1
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Foster MP, Benedek MJ, Billings TD, Montgomery JS. Dynamics in Cre-loxP site-specific recombination. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2024; 88:102878. [PMID: 39029281 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2024.102878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2024] [Revised: 06/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/21/2024]
Abstract
Cre recombinase is a phage-derived enzyme that has found utility for precise manipulation of DNA sequences. Cre recognizes and recombines pairs of loxP sequences characterized by an inverted repeat and asymmetric spacer. Cre cleaves and religates its DNA targets such that error-prone repair pathways are not required to generate intact DNA products. Major obstacles to broader applications are lack of knowledge of how Cre recognizes its targets, and how its activity is controlled. The picture emerging from high resolution methods is that the dynamic properties of both the enzyme and its DNA target are important determinants of its activity in both sequence recognition and DNA cleavage. Improved understanding of the role of dynamics in the key steps along the pathway of Cre-loxP recombination should significantly advance our ability to both redirect Cre to new sequences and to control its DNA cleavage activity in the test tube and in cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark P Foster
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
| | - Matthew J Benedek
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Tyler D Billings
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Jonathan S Montgomery
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
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2
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Huang T, Fakurazi S, Cheah PS, Ling KH. Chromosomal and cellular therapeutic approaches for Down syndrome: A research update. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2024; 735:150664. [PMID: 39260337 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2024.150664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2024] [Revised: 08/20/2024] [Accepted: 09/03/2024] [Indexed: 09/13/2024]
Abstract
In individuals with Down syndrome (DS), an additional HSA21 chromosome copy leads to the overexpression of a myriad of HSA21 genes, disrupting the transcription of the entire genome. This dysregulation in transcription and post-transcriptional modifications contributes to abnormal phenotypes across nearly all tissues and organs in DS individuals. The array of severe clinical symptoms associated with trisomy 21 poses a considerable challenge in the quest for a cure for DS. Fortunately, a wealth of research suggests that chromosome therapy, hinging on cutting-edge genome editing technologies, can potentially eliminate the extra copy of the human chromosome 21. Genome editing tools have demonstrated their efficacy in restoring trisomy to a normal diploid state in vitro DS cell models. Furthermore, we delve into the noteworthy findings in cellular therapy for DS, with recent studies showcasing the increasing feasibility of strategies involving stem cells and CAR T-cells to address corresponding clinical phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tan Huang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Sharida Fakurazi
- Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Pike-See Cheah
- Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia; Malaysian Research Institute on Ageing (MyAgeing(TM)), Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - King-Hwa Ling
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia; Malaysian Research Institute on Ageing (MyAgeing(TM)), Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
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3
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Hosur V, Erhardt V, Hartig E, Lorenzo K, Megathlin H, Tarchini B. Large-Scale Genome-Wide Optimization and Prediction of the Cre Recombinase System for Precise Genome Manipulation in Mice. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-4595968. [PMID: 39011108 PMCID: PMC11247941 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4595968/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/17/2024]
Abstract
The Cre-Lox recombination system is a powerful tool in mouse genetics, offering spatial-temporal control over gene expression and facilitating the large-scale generation of conditional knockout mice. Its versatility also extends to other research models, such as rats, pigs, and zebrafish. However, the Cre-Lox technology presents a set of challenges that includes high costs, a time-intensive process, and the occurrence of unpredictable recombination events, which can lead to unexpected phenotypic outcomes. To better understand factors affecting recombination, we embarked on a systematic and genome-wide analysis of Cre-mediated recombination in mice. To ensure uniformity and reproducibility, we generated 11 novel strains with conditional alleles at the ROSA26 locus, utilizing a single inbred mouse strain background, C57BL/6J. We examined several factors influencing Cre-recombination, including the inter-loxP distance, mutant loxP sites, the zygosity of the conditional alleles, chromosomal location, and the age of the breeders. We discovered that the selection of the Cre-driver strain profoundly impacts recombination efficiency. We also found that successful and complete recombination is best achieved when loxP sites are spaced between 1 to 4 kb apart, with mutant loxP sites facilitating recombination at distances of 1 to 3 kb. Furthermore, we demonstrate that complete recombination does not occur at an inter-loxP distance of ≥ 15 kb with wildtype loxP sites, nor at a distance of ≥ 7 kb with mutant lox71/66 sites. Interestingly, the age of the Cre-driver mouse at the time of breeding emerged as a critical factor in recombination efficiency, with best results observed between 8 and 20 weeks old. Moreover, crossing heterozygous floxed alleles with the Cre-driver strain resulted in more efficient recombination than using homozygous floxed alleles. Lastly, maintaining an inter-loxP distance of 4 kb or less ensures efficient recombination of the conditional allele, regardless of the chromosomal location. While CRISPR/Cas has revolutionized genome editing in mice, Cre-Lox technology remains a cornerstone for the generation of sophisticated alleles and for precise control of gene expression in mice. The knowledge gained here will enable investigators to select a Cre-Lox approach that is most efficient for their desired outcome in the generation of both germline and non-germline mouse models of human disease, thereby reducing time and cost of Cre-Lox technology-mediated genome modification.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Elli Hartig
- The Jackson Laboratory for Mammalian Genetics
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4
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Bedolla A, Wegman E, Weed M, Stevens MK, Ware K, Paranjpe A, Alkhimovitch A, Ifergan I, Taranov A, Peter JD, Gonzalez RMS, Robinson JE, McClain L, Roskin KM, Greig NH, Luo Y. Adult microglial TGFβ1 is required for microglia homeostasis via an autocrine mechanism to maintain cognitive function in mice. Nat Commun 2024; 15:5306. [PMID: 38906887 PMCID: PMC11192737 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49596-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024] Open
Abstract
While TGF-β signaling is essential for microglial function, the cellular source of TGF-β1 ligand and its spatial regulation remains unclear in the adult CNS. Our data supports that microglia but not astrocytes or neurons are the primary producers of TGF-β1 ligands needed for microglial homeostasis. Microglia-Tgfb1 KO leads to the activation of microglia featuring a dyshomeostatic transcriptome that resembles disease-associated, injury-associated, and aged microglia, suggesting microglial self-produced TGF-β1 ligands are important in the adult CNS. Astrocytes in MG-Tgfb1 inducible (i)KO mice show a transcriptome profile that is closely aligned with an LPS-associated astrocyte profile. Additionally, using sparse mosaic single-cell microglia KO of TGF-β1 ligand we established an autocrine mechanism for signaling. Here we show that MG-Tgfb1 iKO mice present cognitive deficits, supporting that precise spatial regulation of TGF-β1 ligand derived from microglia is required for the maintenance of brain homeostasis and normal cognitive function in the adult brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia Bedolla
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Elliot Wegman
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Max Weed
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | | | - Kierra Ware
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Aditi Paranjpe
- Information Services for Research, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, USA
| | - Anastasia Alkhimovitch
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Division of Immunobiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Igal Ifergan
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Division of Immunobiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Aleksandr Taranov
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Joshua D Peter
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Rosa Maria Salazar Gonzalez
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, US
| | - J Elliott Robinson
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, US
| | - Lucas McClain
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Krishna M Roskin
- Division of Immunobiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, US
- Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, USA
| | - Nigel H Greig
- Translational Gerontology Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Yu Luo
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
- Division of Immunobiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
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5
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Erhardt V, Hartig E, Lorenzo K, Megathlin HR, Tarchini B, Hosur V. Large-Scale Genome-Wide Optimization and Prediction of the Cre Recombinase System for Precise Genome Manipulation in Mice. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.06.14.599022. [PMID: 38948742 PMCID: PMC11212873 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.14.599022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
The Cre-Lox recombination system is a powerful tool in mouse genetics, offering spatial-temporal control over gene expression and facilitating the large-scale generation of conditional knockout mice. Its versatility also extends to other research models, such as rats, pigs, and zebrafish. However, the Cre-Lox technology presents a set of challenges that includes high costs, a time-intensive process, and the occurrence of unpredictable recombination events, which can lead to unexpected phenotypic outcomes. To better understand factors affecting recombination, we embarked on a systematic and genome-wide analysis of Cre-mediated recombination in mice. To ensure uniformity and reproducibility, we generated 11 novel strains with conditional alleles at the ROSA26 locus, utilizing a single inbred mouse strain background, C57BL/6J. We examined several factors influencing Cre-recombination, including the inter-loxP distance, mutant loxP sites, the zygosity of the conditional alleles, chromosomal location, and the age of the breeders. We discovered that the selection of the Cre-driver strain profoundly impacts recombination efficiency. We also found that successful and complete recombination is best achieved when loxP sites are spaced between 1 to 4 kb apart, with mutant loxP sites facilitating recombination at distances of 1 to 3 kb. Furthermore, we demonstrate that complete recombination does not occur at an inter-loxP distance of ≥ 15 kb with wildtype loxP sites, nor at a distance of ≥ 7 kb with mutant lox71/66 sites. Interestingly, the age of the Cre-driver mouse at the time of breeding emerged as a critical factor in recombination efficiency, with best results observed between 8 and 20 weeks old. Moreover, crossing heterozygous floxed alleles with the Cre-driver strain resulted in more efficient recombination than using homozygous floxed alleles. Lastly, maintaining an inter-loxP distance of 4 kb or less ensures efficient recombination of the conditional allele, regardless of the chromosomal location. While CRISPR/Cas has revolutionized genome editing in mice, Cre-Lox technology remains a cornerstone for the generation of sophisticated alleles and for precise control of gene expression in mice. The knowledge gained here will enable investigators to select a Cre-Lox approach that is most efficient for their desired outcome in the generation of both germline and non-germline mouse models of human disease, thereby reducing time and cost of Cre-Lox technology-mediated genome modification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerie Erhardt
- The Jackson Laboratory for Mammalian Genetics, Bar Harbor, ME
| | - Elli Hartig
- The Jackson Laboratory for Mammalian Genetics, Bar Harbor, ME
- Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA
| | - Kristian Lorenzo
- The Jackson Laboratory for Mammalian Genetics, Bar Harbor, ME
- The Roux Institute at Northeastern University, Portland, ME
| | - Hannah R Megathlin
- The Jackson Laboratory for Mammalian Genetics, Bar Harbor, ME
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, UMaine, Orono, ME
| | - Basile Tarchini
- The Jackson Laboratory for Mammalian Genetics, Bar Harbor, ME
- Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA
| | - Vishnu Hosur
- The Jackson Laboratory for Mammalian Genetics, Bar Harbor, ME
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6
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Yadav D, Conner JA, Wang Y, Saunders TL, Ubogu EE. A novel inducible von Willebrand Factor Cre recombinase mouse strain to study microvascular endothelial cell-specific biological processes in vivo. Vascul Pharmacol 2024; 155:107369. [PMID: 38554988 DOI: 10.1016/j.vph.2024.107369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 03/17/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
Mouse models are invaluable to understanding fundamental mechanisms in vascular biology during development, in health and different disease states. Several constitutive or inducible models that selectively knockout or knock in genes in vascular endothelial cells exist; however, functional and phenotypic differences exist between microvascular and macrovascular endothelial cells in different organs. In order to study microvascular endothelial cell-specific biological processes, we developed a Tamoxifen-inducible von Willebrand Factor (vWF) Cre recombinase mouse in the SJL background. The transgene consists of the human vWF promoter with the microvascular endothelial cell-selective 734 base pair sequence to drive Cre recombinase fused to a mutant estrogen ligand-binding domain [ERT2] that requires Tamoxifen for activity (CreERT2) followed by a polyadenylation (polyA) signal. We initially observed Tamoxifen-inducible restricted bone marrow megakaryocyte and sciatic nerve microvascular endothelial cell Cre recombinase expression in offspring of a mixed strain hemizygous C57BL/6-SJL founder mouse bred with mT/mG mice, with >90% bone marrow megakaryocyte expression efficiency. Founder mouse offspring were backcrossed to the SJL background by speed congenics, and intercrossed for >10 generations to develop hemizygous Tamoxifen-inducible vWF Cre recombinase (vWF-iCre/+) SJL mice with stable transgene insertion in chromosome 1. Microvascular endothelial cell-specific Cre recombinase expression occurred in the sciatic nerves, brains, spleens, kidneys and gastrocnemius muscles of adult vWF-iCre/+ SJL mice bred with Ai14 mice, with retained low level bone marrow and splenic megakaryocyte expression. This novel mouse strain would support hypothesis-driven mechanistic studies to decipher the role(s) of specific genes transcribed by microvascular endothelial cells during development, as well as in physiologic and pathophysiologic states in an organ- and time-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dinesh Yadav
- Neuromuscular Immunopathology Research Laboratory, Division of Neuromuscular Disease, Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Jeremy A Conner
- Neuromuscular Immunopathology Research Laboratory, Division of Neuromuscular Disease, Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Yimin Wang
- Neuromuscular Immunopathology Research Laboratory, Division of Neuromuscular Disease, Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Thomas L Saunders
- Transgenic Animal Model Core, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Eroboghene E Ubogu
- Neuromuscular Immunopathology Research Laboratory, Division of Neuromuscular Disease, Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
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7
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Hernández-Morán BA, Taylor G, Lorente-Macías Á, Wood AJ. Degron tagging for rapid protein degradation in mice. Dis Model Mech 2024; 17:dmm050613. [PMID: 38666498 PMCID: PMC11073515 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.050613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Degron tagging allows proteins of interest to be rapidly degraded, in a reversible and tuneable manner, in response to a chemical stimulus. This provides numerous opportunities for understanding disease mechanisms, modelling therapeutic interventions and constructing synthetic gene networks. In recent years, many laboratories have applied degron tagging successfully in cultured mammalian cells, spurred by rapid advances in the fields of genome editing and targeted protein degradation. In this At a Glance article, we focus on recent efforts to apply degron tagging in mouse models, discussing the distinct set of challenges and opportunities posed by the in vivo environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brianda A. Hernández-Morán
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Crewe Road, Edinburgh EH4, 2XR, UK
| | - Gillian Taylor
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Crewe Road, Edinburgh EH4, 2XR, UK
| | - Álvaro Lorente-Macías
- Edinburgh Cancer Research, Cancer Research UK Scotland Centre, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Crewe Road, Edinburgh EH4 2XR, UK
| | - Andrew J. Wood
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Crewe Road, Edinburgh EH4, 2XR, UK
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8
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Hendrickson PG, Oristian KM, Browne MR, Luo L, Ma Y, Cardona DM, Nash JO, Ballester PL, Davidson S, Shlien A, Linardic CM, Kirsch DG. Spontaneous expression of the CIC::DUX4 fusion oncoprotein from a conditional allele potently drives sarcoma formation in genetically engineered mice. Oncogene 2024; 43:1223-1230. [PMID: 38413794 PMCID: PMC11027086 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-024-02984-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
CIC::DUX4 sarcoma (CDS) is a rare but highly aggressive undifferentiated small round cell sarcoma driven by a fusion between the tumor suppressor Capicua (CIC) and DUX4. Currently, there are no effective treatments and efforts to identify and translate better therapies are limited by the scarcity of patient tumor samples and cell lines. To address this limitation, we generated three genetically engineered mouse models of CDS (Ch7CDS, Ai9CDS, and TOPCDS). Remarkably, chimeric mice from all three conditional models developed spontaneous soft tissue tumors and disseminated disease in the absence of Cre-recombinase. The penetrance of spontaneous (Cre-independent) tumor formation was complete irrespective of bi-allelic Cic function and the distance between adjacent loxP sites. Characterization of soft tissue and presumed metastatic tumors showed that they consistently expressed the CIC::DUX4 fusion protein and many downstream markers of the disease credentialing the models as CDS. In addition, tumor-derived cell lines were generated and ChIP-seq was preformed to map fusion-gene specific binding using an N-terminal HA epitope tag. These datasets, along with paired H3K27ac ChIP-sequencing maps, validate CIC::DUX4 as a neomorphic transcriptional activator. Moreover, they are consistent with a model where ETS family transcription factors are cooperative and redundant drivers of the core regulatory circuitry in CDS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter G Hendrickson
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | | | - MaKenna R Browne
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
- Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Program, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Lixia Luo
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Yan Ma
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Diana M Cardona
- Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Joshua O Nash
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Laboratory of Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Pedro L Ballester
- Laboratory of Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Scott Davidson
- Laboratory of Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Adam Shlien
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Laboratory of Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Corinne M Linardic
- Department of Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - David G Kirsch
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA.
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA.
- Radiation Medicine Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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9
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Pinglay S, Lalanne JB, Daza RM, Koeppel J, Li X, Lee DS, Shendure J. Multiplex generation and single cell analysis of structural variants in a mammalian genome. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.22.576756. [PMID: 38405830 PMCID: PMC10888807 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.22.576756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
The functional consequences of structural variants (SVs) in mammalian genomes are challenging to study. This is due to several factors, including: 1) their numerical paucity relative to other forms of standing genetic variation such as single nucleotide variants (SNVs) and short insertions or deletions (indels); 2) the fact that a single SV can involve and potentially impact the function of more than one gene and/or cis regulatory element; and 3) the relative immaturity of methods to generate and map SVs, either randomly or in targeted fashion, in in vitro or in vivo model systems. Towards addressing these challenges, we developed Genome-Shuffle-seq, a straightforward method that enables the multiplex generation and mapping of several major forms of SVs (deletions, inversions, translocations) throughout a mammalian genome. Genome-Shuffle-seq is based on the integration of "shuffle cassettes" to the genome, wherein each shuffle cassette contains components that facilitate its site-specific recombination (SSR) with other integrated shuffle cassettes (via Cre-loxP), its mapping to a specific genomic location (via T7-mediated in vitro transcription or IVT), and its identification in single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) data (via T7-mediated in situ transcription or IST). In this proof-of-concept, we apply Genome-Shuffle-seq to induce and map thousands of genomic SVs in mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) in a single experiment. Induced SVs are rapidly depleted from the cellular population over time, possibly due to Cre-mediated toxicity and/or negative selection on the rearrangements themselves. Leveraging T7 IST of barcodes whose positions are already mapped, we further demonstrate that we can efficiently genotype which SVs are present in association with each of many single cell transcriptomes in scRNA-seq data. Finally, preliminary evidence suggests our method may be a powerful means of generating extrachromosomal circular DNAs (ecDNAs). Looking forward, we anticipate that Genome-Shuffle-seq may be broadly useful for the systematic exploration of the functional consequences of SVs on gene expression, the chromatin landscape, and 3D nuclear architecture. We further anticipate potential uses for in vitro modeling of ecDNAs, as well as in paving the path to a minimal mammalian genome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sudarshan Pinglay
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Brotman Baty Institute for Precision Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
- Seattle Hub for Synthetic Biology, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Riza M Daza
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Seattle Hub for Synthetic Biology, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Xiaoyi Li
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - David S Lee
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jay Shendure
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Brotman Baty Institute for Precision Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
- Seattle Hub for Synthetic Biology, Seattle, WA, USA
- Allen Discovery Center for Cell Lineage Tracing, Seattle, WA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
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10
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Cautereels C, Smets J, De Saeger J, Cool L, Zhu Y, Zimmermann A, Steensels J, Gorkovskiy A, Jacobs TB, Verstrepen KJ. Orthogonal LoxPsym sites allow multiplexed site-specific recombination in prokaryotic and eukaryotic hosts. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1113. [PMID: 38326330 PMCID: PMC10850332 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-44996-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Site-specific recombinases such as the Cre-LoxP system are routinely used for genome engineering in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Importantly, recombinases complement the CRISPR-Cas toolbox and provide the additional benefit of high-efficiency DNA editing without generating toxic DNA double-strand breaks, allowing multiple recombination events at the same time. However, only a handful of independent, orthogonal recombination systems are available, limiting their use in more complex applications that require multiple specific recombination events, such as metabolic engineering and genetic circuits. To address this shortcoming, we develop 63 symmetrical LoxP variants and test 1192 pairwise combinations to determine their cross-reactivity and specificity upon Cre activation. Ultimately, we establish a set of 16 orthogonal LoxPsym variants and demonstrate their use for multiplexed genome engineering in both prokaryotes (E. coli) and eukaryotes (S. cerevisiae and Z. mays). Together, this work yields a significant expansion of the Cre-LoxP toolbox for genome editing, metabolic engineering and other controlled recombination events, and provides insights into the Cre-LoxP recombination process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Cautereels
- VIB Laboratory for Systems Biology, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
- CMPG Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, Department M2S, KU Leuven, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
| | - Jolien Smets
- VIB Laboratory for Systems Biology, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
- CMPG Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, Department M2S, KU Leuven, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
| | - Jonas De Saeger
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Lloyd Cool
- VIB Laboratory for Systems Biology, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
- CMPG Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, Department M2S, KU Leuven, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
- Laboratory of Socioecology and Social Evolution, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Yanmei Zhu
- VIB Laboratory for Systems Biology, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
- CMPG Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, Department M2S, KU Leuven, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
| | - Anna Zimmermann
- VIB Laboratory for Systems Biology, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
- CMPG Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, Department M2S, KU Leuven, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
| | - Jan Steensels
- VIB Laboratory for Systems Biology, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
- CMPG Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, Department M2S, KU Leuven, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
| | - Anton Gorkovskiy
- VIB Laboratory for Systems Biology, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
- CMPG Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, Department M2S, KU Leuven, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
| | - Thomas B Jacobs
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Kevin J Verstrepen
- VIB Laboratory for Systems Biology, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology, Leuven, 3001, Belgium.
- CMPG Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, Department M2S, KU Leuven, Leuven, 3001, Belgium.
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11
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Lu X, Fang X, Mi J, Liu Y, Liu R, Li G, Li Y, Yang R. Effects of Adipose Tissue-Specific Knockout of Delta-like Non-Canonical Notch Ligand 1 on Lipid Metabolism in Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 25:132. [PMID: 38203302 PMCID: PMC10778801 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 12/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Delta-like non-canonical Notch ligand 1 (DLK1), which inhibits the differentiation of precursor adipocytes, is a recognized marker gene for precursor adipocytes. Lipids play a crucial role in energy storage and metabolism as a vital determinant of beef quality. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of the DLK1 gene in lipid metabolism by constructing adipose tissue-specific knockout mice. We examined some phenotypic traits, including body weight, liver coefficient, fat index, the content of triglyceride (TG) and cholesterol (CHOL) in abdominal white adipose tissue (WAT) and blood. Subsequently, the fatty acid content and genes related to lipid metabolism expression were detected in DLK1-/- and wild-type mice via GC-MS/MS analysis and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), respectively. The results illustrated that DLK1-/- mice exhibited significant abdominal fat deposition compared to wild-type mice. HE staining and immunohistochemistry (IHC) results showed that the white adipocytes of DLK1-/- mice were larger, and the protein expression level of DLK1-/- was significantly lower. Regarding the blood biochemical parameters of female mice, DLK1-/- mice had a strikingly higher triglyceride content (p < 0.001). The fatty acid content in DLK1-/- mice was generally reduced. There was a significant reduction in the expression levels of the majority of genes that play a crucial role in lipid metabolism. This study reveals the molecular regulatory mechanism of fat metabolism in mice and provides a molecular basis and reference for the future application of the DLK1 gene in the breeding of beef cattle with an excellent meat quality traits. It also provides a molecular basis for unravelling the complex and subtle relationship between adipose tissue and health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Lu
- College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China; (X.L.); (X.F.); (J.M.); (Y.L.); (G.L.); (Y.L.)
| | - Xibi Fang
- College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China; (X.L.); (X.F.); (J.M.); (Y.L.); (G.L.); (Y.L.)
| | - Jiaqi Mi
- College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China; (X.L.); (X.F.); (J.M.); (Y.L.); (G.L.); (Y.L.)
| | - Yue Liu
- College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China; (X.L.); (X.F.); (J.M.); (Y.L.); (G.L.); (Y.L.)
| | - Ruimin Liu
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Tianjin Agricultural University, Tianjin 300392, China;
| | - Guanghui Li
- College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China; (X.L.); (X.F.); (J.M.); (Y.L.); (G.L.); (Y.L.)
| | - Yue Li
- College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China; (X.L.); (X.F.); (J.M.); (Y.L.); (G.L.); (Y.L.)
| | - Runjun Yang
- College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China; (X.L.); (X.F.); (J.M.); (Y.L.); (G.L.); (Y.L.)
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12
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Hendrickson PG, Oristian KM, Browne MR, Luo L, Ma Y, Cardona DM, Linardic CM, Kirsch DG. Expression of the CIC-DUX4 fusion oncoprotein mimics human CIC-rearranged sarcoma in genetically engineered mouse models. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3487637. [PMID: 37961185 PMCID: PMC10635354 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3487637/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
CIC-DUX4 sarcoma (CDS) is a rare but highly aggressive undifferentiated small round cell sarcoma driven by a fusion between the tumor suppressor Capicua (CIC) and DUX4. Currently, there are no effective treatments and efforts to identify and translate better therapies are limited by the scarcity of patient tumor samples and cell lines. To address this limitation, we generated three genetically engineered mouse models of CDS (Ch7CDS, Ai9CDS, and TOPCDS). Remarkably, chimeric mice from all three conditional models developed spontaneous tumors and widespread metastasis in the absence of Cre-recombinase. The penetrance of spontaneous (Cre-independent) tumor formation was complete irrespective of bi-allelic CIC function and the distance between loxP sites. Characterization of primary and metastatic mouse tumors showed that they consistently expressed the CIC-DUX4 fusion protein as well as other downstream markers of the disease credentialing these models as CDS. In addition, tumor-derived cell lines were generated and ChIP-seq was preformed to map fusion-gene specific binding using an N-terminal HA epitope tag. These datasets, along with paired H3K27ac ChIP-seq maps, validate CIC-DUX4 as a neomorphic transcriptional activator. Moreover, they are consistent with a model where ETS family transcription factors are cooperative and redundant drivers of the core regulatory circuitry in CDS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter G. Hendrickson
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | | | - MaKenna R. Browne
- Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Program, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Lixia Luo
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Yan Ma
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Dianna M. Cardona
- Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Corinne M. Linardic
- Department of Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - David G. Kirsch
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
- Radiation Medicine Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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13
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Hendrickson PG, Oristian KM, Browne MR, Lou L, Ma Y, Cardona DM, Linardic CM, Kirsch DG. Expression of the CIC-DUX4 fusion oncoprotein mimics human CIC-rearranged sarcoma in genetically engineered mouse models. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.26.559519. [PMID: 37808628 PMCID: PMC10557731 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.26.559519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
CIC-DUX4 sarcoma (CDS) is a rare but highly aggressive undifferentiated small round cell sarcoma driven by a fusion between the tumor suppressor Capicua (CIC) and DUX4. Currently, there are no effective treatments and efforts to identify and translate better therapies are limited by the scarcity of tissues and patients. To address this limitation, we generated three genetically engineered mouse models of CDS (Ch7CDS, Ai9CDS, and TOPCDS). Remarkably, chimeric mice from all three conditional models developed spontaneous tumors and widespread metastasis in the absence of Cre-recombinase. The penetrance of spontaneous (Cre-independent) tumor formation was complete irrespective of bi-allelic CIC function and loxP site proximity. Characterization of primary and metastatic mouse tumors showed that they consistently expressed the CIC-DUX4 fusion protein as well as other downstream markers of the disease credentialing these models as CDS. In addition, tumor-derived cell lines were generated and ChIP-seq was preformed to map fusion-gene specific binding using an N-terminal HA epitope tag. These datasets, along with paired H3K27ac ChIP-seq maps, validate CIC-DUX4 as a neomorphic transcriptional activator. Moreover, they are consistent with a model where ETS family transcription factors are cooperative and redundant drivers of the core regulatory circuitry in CDS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter G. Hendrickson
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | | | - MaKenna R. Browne
- Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Program, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Lixia Lou
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Yan Ma
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Dianna M. Cardona
- Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Corinne M. Linardic
- Department of Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - David G. Kirsch
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
- Radiation Medicine Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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14
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Medrano M, Allaoui W, Van Bulck M, Thys S, Makrini-Maleville L, Seuntjens E, De Vos WH, Valjent E, Gaszner B, Van Eeckhaut A, Smolders I, De Bundel D. Neuroanatomical characterization of the Nmu-Cre knock-in mice reveals an interconnected network of unique neuropeptidergic cells. Open Biol 2023; 13:220353. [PMID: 37311538 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.220353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuromedin U (NMU) is an evolutionary conserved neuropeptide that has been implicated in multiple processes, such as circadian regulation, energy homeostasis, reward processing and stress coping. Although the central expression of NMU has been addressed previously, the lack of specific and sensitive tools has prevented a comprehensive characterization of NMU-expressing neurons in the brain. We have generated a knock-in mouse model constitutively expressing Cre recombinase under the Nmu promoter. We have validated the model using a multi-level approach based on quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reactions, in situ hybridization, a reporter mouse line and an adenoviral vector driving Cre-dependent expression of a fluorescent protein. Using the Nmu-Cre mouse, we performed a complete characterization of NMU expression in adult mouse brain, unveiling a potential midline NMU modulatory circuit with the ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus (VMH) as a key node. Moreover, immunohistochemical analysis suggested that NMU neurons in the VMH mainly constitute a unique population of hypothalamic cells. Taken together, our results suggest that Cre expression in the Nmu-Cre mouse model largely reflects NMU expression in the adult mouse brain, without altering endogenous NMU expression. Thus, the Nmu-Cre mouse model is a powerful and sensitive tool to explore the role of NMU neurons in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mireia Medrano
- Center for Neurosciences, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Drug Analysis and Drug Information, Research Group Experimental Pharmacology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Wissal Allaoui
- Center for Neurosciences, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Drug Analysis and Drug Information, Research Group Experimental Pharmacology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Mathias Van Bulck
- Laboratory of Medical and Molecular Oncology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Sofie Thys
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Laboratory of Cell Biology and Histology and Antwerp Centre for Advanced Microscopy (ACAM), University of Antwerp, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium
| | | | - Eve Seuntjens
- Department of Biology, Laboratory of Developmental Neurobiology, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Winnok H De Vos
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Laboratory of Cell Biology and Histology and Antwerp Centre for Advanced Microscopy (ACAM), University of Antwerp, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium
- μNEURO Research Centre of Excellence, University of Antwerp, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium
- Antwerp Centre for Advanced Microscopy (ACAM), 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Emmanuel Valjent
- IGF, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, Inserm, 34094 Montpellier, France
| | - Bálazs Gaszner
- Medical School, Research Group for Mood Disorders, Department of Anatomy and Centre for Neuroscience, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary
| | - Ann Van Eeckhaut
- Center for Neurosciences, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Drug Analysis and Drug Information, Research Group Experimental Pharmacology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Ilse Smolders
- Center for Neurosciences, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Drug Analysis and Drug Information, Research Group Experimental Pharmacology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Dimitri De Bundel
- Center for Neurosciences, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Drug Analysis and Drug Information, Research Group Experimental Pharmacology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
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15
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Nguyen DD, Kim E, Le NT, Ding X, Jaiswal RK, Kostlan RJ, Nguyen TNT, Shiva O, Le MT, Chai W. Deficiency in mammalian STN1 promotes colon cancer development via inhibiting DNA repair. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadd8023. [PMID: 37163605 PMCID: PMC10171824 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.add8023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Despite the high lethality of colorectal cancers (CRCs), only a limited number of genetic risk factors are identified. The mammalian ssDNA-binding protein complex CTC1-STN1-TEN1 protects genome stability, yet its role in tumorigenesis is unknown. Here, we show that attenuated CTC1/STN1 expression is common in CRCs. We generated an inducible STN1 knockout mouse model and found that STN1 deficiency in young adult mice increased CRC incidence, tumor size, and tumor load. CRC tumors exhibited enhanced proliferation, reduced apoptosis, and elevated DNA damage and replication stress. We found that STN1 deficiency down-regulated multiple DNA glycosylases, resulting in defective base excision repair (BER) and accumulation of oxidative damage. Collectively, this study identifies STN1 deficiency as a risk factor for CRC and implicates the previously unknown STN1-BER axis in protecting colon tissues from oxidative damage, therefore providing insights into the CRC tumor-suppressing mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dinh Duc Nguyen
- Department of Cancer Biology, Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL, USA
| | - Eugene Kim
- Department of Cancer Biology, Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL, USA
| | - Nhat Thong Le
- School of Biotechnology, International University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Xianzhong Ding
- Department of Pathology, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL, USA
| | - Rishi Kumar Jaiswal
- Department of Cancer Biology, Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL, USA
| | - Raymond Joseph Kostlan
- Department of Cancer Biology, Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL, USA
| | - Thi Ngoc Thanh Nguyen
- Department of Cancer Biology, Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL, USA
| | - Olga Shiva
- Office of Research, Washington State University-Spokane, Spokane, WA, USA
| | - Minh Thong Le
- School of Biotechnology, International University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Weihang Chai
- Department of Cancer Biology, Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL, USA
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16
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Burnet G, Feng CWA, Cheung KMF, Bowles J, Spiller CM. Generation and characterization of a Ddx4-iCre transgenic line for deletion in the germline beginning at genital ridge colonization. Genesis 2023; 61:e23511. [PMID: 36693128 DOI: 10.1002/dvg.23511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Germline-specific Cre lines are useful for analyses of primordial germ cell, spermatogonial and oogonial development, but also for whole-body deletions when transmitted through subsequent generations. Several germ cell specific Cre mouse strains exist, with various degrees of specificity, efficiency, and temporal activation. Here, we describe the CRISPR/Cas9 targeted insertion of an improved Cre (iCre) sequence in-frame at the 3' end of the Ddx4 locus to generate the Ddx4-P2A-iCre allele. Our functional assessment of this new allele, designated Ddx4iCreJoBo , reveals that Cre activity begins in PGCs from at least E10.5, and that it achieves higher efficiency for early gonadal (E10.5-12.5) germline deletion when compared to the inducible Oct4CreERT2 line. We found the Ddx4iCreJoBo allele to be hypomorphic for Ddx4 expression and homozygous males, but not females, were infertile. Using two reporter lines (R26RLacZ and R26RtdTomato ) and a floxed gene of interest (Criptoflox ) we found ectopic activity in multiple organs; global recombination (a common feature of germline Cre alleles) varies from 10 to 100%, depending on the particular floxed allele. There is a strong maternal effect, and therefore it is preferable for Ddx4iCreJoBo to be inherited from the male parent if ubiquitous deletion is not desired. With these limitations considered, we describe the Ddx4iCreJoBo line as useful for germline studies in which early gonadal deletion is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume Burnet
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Chun-Wei Allen Feng
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Ka Man Fiona Cheung
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Josephine Bowles
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Cassy M Spiller
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
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17
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Khabarova A, Koksharova G, Salnikov P, Belokopytova P, Mungalov R, Pristyazhnuk I, Nurislamov A, Gridina M, Fishman V. A Cre-LoxP-based approach for combinatorial chromosome rearrangements in human HAP1 cells. Chromosome Res 2023; 31:11. [PMID: 36842155 DOI: 10.1007/s10577-023-09719-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/27/2023]
Abstract
Alterations of human karyotype caused by chromosomal rearrangements are often associated with considerable phenotypic effects. Studying molecular mechanisms underlying these effects requires an efficient and scalable experimental model. Here, we propose a Cre-LoxP-based approach for the generation of combinatorial diversity of chromosomal rearrangements. We demonstrate that using the developed system, both intra- and inter-chromosomal rearrangements can be induced in the human haploid HAP1 cells, although the latter is significantly less effective. The obtained genetically modified HAP1 cell line can be used to dissect genomic effects associated with intra-chromosomal structural variations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Galina Koksharova
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Novosibirsk, Russia.
- Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk, Russia.
| | - Pavel Salnikov
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Novosibirsk, Russia
- Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Polina Belokopytova
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Novosibirsk, Russia
- Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | | | | | - Artem Nurislamov
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Novosibirsk, Russia
- Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Maria Gridina
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Veniamin Fishman
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Novosibirsk, Russia
- Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk, Russia
- Artificial Intelligence Research Institute, AIRI, Moscow, Russia
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18
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Legrand JMD, Hobbs RM. Defining Gene Function in Spermatogonial Stem Cells Through Conditional Knockout Approaches. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2656:261-307. [PMID: 37249877 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3139-3_15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Mammalian male fertility is maintained throughout life by a population of self-renewing mitotic germ cells known as spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs). Much of our current understanding regarding the molecular mechanisms underlying SSC activity is derived from studies using conditional knockout mouse models. Here, we provide a guide for the selection and use of mouse strains to develop conditional knockout models for the study of SSCs, as well as their precursors and differentiation-committed progeny. We describe Cre recombinase-expressing strains, breeding strategies to generate experimental groups, and treatment regimens for inducible knockout models and provide advice for verifying and improving conditional knockout efficiency. This resource can be beneficial to those aiming to develop conditional knockout models for the study of SSC development and postnatal function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julien M D Legrand
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Robin M Hobbs
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia.
- Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia.
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19
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Law NC. Lineage Tracing of Spermatogonial Stem Cells Within the Male Germline. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2656:309-324. [PMID: 37249878 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3139-3_16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are the fundamental units from which continuous spermatogenesis arises. Although our knowledge regarding the basic properties of SSCs has grown, driven primarily through the advancement of techniques and technologies to study SSCs, the mechanisms controlling their fate remain largely unknown. Among the modern strategies to evaluate SSCs, lineage tracing is among the few established approaches that allow for functional assessment of stem cell capacity. As a result, lineage tracing continues to forge new discoveries underlying the basic attributes of SSCs as well as the molecular factors that govern SSC function. Traditional approaches to lineage tracing with dyes or radioactive labels suffer from progressive loss after successive cell divisions or unintentional label transfer to neighboring cells. To address these limitations, genetic approaches primarily leveraging transgenic technologies have prevailed as the preferred avenue for modern lineage tracing. This chapter will discuss current protocols for effective genetic lineage tracing and address applications of this technology, considerations when designing lineage tracing experiments, and the methods involved in utilizing lineage tracing to study SSCs and other cell populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan C Law
- Center for Reproductive Biology, Department of Animal Sciences, College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA.
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20
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Miyata M, Yoshida J, Takagishi I, Horie K. Comparison of CRISPR-Cas9-mediated megabase-scale genome deletion methods in mouse embryonic stem cells. DNA Res 2022; 30:6854440. [PMID: 36448318 PMCID: PMC9847339 DOI: 10.1093/dnares/dsac045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The genome contains large functional units ranging in size from hundreds of kilobases to megabases, such as gene clusters and topologically associating domains. To analyse these large functional units, the technique of deleting the entire functional unit is effective. However, deletion of such large regions is less efficient than conventional genome editing, especially in cultured cells, and a method that can ensure success is anticipated. Here, we compared methods to delete the 2.5-Mb Krüppel-associated box zinc finger protein (KRAB-ZFP) gene cluster in mouse embryonic stem cells using CRISPR-Cas9. Three methods were used: first, deletion by non-homologous end joining (NHEJ); second, homology-directed repair (HDR) using a single-stranded oligodeoxynucleotide (ssODN); and third, HDR employing targeting vectors with a selectable marker and 1-kb homology arms. NHEJ-mediated deletion was achieved in 9% of the transfected cells. Inversion was also detected at similar efficiency. The deletion frequency of NHEJ and HDR was found to be comparable when the ssODN was transfected. Deletion frequency was highest when targeting vectors were introduced, with deletions occurring in 31-63% of the drug-resistant clones. Biallelic deletion was observed when targeting vectors were used. This study will serve as a benchmark for the introduction of large deletions into the genome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masayuki Miyata
- Department of Physiology II, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Nara 634-8521, Japan
| | - Junko Yoshida
- Department of Physiology II, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Nara 634-8521, Japan
| | - Itsuki Takagishi
- Department of Physiology II, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Nara 634-8521, Japan
| | - Kyoji Horie
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +81 744 23 4696. Fax: +81 744 23 4696.
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21
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Kong Y, Allison DB, Zhang Q, He D, Li Y, Mao F, Li C, Li Z, Zhang Y, Wang J, Wang C, Brainson CF, Liu X. The kinase PLK1 promotes the development of <i>Kras</i>/<i>Tp53</i>-mutant lung adenocarcinoma through transcriptional activation of the receptor RET. Sci Signal 2022; 15:eabj4009. [PMID: 36194647 PMCID: PMC9737055 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.abj4009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Increased abundance of polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) is observed in various tumor types, particularly in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). Here, we found that PLK1 accelerated the progression of LUAD through a mechanism that was independent of its role in mediating mitotic cell division. Analysis of human tumor databases revealed that increased PLK1 abundance in LUAD correlated with mutations in KRAS and p53, with tumor stage, and with reduced survival in patients. In a mouse model of KRAS<sup>G12D</sup>-driven, p53-deficient LUAD, PLK1 overexpression increased tumor burden, decreased tumor cell differentiation, and reduced animal survival. PLK1 overexpression in cultured cells and mice indirectly increased the expression of the gene encoding the receptor tyrosine kinase RET by phosphorylating the transcription factor TTF-1. Signaling by RET and mutant KRAS in these tumors converged to activate the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. Pharmacological inhibition of the MAPK pathway kinase MEK combined with inhibition of either RET or PLK1 markedly suppressed tumor growth. Our findings show that PLK1 can amplify MAPK signaling and reveal a potential target for stemming progression in lung cancers with high PLK1 abundance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifan Kong
- Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, 40536, USA,Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, USA
| | - Derek B. Allison
- Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, USA,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, USA
| | - Qiongsi Zhang
- Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, 40536, USA,Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, USA
| | - Daheng He
- Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, USA
| | - Yuntong Li
- Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, USA
| | - Fengyi Mao
- Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, 40536, USA,Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, USA
| | - Chaohao Li
- Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, 40536, USA,Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, USA
| | - Zhiguo Li
- Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, 40536, USA,Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, USA
| | - Yanquan Zhang
- Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, 40536, USA,Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, USA
| | - Jianlin Wang
- Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, 40536, USA,Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, USA
| | - Chi Wang
- Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, USA
| | - Christine F. Brainson
- Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, 40536, USA,Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, USA
| | - Xiaoqi Liu
- Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, 40536, USA,Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, USA,Corresponding author.
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Robichaux MA, Nguyen V, Chan F, Kailasam L, He F, Wilson JH, Wensel TG. Subcellular localization of mutant P23H rhodopsin in an RFP fusion knock-in mouse model of retinitis pigmentosa. Dis Model Mech 2022; 15:274688. [PMID: 35275162 PMCID: PMC9092655 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.049336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The P23H mutation in rhodopsin (Rho), the rod visual pigment, is the most common allele associated with autosomal-dominant retinitis pigmentosa (adRP). The fate of misfolded mutant Rho in rod photoreceptors has yet to be elucidated. We generated a new mouse model, in which the P23H-Rho mutant allele is fused to the fluorescent protein Tag-RFP-T (P23HhRhoRFP). In heterozygotes, outer segments formed, and wild-type (WT) rhodopsin was properly localized, but mutant P23H-Rho protein was mislocalized in the inner segments. Heterozygotes exhibited slowly progressing retinal degeneration. Mislocalized P23HhRhoRFP was contained in greatly expanded endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membranes. Quantification of mRNA for markers of ER stress and the unfolded protein response revealed little or no increases. mRNA levels for both the mutant human rhodopsin allele and the WT mouse rhodopsin were reduced, but protein levels revealed selective degradation of the mutant protein. These results suggest that the mutant rods undergo an adaptative process that prolongs survival despite unfolded protein accumulation in the ER. The P23H-Rho-RFP mouse may represent a useful tool for the future study of the pathology and treatment of P23H-Rho and adRP. This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper. Summary: A mouse line with a knock-in of the human rhodopsin gene altered to contain the P23H mutation and a red fluorescent protein fusion provides a new model for autosomal-dominant retinitis pigmentosa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael A Robichaux
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,Departments of Ophthalmology and Biochemistry, West Virginia University, 108 Biomedical Road, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA
| | - Vy Nguyen
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Fung Chan
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Lavanya Kailasam
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Feng He
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - John H Wilson
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Theodore G Wensel
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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Sentmanat MF, White JM, Kouranova E, Cui X. Highly reliable creation of floxed alleles by electroporating single-cell embryos. BMC Biol 2022; 20:31. [PMID: 35115009 PMCID: PMC8815186 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-021-01223-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Floxed (flanked by loxP) alleles are a crucial portion of conditional knockout mouse models. However, an efficient and reliable strategy to flox genomic regions of any desired size is still lacking. RESULTS Here, we demonstrate that the method combining electroporation of fertilized eggs with gRNA/Cas9 complexes and single-stranded oligodeoxynucleotides (ssODNs), assessing phasing of loxP insertions in founders using an in vitro Cre assay and an optional, highly specific and efficient second-round targeting ensures the generation of floxed F1 animals in roughly five months for a wide range of sequence lengths (448 bp to 160 kb reported here). CONCLUSIONS Floxed alleles can be reliably obtained in a predictable timeline using the improved method of electroporation of two gRNA/Cas9 ribonucleoprotein particles (RNPs) and two ssODNs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica F. Sentmanat
- Genome Engineering & Stem Cell Center (GESC@MGI), Department of Genetics, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110 USA
| | - J. Michael White
- Transgenic, Knockout and Microinjection Core, Department of Pathology & Immunology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110 USA
| | - Evguenia Kouranova
- Genome Engineering & Stem Cell Center (GESC@MGI), Department of Genetics, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110 USA
| | - Xiaoxia Cui
- Genome Engineering & Stem Cell Center (GESC@MGI), Department of Genetics, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110 USA
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24
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Steffensen L, Stubbe J, Overgaard M, Larsen J. Tamoxifen-independent Cre-activity in SMMHC-CreER T2 mice. ATHEROSCLEROSIS PLUS 2022; 48:8-11. [PMID: 36644559 PMCID: PMC9833216 DOI: 10.1016/j.athplu.2022.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Background and aims Recent technological advances have established vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) as central players in atherosclerosis. Increasingly complex genetic mouse models have unveiled that 30-70% of cells in experimentally induced atherosclerotic lesions derive from a handful of medial SMCs, and that these can adopt a broad range of plaque cell phenotypes. Most of these models are based on the SMMHC-CreER T2 mouse line as Cre-driver. Importantly, Cre-activation can be controlled in time (by administration of tamoxifen, TAM), which is critical to avoid unwanted effects of premature recombination events. The aim of this study was to scrutinize an unexpected observation of TAM-independent Cre-activity in this mouse line. Methods Cre-activity was assessed by PCR in tissues from SMMHC-CreER T2 mice crossed with mice homozygous for loxP-flanked (floxed) exon 4 of Ccn2 (our gene-of-interest), and Ccn2 protein was measured in aortas by targeted mass spectrometry. Results We observed spontaneous near-complete excision of floxed Ccn2 in aortas from adult mice that were not treated with TAM. As a result, Ccn2 protein was significantly reduced in aortas from these mice, but not to the same extent as TAM-treated littermates. Remarkably, most of the excision was completed in 4-week-old mice. Excision was Cre-dependent, as knockout bands were negligible in heart and liver (dominated by non-SMCs) of these mice, and undetectable in the aorta in the absence of Cre. Conclusion Our observations warrant caution, and we advocate inclusion of appropriate controls (i.e., TAM-untreated mice) in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- L.B. Steffensen
- Unit of Cardiovascular and Renal Research, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark,Corresponding author. J. B. Winsløws Vej 21, 3-22A, 5000, Odense C, Denmark.
| | - J. Stubbe
- Unit of Cardiovascular and Renal Research, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - M. Overgaard
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - J.H. Larsen
- Unit of Cardiovascular and Renal Research, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
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25
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Ju C, Zhang M, Guan M, Li S, Zhang Y, Zhao J, Gao X. Fast and efficient generation of a full-length balancer chromosome by a single Cre/loxP recombination event. Mamm Genome 2021; 33:169-180. [PMID: 34386878 DOI: 10.1007/s00335-021-09897-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Balancer chromosomes, primarily discovered and used in Drosophila melanogaster, are valuable tools to maintain lethal mutations in a particular genomic segment. Full-length balancer chromosomes would be particularly useful because of the capacity to maintain whole genomic traits. However, murine full-length balancer chromosomes generated via a single Cre/loxP recombination are still not demonstrated. In this study, we developed a novel mouse strain with full-length inverted chromosome 17 (Ch17Inv balancer) via a single Cre/loxP recombination event in mES cells. The Ch17Inv balancer mice are viable and phenotypically normal. When bred with other strains, the haplotype of chromosome 17 can be stably maintained as determined by the high throughput SNPs assay. Interestingly, we found that the recombination events were efficiently reduced within the inverted region but not eliminated. The method established in this study can be applied to generate other full-length balancer chromosomes. Moreover, the Ch17Inv balancer strain would be a valuable resource to maintain the entire chromosome 17 from different donor strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cunxiang Ju
- GemPharmatech Co., Ltd., Xuefu Rd. 12#, Jiangbei New Area, Nanjing, China.
| | - Mingkun Zhang
- GemPharmatech Co., Ltd., Xuefu Rd. 12#, Jiangbei New Area, Nanjing, China
| | - Min Guan
- GemPharmatech Co., Ltd., Xuefu Rd. 12#, Jiangbei New Area, Nanjing, China
| | - Song Li
- GemPharmatech Co., Ltd., Xuefu Rd. 12#, Jiangbei New Area, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuxi Zhang
- GemPharmatech Co., Ltd., Xuefu Rd. 12#, Jiangbei New Area, Nanjing, China
| | - Jing Zhao
- GemPharmatech Co., Ltd., Xuefu Rd. 12#, Jiangbei New Area, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiang Gao
- GemPharmatech Co., Ltd., Xuefu Rd. 12#, Jiangbei New Area, Nanjing, China.
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Yuan K, Agarwal S, Chakraborty A, Condon DF, Patel H, Zhang S, Huang F, Mello SA, Kirk OI, Vasquez R, de Jesus Perez VA. Lung Pericytes in Pulmonary Vascular Physiology and Pathophysiology. Compr Physiol 2021; 11:2227-2247. [PMID: 34190345 PMCID: PMC10507675 DOI: 10.1002/cphy.c200027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Pericytes are mesenchymal-derived mural cells localized within the basement membrane of pulmonary and systemic capillaries. Besides structural support, pericytes control vascular tone, produce extracellular matrix components, and cytokines responsible for promoting vascular homeostasis and angiogenesis. However, pericytes can also contribute to vascular pathology through the production of pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic cytokines, differentiation into myofibroblast-like cells, destruction of the extracellular matrix, and dissociation from the vessel wall. In the lung, pericytes are responsible for maintaining the integrity of the alveolar-capillary membrane and coordinating vascular repair in response to injury. Loss of pericyte communication with alveolar capillaries and a switch to a pro-inflammatory/pro-fibrotic phenotype are common features of lung disorders associated with vascular remodeling, inflammation, and fibrosis. In this article, we will address how to differentiate pericytes from other cells, discuss the molecular mechanisms that regulate the interactions of pericytes and endothelial cells in the pulmonary circulation, and the experimental tools currently used to study pericyte biology both in vivo and in vitro. We will also discuss evidence that links pericytes to the pathogenesis of clinically relevant lung disorders such as pulmonary hypertension, idiopathic lung fibrosis, sepsis, and SARS-COVID. Future studies dissecting the complex interactions of pericytes with other pulmonary cell populations will likely reveal critical insights into the origin of pulmonary diseases and offer opportunities to develop novel therapeutics to treat patients afflicted with these devastating disorders. © 2021 American Physiological Society. Compr Physiol 11:2227-2247, 2021.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Yuan
- Division of Respiratory Diseases Research, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Stuti Agarwal
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Ananya Chakraborty
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - David F. Condon
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Hiral Patel
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Serena Zhang
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Flora Huang
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Salvador A. Mello
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | | | - Rocio Vasquez
- University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA
| | - Vinicio A. de Jesus Perez
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
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27
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Lindner L, Cayrou P, Rosahl TW, Zhou HH, Birling MC, Herault Y, Pavlovic G. Droplet digital PCR or quantitative PCR for in-depth genomic and functional validation of genetically altered rodents. Methods 2021; 191:107-119. [PMID: 33838271 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2021.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene targeting and additive (random) transgenesis have proven to be powerful technologies with which to decipher the mammalian genome. With the advent of CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, the ability to inactivate or modify the function of a gene has become even more accessible. However, the impact of each generated modification may be different from what was initially desired. Minimal validation of mutant alleles from genetically altered (GA) rodents remains essential to guarantee the interpretation of experimental results. The protocol described here combines design strategies for genomic and functional validation of genetically modified alleles with droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) or quantitative PCR (qPCR) for target DNA or mRNA quantification. In-depth analysis of the results obtained with GA models through the analysis of target DNA and mRNA quantification is also provided, to evaluate which pitfalls can be detected using these two methods, and we propose recommendations for the characterization of different type of mutant allele (knock-out, knock-in, conditional knock-out, FLEx, IKMC model or transgenic). Our results also highlight the possibility that mRNA expression of any mutated allele can be different from what might be expected in theory or according to common assumptions. For example, mRNA analyses on knock-out lines showed that nonsense-mediated mRNA decay is generally not achieved with a critical-exon approach. Likewise, comparison of multiple conditional lines crossed with the same CreERT2 deleter showed that the inactivation outcome was very different for each conditional model. DNA quantification by ddPCR of G0 to G2 generations of transgenic rodents generated by pronuclear injection showed an unexpected variability, demonstrating that G1 generation rodents cannot be considered as established lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loic Lindner
- PHENOMIN-Institut Clinique de la Souris, CELPHEDIA, CNRS, INSERM, Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch-Graffenstaden, Strasbourg 67404, France
| | - Pauline Cayrou
- PHENOMIN-Institut Clinique de la Souris, CELPHEDIA, CNRS, INSERM, Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch-Graffenstaden, Strasbourg 67404, France
| | - Thomas W Rosahl
- Merck & Co., Inc., 2000 Galloping Hill Rd, Kenilworth, NJ 07033, USA
| | - Heather H Zhou
- Merck & Co., Inc., 2000 Galloping Hill Rd, Kenilworth, NJ 07033, USA
| | - Marie-Christine Birling
- PHENOMIN-Institut Clinique de la Souris, CELPHEDIA, CNRS, INSERM, Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch-Graffenstaden, Strasbourg 67404, France
| | - Yann Herault
- PHENOMIN-Institut Clinique de la Souris, CELPHEDIA, CNRS, INSERM, Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch-Graffenstaden, Strasbourg 67404, France
| | - Guillaume Pavlovic
- PHENOMIN-Institut Clinique de la Souris, CELPHEDIA, CNRS, INSERM, Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch-Graffenstaden, Strasbourg 67404, France.
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Luo Z, Yu K, Xie S, Monti M, Schindler D, Fang Y, Zhao S, Liang Z, Jiang S, Luan M, Xiao C, Cai Y, Dai J. Compacting a synthetic yeast chromosome arm. Genome Biol 2021; 22:5. [PMID: 33397424 PMCID: PMC7780613 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-020-02232-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Redundancy is a common feature of genomes, presumably to ensure robust growth under different and changing conditions. Genome compaction, removing sequences nonessential for given conditions, provides a novel way to understand the core principles of life. The synthetic chromosome rearrangement and modification by loxP-mediated evolution (SCRaMbLE) system is a unique feature implanted in the synthetic yeast genome (Sc2.0), which is proposed as an effective tool for genome minimization. As the Sc2.0 project is nearing its completion, we have begun to explore the application of the SCRaMbLE system in genome compaction. RESULTS We develop a method termed SCRaMbLE-based genome compaction (SGC) and demonstrate that a synthetic chromosome arm (synXIIL) can be efficiently reduced. The pre-introduced episomal essential gene array significantly enhances the compacting ability of SGC, not only by enabling the deletion of nonessential genes located in essential gene containing loxPsym units but also by allowing more chromosomal sequences to be removed in a single SGC process. Further compaction is achieved through iterative SGC, revealing that at least 39 out of 65 nonessential genes in synXIIL can be removed collectively without affecting cell viability at 30 °C in rich medium. Approximately 40% of the synthetic sequence, encoding 28 genes, is found to be dispensable for cell growth at 30 °C in rich medium and several genes whose functions are needed under specified conditions are identified. CONCLUSIONS We develop iterative SGC with the aid of eArray as a generic yet effective tool to compact the synthetic yeast genome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhouqing Luo
- CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics and Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
| | - Kang Yu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics and Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Shangqian Xie
- Key Laboratory of Genetics and Germplasm Innovation of Tropical Special Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Ministry of Education/Hainan Key Laboratory for Biology of Tropical Ornamental Plant Germplasm, College of Forestry, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China
| | - Marco Monti
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, University of Manchester, 131 Princess Street, Manchester, M1 7DN, UK
| | - Daniel Schindler
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, University of Manchester, 131 Princess Street, Manchester, M1 7DN, UK
- Present Address: Department of Biochemistry and Synthetic Metabolism, Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, 35043, Marburg, Germany
| | - Yuan Fang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics and Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Shijun Zhao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics and Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Zhenzhen Liang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics and Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Shuangying Jiang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics and Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Meiwei Luan
- Key Laboratory of Genetics and Germplasm Innovation of Tropical Special Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Ministry of Education/Hainan Key Laboratory for Biology of Tropical Ornamental Plant Germplasm, College of Forestry, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China
| | - Chuanle Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Yizhi Cai
- CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics and Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, University of Manchester, 131 Princess Street, Manchester, M1 7DN, UK.
| | - Junbiao Dai
- CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics and Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
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29
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Yang H, Wang L, Turajane K, Wang L, Yang W. A method for colocalizing lineage tracing reporter and RNAscope signals on skeletal tissue section. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2020; 27:rna.077958.120. [PMID: 33277438 PMCID: PMC7901837 DOI: 10.1261/rna.077958.120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Fluorescent reporters have been widely used in modern biology as a powerful tool in cell lineage tracing during development and in studying the pathogenesis of diseases. RNAscope is a recently developed RNA in situ hybridization method with high specificity and sensitivity. Combined application of these two techniques on skeletal tissue is difficult and has not been done before; the reporter fluorophores in the tissue specimen bleach quickly and mRNAs degrade rapidly due to the decalcification process typically used in processing skeletal samples. Therefore, we developed a method that can simultaneously detect and colocalize both the fluorescent lineage tracing reporter signal and the RNAscope signal in the same skeletal section without compromising the fidelity, sensitivity, and specificity of lineage tracing and RNAscope. This was achieved by cryosectioning bone and cartilage tissue without decalcification, thus allowing the fluorescent reporter signal and RNA in the sections to be well-preserved so that RNAscope can be carried out in situ, and these two signals can be colocalized. Our method of colocalization has versatile applications, e.g., determination of gene knockout efficacy at the mRNA level in a specific cell lineage in situ, detection of alterations in target gene transcripts in reporter-positive cells caused by a specific gene mutation, studies of the disease pathology by examining the transcript-level expression of genes of interest in the cell lineage in vivo.
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30
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Abstract
The mouse is one of the most widely used model organisms for genetic study. The tools available to alter the mouse genome have developed over the preceding decades from forward screens to gene targeting in stem cells to the recent influx of CRISPR approaches. In this review, we first consider the history of mice in genetic study, the development of classic approaches to genome modification, and how such approaches have been used and improved in recent years. We then turn to the recent surge of nuclease-mediated techniques and how they are changing the field of mouse genetics. Finally, we survey common classes of alleles used in mice and discuss how they might be engineered using different methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- James F Clark
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai, New York, New York 10029, USA
| | - Colin J Dinsmore
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai, New York, New York 10029, USA
| | - Philippe Soriano
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai, New York, New York 10029, USA
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Heterogeneous origins and functions of mouse skeletal muscle-resident macrophages. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:20729-20740. [PMID: 32796104 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1915950117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Tissue-resident macrophages can originate from embryonic or adult hematopoiesis. They play important roles in a wide range of biological processes including tissue remodeling during organogenesis, organ homeostasis, repair following injury, and immune response to pathogens. Although the origins and tissue-specific functions of resident macrophages have been extensively studied in many other tissues, they are not well characterized in skeletal muscle. In the present study, we have characterized the ontogeny of skeletal muscle-resident macrophages by lineage tracing and bone marrow transplant experiments. We demonstrate that skeletal muscle-resident macrophages originate from both embryonic hematopoietic progenitors located within the yolk sac and fetal liver as well as definitive hematopoietic stem cells located within the bone marrow of adult mice. Single-cell-based transcriptome analyses revealed that skeletal muscle-resident macrophages are distinctive from resident macrophages in other tissues as they express a distinct complement of transcription factors and are composed of functionally diverse subsets correlating to their origins. Functionally, skeletal muscle-resident macrophages appear to maintain tissue homeostasis and promote muscle growth and regeneration.
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32
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Investigations of an inducible intact dystrophin gene excision system in cardiac and skeletal muscle in vivo. Sci Rep 2020; 10:10967. [PMID: 32620803 PMCID: PMC7335168 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-67372-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
We sought here to induce the excision of a large intragenic segment within the intact dystrophin gene locus, with the ultimate goal to elucidate dystrophin protein function and stability in striated muscles in vivo. To this end, we implemented an inducible-gene excision methodology using a floxed allele approach, demarcated by dystrophin exons 2-79, in complementation with a cardiac and skeletal muscle directed gene deletion system for spatial-temporal control of dystrophin gene excision in vivo. Main findings of this study include evidence of significant intact dystrophin gene excision, ranging from ~ 25% in heart muscle to ~ 30-35% in skeletal muscles in vivo. Results show that despite evidence of significant dystrophin gene excision, no significant decrease in dystrophin protein content was evident by Western blot analysis, at three months post excision in skeletal muscles or by 6 months post gene excision in heart muscle. Challenges of in vivo dystrophin gene excision revealed acute deleterious effects of tamoxifen on striated muscles, including a transient down regulation in dystrophin gene transcription in the absence of dystrophin gene excision. In addition, technical limitations of incomplete dystrophin gene excision became apparent that, in turn, tempered interpretation. Collectively, these findings are in keeping with earlier studies suggesting the dystrophin protein to be long-lived in striated muscles in vivo; however, more rigorous quantitative analysis of dystrophin stability in vivo will require future works in which more complete gene excision can be demonstrated, and without significant off-target effects of the gene deletion experimental platform per se.
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Mishra A, Emamgholi F, Erlangga Z, Hartleben B, Unger K, Wolff K, Teichmann U, Kessel M, Woller N, Kühnel F, Dow LE, Manns MP, Vogel A, Lowe SW, Saborowski A, Saborowski M. Generation of focal mutations and large genomic deletions in the pancreas using inducible in vivo genome editing. Carcinogenesis 2020; 41:334-344. [PMID: 31170286 PMCID: PMC8204487 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgz108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2019] [Revised: 05/18/2019] [Accepted: 06/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Beyond the nearly uniform presence of KRAS mutations, pancreatic cancer is increasingly recognized as a heterogeneous disease. Preclinical in vivo model systems exist, but with the advent of precision oncology, murine models with enhanced genetic flexibility are needed to functionally annotate genetic alterations found in the human malignancy. Here, we describe the generation of focal gene disruptions and large chromosomal deletions via inducible and pancreas-specific expression of Cas9 in adult mice. Experimental mice are derived on demand directly from genetically engineered embryonic stem cells, without the need for further intercrossing. To provide initial validation of our approach, we show that disruption of the E3 ubiquitin ligase Rnf43 accelerates KrasG12D-dependent tumourigenesis. Moreover, we demonstrate that this system can be used to rapidly interrogate the impact of complex cancer-associated alleles through the generation of a previously unstudied 1.2 megabase deletion surrounding the CDKN2A and CDKN2B tumour suppressors. Thus, our approach is capable of reproducibly generating biallelic and precise loss of large chromosomal fragments that, in conjunction with mutant Kras, leads to development of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma with full penetrance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amrendra Mishra
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Endocrinology, Hannover, Germany
| | - Fatemeh Emamgholi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Endocrinology, Hannover, Germany
| | - Zulrahman Erlangga
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Endocrinology, Hannover, Germany
| | - Björn Hartleben
- Department of Pathology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Kristian Unger
- Research Unit Radiation Cytogenetics, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Munich, Germany
| | - Katharina Wolff
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Endocrinology, Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Michael Kessel
- Department for Molecular Cell Biology, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Norman Woller
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Endocrinology, Hannover, Germany
| | - Florian Kühnel
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Endocrinology, Hannover, Germany
| | - Lukas E Dow
- Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, USA
| | - Michael P Manns
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Endocrinology, Hannover, Germany
| | - Arndt Vogel
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Endocrinology, Hannover, Germany
| | - Scott W Lowe
- Cancer Biology and Genetics Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, New York, USA
| | - Anna Saborowski
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Endocrinology, Hannover, Germany
| | - Michael Saborowski
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Endocrinology, Hannover, Germany
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34
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Luo L, Ambrozkiewicz MC, Benseler F, Chen C, Dumontier E, Falkner S, Furlanis E, Gomez AM, Hoshina N, Huang WH, Hutchison MA, Itoh-Maruoka Y, Lavery LA, Li W, Maruo T, Motohashi J, Pai ELL, Pelkey KA, Pereira A, Philips T, Sinclair JL, Stogsdill JA, Traunmüller L, Wang J, Wortel J, You W, Abumaria N, Beier KT, Brose N, Burgess HA, Cepko CL, Cloutier JF, Eroglu C, Goebbels S, Kaeser PS, Kay JN, Lu W, Luo L, Mandai K, McBain CJ, Nave KA, Prado MA, Prado VF, Rothstein J, Rubenstein JL, Saher G, Sakimura K, Sanes JR, Scheiffele P, Takai Y, Umemori H, Verhage M, Yuzaki M, Zoghbi HY, Kawabe H, Craig AM. Optimizing Nervous System-Specific Gene Targeting with Cre Driver Lines: Prevalence of Germline Recombination and Influencing Factors. Neuron 2020; 106:37-65.e5. [PMID: 32027825 PMCID: PMC7377387 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2020.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2019] [Revised: 11/12/2019] [Accepted: 01/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The Cre-loxP system is invaluable for spatial and temporal control of gene knockout, knockin, and reporter expression in the mouse nervous system. However, we report varying probabilities of unexpected germline recombination in distinct Cre driver lines designed for nervous system-specific recombination. Selective maternal or paternal germline recombination is showcased with sample Cre lines. Collated data reveal germline recombination in over half of 64 commonly used Cre driver lines, in most cases with a parental sex bias related to Cre expression in sperm or oocytes. Slight differences among Cre driver lines utilizing common transcriptional control elements affect germline recombination rates. Specific target loci demonstrated differential recombination; thus, reporters are not reliable proxies for another locus of interest. Similar principles apply to other recombinase systems and other genetically targeted organisms. We hereby draw attention to the prevalence of germline recombination and provide guidelines to inform future research for the neuroscience and broader molecular genetics communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Luo
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health and Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, 2211 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 2B5, Canada
| | - Mateusz C. Ambrozkiewicz
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hermann-Rein-Strasse 3, 37075 Göttingen, Germany,Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Fritz Benseler
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hermann-Rein-Strasse 3, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Cui Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Emilie Dumontier
- Department of Neurology & Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada
| | | | | | | | - Naosuke Hoshina
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Department of Neurology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Wei-Hsiang Huang
- Department of Biology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA,Centre for Research in Neuroscience, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC H3G 1A4, Canada
| | - Mary Anne Hutchison
- Synapse and Neural Circuit Research Unit, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Yu Itoh-Maruoka
- Division of Pathogenetic Signaling, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-5-6 Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0047, Japan
| | - Laura A. Lavery
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX 77003, USA,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Wei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Tomohiko Maruo
- Division of Pathogenetic Signaling, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-5-6 Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0047, Japan,Department of Biochemistry, Tokushima University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, 3-18-15, Kuramoto-cho, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan,Department of Biochemistry, Kitasato University School of Medicine, 1-15-1 Kitasato, Minami-ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 252-0374, Japan
| | - Junko Motohashi
- Department of Physiology, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Emily Ling-Lin Pai
- Nina Ireland Laboratory of Developmental Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry, UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA,Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Kenneth A. Pelkey
- Section on Cellular and Synaptic Physiology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Ariane Pereira
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Thomas Philips
- Department of Neurology and Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Jennifer L. Sinclair
- Division of Developmental Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Jeff A. Stogsdill
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA,Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | | | - Jiexin Wang
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Joke Wortel
- Department of Functional Genomics and Department of Clinical Genetics, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research (CNCR), VU University Amsterdam and University Medical Center Amsterdam, de Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Wenjia You
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA,Departments of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Nashat Abumaria
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China,Department of Laboratory Animal Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Kevin T. Beier
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Nils Brose
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hermann-Rein-Strasse 3, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Harold A. Burgess
- Division of Developmental Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Constance L. Cepko
- Departments of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Jean-François Cloutier
- Department of Neurology & Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Cagla Eroglu
- Department of Cell Biology, Department of Neurobiology, and Duke Institute for Brain Sciences, Regeneration Next Initiative, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Sandra Goebbels
- Department of Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hermann-Rein-Strasse 3, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Pascal S. Kaeser
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Jeremy N. Kay
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Wei Lu
- Synapse and Neural Circuit Research Unit, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Liqun Luo
- Department of Biology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Kenji Mandai
- Division of Pathogenetic Signaling, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-5-6 Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0047, Japan,Department of Biochemistry, Kitasato University School of Medicine, 1-15-1 Kitasato, Minami-ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 252-0374, Japan
| | - Chris J. McBain
- Section on Cellular and Synaptic Physiology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Klaus-Armin Nave
- Department of Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hermann-Rein-Strasse 3, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Marco A.M. Prado
- Robarts Research Institute, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, and Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 5B7, Canada,Brain and Mind Institute, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 5B7, Canada
| | - Vania F. Prado
- Robarts Research Institute, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, and Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 5B7, Canada,Brain and Mind Institute, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 5B7, Canada
| | - Jeffrey Rothstein
- Department of Neurology and Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - John L.R. Rubenstein
- Nina Ireland Laboratory of Developmental Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry, UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA,Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Gesine Saher
- Department of Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hermann-Rein-Strasse 3, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Kenji Sakimura
- Department of Cellular Neurobiology, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata 951-8585, Japan
| | - Joshua R. Sanes
- Center for Brain Science and Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | | | - Yoshimi Takai
- Division of Pathogenetic Signaling, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-5-6 Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0047, Japan
| | - Hisashi Umemori
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Department of Neurology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Matthijs Verhage
- Department of Functional Genomics and Department of Clinical Genetics, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research (CNCR), VU University Amsterdam and University Medical Center Amsterdam, de Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Michisuke Yuzaki
- Department of Physiology, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Huda Yahya Zoghbi
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX 77003, USA,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Hiroshi Kawabe
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hermann-Rein-Strasse 3, 37075 Göttingen, Germany; Division of Pathogenetic Signaling, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-5-6 Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0047, Japan; Department of Gerontology, Laboratory of Molecular Life Science, Institute of Biomedical Research and Innovation, Foundation for Biomedical Research and Innovation at Kobe, 2-2 Minatojima-minamimachi Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0047, Japan.
| | - Ann Marie Craig
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health and Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, 2211 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 2B5, Canada.
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35
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Koussis K, Withers-Martinez C, Baker DA, Blackman MJ. Simultaneous multiple allelic replacement in the malaria parasite enables dissection of PKG function. Life Sci Alliance 2020; 3:e201900626. [PMID: 32179592 PMCID: PMC7081069 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.201900626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2019] [Revised: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Over recent years, a plethora of new genetic tools has transformed conditional engineering of the malaria parasite genome, allowing functional dissection of essential genes in the asexual and sexual blood stages that cause pathology or are required for disease transmission, respectively. Important challenges remain, including the desirability to complement conditional mutants with a correctly regulated second gene copy to confirm that observed phenotypes are due solely to loss of gene function and to analyse structure-function relationships. To meet this challenge, here we combine the dimerisable Cre (DiCre) system with the use of multiple lox sites to simultaneously generate multiple recombination events of the same gene. We focused on the Plasmodium falciparum cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG), creating in parallel conditional disruption of the gene plus up to two allelic replacements. We use the approach to demonstrate that PKG has no scaffolding or adaptor role in intraerythrocytic development, acting solely at merozoite egress. We also show that a phosphorylation-deficient PKG is functionally incompetent. Our method provides valuable new tools for analysis of gene function in the malaria parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - David A Baker
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Michael J Blackman
- Malaria Biochemistry Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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36
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Chappell‐Maor L, Kolesnikov M, Kim J, Shemer A, Haimon Z, Grozovski J, Boura‐Halfon S, Masuda T, Prinz M, Jung S. Comparative analysis of CreER transgenic mice for the study of brain macrophages: A case study. Eur J Immunol 2020; 50:353-362. [DOI: 10.1002/eji.201948342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2019] [Revised: 10/10/2019] [Accepted: 11/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Masha Kolesnikov
- Department of ImmunologyWeizmann Institute of Science Rehovot Israel
| | - Jung‐Seok Kim
- Department of ImmunologyWeizmann Institute of Science Rehovot Israel
| | - Anat Shemer
- Department of ImmunologyWeizmann Institute of Science Rehovot Israel
| | - Zhana Haimon
- Department of ImmunologyWeizmann Institute of Science Rehovot Israel
| | | | | | - Takahiro Masuda
- Institute of Neuropathology, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of Freiburg Freiburg Germany
| | - Marco Prinz
- Institute of Neuropathology, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of Freiburg Freiburg Germany
- Center for Basics in NeuroModulation (NeuroModulBasics)Faculty of MedicineUniversity of Freiburg Freiburg Germany
- Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSSUniversity of Freiburg Freiburg Germany
| | - Steffen Jung
- Department of ImmunologyWeizmann Institute of Science Rehovot Israel
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37
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Van Hove H, Antunes ARP, De Vlaminck K, Scheyltjens I, Van Ginderachter JA, Movahedi K. Identifying the variables that drive tamoxifen-independent CreERT2 recombination: Implications for microglial fate mapping and gene deletions. Eur J Immunol 2020; 50:459-463. [PMID: 31785096 DOI: 10.1002/eji.201948162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2019] [Revised: 09/26/2019] [Accepted: 11/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Ligand-dependent Cre recombinases such as the CreERT2 system allow for tamoxifen-inducible Cre recombination. Important examples are the Cx3cr1-CreERT2 and Sall1-CreERT2 lines that are widely used for fate mapping and gene deletion studies of brain macrophages. Our results now show that both CreERT2 lines can exhibit a high rate of tamoxifen-independent "leaky" excision with some reporter strains, while this is not observed with others. We suggest that this disparity is determined by the length of the floxed transcriptional STOP cassette that is incorporated in the various reporter lines. In addition, the rate of spontaneous recombination was also determined by the CreERT2 expression levels and the longevity of the CreERT2-expressing cells. The implications of these results are discussed in the context of fate mapping and inducible gene deletion studies in macrophages and microglia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Van Hove
- Myeloid Cell Immunology Lab, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Brussels, Belgium
- Lab of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Ana Rita Pombo Antunes
- Myeloid Cell Immunology Lab, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Brussels, Belgium
- Lab of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Karen De Vlaminck
- Myeloid Cell Immunology Lab, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Brussels, Belgium
- Lab of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Isabelle Scheyltjens
- Myeloid Cell Immunology Lab, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Brussels, Belgium
- Lab of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jo A Van Ginderachter
- Myeloid Cell Immunology Lab, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Brussels, Belgium
- Lab of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Kiavash Movahedi
- Myeloid Cell Immunology Lab, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Brussels, Belgium
- Lab of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
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38
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Abstract
Cre-mediated recombination has become a powerful tool to confine gene deletions (conditional knockouts) or overexpression of genes (conditional knockin/overexpression). By spatiotemporal restriction of genetic manipulations, major problems of classical knockouts such as embryonic lethality or pleiotropy can be circumvented. Furthermore, Cre-mediated recombination has broad applications in the analysis of the cellular behavior of subpopulations and cell types as well as for genetic fate mapping. This chapter gives an overview about applications for the Cre/LoxP system and their execution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudius F Kratochwil
- Zoology and Evolutionary Biology, Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Filippo M Rijli
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland.
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39
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Matsumoto T, Wakefield L, Tarlow BD, Grompe M. In Vivo Lineage Tracing of Polyploid Hepatocytes Reveals Extensive Proliferation during Liver Regeneration. Cell Stem Cell 2019; 26:34-47.e3. [PMID: 31866222 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2019.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2019] [Revised: 09/06/2019] [Accepted: 11/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The identity of cellular populations that drive liver regeneration after injury is the subject of intense study, and the contributions of polyploid hepatocytes to organ regeneration and homeostasis have not been systematically assessed. Here, we developed a multicolor reporter allele system to genetically label and trace polyploid cells in situ. Multicolored polyploid hepatocytes undergo ploidy reduction and subsequent re-polyploidization after transplantation, providing direct evidence of the hepatocyte ploidy conveyor model. Marker segregation revealed that ploidy reduction rarely involves chromosome missegregation in vivo. We also traced polyploid hepatocytes in several different liver injury models and found robust proliferation in all settings. Importantly, ploidy reduction was seen in all injury models studied. We therefore conclude that polyploid hepatocytes have extensive regenerative capacity in situ and routinely undergo reductive mitoses during regenerative responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomonori Matsumoto
- Department of Pediatrics, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA; Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0083, Japan
| | - Leslie Wakefield
- Department of Pediatrics, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | | | - Markus Grompe
- Department of Pediatrics, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA.
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40
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Yu YE, Xing Z, Do C, Pao A, Lee EJ, Krinsky-McHale S, Silverman W, Schupf N, Tycko B. Genetic and epigenetic pathways in Down syndrome: Insights to the brain and immune system from humans and mouse models. PROGRESS IN BRAIN RESEARCH 2019; 251:1-28. [PMID: 32057305 PMCID: PMC7286740 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pbr.2019.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The presence of an extra copy of human chromosome 21 (Hsa21) leads to a constellation of phenotypic manifestations in Down syndrome (DS), including prominent effects on the brain and immune system. Intensive efforts to unravel the molecular mechanisms underlying these phenotypes may help developing effective therapies, both in DS and in the general population. Here we review recent progress in genetic and epigenetic analysis of trisomy 21 (Ts21). New mouse models of DS based on syntenic conservation of segments of the mouse and human chromosomes are starting to clarify the contributions of chromosomal subregions and orthologous genes to specific phenotypes in DS. The expression of genes on Hsa21 is regulated by epigenetic mechanisms, and with recent findings of highly recurrent gene-specific changes in DNA methylation patterns in brain and immune system cells with Ts21, the epigenomics of DS has become an active research area. Here we highlight the value of combining human studies with mouse models for defining DS critical genes and understanding the trans-acting effects of a simple chromosomal aneuploidy on genome-wide epigenetic patterning. These genetic and epigenetic studies are starting to uncover fundamental biological mechanisms, leading to insights that may soon become therapeutically relevant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Eugene Yu
- The Children's Guild Foundation Down Syndrome Research Program, Genetics and Genomics Program and Department of Cancer Genetics and Genomics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, United States; Genetics, Genomics and Bioinformatics Program, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, United States.
| | - Zhuo Xing
- The Children's Guild Foundation Down Syndrome Research Program, Genetics and Genomics Program and Department of Cancer Genetics and Genomics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, United States
| | - Catherine Do
- Department of Biomedical Research, Division of Genetics & Epigenetics, Hackensack-Meridian Health Center for Discovery and Innovation and Hackensack-Meridian Health School of Medicine at Seton Hall University, Nutley, NJ, United States
| | - Annie Pao
- The Children's Guild Foundation Down Syndrome Research Program, Genetics and Genomics Program and Department of Cancer Genetics and Genomics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, United States
| | - Eun Joon Lee
- Department of Biomedical Research, Division of Genetics & Epigenetics, Hackensack-Meridian Health Center for Discovery and Innovation and Hackensack-Meridian Health School of Medicine at Seton Hall University, Nutley, NJ, United States
| | - Sharon Krinsky-McHale
- New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, NY, United States
| | - Wayne Silverman
- Kennedy Krieger Institute and Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States; Department of Pediatrics, University of California at Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Nicole Schupf
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Benjamin Tycko
- Department of Biomedical Research, Division of Genetics & Epigenetics, Hackensack-Meridian Health Center for Discovery and Innovation and Hackensack-Meridian Health School of Medicine at Seton Hall University, Nutley, NJ, United States.
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Álvarez-Aznar A, Martínez-Corral I, Daubel N, Betsholtz C, Mäkinen T, Gaengel K. Tamoxifen-independent recombination of reporter genes limits lineage tracing and mosaic analysis using CreER T2 lines. Transgenic Res 2019; 29:53-68. [PMID: 31641921 PMCID: PMC7000517 DOI: 10.1007/s11248-019-00177-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2019] [Accepted: 10/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The CreERT2/loxP system is widely used to induce conditional gene deletion in mice. One of the main advantages of the system is that Cre-mediated recombination can be controlled in time through Tamoxifen administration. This has allowed researchers to study the function of embryonic lethal genes at later developmental timepoints. In addition, CreERT2 mouse lines are commonly used in combination with reporter genes for lineage tracing and mosaic analysis. In order for these experiments to be reliable, it is crucial that the cell labeling approach only marks the desired cell population and their progeny, as unfaithful expression of reporter genes in other cell types or even unintended labeling of the correct cell population at an undesired time point could lead to wrong conclusions. Here we report that all CreERT2 mouse lines that we have studied exhibit a certain degree of Tamoxifen-independent, basal, Cre activity. Using Ai14 and Ai3, two commonly used fluorescent reporter genes, we show that those basal Cre activity levels are sufficient to label a significant amount of cells in a variety of tissues during embryogenesis, postnatal development and adulthood. This unintended labelling of cells imposes a serious problem for lineage tracing and mosaic analysis experiments. Importantly, however, we find that reporter constructs differ greatly in their susceptibility to basal CreERT2 activity. While Ai14 and Ai3 easily recombine under basal CreERT2 activity levels, mTmG and R26R-EYFP rarely become activated under these conditions and are therefore better suited for cell tracking experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Álvarez-Aznar
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, Dag Hammarskjöldsväg 20, 75185, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - I Martínez-Corral
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, Dag Hammarskjöldsväg 20, 75185, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - N Daubel
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, Dag Hammarskjöldsväg 20, 75185, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - C Betsholtz
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, Dag Hammarskjöldsväg 20, 75185, Uppsala, Sweden.,Integrated Cardio Metabolic Centre (ICMC), Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Novum, Blickagången 6, 141 57, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - T Mäkinen
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, Dag Hammarskjöldsväg 20, 75185, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - K Gaengel
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, Dag Hammarskjöldsväg 20, 75185, Uppsala, Sweden.
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A Mouse Model to Assess STAT3 and STAT5A/B Combined Inhibition in Health and Disease Conditions. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11091226. [PMID: 31443474 PMCID: PMC6770775 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11091226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2019] [Accepted: 08/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetically-engineered mouse models (GEMMs) lacking diseased-associated gene(s) globally or in a tissue-specific manner represent an attractive tool with which to assess the efficacy and toxicity of targeted pharmacological inhibitors. Stat3 and Stat5a/b transcription factors have been implicated in several pathophysiological conditions, and pharmacological inhibition of both transcription factors has been proposed to treat certain diseases, such as malignancies. To model combined inhibition of Stat3 and Stat5a/b we have developed a GEMM harboring a flox Stat3-Stat5a/b allele (Stat5/3loxP/loxP mice) and generated mice lacking Stat3 and Stat5a/b in hepatocytes (Stat5/3Δhep/Δhep). Stat5/3Δhep/Δhep mice exhibited a marked reduction of STAT3, STAT5A and STAT5B proteins in the liver and developed steatosis, a phenotype that resembles mice lacking Stat5a/b in hepatocytes. In addition, embryonic deletion of Stat3 and Stat5a/b (Stat5/3Δ/Δ mice) resulted in lethality, similar to Stat3Δ/Δ mice. This data illustrates that Stat5/3loxP/loxP mice are functional and can be used as a valuable tool to model the combined inhibition of Stat3 and Stat5a/b in tumorigenesis and other diseases.
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Fernández-Chacón M, Casquero-García V, Luo W, Francesca Lunella F, Ferreira Rocha S, Del Olmo-Cabrera S, Benedito R. iSuRe-Cre is a genetic tool to reliably induce and report Cre-dependent genetic modifications. Nat Commun 2019; 10:2262. [PMID: 31118412 PMCID: PMC6531465 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-10239-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2018] [Accepted: 04/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Most biomedical research aimed at understanding gene function uses the Cre-Lox system, which consists of the Cre recombinase-dependent deletion of genes containing LoxP sites. This system enables conditional genetic modifications because the expression and activity of the recombinase Cre/CreERT2 can be regulated in space by tissue-specific promoters and in time by the ligand tamoxifen. Since the precise Cre-Lox recombination event is invisible, methods were developed to report Cre activity and are widely used. However, numerous studies have shown that expression of a given Cre activity reporter cannot be assumed to indicate deletion of other LoxP-flanked genes of interest. Here, we report the generation of an inducible dual reporter-Cre mouse allele, iSuRe-Cre. By significantly increasing Cre activity in reporter-expressing cells, iSuRe-Cre provides certainty that these cells have completely recombined floxed alleles. This genetic tool increases the ease, efficiency, and reliability of conditional mutagenesis and gene function analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Macarena Fernández-Chacón
- Molecular Genetics of Angiogenesis Group, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, E28029, Spain
| | - Verónica Casquero-García
- Molecular Genetics of Angiogenesis Group, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, E28029, Spain
| | - Wen Luo
- Molecular Genetics of Angiogenesis Group, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, E28029, Spain
| | - Federica Francesca Lunella
- Molecular Genetics of Angiogenesis Group, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, E28029, Spain
| | - Susana Ferreira Rocha
- Molecular Genetics of Angiogenesis Group, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, E28029, Spain
| | - Sergio Del Olmo-Cabrera
- Molecular Genetics of Angiogenesis Group, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, E28029, Spain
| | - Rui Benedito
- Molecular Genetics of Angiogenesis Group, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, E28029, Spain.
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Carpenter MA, Law EK, Serebrenik A, Brown WL, Harris RS. A lentivirus-based system for Cas9/gRNA expression and subsequent removal by Cre-mediated recombination. Methods 2019; 156:79-84. [PMID: 30578845 PMCID: PMC6397784 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2018.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2018] [Revised: 12/10/2018] [Accepted: 12/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A major concern of CRISPR and related genome engineering technologies is off-target mutagenesis from prolonged exposure to Cas9 and related editing enzymes. To help mitigate this concern we added a loxP site to the 3'-LTR of an HIV-based lentiviral vector capable of expressing Cas9/gRNA complexes in a wide variety of mammalian cell types. Transduction of susceptible target cells yields an integrated provirus that expresses the desired Cas9/gRNA complex. The reverse transcription process also results in duplication of the 3'-LTR such that the integrated provirus becomes flanked by loxP sites (floxed). Subsequent expression of Cre recombinase results in loxP-to-loxP site-specific recombination that deletes the Cas9/gRNA payload and effectively prevents additional Cas9-mediated mutations. This construct also expresses a gRNA with a single transcription termination sequence, which results in higher expression levels and more efficient genome engineering as evidenced by disruption of the SAMHD1 gene. This hit-and-run CRISPR approach was validated by recreating a natural APOBEC3B deletion and by disrupting the mismatch repair gene MSH2. This hit-and-run strategy may have broad utility in many areas and especially those where cell types are difficult to engineer by transient delivery of ribonucleoprotein complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael A Carpenter
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, Masonic Cancer Center, Institute for Molecular Virology, Center for Genome Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
| | - Emily K Law
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, Masonic Cancer Center, Institute for Molecular Virology, Center for Genome Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
| | - Artur Serebrenik
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, Masonic Cancer Center, Institute for Molecular Virology, Center for Genome Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
| | - William L Brown
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, Masonic Cancer Center, Institute for Molecular Virology, Center for Genome Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
| | - Reuben S Harris
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, Masonic Cancer Center, Institute for Molecular Virology, Center for Genome Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
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45
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Wang X, Kawabe Y, Hada T, Ito A, Kamihira M. Cre-Mediated Transgene Integration in Chinese Hamster Ovary Cells Using Minicircle DNA Vectors. Biotechnol J 2018; 13:e1800063. [DOI: 10.1002/biot.201800063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2018] [Revised: 03/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Xue Wang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Kyushu University; 744 Motooka Nishi-ku, 819-0395 Japan
| | - Yoshinori Kawabe
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Kyushu University; 744 Motooka Nishi-ku, 819-0395 Japan
| | - Takeshi Hada
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Kyushu University; 744 Motooka Nishi-ku, 819-0395 Japan
| | - Akira Ito
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Kyushu University; 744 Motooka Nishi-ku, 819-0395 Japan
| | - Masamichi Kamihira
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Kyushu University; 744 Motooka Nishi-ku, 819-0395 Japan
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Movahedi K, Wiegmann R, De Vlaminck K, Van Ginderachter JA, Nikolaev VO. RoMo: An efficient strategy for functional mosaic analysis via stochastic Cre recombination and gene targeting in theROSA26locus. Biotechnol Bioeng 2018; 115:1778-1792. [DOI: 10.1002/bit.26594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2017] [Revised: 02/20/2018] [Accepted: 03/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Kiavash Movahedi
- Myeloid Cell Immunology Lab; VIB Center for Inflammation Research; Brussels Belgium
- Lab of Cellular and Molecular Immunology; Vrije Universiteit Brussel; Brussels Belgium
- Max Planck Institute of Biophysics; Max-von-Laue-Strasse 3; Frankfurt Germany
| | - Robert Wiegmann
- Institute of Experimental Cardiovascular Research, University Medical Hamburg-Eppendorf, DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research); Partner Site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck; Hamburg Germany
| | - Karen De Vlaminck
- Myeloid Cell Immunology Lab; VIB Center for Inflammation Research; Brussels Belgium
- Lab of Cellular and Molecular Immunology; Vrije Universiteit Brussel; Brussels Belgium
| | - Jo A. Van Ginderachter
- Myeloid Cell Immunology Lab; VIB Center for Inflammation Research; Brussels Belgium
- Lab of Cellular and Molecular Immunology; Vrije Universiteit Brussel; Brussels Belgium
| | - Viacheslav O. Nikolaev
- Institute of Experimental Cardiovascular Research, University Medical Hamburg-Eppendorf, DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research); Partner Site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck; Hamburg Germany
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47
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Blazejewski SM, Bennison SA, Smith TH, Toyo-Oka K. Neurodevelopmental Genetic Diseases Associated With Microdeletions and Microduplications of Chromosome 17p13.3. Front Genet 2018; 9:80. [PMID: 29628935 PMCID: PMC5876250 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2018.00080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2017] [Accepted: 02/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Chromosome 17p13.3 is a region of genomic instability that is linked to different rare neurodevelopmental genetic diseases, depending on whether a deletion or duplication of the region has occurred. Chromosome microdeletions within 17p13.3 can result in either isolated lissencephaly sequence (ILS) or Miller-Dieker syndrome (MDS). Both conditions are associated with a smooth cerebral cortex, or lissencephaly, which leads to developmental delay, intellectual disability, and seizures. However, patients with MDS have larger deletions than patients with ILS, resulting in additional symptoms such as poor muscle tone, congenital anomalies, abnormal spasticity, and craniofacial dysmorphisms. In contrast to microdeletions in 17p13.3, recent studies have attracted considerable attention to a condition known as a 17p13.3 microduplication syndrome. Depending on the genes involved in their microduplication, patients with 17p13.3 microduplication syndrome may be categorized into either class I or class II. Individuals in class I have microduplications of the YWHAE gene encoding 14-3-3ε, as well as other genes in the region. However, the PAFAH1B1 gene encoding LIS1 is never duplicated in these patients. Class I microduplications generally result in learning disabilities, autism, and developmental delays, among other disorders. Individuals in class II always have microduplications of the PAFAH1B1 gene, which may include YWHAE and other genetic microduplications. Class II microduplications generally result in smaller body size, developmental delays, microcephaly, and other brain malformations. Here, we review the phenotypes associated with copy number variations (CNVs) of chromosome 17p13.3 and detail their developmental connection to particular microdeletions or microduplications. We also focus on existing single and double knockout mouse models that have been used to study human phenotypes, since the highly limited number of patients makes a study of these conditions difficult in humans. These models are also crucial for the study of brain development at a mechanistic level since this cannot be accomplished in humans. Finally, we emphasize the usefulness of the CRISPR/Cas9 system and next generation sequencing in the study of neurodevelopmental diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara M Blazejewski
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Sarah A Bennison
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Trevor H Smith
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Kazuhito Toyo-Oka
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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48
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Sengupta R, Mendenhall A, Sarkar N, Mukherjee C, Afshari A, Huang J, Lu B. Viral Cre-LoxP tools aid genome engineering in mammalian cells. J Biol Eng 2017; 11:45. [PMID: 29204184 PMCID: PMC5702101 DOI: 10.1186/s13036-017-0087-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2017] [Accepted: 11/14/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Targeted nucleases have transformed genome editing technology, providing more efficient methods to make targeted changes in mammalian genome. In parallel, there is an increasing demand of Cre-LoxP technology for complex genome manipulation such as large deletion, addition, gene fusion and conditional removal of gene sequences at the target site. However, an efficient and easy-to-use Cre-recombinase delivery system remains lacking. Results We designed and constructed two sets of expression vectors for Cre-recombinase using two highly efficient viral systems, the integrative lentivirus and non-integrative adeno associated virus. We demonstrate the effectiveness of those methods in Cre-delivery into stably-engineered HEK293 cells harboring LoxP-floxed red fluorescent protein (RFP) and puromycin (Puro) resistant reporters. The delivered Cre recombinase effectively excised the floxed RFP-Puro either directly or conditionally, therefore validating the function of these molecular tools. Given the convenient options of two selections markers, these viral-based systems offer a robust and easy-to-use tool for advanced genome editing, expanding complicated genome engineering to a variety of cell types and conditions. Conclusions We have developed and functionally validated two viral-based Cre-recombinase delivery systems for efficient genome manipulation in various mammalian cells. The ease of gene delivery with the built-in reporters and inducible element enables live cell monitoring, drug selection and temporal knockout, broadening applications of genome editing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ranjita Sengupta
- System Biosciences, 2436 Embarcadero Way, Palo Alto, CA 94303 USA
| | - Amy Mendenhall
- System Biosciences, 2436 Embarcadero Way, Palo Alto, CA 94303 USA
| | - Nandita Sarkar
- Gilead Sciences Inc., 333 Lakeside Drive, Foster City, CA 94404 USA
| | | | - Amirali Afshari
- System Biosciences, 2436 Embarcadero Way, Palo Alto, CA 94303 USA
| | - Joseph Huang
- System Biosciences, 2436 Embarcadero Way, Palo Alto, CA 94303 USA
| | - Biao Lu
- Department of Bioengineering, Santa Clara University, 500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, CA 95053 USA
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Chen H, Luo J, Zheng P, Zhang X, Zhang C, Li X, Wang M, Huang Y, Liu X, Jan M, Liu Y, Hu P, Tu J. Application of Cre-lox gene switch to limit the Cry expression in rice green tissues. Sci Rep 2017; 7:14505. [PMID: 29109405 PMCID: PMC5673937 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-14679-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2017] [Accepted: 10/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The presence of genetically modified (GM) protein in the endosperm is important information for the public when considering the biological safety of transgenic rice. To limit the expression of GM proteins to rice green tissues, we developed a modified Cre-lox gene switch using two cassettes named KEY and LOCK. KEY contains a nuclear-localized Cre recombinase driven by the green-tissue-specific promoter rbcS. LOCK contains a Nos terminator (NosT), which is used to block the expression of the gene of interest (GOI), bounded by two loxP sites. When KEY and LOCK are pyramided into hybrid rice, a complete gene switch system is formed. The Cre recombinase from KEY excises loxP-NosT in LOCK and unlocks the GOI in green tissues but keeps it locked in the endosperm. This regulatory effect was demonstrated by eYFP and Bt expression assays. The presence of eYFP and Cre were confirmed in the leaf, sheath, stem, and glume but not in the root, anther or seed of the gene-switch-controlled eYFP hybrids. Meanwhile, gene switch-controlled Bt hybrid rice not only confined the expression of Bt protein to the green tissues but also showed high resistance to striped stem borers and leaffolders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Chen
- Institute of Crop Science, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Yu-Hang-Tang Road No 866, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Ju Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology, China National Rice Research Institute. Ti-Yu-Chang Road No 359, Hangzhou, 310006, China
| | - Peng Zheng
- Institute of Crop Science, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Yu-Hang-Tang Road No 866, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Xiaobo Zhang
- Institute of Crop Science, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Yu-Hang-Tang Road No 866, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Cuicui Zhang
- Institute of Crop Science, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Yu-Hang-Tang Road No 866, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Xinyuan Li
- Institute of Crop Science, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Yu-Hang-Tang Road No 866, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Mugui Wang
- Institute of Crop Science, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Yu-Hang-Tang Road No 866, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Yuqing Huang
- Institute of Crop Science, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Yu-Hang-Tang Road No 866, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Xuejiao Liu
- Institute of Crop Science, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Yu-Hang-Tang Road No 866, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Mehmood Jan
- Institute of Crop Science, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Yu-Hang-Tang Road No 866, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Yujun Liu
- Institute of Crop Science, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Yu-Hang-Tang Road No 866, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Peisong Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology, China National Rice Research Institute. Ti-Yu-Chang Road No 359, Hangzhou, 310006, China.
| | - Jumin Tu
- Institute of Crop Science, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Yu-Hang-Tang Road No 866, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
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50
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Pontes-Quero S, Heredia L, Casquero-García V, Fernández-Chacón M, Luo W, Hermoso A, Bansal M, Garcia-Gonzalez I, Sanchez-Muñoz MS, Perea JR, Galiana-Simal A, Rodriguez-Arabaolaza I, Del Olmo-Cabrera S, Rocha SF, Criado-Rodriguez LM, Giovinazzo G, Benedito R. Dual ifgMosaic: A Versatile Method for Multispectral and Combinatorial Mosaic Gene-Function Analysis. Cell 2017; 170:800-814.e18. [PMID: 28802047 PMCID: PMC6381294 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2017.07.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2017] [Revised: 05/02/2017] [Accepted: 07/21/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Improved methods for manipulating and analyzing gene function have provided a better understanding of how genes work during organ development and disease. Inducible functional genetic mosaics can be extraordinarily useful in the study of biological systems; however, this experimental approach is still rarely used in vertebrates. This is mainly due to technical difficulties in the assembly of large DNA constructs carrying multiple genes and regulatory elements and their targeting to the genome. In addition, mosaic phenotypic analysis, unlike classical single gene-function analysis, requires clear labeling and detection of multiple cell clones in the same tissue. Here, we describe several methods for the rapid generation of transgenic or gene-targeted mice and embryonic stem (ES) cell lines containing all the necessary elements for inducible, fluorescent, and functional genetic mosaic (ifgMosaic) analysis. This technology enables the interrogation of multiple and combinatorial gene function with high temporal and cellular resolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Pontes-Quero
- Molecular Genetics of Angiogenesis Group, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (CNIC), Melchor Fernández Almagro, 3, Madrid, E-28029, Spain
| | - Luis Heredia
- Molecular Genetics of Angiogenesis Group, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (CNIC), Melchor Fernández Almagro, 3, Madrid, E-28029, Spain
| | - Verónica Casquero-García
- Molecular Genetics of Angiogenesis Group, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (CNIC), Melchor Fernández Almagro, 3, Madrid, E-28029, Spain
| | - Macarena Fernández-Chacón
- Molecular Genetics of Angiogenesis Group, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (CNIC), Melchor Fernández Almagro, 3, Madrid, E-28029, Spain
| | - Wen Luo
- Molecular Genetics of Angiogenesis Group, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (CNIC), Melchor Fernández Almagro, 3, Madrid, E-28029, Spain
| | - Ana Hermoso
- Molecular Genetics of Angiogenesis Group, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (CNIC), Melchor Fernández Almagro, 3, Madrid, E-28029, Spain
| | - Mayank Bansal
- Molecular Genetics of Angiogenesis Group, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (CNIC), Melchor Fernández Almagro, 3, Madrid, E-28029, Spain
| | - Irene Garcia-Gonzalez
- Molecular Genetics of Angiogenesis Group, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (CNIC), Melchor Fernández Almagro, 3, Madrid, E-28029, Spain
| | - Maria S Sanchez-Muñoz
- Molecular Genetics of Angiogenesis Group, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (CNIC), Melchor Fernández Almagro, 3, Madrid, E-28029, Spain
| | - Juan R Perea
- Molecular Genetics of Angiogenesis Group, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (CNIC), Melchor Fernández Almagro, 3, Madrid, E-28029, Spain
| | - Adrian Galiana-Simal
- Molecular Genetics of Angiogenesis Group, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (CNIC), Melchor Fernández Almagro, 3, Madrid, E-28029, Spain
| | - Iker Rodriguez-Arabaolaza
- Molecular Genetics of Angiogenesis Group, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (CNIC), Melchor Fernández Almagro, 3, Madrid, E-28029, Spain
| | - Sergio Del Olmo-Cabrera
- Molecular Genetics of Angiogenesis Group, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (CNIC), Melchor Fernández Almagro, 3, Madrid, E-28029, Spain
| | - Susana F Rocha
- Molecular Genetics of Angiogenesis Group, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (CNIC), Melchor Fernández Almagro, 3, Madrid, E-28029, Spain
| | - Luis M Criado-Rodriguez
- Transgenesis Unit, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (CNIC), Melchor Fernández Almagro, 3, Madrid, E-28029, Spain
| | - Giovanna Giovinazzo
- Pluripotent Cell Technology Unit, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (CNIC), Melchor Fernández Almagro, 3, Madrid, E-28029, Spain
| | - Rui Benedito
- Molecular Genetics of Angiogenesis Group, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (CNIC), Melchor Fernández Almagro, 3, Madrid, E-28029, Spain.
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