Laboratory for Systems Biology, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
- Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, Center of Microbial and Plant Genetics, Department M2S, KU Leuven, Gaston Geenslaan 1, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
| | - Peter Bircham
- VIB Laboratory for Systems Biology, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
- Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, Center of Microbial and Plant Genetics, Department M2S, KU Leuven, Gaston Geenslaan 1, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
| | - Dries De Ruysscher
- Molecular Biotechnology of Plants and Micro-organisms, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 31, box 2438, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
- Laboratory for Biomolecular Discovery & Engineering, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
| | - Anna Zimmermann
- VIB Laboratory for Systems Biology, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
- Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, Center of Microbial and Plant Genetics, Department M2S, KU Leuven, Gaston Geenslaan 1, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
| | - Peter De Rijk
- Neuromics Support Facility, VIB Center for Molecular Neurology, VIB, Antwerp, 2610, Belgium
- Neuromics Support Facility, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, 2610, Belgium
| | - Jan Steensels
- VIB Laboratory for Systems Biology, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
- Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, Center of Microbial and Plant Genetics, Department M2S, KU Leuven, Gaston Geenslaan 1, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
| | - Anton Gorkovskiy
- VIB Laboratory for Systems Biology, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
- Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, Center of Microbial and Plant Genetics, Department M2S, KU Leuven, Gaston Geenslaan 1, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
| | - Joleen Masschelein
- Molecular Biotechnology of Plants and Micro-organisms, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 31, box 2438, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
- Laboratory for Biomolecular Discovery & Engineering, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
| | - Kevin J Verstrepen
- VIB Laboratory for Systems Biology, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology, Leuven, 3001, Belgium.
- Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, Center of Microbial and Plant Genetics, Department M2S, KU Leuven, Gaston Geenslaan 1, Leuven, 3001, Belgium.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Gurbatri CR, Radford GA, Vrbanac L, Im J, Thomas EM, Coker C, Taylor SR, Jang Y, Sivan A, Rhee K, Saleh AA, Chien T, Zandkarimi F, Lia I, Lannagan TRM, Wang T, Wright JA, Kobayashi H, Ng JQ, Lawrence M, Sammour T, Thomas M, Lewis M, Papanicolas L, Perry J, Fitzsimmons T, Kaazan P, Lim A, Stavropoulos AM, Gouskos DA, Marker J, Ostroff C, Rogers G, Arpaia N, Worthley DL, Woods SL, Danino T. Engineering tumor-colonizing E. coli Nissle 1917 for detection and treatment of colorectal neoplasia. Nat Commun 2024; 15:646. [PMID: 38245513 PMCID: PMC10799955 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-44776-4] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Bioengineered probiotics enable new opportunities to improve colorectal cancer (CRC) screening, prevention and treatment. Here, first, we demonstrate selective colonization of colorectal adenomas after oral delivery of probiotic E. coli Nissle 1917 (EcN) to a genetically-engineered murine model of CRC predisposition and orthotopic models of CRC. We next undertake an interventional, double-blind, dual-centre, prospective clinical trial, in which CRC patients take either placebo or EcN for two weeks prior to resection of neoplastic and adjacent normal colorectal tissue (ACTRN12619000210178). We detect enrichment of EcN in tumor samples over normal tissue from probiotic-treated patients (primary outcome of the trial). Next, we develop early CRC intervention strategies. To detect lesions, we engineer EcN to produce a small molecule, salicylate. Oral delivery of this strain results in increased levels of salicylate in the urine of adenoma-bearing mice, in comparison to healthy controls. To assess therapeutic potential, we engineer EcN to locally release a cytokine, GM-CSF, and blocking nanobodies against PD-L1 and CTLA-4 at the neoplastic site, and demonstrate that oral delivery of this strain reduces adenoma burden by ~50%. Together, these results support the use of EcN as an orally-deliverable platform to detect disease and treat CRC through the production of screening and therapeutic molecules.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Candice R Gurbatri
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10027, USA
| | - Georgette A Radford
- Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia
| | - Laura Vrbanac
- Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia
| | - Jongwon Im
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10027, USA
| | - Elaine M Thomas
- Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia
| | - Courtney Coker
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10027, USA
| | - Samuel R Taylor
- Weill Cornell-Rockefeller-Sloan Kettering Tri-Institutional MD-PhD program, New York, NY, USA
| | - YoungUk Jang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10027, USA
| | - Ayelet Sivan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10027, USA
| | - Kyu Rhee
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Weill Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Anas A Saleh
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Weill Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Tiffany Chien
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10027, USA
| | | | - Ioana Lia
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10027, USA
| | - Tamsin R M Lannagan
- Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia
| | - Tongtong Wang
- Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia
- South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia
| | - Josephine A Wright
- South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia
| | - Hiroki Kobayashi
- Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia
- South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia
| | - Jia Q Ng
- Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia
| | - Matt Lawrence
- Colorectal Unit, Department of Surgery, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia
| | - Tarik Sammour
- Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia
- South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia
- Colorectal Unit, Department of Surgery, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia
| | - Michelle Thomas
- Colorectal Unit, Department of Surgery, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia
| | - Mark Lewis
- Colorectal Unit, Department of Surgery, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia
| | - Lito Papanicolas
- South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, 5042, Australia
| | - Joanne Perry
- Colorectal Unit, Department of Surgery, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia
| | - Tracy Fitzsimmons
- Colorectal Unit, Department of Surgery, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia
| | - Patricia Kaazan
- Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia
| | - Amanda Lim
- Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia
| | | | - Dion A Gouskos
- Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia
| | - Julie Marker
- Cancer Voices SA, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Cheri Ostroff
- University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia
| | - Geraint Rogers
- South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, 5042, Australia
| | - Nicholas Arpaia
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10027, USA
| | - Daniel L Worthley
- South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia
- Colonoscopy Clinic, Spring Hill, 4000, Queensland, Australia
| | - Susan L Woods
- Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia.
- South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia.
| | - Tal Danino
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10027, USA.
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10027, USA.
- Data Science Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10027, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Cochran JD, Leathers TA, Maldosevic E, Siejda KW, Vitello J, Lee H, Bradley LA, Young A, Jomaa A, Wolf MJ. Cell cycle specific, differentially tagged ribosomal proteins to measure phase specific transcriptomes from asynchronously cycling cells. Sci Rep 2024; 14:1623. [PMID: 38238470 PMCID: PMC10796924 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-52085-5] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Asynchronously cycling cells pose a challenge to the accurate characterization of phase-specific gene expression. Current strategies, including RNAseq, survey the steady state gene expression across the cell cycle and are inherently limited by their inability to resolve dynamic gene regulatory networks. Single cell RNAseq (scRNAseq) can identify different cell cycle transcriptomes if enough cycling cells are present, however some cells are not amenable to scRNAseq. Therefore, we merged two powerful strategies, the CDT1 and GMNN degrons used in Fluorescent Ubiquitination-based Cell Cycle Indicator (FUCCI) cell cycle sensors and the ribosomal protein epitope tagging used in RiboTrap/Tag technologies to isolate cell cycle phase-specific mRNA for sequencing. The resulting cell cycle dependent, tagged ribosomal proteins (ccTaggedRP) were differentially expressed during the cell cycle, had similar subcellular locations as endogenous ribosomal proteins, incorporated into ribosomes and polysomes, and facilitated the recovery of cell cycle phase-specific RNA for sequencing. ccTaggedRP has broad applications to investigate phase-specific gene expression in complex cell populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jesse D Cochran
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Tess A Leathers
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Cell Biology, University of California, Davis, USA
| | - Emir Maldosevic
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, USA
| | - Klara W Siejda
- Department of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Julian Vitello
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Haesol Lee
- Department of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Leigh A Bradley
- Department of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
- Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Alex Young
- Department of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
- Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Ahmad Jomaa
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, USA
| | - Matthew J Wolf
- Department of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
- Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
- Division of Cardiology, University of Virginia, Medical Research Building 5 (MR5), Room G213, 415 Lane Road, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Hu KKY, Suri A, Dumsday G, Haritos VS. Cross-feeding promotes heterogeneity within yeast cell populations. Nat Commun 2024; 15:418. [PMID: 38200012 PMCID: PMC10781747 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44623-y] [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: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Cellular heterogeneity in cell populations of isogenic origin is driven by intrinsic factors such as stochastic gene expression, as well as external factors like nutrient availability and interactions with neighbouring cells. Heterogeneity promotes population fitness and thus has important implications in antimicrobial and anticancer treatments, where stress tolerance plays a significant role. Here, we study plasmid retention dynamics within a population of plasmid-complemented ura3∆0 yeast cells, and show that the exchange of complementary metabolites between plasmid-carrying prototrophs and plasmid-free auxotrophs allows the latter to survive and proliferate in selective environments. This process also affects plasmid copy number in plasmid-carrying prototrophs, further promoting cellular functional heterogeneity. Finally, we show that targeted genetic engineering can be used to suppress cross-feeding and reduce the frequency of plasmid-free auxotrophs, or to exploit it for intentional population diversification and division of labour in co-culture systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kevin K Y Hu
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Ankita Suri
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Geoff Dumsday
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Clayton, VIC, 3169, Australia
| | - Victoria S Haritos
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Shuai Y, Zhang H, Liu C, Wang J, Jiang Y, Sun J, Gao X, Bo X, Xiao X, Liao X, Huang C, Chen H, Jiang G. CLIC3 interacts with NAT10 to inhibit N4-acetylcytidine modification of p21 mRNA and promote bladder cancer progression. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:9. [PMID: 38182571 PMCID: PMC10770081 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-06373-z] [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: 08/06/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024]
Abstract
Chromatin accessibility plays important roles in revealing the regulatory networks of gene expression, while its application in bladder cancer is yet to be fully elucidated. Chloride intracellular channel 3 (CLIC3) protein has been reported to be associated with the progression of some tumors, whereas the specific mechanism of CLIC3 in tumor remains unclear. Here, we screened for key genes in bladder cancer through the identification of transcription factor binding site clustered region (TFCR) on the basis of chromatin accessibility and TF motif. CLIC3 was identified by joint profiling of chromatin accessibility data with TCGA database. Clinically, CLIC3 expression was significantly elevated in bladder cancer and was negatively correlated with patient survival. CLIC3 promoted the proliferation of bladder cancer cells by reducing p21 expression in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, CLIC3 interacted with NAT10 and inhibited the function of NAT10, resulting in the downregulation of ac4C modification and stability of p21 mRNA. Overall, these findings uncover an novel mechanism of mRNA ac4C modification and CLIC3 may act as a potential therapeutic target for bladder cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yujun Shuai
- Department of Urology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Hui Zhang
- Department of Urology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Changhao Liu
- Institute of Health Service and Transfusion Medicine, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Junting Wang
- Institute of Health Service and Transfusion Medicine, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Yangkai Jiang
- Department of Urology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Jiayin Sun
- Department of Urology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Xincheng Gao
- Department of Urology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Xiaochen Bo
- Institute of Health Service and Transfusion Medicine, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Xingyuan Xiao
- Department of Urology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Xin Liao
- Department of General Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Chao Huang
- Department of Urology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China.
| | - Hebing Chen
- Institute of Health Service and Transfusion Medicine, Beijing, 100850, China.
| | - Guosong Jiang
- Department of Urology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Ping N, Hara-Kuge S, Yagi Y, Kazama T, Nakamura T. Translational enhancement of target endogenous mRNA in mammalian cells using programmable RNA-binding pentatricopeptide repeat proteins. Sci Rep 2024; 14:251. [PMID: 38167853 PMCID: PMC10762265 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-50776-z] [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: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 12/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Programmable protein scaffolds are invaluable in the development of genome engineering tools. The pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) protein is an attractive platform for RNA manipulation because of its programmable RNA-binding selectivity, which is determined by the combination of amino acid species at three specific sites in the PPR motif. Translation is a key RNA regulatory step that determines the final gene expression level and is involved in various human diseases. In this study, designer PPR protein was used to develop a translational enhancement technique by fusion with the translation initiation factor eIF4G. The results showed that the PPR-eIF4G fusion protein could activate the translation of endogenous c-Myc and p53 mRNAs and control cell fate, indicating that PPR-based translational enhancement is a versatile technique applicable to various endogenous mRNAs in mammalian cells. In addition, the translational enhancement was dependent on both the target position and presence of eIF4G, suggesting the presence of an unknown translation activation mechanism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ning Ping
- Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, 812-8581, Japan
| | - Sayuri Hara-Kuge
- Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, 812-8581, Japan
| | | | - Tomohiko Kazama
- Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, 812-8581, Japan
| | - Takahiro Nakamura
- Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, 812-8581, Japan.
- EditForce, Inc., Fukuoka, 819-0395, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Knowles C, Petrie L, Warren C, Lillico SG, Carlisle A, Whitelaw CBA, Kolb AF. Site specific insertion of a transgene into the murine α-casein (CSN1S1) gene results in the predictable expression of a recombinant protein in milk. Biotechnol J 2024; 19:e2300287. [PMID: 38047759 DOI: 10.1002/biot.202300287] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
Gene loci of highly expressed genes provide ideal sites for transgene expression. Casein genes are highly expressed in mammals leading to the synthesis of substantial amounts of casein proteins in milk. The α-casein (CSN1S1) gene has assessed as a site of transgene expression in transgenic mice and a mammary gland cell line. A transgene encoding an antibody light chain gene (A1L) was inserted into the α-casein gene using sequential homologous and site-specific recombination. Expression of the inserted transgene is directed by the α-casein promoter, is responsive to lactogenic hormone activation, leads to the synthesis of a chimeric α-casein/A1L transgene mRNA, and secretion of the recombinant A1L protein into milk. Transgene expression is highly consistent in all transgenic lines, but lower than that of the α-casein gene (4%). Recombinant A1L protein accounted for 0.5% and 1.6% of total milk protein in heterozygous and homozygous transgenic mice, respectively. The absence of the α-casein protein in homozygous A1L transgenic mice leads to a reduction of total milk protein and delayed growth of the pups nursed by these mice. Overall, the data demonstrate that the insertion of a transgene into a highly expressed endogenous gene is insufficient to guarantee its abundant expression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Knowles
- Nutrition, Obesity and Disease Research Theme, Rowett Institute, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Linda Petrie
- Nutrition, Obesity and Disease Research Theme, Rowett Institute, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Claire Warren
- Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | | | - Ailsa Carlisle
- Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | | | - Andreas F Kolb
- Nutrition, Obesity and Disease Research Theme, Rowett Institute, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Hadj Hassine I, Ben M'hadheb M, Almalki MA, Gharbi J. Virus-like particles as powerful vaccination strategy against human viruses. Rev Med Virol 2024; 34:e2498. [PMID: 38116958 DOI: 10.1002/rmv.2498] [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: 09/03/2023] [Revised: 11/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Nowadays, viruses are not only seen as causative agents of viral infectious diseases but also as valuable research materials for various biomedical purposes, including recombinant protein production. When expressed in living or cell-free expression systems, viral structural proteins self-assemble into virus-like particles (VLPs). Mimicking the native form and size of viruses and lacking the genetic material, VLPs are safe and highly immunogenic and thus can be exploited to develop antiviral vaccines. Some vaccines based on VLPs against various infectious pathogens have already been licenced for human use and are available in the commercial market, the latest of which is a VLP-based vaccine to protect against the novel Coronavirus. Despite the success and popularity of VLP subunit vaccines, many more VLPs are still in different stages of design, production, and approval. There are still many challenges that require to be addressed in the future before this surface display system can be widely used as an effective vaccine strategy in combating infectious diseases. In this review, we highlight the use of structural viral proteins to produce VLPs, emphasising their intrinsic properties, structural classification, and main expression host systems. We also compiled the recent scientific literature about VLP-based vaccines to underline the recent advances in their application as a vaccine strategy for preventing and fighting virulent human pathogens. Finally, we presented the key challenges and possible solutions for VLP-based vaccine production.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ikbel Hadj Hassine
- Virology and Antiviral Strategies Research Unit UR17ES30, Higher Institute of Biotechnology, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
- USCR-SAG Unit, Higher Institute of Biotechnology, University of Monastirs, Monastir, Tunisia
| | - Manel Ben M'hadheb
- Virology and Antiviral Strategies Research Unit UR17ES30, Higher Institute of Biotechnology, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
- USCR-SAG Unit, Higher Institute of Biotechnology, University of Monastirs, Monastir, Tunisia
| | - Mohammed A Almalki
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia
| | - Jawhar Gharbi
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Wang S, Chen CY, Rzasa JR, Tsao CY, Li J, VanArsdale E, Kim E, Zakaria FR, Payne GF, Bentley WE. Redox-enabled electronic interrogation and feedback control of hierarchical and networked biological systems. Nat Commun 2023; 14:8514. [PMID: 38129428 PMCID: PMC10739708 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44223-w] [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: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Microelectronic devices can directly communicate with biology, as electronic information can be transmitted via redox reactions within biological systems. By engineering biology's native redox networks, we enable electronic interrogation and control of biological systems at several hierarchical levels: proteins, cells, and cell consortia. First, electro-biofabrication facilitates on-device biological component assembly. Then, electrode-actuated redox data transmission and redox-linked synthetic biology allows programming of enzyme activity and closed-loop electrogenetic control of cellular function. Specifically, horseradish peroxidase is assembled onto interdigitated electrodes where electrode-generated hydrogen peroxide controls its activity. E. coli's stress response regulon, oxyRS, is rewired to enable algorithm-based feedback control of gene expression, including an eCRISPR module that switches cell-cell quorum sensing communication from one autoinducer to another-creating an electronically controlled 'bilingual' cell. Then, these disparate redox-guided devices are wirelessly connected, enabling real-time communication and user-based control. We suggest these methodologies will help us to better understand and develop sophisticated control for biology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sally Wang
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
- Fischell Institute of Biomedical Devices, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
- Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology Research (IBBR), University of Maryland, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Chen-Yu Chen
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
- Fischell Institute of Biomedical Devices, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
- Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology Research (IBBR), University of Maryland, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - John R Rzasa
- Fischell Institute of Biomedical Devices, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Chen-Yu Tsao
- Fischell Institute of Biomedical Devices, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
- Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology Research (IBBR), University of Maryland, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Jinyang Li
- Fischell Institute of Biomedical Devices, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
- Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology Research (IBBR), University of Maryland, Rockville, MD, USA
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Eric VanArsdale
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
- Fischell Institute of Biomedical Devices, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
- Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology Research (IBBR), University of Maryland, Rockville, MD, USA
- National Research Council Postdoctoral Research Associate, United States Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Eunkyoung Kim
- Fischell Institute of Biomedical Devices, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
- Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology Research (IBBR), University of Maryland, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Fauziah Rahma Zakaria
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
- Fischell Institute of Biomedical Devices, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
- Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology Research (IBBR), University of Maryland, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Gregory F Payne
- Fischell Institute of Biomedical Devices, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
- Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology Research (IBBR), University of Maryland, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - William E Bentley
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA.
- Fischell Institute of Biomedical Devices, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA.
- Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology Research (IBBR), University of Maryland, Rockville, MD, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Phillips EA, Silverman AD, Joneja A, Liu M, Brown C, Carlson P, Coticchia C, Shytle K, Larsen A, Goyal N, Cai V, Huang J, Hickey JE, Ryan E, Acheampong J, Ramesh P, Collins JJ, Blake WJ. Detection of viral RNAs at ambient temperature via reporter proteins produced through the target-splinted ligation of DNA probes. Nat Biomed Eng 2023; 7:1571-1582. [PMID: 37142844 PMCID: PMC10727988 DOI: 10.1038/s41551-023-01028-y] [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: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Nucleic acid assays are not typically deployable in point-of-care settings because they require costly and sophisticated equipment for the control of the reaction temperature and for the detection of the signal. Here we report an instrument-free assay for the accurate and multiplexed detection of nucleic acids at ambient temperature. The assay, which we named INSPECTR (for internal splint-pairing expression-cassette translation reaction), leverages the target-specific splinted ligation of DNA probes to generate expression cassettes that can be flexibly designed for the cell-free synthesis of reporter proteins, with enzymatic reporters allowing for a linear detection range spanning four orders of magnitude and peptide reporters (which can be mapped to unique targets) enabling highly multiplexed visual detection. We used INSPECTR to detect a panel of five respiratory viral targets in a single reaction via a lateral-flow readout and ~4,000 copies of viral RNA via additional ambient-temperature rolling circle amplification of the expression cassette. Leveraging synthetic biology to simplify workflows for nucleic acid diagnostics may facilitate their broader applicability at the point of care.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Carl Brown
- Sherlock Biosciences, Watertown, MA, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Emily Ryan
- Sherlock Biosciences, Watertown, MA, USA
| | | | | | - James J Collins
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
- Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Infectious Disease and Microbiome Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Abdul Latif Jameel Clinic for Machine Learning in Health, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- College of Arts and Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Synthetic Biology Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Harvard-MIT Program in Health Sciences and Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - William J Blake
- Sherlock Biosciences, Watertown, MA, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Rodrigues ÉF, Fachin AL, Marins M, Stabeli RG, Beleboni RO. Challenges in recombinant brain-derived neurotrophic factor production. Trends Biotechnol 2023:S0167-7799(23)00325-6. [PMID: 38008688 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2023.11.003] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 11/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/28/2023]
Abstract
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a neurotrophin of marked commercial, scientific, diagnostic, and therapeutic interest. The preservation of its structural cystine-knot is the main challenge in its industrial production. A suitable expression system is critical to achieve the most efficient production of bioactive and stable BDNF for pharmaceutical purposes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Éllen F Rodrigues
- Biotechnology Unit, University of Ribeirão Preto/UNAERP, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Ana L Fachin
- Biotechnology Unit, University of Ribeirão Preto/UNAERP, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil; Medicine School, University of Ribeirão Preto/UNAERP, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Mozart Marins
- Biotechnology Unit, University of Ribeirão Preto/UNAERP, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil; Medicine School, University of Ribeirão Preto/UNAERP, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil; Pharmacy School, University of Ribeirão Preto/UNAERP, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo G Stabeli
- Oswaldo Cruz Foundation/Fiocruz-SP, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil; Department of Medicine, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Renê O Beleboni
- Biotechnology Unit, University of Ribeirão Preto/UNAERP, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil; Medicine School, University of Ribeirão Preto/UNAERP, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil; Pharmacy School, University of Ribeirão Preto/UNAERP, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Pandi A, Adam D, Zare A, Trinh VT, Schaefer SL, Burt M, Klabunde B, Bobkova E, Kushwaha M, Foroughijabbari Y, Braun P, Spahn C, Preußer C, Pogge von Strandmann E, Bode HB, von Buttlar H, Bertrams W, Jung AL, Abendroth F, Schmeck B, Hummer G, Vázquez O, Erb TJ. Cell-free biosynthesis combined with deep learning accelerates de novo-development of antimicrobial peptides. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7197. [PMID: 37938588 PMCID: PMC10632401 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42434-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [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: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Bioactive peptides are key molecules in health and medicine. Deep learning holds a big promise for the discovery and design of bioactive peptides. Yet, suitable experimental approaches are required to validate candidates in high throughput and at low cost. Here, we established a cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS) pipeline for the rapid and inexpensive production of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) directly from DNA templates. To validate our platform, we used deep learning to design thousands of AMPs de novo. Using computational methods, we prioritized 500 candidates that we produced and screened with our CFPS pipeline. We identified 30 functional AMPs, which we characterized further through molecular dynamics simulations, antimicrobial activity and toxicity. Notably, six de novo-AMPs feature broad-spectrum activity against multidrug-resistant pathogens and do not develop bacterial resistance. Our work demonstrates the potential of CFPS for high throughput and low-cost production and testing of bioactive peptides within less than 24 h.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amir Pandi
- Department of Biochemistry and Synthetic Metabolism, Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Marburg, Germany.
| | - David Adam
- Department of Biochemistry and Synthetic Metabolism, Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Marburg, Germany
- Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Munich, Germany
| | - Amir Zare
- Department of Biochemistry and Synthetic Metabolism, Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Marburg, Germany
| | - Van Tuan Trinh
- Department of Chemistry, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Stefan L Schaefer
- Department of Theoretical Biophysics, Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Marie Burt
- Institute for Lung Research, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center, Philipps-University Marburg, German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Marburg, Germany
| | - Björn Klabunde
- Institute for Lung Research, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center, Philipps-University Marburg, German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Marburg, Germany
| | - Elizaveta Bobkova
- Department of Biochemistry and Synthetic Metabolism, Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Marburg, Germany
| | - Manish Kushwaha
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAe, AgroParisTech, Micalis Institute, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Yeganeh Foroughijabbari
- Department of Biochemistry and Synthetic Metabolism, Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Marburg, Germany
| | - Peter Braun
- Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Munich, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Munich, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology (ITMP), Immunology, Infection and Pandemic Research, Munich, Germany
| | - Christoph Spahn
- Department of Natural Products in Organismic Interactions, Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Marburg, Germany
| | - Christian Preußer
- Institute for Tumor Immunology, Center for Tumor Biology and Immunology, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
- Core Facility Extracellular Vesicles, Center for Tumor Biology and Immunology, Philipps-University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Elke Pogge von Strandmann
- Institute for Tumor Immunology, Center for Tumor Biology and Immunology, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
- Core Facility Extracellular Vesicles, Center for Tumor Biology and Immunology, Philipps-University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Helge B Bode
- Department of Natural Products in Organismic Interactions, Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Marburg, Germany
- Molecular Biotechnology, Department of Biosciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Department of Chemistry, Chemical Biology, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
- Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung, Frankfurt, Germany
- SYNMIKRO Center of Synthetic Microbiology, Marburg, Germany
| | - Heiner von Buttlar
- Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Munich, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Munich, Germany
| | - Wilhelm Bertrams
- Institute for Lung Research, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center, Philipps-University Marburg, German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Marburg, Germany
| | - Anna Lena Jung
- Institute for Lung Research, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center, Philipps-University Marburg, German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Marburg, Germany
- Core Facility Flow Cytometry - Bacterial Vesicles, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Frank Abendroth
- Department of Chemistry, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Bernd Schmeck
- Institute for Lung Research, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center, Philipps-University Marburg, German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Marburg, Germany
- SYNMIKRO Center of Synthetic Microbiology, Marburg, Germany
- Core Facility Flow Cytometry - Bacterial Vesicles, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
- Department of Medicine, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University Medical Center Marburg, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
- Institute for Lung Health (ILH), Giessen, Germany
- Member of the German Center for Infectious Disease Research (DZIF), Marburg, Germany
| | - Gerhard Hummer
- Department of Theoretical Biophysics, Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Institute for Biophysics, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Olalla Vázquez
- Department of Chemistry, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
- SYNMIKRO Center of Synthetic Microbiology, Marburg, Germany
| | - Tobias J Erb
- Department of Biochemistry and Synthetic Metabolism, Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Marburg, Germany.
- SYNMIKRO Center of Synthetic Microbiology, Marburg, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Casmil IC, Huang C, Blakney AK. A duplex droplet digital PCR assay for absolute quantification and characterization of long self-amplifying RNA. Sci Rep 2023; 13:19050. [PMID: 37923834 PMCID: PMC10624827 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-46314-6] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Self-amplifying messenger ribonucleic acid (saRNA) provides extended expression of genes of interest by encoding an alphavirus-derived RNA replicase and thus is 2-3 times larger than conventional messenger RNA. However, quality assessment of long RNA transcripts is challenging using standard techniques. Here, we utilized a multiplex droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR) assay to assess the quality of saRNA produced from an in vitro transcription reaction and the replication kinetics in human cell lines. Using the one-step reverse transcription ddPCR, we show that an in vitro transcription generates 50-60% full-length saRNA transcripts. However, we note that the two-step reverse transcription ddPCR assay results in a 20% decrease from results obtained using the one-step and confirmed using capillary gel electrophoresis. Additionally, we provided three formulas that differ in the level of stringency and assumptions made to calculate the fraction of intact saRNA. Using ddPCR, we also showed that subgenomic transcripts of saRNA were 19-to-108-fold higher than genomic transcripts at different hours post-transfection of mammalian cells in copies. Therefore, we demonstrate that multiplex ddPCR is well suited for quality assessment of long RNA and replication kinetics of saRNA based on absolute quantification.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Irafasha C Casmil
- Michael Smith Laboratories, School of Biomedical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Cynthia Huang
- Michael Smith Laboratories, School of Biomedical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Anna K Blakney
- Michael Smith Laboratories, School of Biomedical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Dym O, Aggarwal N, Ashani Y, Leader H, Albeck S, Unger T, Hamer-Rogotner S, Silman I, Tawfik DS, Sussman JL. The impact of molecular variants, crystallization conditions and the space group on ligand-protein complexes: a case study on bacterial phosphotriesterase. Acta Crystallogr D Struct Biol 2023; 79:992-1009. [PMID: 37860961 PMCID: PMC10619419 DOI: 10.1107/s2059798323007672] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
A bacterial phosphotriesterase was employed as an experimental paradigm to examine the effects of multiple factors, such as the molecular constructs, the ligands used during protein expression and purification, the crystallization conditions and the space group, on the visualization of molecular complexes of ligands with a target enzyme. In this case, the ligands used were organophosphates that are fragments of the nerve agents and insecticides on which the enzyme acts as a bioscavenger. 12 crystal structures of various phosphotriesterase constructs obtained by directed evolution were analyzed, with resolutions of up to 1.38 Å. Both apo forms and holo forms, complexed with the organophosphate ligands, were studied. Crystals obtained from three different crystallization conditions, crystallized in four space groups, with and without N-terminal tags, were utilized to investigate the impact of these factors on visualizing the organophosphate complexes of the enzyme. The study revealed that the tags used for protein expression can lodge in the active site and hinder ligand binding. Furthermore, the space group in which the protein crystallizes can significantly impact the visualization of bound ligands. It was also observed that the crystallization precipitants can compete with, and even preclude, ligand binding, leading to false positives or to the incorrect identification of lead drug candidates. One of the co-crystallization conditions enabled the definition of the spaces that accommodate the substituents attached to the P atom of several products of organophosphate substrates after detachment of the leaving group. The crystal structures of the complexes of phosphotriesterase with the organophosphate products reveal similar short interaction distances of the two partially charged O atoms of the P-O bonds with the exposed β-Zn2+ ion and the buried α-Zn2+ ion. This suggests that both Zn2+ ions have a role in stabilizing the transition state for substrate hydrolysis. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the challenges and considerations involved in studying the crystal structures of ligand-protein complexes, highlighting the importance of careful experimental design and rigorous data analysis in ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the resulting phosphotriesterase-organophosphate structures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Orly Dym
- Department of Life Sciences Core Facilities, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Nidhi Aggarwal
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Yacov Ashani
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Haim Leader
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Shira Albeck
- Department of Life Sciences Core Facilities, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Tamar Unger
- Department of Life Sciences Core Facilities, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Shelly Hamer-Rogotner
- Department of Life Sciences Core Facilities, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Israel Silman
- Department of Brain Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Dan S. Tawfik
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Joel L. Sussman
- Department of Chemical and Structural Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Szöllősi D, Hajdrik P, Tordai H, Horváth I, Veres DS, Gillich B, Shailaja KD, Smeller L, Bergmann R, Bachmann M, Mihály J, Gaál A, Jezsó B, Barátki B, Kövesdi D, Bősze S, Szabó I, Felföldi T, Oszwald E, Padmanabhan P, Gulyás BZ, Hamdani N, Máthé D, Varga Z, Szigeti K. Molecular imaging of bacterial outer membrane vesicles based on bacterial surface display. Sci Rep 2023; 13:18752. [PMID: 37907509 PMCID: PMC10618197 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-45628-9] [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: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The important roles of bacterial outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) in various diseases and their emergence as a promising platform for vaccine development and targeted drug delivery necessitates the development of imaging techniques suitable for quantifying their biodistribution with high precision. To address this requirement, we aimed to develop an OMV specific radiolabeling technique for positron emission tomography (PET). A novel bacterial strain (E. coli BL21(DE3) ΔnlpI, ΔlpxM) was created for efficient OMV production, and OMVs were characterized using various methods. SpyCatcher was anchored to the OMV outer membrane using autotransporter-based surface display systems. Synthetic SpyTag-NODAGA conjugates were tested for OMV surface binding and 64Cu labeling efficiency. The final labeling protocol shows a radiochemical purity of 100% with a ~ 29% radiolabeling efficiency and excellent serum stability. The in vivo biodistribution of OMVs labeled with 64Cu was determined in mice using PET/MRI imaging which revealed that the biodistribution of radiolabeled OMVs in mice is characteristic of previously reported data with the highest organ uptakes corresponding to the liver and spleen 3, 6, and 12 h following intravenous administration. This novel method can serve as a basis for a general OMV radiolabeling scheme and could be used in vaccine- and drug-carrier development based on bioengineered OMVs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dávid Szöllősi
- Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Semmelweis University, 37-47 Tűzoltó Street, Budapest, 1094, Hungary
| | - Polett Hajdrik
- Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Semmelweis University, 37-47 Tűzoltó Street, Budapest, 1094, Hungary
| | - Hedvig Tordai
- Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Semmelweis University, 37-47 Tűzoltó Street, Budapest, 1094, Hungary
| | - Ildikó Horváth
- Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Semmelweis University, 37-47 Tűzoltó Street, Budapest, 1094, Hungary
| | - Dániel S Veres
- Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Semmelweis University, 37-47 Tűzoltó Street, Budapest, 1094, Hungary
| | - Bernadett Gillich
- Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Semmelweis University, 37-47 Tűzoltó Street, Budapest, 1094, Hungary
| | - Kanni Das Shailaja
- Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Semmelweis University, 37-47 Tűzoltó Street, Budapest, 1094, Hungary
| | - László Smeller
- Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Semmelweis University, 37-47 Tűzoltó Street, Budapest, 1094, Hungary
| | - Ralf Bergmann
- Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Semmelweis University, 37-47 Tűzoltó Street, Budapest, 1094, Hungary
- Institute for Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, 400 Bautzner Landstraße, 01328, Dresden, Germany
| | - Michael Bachmann
- Institute for Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, 400 Bautzner Landstraße, 01328, Dresden, Germany
| | - Judith Mihály
- Biological Nanochemistry Research Group, Institute of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, 2 Magyar Tudósok Körútja, Budapest, 1117, Hungary
| | - Anikó Gaál
- Biological Nanochemistry Research Group, Institute of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, 2 Magyar Tudósok Körútja, Budapest, 1117, Hungary
| | - Bálint Jezsó
- Biological Nanochemistry Research Group, Institute of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, 2 Magyar Tudósok Körútja, Budapest, 1117, Hungary
- Doctoral School of Biology and Institute of Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, 1/C Pázmány Péter Sétány, Budapest, 1117, Hungary
| | - Balázs Barátki
- Department of Immunology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, 1/C Pázmány Péter Sétány, Budapest, 1117, Hungary
| | - Dorottya Kövesdi
- Department of Immunology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, 1/C Pázmány Péter Sétány, Budapest, 1117, Hungary
- MTA-ELTE Complement Research Group, Eötvös Loránd Research Network (ELKH), 1/A Pázmány Péter Sétány, Budapest, 1117, Hungary
| | - Szilvia Bősze
- ELKH-ELTE Research Group of Peptide Chemistry, Eötvös L. Research Network, Eötvös L. University, 1/A Pázmány Péter Sétány, Budapest, 1117, Hungary
| | - Ildikó Szabó
- ELKH-ELTE Research Group of Peptide Chemistry, Eötvös L. Research Network, Eötvös L. University, 1/A Pázmány Péter Sétány, Budapest, 1117, Hungary
| | - Tamás Felföldi
- Department of Microbiology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, 1/C Pázmány Péter Sétány, Budapest, 1117, Hungary
- Centre for Ecological Research, Institute of Aquatic Ecology, 29 Karolina Road, Budapest, 1113, Hungary
| | - Erzsébet Oszwald
- Department of Anatomy, Histology, and Embryology, Semmelweis University, 58 Tűzoltó Street, Budapest, 1094, Hungary
| | - Parasuraman Padmanabhan
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, 11 Mandalay Road, Singapore, 30823, Singapore
- Cognitive Neuroimaging Centre, Nanyang Technological University, 59 Nanyang Drive, Singapore, 636921, Singapore
| | - Balázs Zoltán Gulyás
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, 11 Mandalay Road, Singapore, 30823, Singapore
- Cognitive Neuroimaging Centre, Nanyang Technological University, 59 Nanyang Drive, Singapore, 636921, Singapore
| | - Nazha Hamdani
- Department of Cellular and Translational Physiology, Institute of Physiology, Ruhr University Bochum, 44801, Bochum, Germany
- HCEMM-Cardiovascular Research Group, Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, University of Budapest, Budapest, 1089, Hungary
| | - Domokos Máthé
- Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Semmelweis University, 37-47 Tűzoltó Street, Budapest, 1094, Hungary
- CROmed Translational Research Centers, 37-47 Tűzoltó Street, Budapest, 1094, Hungary
- In Vivo Imaging Advanced Core Facility, Hungarian Center of Excellence for Molecular Medicine (HCEMM), 37-47 Tűzoltó Street, Budapest, 1094, Hungary
| | - Zoltán Varga
- Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Semmelweis University, 37-47 Tűzoltó Street, Budapest, 1094, Hungary
- Biological Nanochemistry Research Group, Institute of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, 2 Magyar Tudósok Körútja, Budapest, 1117, Hungary
| | - Krisztián Szigeti
- Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Semmelweis University, 37-47 Tűzoltó Street, Budapest, 1094, Hungary.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Tang L, Tian Z, Cheng J, Zhang Y, Song Y, Liu Y, Wang J, Zhang P, Ke Y, Simmel FC, Song J. Circular single-stranded DNA as switchable vector for gene expression in mammalian cells. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6665. [PMID: 37863879 PMCID: PMC10589306 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42437-6] [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: 12/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Synthetic gene networks in mammalian cells are currently limited to either protein-based transcription factors or RNA-based regulators. Here, we demonstrate a regulatory approach based on circular single-stranded DNA (Css DNA), which can be used as an efficient expression vector with switchable activity, enabling gene regulation in mammalian cells. The Css DNA is transformed into its double-stranded form via DNA replication and used as vectors encoding a variety of different proteins in a wide range of cell lines as well as in mice. The rich repository of DNA nanotechnology allows to use sort single-stranded DNA effectors to fold Css DNA into DNA nanostructures of different complexity, leading the gene expression to programmable inhibition and subsequently re-activation via toehold-mediated strand displacement. The regulatory strategy from Css DNA can thus expand the molecular toolbox for the realization of synthetic regulatory networks with potential applications in genetic diagnosis and gene therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Linlin Tang
- Institute of Nano Biomedicine and Engineering, Department of Instrument Science and Engineering, School of Electronic Information and Electrical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 200240, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhijin Tian
- Hangzhou Institute of Medicine, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 310022, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Chemistry, University of Science & Technology of China, 230026, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Jin Cheng
- Institute of Nano Biomedicine and Engineering, Department of Instrument Science and Engineering, School of Electronic Information and Electrical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 200240, Shanghai, China
| | - Yijing Zhang
- Hangzhou Institute of Medicine, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 310022, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, 300072, Tianjin, China
| | - Yongxiu Song
- Hangzhou Institute of Medicine, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 310022, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yan Liu
- Institute of Nano Biomedicine and Engineering, Department of Instrument Science and Engineering, School of Electronic Information and Electrical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 200240, Shanghai, China
| | - Jinghao Wang
- Hangzhou Institute of Medicine, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 310022, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Chemistry, University of Science & Technology of China, 230026, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Pengfei Zhang
- Hangzhou Institute of Medicine, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 310022, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yonggang Ke
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.
| | | | - Jie Song
- Institute of Nano Biomedicine and Engineering, Department of Instrument Science and Engineering, School of Electronic Information and Electrical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 200240, Shanghai, China.
- Hangzhou Institute of Medicine, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 310022, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Beal KM, Bandara KR, Ali SR, Sonak RG, Barnes MR, Scarcelli JJ, Zhang L. The impact of expression vector position on transgene transcription allows for rational expression vector design in a targeted integration system. Biotechnol J 2023; 18:e2300038. [PMID: 37272404 DOI: 10.1002/biot.202300038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Site-specific integration (SSI) technology has emerged as an effective approach by the pharmaceutical industry for the development of recombinant Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell lines. While SSI systems have been demonstrated to be effective for the development of CHO cell lines, they can be limiting in terms of both transgene expression and in the case of multi-specifics, the ability to generate the correct product of interest. To maximize the performance of Pfizer's dual SSI expression system for expressing monoclonal and multi-specific antibodies, we used a novel approach to investigate the positional effect of transgenes within expression vectors by engineering nucleotide polymorphisms (NP)s to use as biomarkers to track the level of transcript output from each expression vector position. We observed differences in transcript level for two different transgenes across all four expression vector positions interrogated. We then applied these learnings to rationally design expression vectors for six different mAbs and a multi-specific antibody. We showed enhanced productivity and optimal product quality when compared to a conventional expression vector topology. The learnings gained here can potentially aid in the determination of optimal vector topologies for several IgG-like multi-specific formats.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn M Beal
- Cell Line Development, Bioprocess R&D, Biotherapeutics Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pfizer Inc., Andover, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kalpanie R Bandara
- Cell Line Development, Bioprocess R&D, Biotherapeutics Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pfizer Inc., Andover, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Syed R Ali
- Cell Line Development, Bioprocess R&D, Biotherapeutics Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pfizer Inc., Andover, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Renuka G Sonak
- Cell Line Development, Bioprocess R&D, Biotherapeutics Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pfizer Inc., Andover, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Michael R Barnes
- Cell Line Development, Bioprocess R&D, Biotherapeutics Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pfizer Inc., Andover, Massachusetts, USA
| | - John J Scarcelli
- Cell Line Development, Bioprocess R&D, Biotherapeutics Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pfizer Inc., Andover, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Lin Zhang
- Cell Line Development, Bioprocess R&D, Biotherapeutics Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pfizer Inc., Andover, Massachusetts, USA
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Abstract
Robust and precise transcript targeting in mammalian cells remains a difficult challenge using existing approaches due to inefficiency, imprecision and subcellular compartmentalization. Here we show that the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-Csm complex, a multiprotein effector from type III CRISPR immune systems in prokaryotes, provides surgical RNA ablation of both nuclear and cytoplasmic transcripts. As part of the most widely occurring CRISPR adaptive immune pathway, CRISPR-Csm uses a programmable RNA-guided mechanism to find and degrade target RNA molecules without inducing indiscriminate trans-cleavage of cellular RNAs, giving it an important advantage over the CRISPR-Cas13 family of enzymes. Using single-vector delivery of the Streptococcus thermophilus Csm complex, we observe high-efficiency RNA knockdown (90-99%) and minimal off-target effects in human cells, outperforming existing technologies including short hairpin RNA- and Cas13-mediated knockdown. We also find that catalytically inactivated Csm achieves specific and durable RNA binding, a property we harness for live-cell RNA imaging. These results establish the feasibility and efficacy of multiprotein CRISPR-Cas effector complexes as RNA-targeting tools in eukaryotes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David Colognori
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Innovative Genomics Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Marena Trinidad
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Innovative Genomics Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Jennifer A Doudna
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.
- California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences (QB3), University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.
- Molecular Biophysics and Integrated Bioimaging Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA.
- Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Tungekar AA, Ruddock LW. Design of an alternate antibody fragment format that can be produced in the cytoplasm of Escherichia coli. Sci Rep 2023; 13:14188. [PMID: 37648872 PMCID: PMC10469194 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-41525-3] [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: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
With increased accessibility and tissue penetration, smaller antibody formats such as antibody fragments (Fab) and single chain variable fragments (scFv) show potential as effective and low-cost choices to full-length antibodies. These formats derived from the modular architecture of antibodies could prove to be game changers for certain therapeutic and diagnostic applications. Microbial hosts have shown tremendous promise as production hosts for antibody fragment formats. However, low target protein yields coupled with the complexity of protein folding result in production limitations. Here, we report an alternative antibody fragment format 'FabH3' designed to overcome some key bottlenecks associated with the folding and production of Fabs. The FabH3 molecule is based on the Fab format with the constant domains replaced by engineered immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) CH3 domains capable of heterodimerization based on the electrostatic steering approach. We show that this alternative antibody fragment format can be efficiently produced in the cytoplasm of E. coli using the catalyzed disulfide-bond formation system (CyDisCo) in a natively folded state with higher soluble yields than its Fab counterpart and a comparable binding affinity against the target antigen.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aatir A Tungekar
- Protein and Structural Biology Research Unit, Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, 90220, Oulu, Finland
| | - Lloyd W Ruddock
- Protein and Structural Biology Research Unit, Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, 90220, Oulu, Finland.
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Jiao C, Reckstadt C, König F, Homberger C, Yu J, Vogel J, Westermann AJ, Sharma CM, Beisel CL. RNA recording in single bacterial cells using reprogrammed tracrRNAs. Nat Biotechnol 2023; 41:1107-1116. [PMID: 36604543 PMCID: PMC7614944 DOI: 10.1038/s41587-022-01604-8] [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: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Capturing an individual cell's transcriptional history is a challenge exacerbated by the functional heterogeneity of cellular communities. Here, we leverage reprogrammed tracrRNAs (Rptrs) to record selected cellular transcripts as stored DNA edits in single living bacterial cells. Rptrs are designed to base pair with sensed transcripts, converting them into guide RNAs. The guide RNAs then direct a Cas9 base editor to target an introduced DNA target. The extent of base editing can then be read in the future by sequencing. We use this approach, called TIGER (transcribed RNAs inferred by genetically encoded records), to record heterologous and endogenous transcripts in individual bacterial cells. TIGER can quantify relative expression, distinguish single-nucleotide differences, record multiple transcripts simultaneously and read out single-cell phenomena. We further apply TIGER to record metabolic bet hedging and antibiotic resistance mobilization in Escherichia coli as well as host cell invasion by Salmonella. Through RNA recording, TIGER connects current cellular states with past transcriptional states to decipher complex cellular responses in single cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chunlei Jiao
- Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research (HIRI), Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Würzburg, Germany
| | - Claas Reckstadt
- Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research (HIRI), Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Würzburg, Germany
| | - Fabian König
- Department of Molecular Infection Biology II, Institute of Molecular Infection Biology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Christina Homberger
- Institute of Molecular Infection Biology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Jiaqi Yu
- Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research (HIRI), Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Würzburg, Germany
| | - Jörg Vogel
- Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research (HIRI), Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Würzburg, Germany
- Institute of Molecular Infection Biology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Medical Faculty, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Alexander J Westermann
- Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research (HIRI), Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Würzburg, Germany
- Institute of Molecular Infection Biology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Cynthia M Sharma
- Department of Molecular Infection Biology II, Institute of Molecular Infection Biology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Chase L Beisel
- Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research (HIRI), Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Würzburg, Germany.
- Medical Faculty, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Vidal L, Dong Z, Olofsson K, Karlsson EN, Nicaud JM. Production of Rhizopus oryzae lipase using optimized Yarrowia lipolytica expression system. FEMS Yeast Res 2023:foad037. [PMID: 37496194 PMCID: PMC10384013 DOI: 10.1093/femsyr/foad037] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Yarrowia lipolytica is an alternative yeast for heterologous protein production. Based on auto-cloning vectors, a set of 18 chromogenic cloning vectors was developed, each containing one of the excisable auxotrophic selective markers URA3ex, LYS5ex and LEU2ex, and one of six different promoters: the constitutive pTEF, the phase dependent hybrid pHp4d, and the erythritol-inducible promoters from pEYK1 and pEYL1 derivatives. These vectors allowed to increase the speed of cloning of the gene of interest. In parallel, an improved new rProt recipient strain JMY8647 was developed by abolishing filamentation and introducing an auxotrophy for lysine (Lys-), providing an additional marker for genetic engineering. Using this cloning strategy, the optimal targeting sequence for Rhizopus oryzae ROL lipase secretion was determined. Among the eight targeting sequences, the SP6 signal sequence resulted in a 23% improvement in the lipase activity compared to that obtained with the wild-type ROL signal sequence. Higher specific lipase activities were obtained using hybrid erythritol-inducible promoters pHU8EYK and pEYL1-5AB, 1.9 and 2.2 times respectively, when compared with the constitutive pTEF promoter. Two copy strains produce a 3.3 fold increase in lipase activity over the pTEF monocopy strain (266.7 mU/mg versus 79.7 mU/mg).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lea Vidal
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Micalis Institute, 78350 Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Zehui Dong
- Biotechnology, Department of Chemistry, Lund University, 221 00 Lund, Sweden
- AAK AB, Skrivaregatan 9, 215 32 Malmö, Sweden
| | | | | | - Jean-Marc Nicaud
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Micalis Institute, 78350 Jouy-en-Josas, France
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Robinson MP, Jung J, Lopez-Barbosa N, Chang M, Li M, Jaroentomeechai T, Cox EC, Zheng X, Berkmen M, DeLisa MP. Isolation of full-length IgG antibodies from combinatorial libraries expressed in the cytoplasm of Escherichia coli. Nat Commun 2023; 14:3514. [PMID: 37316535 PMCID: PMC10267130 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39178-x] [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: 05/09/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Here we describe a facile and robust genetic selection for isolating full-length IgG antibodies from combinatorial libraries expressed in the cytoplasm of redox-engineered Escherichia coli cells. The method is based on the transport of a bifunctional substrate comprised of an antigen fused to chloramphenicol acetyltransferase, which allows positive selection of bacterial cells co-expressing cytoplasmic IgGs called cyclonals that specifically capture the chimeric antigen and sequester the antibiotic resistance marker in the cytoplasm. The utility of this approach is first demonstrated by isolating affinity-matured cyclonal variants that specifically bind their cognate antigen, the leucine zipper domain of a yeast transcriptional activator, with subnanomolar affinities, which represent a ~20-fold improvement over the parental IgG. We then use the genetic assay to discover antigen-specific cyclonals from a naïve human antibody repertoire, leading to the identification of lead IgG candidates with affinity and specificity for an influenza hemagglutinin-derived peptide antigen.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael-Paul Robinson
- Robert F. Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Jinjoo Jung
- Robert F. Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Natalia Lopez-Barbosa
- Robert F. Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Matthew Chang
- Robert F. Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Mingji Li
- Robert F. Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Thapakorn Jaroentomeechai
- Robert F. Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Emily C Cox
- Biomedical and Biological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Xiaolu Zheng
- Robert F. Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Mehmet Berkmen
- New England Biolabs, 240 County Road, Ipswich, MA, 01938, USA
| | - Matthew P DeLisa
- Robert F. Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA.
- Biomedical and Biological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA.
- Cornell Institute of Biotechnology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Meade E, Rowan N, Garvey M. Bioprocessing and the Production of Antiviral Biologics in the Prevention and Treatment of Viral Infectious Disease. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:vaccines11050992. [PMID: 37243096 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11050992] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Emerging, re-emerging and zoonotic viral pathogens represent a serious threat to human health, resulting in morbidity, mortality and potentially economic instability at a global scale. Certainly, the recent emergence of the novel SARS-CoV-2 virus (and its variants) highlighted the impact of such pathogens, with the pandemic creating unprecedented and continued demands for the accelerated production of antiviral therapeutics. With limited effective small molecule therapies available for metaphylaxis, vaccination programs have been the mainstay against virulent viral species. Traditional vaccines remain highly effective at providing high antibody titres, but are, however, slow to manufacture in times of emergency. The limitations of traditional vaccine modalities may be overcome by novel strategies, as outlined herein. To prevent future disease outbreaks, paradigm shift changes in manufacturing and distribution are necessary to advance the production of vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, cytokines and other antiviral therapies. Accelerated paths for antivirals have been made possible due to advances in bioprocessing, leading to the production of novel antiviral agents. This review outlines the role of bioprocessing in the production of biologics and advances in mitigating viral infectious disease. In an era of emerging viral diseases and the proliferation of antimicrobial resistance, this review provides insight into a significant method of antiviral agent production which is key to protecting public health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elaine Meade
- Department of Life Science, Atlantic Technological University, F91 YW50 Sligo, Ireland
- Centre for Precision Engineering, Materials and Manufacturing Research (PEM), Atlantic Technological University, F91 YW50 Sligo, Ireland
| | - Neil Rowan
- Bioscience Research Institute, Technical University Shannon Midlands Midwest, N37 HD68 Athlone, Ireland
| | - Mary Garvey
- Department of Life Science, Atlantic Technological University, F91 YW50 Sligo, Ireland
- Centre for Precision Engineering, Materials and Manufacturing Research (PEM), Atlantic Technological University, F91 YW50 Sligo, Ireland
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Klenk C, Scrivens M, Niederer A, Shi S, Mueller L, Gersz E, Zauderer M, Smith ES, Strohner R, Plückthun A. A Vaccinia-based system for directed evolution of GPCRs in mammalian cells. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1770. [PMID: 36997531 PMCID: PMC10063554 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37191-8] [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: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Directed evolution in bacterial or yeast display systems has been successfully used to improve stability and expression of G protein-coupled receptors for structural and biophysical studies. Yet, several receptors cannot be tackled in microbial systems due to their complex molecular composition or unfavorable ligand properties. Here, we report an approach to evolve G protein-coupled receptors in mammalian cells. To achieve clonality and uniform expression, we develop a viral transduction system based on Vaccinia virus. By rational design of synthetic DNA libraries, we first evolve neurotensin receptor 1 for high stability and expression. Second, we demonstrate that receptors with complex molecular architectures and large ligands, such as the parathyroid hormone 1 receptor, can be readily evolved. Importantly, functional receptor properties can now be evolved in the presence of the mammalian signaling environment, resulting in receptor variants exhibiting increased allosteric coupling between the ligand binding site and the G protein interface. Our approach thus provides insights into the intricate molecular interplay required for GPCR activation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Klenk
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Maria Scrivens
- Vaccinex, Inc., 1895 Mt. Hope Avenue, Rochester, New York, 14620, NY, USA
| | - Anina Niederer
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Shuying Shi
- Vaccinex, Inc., 1895 Mt. Hope Avenue, Rochester, New York, 14620, NY, USA
| | - Loretta Mueller
- Vaccinex, Inc., 1895 Mt. Hope Avenue, Rochester, New York, 14620, NY, USA
| | - Elaine Gersz
- Vaccinex, Inc., 1895 Mt. Hope Avenue, Rochester, New York, 14620, NY, USA
| | - Maurice Zauderer
- Vaccinex, Inc., 1895 Mt. Hope Avenue, Rochester, New York, 14620, NY, USA
| | - Ernest S Smith
- Vaccinex, Inc., 1895 Mt. Hope Avenue, Rochester, New York, 14620, NY, USA
| | - Ralf Strohner
- MorphoSys AG, Semmelweisstr. 7, 82152, Planegg, Germany
| | - Andreas Plückthun
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057, Zurich, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Boone M, Ramasamy P, Zuallaert J, Bouwmeester R, Van Moer B, Maddelein D, Turan D, Hulstaert N, Eeckhaut H, Vandermarliere E, Martens L, Degroeve S, De Neve W, Vranken W, Callewaert N. Author Correction: Massively parallel interrogation of protein fragment secretability using SECRiFY reveals features influencing secretory system transit. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1072. [PMID: 36828852 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36844-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/26/2023] Open
|
34
|
Latorre Y, Torres M, Vergara M, Berrios J, Sampayo MM, Gödecke N, Wirth D, Hauser H, Dickson AJ, Altamirano C. Engineering of Chinese hamster ovary cells for co-overexpressing MYC and XBP1s increased cell proliferation and recombinant EPO production. Sci Rep 2023; 13:1482. [PMID: 36707606 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-28622-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Improving the cellular capacity of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells to produce large amounts of therapeutic proteins remains a major challenge for the biopharmaceutical industry. In previous studies, we observed strong correlations between the performance of CHO cells and expression of two transcription factors (TFs), MYC and XBP1s. Here, we have evaluated the effective of overexpression of these two TFs on CHO cell productivity. To address this goal, we generated an EPO-producing cell line (CHOEPO) using a targeted integration approach, and subsequently engineered it to co-overexpress MYC and XBP1s (a cell line referred to as CHOCXEPO). Cells overexpressing MYC and XBP1s increased simultaneously viable cell densities and EPO production, leading to an enhanced overall performance in cultures. These improvements resulted from the individual effect of each TF in the cell behaviour (i.e., MYC-growth and XBP1s-productivity). An evaluation of the CHOCXEPO cells under different environmental conditions (temperature and media glucose concentration) indicated that CHOCXEPO cells increased cell productivity in high glucose concentration. This study showed the potential of combining TF-based cell engineering and process optimisation for increasing CHO cell productivity.
Collapse
|
35
|
Jung YE, Lee KW, Cho JH, Bae DW, Jeong BG, Jung YJ, Park SB, An YJ, Kim K, Lee GS, Kang LW, Moon JH, Lee JH, Kim EK, Yim HS, Cha SS. Heating-mediated purification of active FGF21 and structure-based design of its variant with enhanced potency. Sci Rep 2023; 13:1005. [PMID: 36653390 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-27717-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) has pharmaceutical potential against obesity-related metabolic disorders, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Since thermal stability is a desirable factor for therapeutic proteins, we investigated the thermal behavior of human FGF21. FGF21 remained soluble after heating; thus, we examined its temperature-induced structural changes using circular dichroism (CD). FGF21 showed inter-convertible temperature-specific CD spectra. The CD spectrum at 100 °C returned to that at 20 °C when the heated FGF21 solution was cooled. Through loop swapping, the connecting loop between β10 and β12 in FGF21 was revealed to be associated with the unique thermal behavior of FGF21. According to surface plasmon resonance (SPR) experiments, in vitro cell-based assays, and model high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity studies, heated FGF21 maintained biological activities that were comparable to those of non-heated and commercial FGF21s. Based on sequence comparison and structural analysis, five point-mutations were introduced into FGF21. Compared with the wild type, the heated FGF21 variant displayed improved therapeutic potential in terms of body weight loss, the levels of hepatic triglycerides and lipids, and the degree of vacuolization of liver in HFD-fed mice.
Collapse
|
36
|
Zhu J, Ke Y, Liu Q, Yang J, Liu F, Xu R, Zhou H, Chen A, Xiao J, Meng F, Yu L, Li R, Wei J, Liu B. Engineered Lactococcus lactis secreting Flt3L and OX40 ligand for in situ vaccination-based cancer immunotherapy. Nat Commun 2022; 13:7466. [PMID: 36463242 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-35130-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
In situ vaccination is a promising strategy to convert the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment into an immunostimulatory one with limited systemic exposure and side effect. However, sustained clinical benefits require long-term and multidimensional immune activation including innate and adaptive immunity. Here, we develop a probiotic food-grade Lactococcus lactis-based in situ vaccination (FOLactis) expressing a fusion protein of Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 ligand and co-stimulator OX40 ligand. Intratumoural delivery of FOLactis contributes to local retention and sustained release of therapeutics to thoroughly modulate key components of the antitumour immune response, such as activation of natural killer cells, cytotoxic T lymphocytes, and conventional-type-1-dendritic cells in the tumors and tumor-draining lymph nodes. In addition, intratumoural administration of FOLactis induces a more robust tumor antigen-specific immune response and superior systemic antitumour efficacy in multiple poorly immune cell-infiltrated and anti-PD1-resistant tumors. Specific depletion of different immune cells reveals that CD8+ T and natural killer cells are crucial to the in situ vaccine-elicited tumor regression. Our results confirm that FOLactis displays an enhanced antitumour immunity and successfully converts the 'cold' tumors to 'hot' tumors.
Collapse
|
37
|
Kolotilin I. Plant-produced recombinant cytokines IL-37b and IL-38 modulate inflammatory response from stimulated human PBMCs. Sci Rep 2022; 12:19450. [PMID: 36376518 PMCID: PMC9663505 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-23828-z] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Affordable therapeutics are vitally needed for humans worldwide. Plant-based production of recombinant proteins can potentially enhance, back-up, or even substitute for the manufacturing capacity of the conventional, fermenter-based technologies. We plastome-engineered a tobacco cultivar to express high levels of two "plantakines" - recombinant human cytokines, interleukins IL-37b and IL-38, and confirmed their native conformation and folding. Assessment of their biological functionality was performed ex vivo by analyzing the effects exerted by the plantakines on levels of 11 cytokines secreted from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) challenged with an inflammatory agent. Application of the plant-produced IL-37b and IL-38 in PBMCs stimulated with Lipopolysaccharide or Phytohaemagglutinin resulted in significant, and in particular cases-dose-dependent modulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines secretion, showing attenuation in two-thirds of significant level modulations observed. Plantakine treatments that increased inflammatory responses were associated with the higher dosage. Our results demonstrate feasibility of manufacturing functional recombinant human proteins using scalable, cost-effective and eco-friendly plant-based bioreactors.
Collapse
|
38
|
Williams RL, Murray RM. Integrase-mediated differentiation circuits improve evolutionary stability of burdensome and toxic functions in E. coli. Nat Commun 2022; 13:6822. [PMID: 36357387 PMCID: PMC9649629 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34361-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [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: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Advances in synthetic biology, bioengineering, and computation allow us to rapidly and reliably program cells with increasingly complex and useful functions. However, because the functions we engineer cells to perform are typically burdensome to cell growth, they can be rapidly lost due to the processes of mutation and natural selection. Here, we show that a strategy of terminal differentiation improves the evolutionary stability of burdensome functions in a general manner by realizing a reproductive and metabolic division of labor. To implement this strategy, we develop a genetic differentiation circuit in Escherichia coli using unidirectional integrase-recombination. With terminal differentiation, differentiated cells uniquely express burdensome functions driven by the orthogonal T7 RNA polymerase, but their capacity to proliferate is limited to prevent the propagation of advantageous loss-of-function mutations that inevitably occur. We demonstrate computationally and experimentally that terminal differentiation increases duration and yield of high-burden expression and that its evolutionary stability can be improved with strategic redundancy. Further, we show this strategy can even be applied to toxic functions. Overall, this study provides an effective, generalizable approach for protecting burdensome engineered functions from evolutionary degradation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rory L. Williams
- grid.20861.3d0000000107068890Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125 US ,grid.266093.80000 0001 0668 7243Present Address: Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697 US
| | - Richard M. Murray
- grid.20861.3d0000000107068890Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125 US
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Garvey M. Non-Mammalian Eukaryotic Expression Systems Yeast and Fungi in the Production of Biologics. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:1179. [PMID: 36354946 PMCID: PMC9692369 DOI: 10.3390/jof8111179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Biologics have become an important area of medical research generating therapeutics essential for the treatment of many disease states. Biologics are defined as biologically active compounds manufactured by living cells or through biological processes termed bioprocessing. Compared to small molecules which are chemically synthesised they are relatively complex and therapeutically specific molecules. Biologics include hormones, vaccines, blood products, monoclonal antibodies, recombinant therapeutic proteins, enzymes, gene and cellular therapies amongst others. For biologic production prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells (mammalian and non-mammalian) are used as expression systems. Eukaryotic expression systems offer many advantages over prokaryotic based systems. The manufacture of high-quality proteins for human clinical use via recombinant technologies has been achieved in yeast and filamentous fungal systems. Advances in bioprocessing such as genetic engineering, bioreactor design, continuous processing, and quality by design has allowed for increased productivity and higher yield in in these non-mammalian eukaryotic systems with protein translation similar to mammalian systems. The application of eukaryotic expressions systems for the manufacture of biologics of therapeutic importance are described herein.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mary Garvey
- Department of Life Science, Atlantic Technological University, F91 YW50 Sligo, Ireland; ; Tel.: +353-071-9305529
- Centre for Precision Engineering, Materials and Manufacturing Research (PEM), Atlantic Technological University, F91 YW50 Sligo, Ireland
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Kajiura H, Tatematsu KI, Nomura T, Miyazawa M, Usami A, Tamura T, Sezutsu H, Fujiyama K. Insights into the quality of recombinant proteins produced by two different Bombyx mori expression systems. Sci Rep 2022; 12:18502. [PMID: 36323753 PMCID: PMC9628610 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-22565-7] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The silkworm, Bombyx mori, is an attractive host for recombinant protein production due to its high expression efficiency, quality, and quantity. Two expression systems have been widely used for recombinant protein production in B. mori: baculovirus/silkworm expression system and transgenic silkworm expression system. Both expression systems enable high protein production, but the qualities of the resulting recombinant proteins have not been well evaluated. In this study, we expressed bovine interferon γ (IFN-γ) using the two systems and examined the quality of the resulting proteins in terms of N-glycosylation and protein cleavage. Both expression systems successfully produced IFN-γ as an N-glycoprotein. Although the production in the baculovirus/silkworm expression system was much more efficient than that in the transgenic silkworm expression system, unexpected variants of IFN-γ were also produced in the former system due to the different N-glycosylation and C-terminal truncations. These results indicate that while high protein production could be achieved in the baculovirus/silkworm expression system, unintentional protein modification might occur, and therefore protein expression in the transgenic silkworm expression system is preferable from the point-of-view of N-glycosylation of the recombinant protein and evasion of unexpected attack by a protease in B. mori.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hiroyuki Kajiura
- grid.136593.b0000 0004 0373 3971International Center for Biotechnology, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamada-Oka, Suita-Shi, Osaka, 565-0871 Japan ,grid.136593.b0000 0004 0373 3971Institute for Open and Transdisciplinary Research Initiatives (OTRI), Osaka University, 2-1 Yamada-Oka, Suita-Shi, Osaka, 565-0871 Japan
| | - Ken-ichiro Tatematsu
- grid.416835.d0000 0001 2222 0432Division of Silk-Producing Insect Biotechnology, Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, 1-2 Owashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8634 Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Nomura
- grid.419812.70000 0004 1777 4627Sysmex Corporation, 1548 Ooaza Shimookudomi, Sayama, Saitama 350-1332 Japan
| | - Mitsuhiro Miyazawa
- grid.416835.d0000 0001 2222 0432Division of Biomaterial Sciences, Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, 1-2 Owashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8634 Japan
| | - Akihiro Usami
- grid.419812.70000 0004 1777 4627Sysmex Corporation, 1548 Ooaza Shimookudomi, Sayama, Saitama 350-1332 Japan
| | - Toshiki Tamura
- grid.416629.e0000 0004 0377 2137Silk Science and Technology Research Institute, 1053, Iikura, Ami-Machi, Ibaraki, 300-0324 Japan
| | - Hideki Sezutsu
- grid.416835.d0000 0001 2222 0432Division of Silk-Producing Insect Biotechnology, Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, 1-2 Owashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8634 Japan
| | - Kazuhito Fujiyama
- grid.136593.b0000 0004 0373 3971International Center for Biotechnology, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamada-Oka, Suita-Shi, Osaka, 565-0871 Japan ,grid.136593.b0000 0004 0373 3971Institute for Open and Transdisciplinary Research Initiatives (OTRI), Osaka University, 2-1 Yamada-Oka, Suita-Shi, Osaka, 565-0871 Japan ,grid.10223.320000 0004 1937 0490Osaka University Cooperative Research Station in Southeast Asia (OU:CRS), Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Mertens LMY, den Blaauwen T. Optimising expression of the large dynamic range FRET pair mNeonGreen and superfolder mTurquoise2(ox) for use in the Escherichia coli cytoplasm. Sci Rep 2022; 12:17977. [PMID: 36289441 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-22918-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The fluorescent proteins superfolder mTurquoise2ox (sfTq2ox) and mNeonGreen function excellently in mammalian cells, but are not well expressed in E. coli when forming the N-terminus of constructs. Expression was increased by decreasing structures at the start of their coding sequences in the mRNA. Unfortunately, the expression of mNeonGreen started from methionine at position ten as optimisation introduced an alternative RBS in the GFP N-terminus of mNeonGreen. The original start-codon was not deleted, which caused the expression of isomers starting at the original start-codon and at the start-codon at the beginning of the GFP N-terminus. By omitting the GFP N-terminus of mNeonGreen and optimising the structure of its mRNA, the expression of a mixture of isomers was avoided, and up to ~ 50-fold higher expression rates were achieved for mNeonGreen. Both fluorescent proteins can now be expressed at readily detectable levels in E. coli and can be used for various purposes. One explored application is the detection of in-cell protein interactions by FRET. mNeonGreen and sfTq2ox form a FRET pair with a larger dynamic range than commonly used donor-acceptor pairs, allowing for an excellent signal-to-noise ratio, which supports the detection of conformational changes that affect the distance between the interacting proteins.
Collapse
|
42
|
Han Y, Kinfu BM, Blombach F, Cackett G, Zhang H, Pérez-García P, Krohn I, Salomon J, Besirlioglu V, Mirzaeigarakani T, Schwaneberg U, Chow J, Werner F, Streit WR. A novel metagenome-derived viral RNA polymerase and its application in a cell-free expression system for metagenome screening. Sci Rep 2022; 12:17882. [PMID: 36284144 PMCID: PMC9596486 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-22383-x] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The mining of genomes from non-cultivated microorganisms using metagenomics is a powerful tool to discover novel proteins and other valuable biomolecules. However, function-based metagenome searches are often limited by the time-consuming expression of the active proteins in various heterologous host systems. We here report the initial characterization of novel single-subunit bacteriophage RNA polymerase, EM1 RNAP, identified from a metagenome data set obtained from an elephant dung microbiome. EM1 RNAP and its promoter sequence are distantly related to T7 RNA polymerase. Using EM1 RNAP and a translation-competent Escherichia coli extract, we have developed an efficient medium-throughput pipeline and protocol allowing the expression of metagenome-derived genes and the production of proteins in cell-free system is sufficient for the initial testing of the predicted activities. Here, we have successfully identified and verified 12 enzymes acting on bis(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (BHET) in a completely clone-free approach and proposed an in vitro high-throughput metagenomic screening method.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuchen Han
- grid.9026.d0000 0001 2287 2617Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, University of Hamburg, Ohnhorststr. 18, 22609 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Birhanu M. Kinfu
- grid.9026.d0000 0001 2287 2617Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, University of Hamburg, Ohnhorststr. 18, 22609 Hamburg, Germany ,grid.9764.c0000 0001 2153 9986Present Address: Institute for General Microbiology, Christian-Albrechts-University, 24118 Kiel, Germany
| | - Fabian Blombach
- grid.83440.3b0000000121901201Division of Biosciences, Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT UK
| | - Gwenny Cackett
- grid.83440.3b0000000121901201Division of Biosciences, Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT UK
| | - Hongli Zhang
- grid.9026.d0000 0001 2287 2617Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, University of Hamburg, Ohnhorststr. 18, 22609 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Pablo Pérez-García
- grid.9026.d0000 0001 2287 2617Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, University of Hamburg, Ohnhorststr. 18, 22609 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ines Krohn
- grid.9026.d0000 0001 2287 2617Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, University of Hamburg, Ohnhorststr. 18, 22609 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jesper Salomon
- grid.10582.3e0000 0004 0373 0797Novozymes A/S, Microbial Discovery, Bagsværd, Denmark
| | - Volkan Besirlioglu
- grid.1957.a0000 0001 0728 696XChair of Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen, Worringerweg 3, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Tayebeh Mirzaeigarakani
- grid.1957.a0000 0001 0728 696XChair of Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen, Worringerweg 3, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Ulrich Schwaneberg
- grid.1957.a0000 0001 0728 696XChair of Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen, Worringerweg 3, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Jennifer Chow
- grid.9026.d0000 0001 2287 2617Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, University of Hamburg, Ohnhorststr. 18, 22609 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Finn Werner
- grid.83440.3b0000000121901201Division of Biosciences, Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT UK
| | - Wolfgang R. Streit
- grid.9026.d0000 0001 2287 2617Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, University of Hamburg, Ohnhorststr. 18, 22609 Hamburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Chen WCW, Gaidukov L, Lai Y, Wu MR, Cao J, Gutbrod MJ, Choi GCG, Utomo RP, Chen YC, Wroblewska L, Kellis M, Zhang L, Weiss R, Lu TK. A synthetic transcription platform for programmable gene expression in mammalian cells. Nat Commun 2022; 13:6167. [PMID: 36257931 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33287-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Precise, scalable, and sustainable control of genetic and cellular activities in mammalian cells is key to developing precision therapeutics and smart biomanufacturing. Here we create a highly tunable, modular, versatile CRISPR-based synthetic transcription system for the programmable control of gene expression and cellular phenotypes in mammalian cells. Genetic circuits consisting of well-characterized libraries of guide RNAs, binding motifs of synthetic operators, transcriptional activators, and additional genetic regulatory elements express mammalian genes in a highly predictable and tunable manner. We demonstrate the programmable control of reporter genes episomally and chromosomally, with up to 25-fold more activity than seen with the EF1α promoter, in multiple cell types. We use these circuits to program the secretion of human monoclonal antibodies and to control T-cell effector function marked by interferon-γ production. Antibody titers and interferon-γ concentrations significantly correlate with synthetic promoter strengths, providing a platform for programming gene expression and cellular function in diverse applications.
Collapse
|
44
|
Hoelscher MP, Forner J, Calderone S, Krämer C, Taylor Z, Loiacono FV, Agrawal S, Karcher D, Moratti F, Kroop X, Bock R. Expression strategies for the efficient synthesis of antimicrobial peptides in plastids. Nat Commun 2022; 13:5856. [PMID: 36195597 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33516-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) kill microbes or inhibit their growth and are promising next-generation antibiotics. Harnessing their full potential as antimicrobial agents will require methods for cost-effective large-scale production and purification. Here, we explore the possibility to exploit the high protein synthesis capacity of the chloroplast to produce AMPs in plants. Generating a large series of 29 sets of transplastomic tobacco plants expressing nine different AMPs as fusion proteins, we show that high-level constitutive AMP expression results in deleterious plant phenotypes. However, by utilizing inducible expression and fusions to the cleavable carrier protein SUMO, the cytotoxic effects of AMPs and fused AMPs are alleviated and plants with wild-type-like phenotypes are obtained. Importantly, purified AMP fusion proteins display antimicrobial activity independently of proteolytic removal of the carrier. Our work provides expression strategies for the synthesis of toxic polypeptides in chloroplasts, and establishes transplastomic plants as efficient production platform for antimicrobial peptides.
Collapse
|
45
|
Gourdelier M, Swain J, Arone C, Mouttou A, Bracquemond D, Merida P, Saffarian S, Lyonnais S, Favard C, Muriaux D. Optimized production and fluorescent labeling of SARS-CoV-2 virus-like particles. Sci Rep 2022; 12:14651. [PMID: 36030323 PMCID: PMC9419636 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-18681-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 03/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 is an RNA enveloped virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic that conducted in 6 million deaths worldwide so far. SARS-CoV-2 particles are mainly composed of the 4 main structural proteins M, N, E and S to form 100 nm diameter viral particles. Based on productive assays, we propose an optimal transfected plasmid ratio mimicking the viral RNA ratio in infected cells. This allows SARS-CoV-2 Virus-Like Particle (VLPs) formation composed of the viral structural proteins M, N, E and mature S. Furthermore, fluorescent or photoconvertible VLPs were generated by adding a fluorescent protein tag on N or M mixing with unlabeled viral proteins and characterized by western blots, atomic force microscopy coupled to fluorescence and immuno-spotting. Thanks to live fluorescence and super-resolution microscopies, we quantified VLPs size and concentration. SARS-CoV-2 VLPs present a diameter of 110 and 140 nm respectively for MNE-VLPs and MNES-VLPs with a concentration of 10e12 VLP/ml. In this condition, we were able to establish the incorporation of the Spike in the fluorescent VLPs. Finally, the Spike functionality was assessed by monitoring fluorescent MNES-VLPs docking and internalization in human pulmonary cells expressing or not the receptor hACE2. Results show a preferential maturation of S on N(GFP) labeled VLPs and an hACE2-dependent VLP internalization and a potential fusion in host cells. This work provides new insights on the use of non-fluorescent and fluorescent VLPs to study and visualize the SARS-CoV-2 viral life cycle in a safe environment (BSL-2 instead of BSL-3). Moreover, optimized SARS-CoV-2 VLP production can be further adapted to vaccine design strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Manon Gourdelier
- Institut de Recherche en Infectiologie de Montpellier (IRIM), Université de Montpellier, CNRS UMR9004, Montpellier, France
| | - Jitendriya Swain
- Institut de Recherche en Infectiologie de Montpellier (IRIM), Université de Montpellier, CNRS UMR9004, Montpellier, France
| | - Coline Arone
- Institut de Recherche en Infectiologie de Montpellier (IRIM), Université de Montpellier, CNRS UMR9004, Montpellier, France
| | - Anita Mouttou
- Institut de Recherche en Infectiologie de Montpellier (IRIM), Université de Montpellier, CNRS UMR9004, Montpellier, France
| | - David Bracquemond
- Institut de Recherche en Infectiologie de Montpellier (IRIM), Université de Montpellier, CNRS UMR9004, Montpellier, France
| | - Peggy Merida
- Institut de Recherche en Infectiologie de Montpellier (IRIM), Université de Montpellier, CNRS UMR9004, Montpellier, France
| | - Saveez Saffarian
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Center for Cell and Genome Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | | | - Cyril Favard
- Institut de Recherche en Infectiologie de Montpellier (IRIM), Université de Montpellier, CNRS UMR9004, Montpellier, France
| | - Delphine Muriaux
- Institut de Recherche en Infectiologie de Montpellier (IRIM), Université de Montpellier, CNRS UMR9004, Montpellier, France.
- CEMIPAI, Université de Montpellier, CNRS UAR3725, Montpellier, France.
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Zeng F, Liao S, Kuang Z, Zhu Q, Wei H, Shi J, Zheng E, Xu Z, Huang S, Hong L, Gu T, Yang J, Yang H, Cai G, Moisyadi S, Urschitz J, Li Z, Wu Z. Genetically Engineered Pigs as Efficient Salivary Gland Bioreactors for Production of Therapeutically Valuable Human Nerve Growth Factor. Cells 2022; 11:cells11152378. [PMID: 35954224 PMCID: PMC9368069 DOI: 10.3390/cells11152378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Farm animal salivary glands hold great potential as efficient bioreactors for production of human therapeutic proteins. Nerve growth factor (NGF) is naturally expressed in animal salivary glands and has been approved for human clinical treatment. This study aims to employ transgenic (TG) pig salivary gland as bioreactors for efficient synthesis of human NGF (hNGF). hNGF-TG pigs were generated by cloning in combination with piggyBac transposon-mediated gene transfer. These hNGF-TG pigs specifically expressed hNGF protein in their salivary glands and secreted it at high levels into saliva. Surgical and nonsurgical approaches were developed to efficiently collect saliva from hNGF-TG pigs. hNGF protein was successfully purified from collected saliva and was verified to be biologically active. In an additional step, the double-transgenic pigs, where the endogenous porcine NGF (pNGF) gene was replaced by another copy of hNGF transgene, were created by cloning combined with CRISPR/Cas9-mediated homologous recombination. These double-transgenic pigs expressed hNGF but not pNGF, thus avoiding possible "contamination" of hNGF with pNGF protein during purification. In conclusion, TG pig salivary glands can be used as robust bioreactors for a large-scale synthesis of functional hNGF or other valuable proteins. This new animal pharming method will benefit both human health and biomedicine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fang Zeng
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (F.Z.); (S.L.); (Z.K.); (Q.Z.); (H.W.); (E.Z.); (Z.X.); (S.H.); (L.H.); (T.G.); (J.Y.); (H.Y.); (G.C.)
- Department of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Department of Aquaculture, College of Marine Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Aniamal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Sha Liao
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (F.Z.); (S.L.); (Z.K.); (Q.Z.); (H.W.); (E.Z.); (Z.X.); (S.H.); (L.H.); (T.G.); (J.Y.); (H.Y.); (G.C.)
- Department of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Aniamal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Zhe Kuang
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (F.Z.); (S.L.); (Z.K.); (Q.Z.); (H.W.); (E.Z.); (Z.X.); (S.H.); (L.H.); (T.G.); (J.Y.); (H.Y.); (G.C.)
- Department of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Aniamal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Qingchun Zhu
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (F.Z.); (S.L.); (Z.K.); (Q.Z.); (H.W.); (E.Z.); (Z.X.); (S.H.); (L.H.); (T.G.); (J.Y.); (H.Y.); (G.C.)
- Department of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Aniamal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Hengxi Wei
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (F.Z.); (S.L.); (Z.K.); (Q.Z.); (H.W.); (E.Z.); (Z.X.); (S.H.); (L.H.); (T.G.); (J.Y.); (H.Y.); (G.C.)
- Department of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Aniamal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Junsong Shi
- Guangdong Wens Pig Breeding Technology Co., Ltd., Yunfu 527499, China;
| | - Enqin Zheng
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (F.Z.); (S.L.); (Z.K.); (Q.Z.); (H.W.); (E.Z.); (Z.X.); (S.H.); (L.H.); (T.G.); (J.Y.); (H.Y.); (G.C.)
- Department of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Aniamal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Zheng Xu
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (F.Z.); (S.L.); (Z.K.); (Q.Z.); (H.W.); (E.Z.); (Z.X.); (S.H.); (L.H.); (T.G.); (J.Y.); (H.Y.); (G.C.)
- Department of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Aniamal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Sixiu Huang
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (F.Z.); (S.L.); (Z.K.); (Q.Z.); (H.W.); (E.Z.); (Z.X.); (S.H.); (L.H.); (T.G.); (J.Y.); (H.Y.); (G.C.)
- Department of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Aniamal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Linjun Hong
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (F.Z.); (S.L.); (Z.K.); (Q.Z.); (H.W.); (E.Z.); (Z.X.); (S.H.); (L.H.); (T.G.); (J.Y.); (H.Y.); (G.C.)
- Department of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Aniamal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Ting Gu
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (F.Z.); (S.L.); (Z.K.); (Q.Z.); (H.W.); (E.Z.); (Z.X.); (S.H.); (L.H.); (T.G.); (J.Y.); (H.Y.); (G.C.)
- Department of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Aniamal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Jie Yang
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (F.Z.); (S.L.); (Z.K.); (Q.Z.); (H.W.); (E.Z.); (Z.X.); (S.H.); (L.H.); (T.G.); (J.Y.); (H.Y.); (G.C.)
- Department of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Aniamal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Huaqiang Yang
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (F.Z.); (S.L.); (Z.K.); (Q.Z.); (H.W.); (E.Z.); (Z.X.); (S.H.); (L.H.); (T.G.); (J.Y.); (H.Y.); (G.C.)
- Department of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Aniamal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Gengyuan Cai
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (F.Z.); (S.L.); (Z.K.); (Q.Z.); (H.W.); (E.Z.); (Z.X.); (S.H.); (L.H.); (T.G.); (J.Y.); (H.Y.); (G.C.)
- Department of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Aniamal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Stefan Moisyadi
- Institute for Biogenesis Research, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA; (S.M.); (J.U.)
| | - Johann Urschitz
- Institute for Biogenesis Research, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA; (S.M.); (J.U.)
| | - Zicong Li
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (F.Z.); (S.L.); (Z.K.); (Q.Z.); (H.W.); (E.Z.); (Z.X.); (S.H.); (L.H.); (T.G.); (J.Y.); (H.Y.); (G.C.)
- Department of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Aniamal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Correspondence: (Z.L.); (Z.W.); Tel.: +86-2085284985 (Z.L.); +86-2085280369 (Z.W.)
| | - Zhenfang Wu
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (F.Z.); (S.L.); (Z.K.); (Q.Z.); (H.W.); (E.Z.); (Z.X.); (S.H.); (L.H.); (T.G.); (J.Y.); (H.Y.); (G.C.)
- Department of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Aniamal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Guangdong Provincial Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agricultural Science and Technology, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Correspondence: (Z.L.); (Z.W.); Tel.: +86-2085284985 (Z.L.); +86-2085280369 (Z.W.)
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Orlandi VT, Martegani E, Giaroni C, Baj A, Bolognese F. Bacterial pigments: A colorful palette reservoir for biotechnological applications. Biotechnol Appl Biochem 2022; 69:981-1001. [PMID: 33870552 PMCID: PMC9544673 DOI: 10.1002/bab.2170] [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] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Synthetic derivatives are currently used instead of pigments in many applicative fields, from food to feed, from pharmaceutical to diagnostic, from agronomy to industry. Progress in organic chemistry allowed to obtain rather cheap compounds covering the whole color spectrum. However, several concerns arise from this chemical approach, as it is mainly based on nonrenewable resources such as fossil oil, and the toxicity or carcinogenic properties of products and/or precursors may be harmful for personnel involved in the productive processes. In this scenario, microorganisms and their pigments represent a colorful world to discover and reconsider. Each living bacterial strain may be a source of secondary metabolites with peculiar functions. The aim of this review is to link the physiological role of bacterial pigments with their potential use in different biotechnological fields. This enormous potential supports the big challenge for the development of strategies useful to identify, produce, and purify the right pigment for the desired application. At the end of this ideal journey through the world of bacterial pigments, the attention will be focused on melanin compounds, whose production relies upon different techniques ranging from natural producers, heterologous hosts, or isolated enzymes. In a green workflow, the microorganisms represent the starting and final point of pigment production.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Eleonora Martegani
- Department of Biotechnologies and Life SciencesUniversity of InsubriaVareseItaly
| | - Cristina Giaroni
- Department of Medicine and SurgeryUniversity of InsubriaVareseItaly
| | - Andreina Baj
- Department of Medicine and SurgeryUniversity of InsubriaVareseItaly
| | - Fabrizio Bolognese
- Department of Biotechnologies and Life SciencesUniversity of InsubriaVareseItaly
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Slattery SS, Giguere DJ, Stuckless EE, Shrestha A, Briere LAK, Galbraith A, Reaume S, Boyko X, Say HH, Browne TS, Frederick MI, Lant JT, Heinemann IU, O'Donoghue P, Dsouza L, Martin S, Howard P, Jedeszko C, Ali K, Styba G, Flatley M, Karas BJ, Gloor GB, Edgell DR. Phosphate-regulated expression of the SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain in the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum for pandemic diagnostics. Sci Rep 2022; 12:7010. [PMID: 35487958 PMCID: PMC9051505 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-11053-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [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: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The worldwide COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 betacoronavirus has highlighted the need for a synthetic biology approach to create reliable and scalable sources of viral antigen for uses in diagnostics, therapeutics and basic biomedical research. Here, we adapt plasmid-based systems in the eukaryotic microalgae Phaeodactylum tricornutum to develop an inducible overexpression system for SARS-CoV-2 proteins. Limiting phosphate and iron in growth media induced expression of the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein from the P. tricornutum HASP1 promoter in the wild-type strain and in a histidine auxotrophic strain that alleviates the requirement for antibiotic selection of expression plasmids. The RBD was purified from whole cell extracts (algae-RBD) with yield compromised by the finding that 90-95% of expressed RBD lacked the genetically encoded C-terminal 6X-histidine tag. Constructs that lacked the TEV protease site between the RBD and C-terminal 6X-histidine tag retained the tag, increasing yield. Purified algae-RBD was found to be N-linked glycosylated by treatment with endoglycosidases, was cross-reactive with anti-RBD polyclonal antibodies, and inhibited binding of recombinant RBD purified from mammalian cell lines to the human ACE2 receptor. We also show that the algae-RBD can be used in a lateral flow assay device to detect SARS-CoV-2 specific IgG antibodies from donor serum at sensitivity equivalent to assays performed with RBD made in mammalian cell lines. Our study shows that P. tricornutum is a scalable system with minimal biocontainment requirements for the inducible production of SARS-CoV-2 or other coronavirus antigens for pandemic diagnostics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Samuel S Slattery
- Department of Biochemistry, Schlich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Daniel J Giguere
- Department of Biochemistry, Schlich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Emily E Stuckless
- Department of Biochemistry, Schlich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Arina Shrestha
- Department of Biochemistry, Schlich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Lee-Ann K Briere
- Department of Biochemistry, Schlich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Alexa Galbraith
- Lambton College, 1457 London Rd, Sarnia, ON, N7S 6K4, Canada
| | - Stephen Reaume
- Lambton College, 1457 London Rd, Sarnia, ON, N7S 6K4, Canada
| | - Xenia Boyko
- Department of Biochemistry, Schlich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Henry H Say
- Department of Biochemistry, Schlich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Tyler S Browne
- Department of Biochemistry, Schlich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Mallory I Frederick
- Department of Biochemistry, Schlich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Jeremy T Lant
- Department of Biochemistry, Schlich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Ilka U Heinemann
- Department of Biochemistry, Schlich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Patrick O'Donoghue
- Department of Biochemistry, Schlich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada
- Department of Chemistry, Western University, London, ON, N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Liann Dsouza
- Pond Technologies Inc., Markham, ON, L3R 9W7, Canada
| | - Steven Martin
- Pond Technologies Inc., Markham, ON, L3R 9W7, Canada
| | - Peter Howard
- Pond Technologies Inc., Markham, ON, L3R 9W7, Canada
| | - Christopher Jedeszko
- International Point of Care Inc., 135 The West Mall Unit 9, Toronto, ON, M9C 1C2, Canada
| | - Kinza Ali
- International Point of Care Inc., 135 The West Mall Unit 9, Toronto, ON, M9C 1C2, Canada
| | - Garth Styba
- International Point of Care Inc., 135 The West Mall Unit 9, Toronto, ON, M9C 1C2, Canada
| | - Martin Flatley
- Suncor Energy Inc., Sarnia Refinery, 1900 River Road, Sarnia, ON, N7T 7J3, Canada
| | - Bogumil J Karas
- Department of Biochemistry, Schlich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Gregory B Gloor
- Department of Biochemistry, Schlich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada.
| | - David R Edgell
- Department of Biochemistry, Schlich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Ng TL, Olson EJ, Yoo TY, Weiss HS, Koide Y, Koch PD, Rollins NJ, Mach P, Meisinger T, Bricken T, Chang TZ, Molloy C, Zürcher J, Chang RL, Mitchison TJ, Glass JI, Marks DS, Way JC, Silver PA. High-Content Screening and Computational Prediction Reveal Viral Genes That Suppress the Innate Immune Response. mSystems 2022; 7:e0146621. [PMID: 35319251 PMCID: PMC9040872 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.01466-21] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Suppression of the host innate immune response is a critical aspect of viral replication. Upon infection, viruses may introduce one or more proteins that inhibit key immune pathways, such as the type I interferon pathway. However, the ability to predict and evaluate viral protein bioactivity on targeted pathways remains challenging and is typically done on a single-virus or -gene basis. Here, we present a medium-throughput high-content cell-based assay to reveal the immunosuppressive effects of viral proteins. To test the predictive power of our approach, we developed a library of 800 genes encoding known, predicted, and uncharacterized human virus genes. We found that previously known immune suppressors from numerous viral families such as Picornaviridae and Flaviviridae recorded positive responses. These include a number of viral proteases for which we further confirmed that innate immune suppression depends on protease activity. A class of predicted inhibitors encoded by Rhabdoviridae viruses was demonstrated to block nuclear transport, and several previously uncharacterized proteins from uncultivated viruses were shown to inhibit nuclear transport of the transcription factors NF-κB and interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3). We propose that this pathway-based assay, together with early sequencing, gene synthesis, and viral infection studies, could partly serve as the basis for rapid in vitro characterization of novel viral proteins. IMPORTANCE Infectious diseases caused by viral pathogens exacerbate health care and economic burdens. Numerous viral biomolecules suppress the human innate immune system, enabling viruses to evade an immune response from the host. Despite our current understanding of viral replications and immune evasion, new viral proteins, including those encoded by uncultivated viruses or emerging viruses, are being unearthed at a rapid pace from large-scale sequencing and surveillance projects. The use of medium- and high-throughput functional assays to characterize immunosuppressive functions of viral proteins can advance our understanding of viral replication and possibly treatment of infections. In this study, we assembled a large viral-gene library from diverse viral families and developed a high-content assay to test for inhibition of innate immunity pathways. Our work expands the tools that can rapidly link sequence and protein function, representing a practical step toward early-stage evaluation of emerging and understudied viruses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tai L. Ng
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Erika J. Olson
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Tae Yeon Yoo
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - H. Sloane Weiss
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Yukiye Koide
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Peter D. Koch
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Nathan J. Rollins
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Pia Mach
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Tobias Meisinger
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Trenton Bricken
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Timothy Z. Chang
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Colin Molloy
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jérôme Zürcher
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Roger L. Chang
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Timothy J. Mitchison
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - John I. Glass
- J. Craig Venter Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Debora S. Marks
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jeffrey C. Way
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Pamela A. Silver
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Tarnowski MJ, Gorochowski TE. Massively parallel characterization of engineered transcript isoforms using direct RNA sequencing. Nat Commun 2022; 13:434. [PMID: 35064117 PMCID: PMC8783025 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-28074-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [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: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcriptional terminators signal where transcribing RNA polymerases (RNAPs) should halt and disassociate from DNA. However, because termination is stochastic, two different forms of transcript could be produced: one ending at the terminator and the other reading through. An ability to control the abundance of these transcript isoforms would offer bioengineers a mechanism to regulate multi-gene constructs at the level of transcription. Here, we explore this possibility by repurposing terminators as 'transcriptional valves' that can tune the proportion of RNAP read-through. Using one-pot combinatorial DNA assembly, we iteratively construct 1780 transcriptional valves for T7 RNAP and show how nanopore-based direct RNA sequencing (dRNA-seq) can be used to characterize entire libraries of valves simultaneously at a nucleotide resolution in vitro and unravel genetic design principles to tune and insulate termination. Finally, we engineer valves for multiplexed regulation of CRISPR guide RNAs. This work provides new avenues for controlling transcription and demonstrates the benefits of long-read sequencing for exploring complex sequence-function landscapes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Tarnowski
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TQ, UK
| | - Thomas E Gorochowski
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TQ, UK.
- BrisSynBio, University of Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TQ, UK.
| |
Collapse
|