Genome editing in human stem cells

An episomal vector-based CRISPR/Cas9 system for highly efficient gene knockout in human pluripotent stem cells

Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) represent a unique opportunity for understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying complex traits and diseases. CRISPR/Cas9 is a powerful tool to introduce genetic mutations into the hPSCs for loss-of-function studies. Here, we developed an episomal vector-based CRISPR/Cas9 system, which we called epiCRISPR, for highly efficient gene knockout in hPSCs. The epiCRISPR system enables generation of up to 100% Insertion/Deletion (indel) rates. In addition, the epiCRISPR system enables efficient double-gene knockout and genomic deletion. To minimize off-target cleavage, we combined the episomal vector technology with double-nicking strategy and recent developed high fidelity Cas9. Thus the epiCRISPR system offers a highly efficient platform for genetic analysis in hPSCs.

Molecular mechanisms underlying noncoding risk variations in psychiatric genetic studies

Recent large-scale genetic approaches such as genome-wide association studies have allowed the identification of common genetic variations that contribute to risk architectures of psychiatric disorders. However, most of these susceptibility variants are located in noncoding genomic regions that usually span multiple genes. As a result, pinpointing the precise variant(s) and biological mechanisms accounting for the risk remains challenging. By reviewing recent progresses in genetics, functional genomics and neurobiology of psychiatric disorders, as well as gene expression analyses of brain tissues, here we propose a roadmap to characterize the roles of noncoding risk loci in the pathogenesis of psychiatric illnesses (that is, identifying the underlying molecular mechanisms explaining the genetic risk conferred by those genomic loci, and recognizing putative functional causative variants). This roadmap involves integration of transcriptomic data, epidemiological and bioinformatic methods, as well as in vitro and in vivo experimental approaches. These tools will promote the translation of genetic discoveries to physiological mechanisms, and ultimately guide the development of preventive, therapeutic and prognostic measures for psychiatric disorders.

Mechanisms of precise genome editing using oligonucleotide donors

The use of programmable meganucleases is transforming genome editing and functional genomics. CRISPR/Cas9 was developed such that targeted genomic lesions could be introduced in vivo with unprecedented ease. In the presence of homology donors, these lesions facilitate high-efficiency precise genome editing (PGE) via homology-directed repair (HDR) pathways. However, the identity and hierarchy of the HDR (sub)pathways leading to the formation of PGE products remain elusive. Here, we established a green to blue fluorescent protein conversion system to systematically characterize oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN)-mediated PGE using Cas9 and its nickase variants in human cells. We demonstrate that, unlike double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) donors with central heterologies, ODNs generated short conversion tracts with Gaussian-like distributions. Interestingly, single-nick–induced PGE using ODN donors produced conversion tracts biased either mostly uni- or bidirectional depending on the relative strandedness of the ODNs and the nick. Moreover, the ODNs were physically incorporated into the genome only in the bidirectional, but not in the unidirectional, conversion pathway. In the presence of double-stranded genomic lesions, the unidirectional conversion pathway was preferentially utilized even though the knock-in mutation could theoretically have been converted by both pathways. Collectively, our results suggest that ODN-mediated PGE utilizes synthesis-dependent strand annealing and single-stranded DNA incorporation pathways. Both of these pathways generate short conversion tracts with Gaussian-like distributions. Although synthesis-dependent strand annealing is preferentially utilized, our work unequivocally establishes the existence of a single-stranded DNA incorporation pathway in human cells. This work extends the paradigms of HDR-mediated gene conversion and establishes guidelines for PGE in human cells.

CRISPR-Based Technologies for the Manipulation of Eukaryotic Genomes

The CRISPR-Cas9 RNA-guided DNA endonuclease has contributed to an explosion of advances in the life sciences that have grown from the ability to edit genomes within living cells. In this Review, we summarize CRISPR-based technologies that enable mammalian genome editing and their various applications. We describe recent developments that extend the generality, DNA specificity, product selectivity, and fundamental capabilities of natural CRISPR systems, and we highlight some of the remarkable advancements in basic research, biotechnology, and therapeutics science that these developments have facilitated.

Endonuclease mediated genome editing in drug discovery and development: promises and challenges

Site specific genome editing has been gradually employed in drug discovery and development process over the past few decades. Recent development of CRISPR technology has significantly accelerated the incorporation of genome editing in the bench side to bedside process. In this review, we summarize examples of applications of genome editing in the drug discovery and development process. We also discuss current hurdles and solutions of genome editing.

Mechanotransduction and Metabolism in Cardiomyocyte Microdomains

Efficient contractions of the left ventricle are ensured by the continuous transfer of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) from energy production sites, the mitochondria, to energy utilization sites, such as ionic pumps and the force-generating sarcomeres. To minimize the impact of intracellular ATP trafficking, sarcomeres and mitochondria are closely packed together and in proximity with other ultrastructures involved in excitation-contraction coupling, such as t-tubules and sarcoplasmic reticulum junctions. This complex microdomain has been referred to as the intracellular energetic unit. Here, we review the literature in support of the notion that cardiac homeostasis and disease are emergent properties of the hierarchical organization of these units. Specifically, we will focus on pathological alterations of this microdomain that result in cardiac diseases through energy imbalance and posttranslational modifications of the cytoskeletal proteins involved in mechanosensing and transduction.

Oral delivery of dsRNA by microbes: Beyond pest control

RNA interference (RNAi) by oral delivery of dsRNA in insects has great potential as a tool for integrated pest management (IPM), especially with respect to addressing the need to reduce off-target effect and slow down resistance development to chemical insecticides. Employing the natural association existing between insect and yeast, we developed a novel method to enable the knock down of vital genes in the pest insect Drosophila suzukii through oral delivery of species-specific dsRNA using genetically modified Saccharomyces cerevisae. D. suzukii that were fed with our “yeast biopesticide” showed a significant decrease in fitness. In this perspective article, we postulate that this approach could be adapted to a large number of species, given the great diversity of symbiotic interactions involving microorganisms and host species. Furthermore, we speculate that beyond its application as biopesticide, dsRNA delivery by genetically modified microbes can also serve to facilitate reverse genetic applications, specifically in non-model organisms.

Gene Therapy and Gene Editing for the Corneal Dystrophies

Despite ever-increasing understanding of the genetic underpinnings of many corneal dystrophies, gene therapy designed to ameliorate disease has not yet been reported in any human patient. In this review, we explore the likely reasons for this apparent failure of translation. We identify the requirements for success: the genetic defect involved must have been identified and mapped, vision in the affected patient must be significantly impaired or likely to be impaired, no better or equivalently effective treatment must be available, the treatment must be capable of modulating corneal pathology, and delivery of the construct to the appropriate cell must be practicable. We consider which of the corneal dystrophies might be amenable to treatment by genetic manipulations, summarize existing therapeutic options for treatment, and explore gene editing using clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat/Cas and other similar transformative technologies as the way of the future. We then summarize recent laboratory-based advances in gene delivery and the development of in vitro and in vivo models of the corneal dystrophies. Finally, we review recent experimental work that has increased our knowledge of the pathobiology of these conditions.

Alzheimer disease research in the 21st century: past and current failures, new perspectives and funding priorities

Much of Alzheimer disease (AD) research has been traditionally based on the use of animals, which have been extensively applied in an effort to both improve our understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms of the disease and to test novel therapeutic approaches. However, decades of such research have not effectively translated into substantial therapeutic success for human patients. Here we critically discuss these issues in order to determine how existing human-based methods can be applied to study AD pathology and develop novel therapeutics. These methods, which include patient-derived cells, computational analysis and models, together with large-scale epidemiological studies represent novel and exciting tools to enhance and forward AD research. In particular, these methods are helping advance AD research by contributing multifactorial and multidimensional perspectives, especially considering the crucial role played by lifestyle risk factors in the determination of AD risk. In addition to research techniques, we also consider related pitfalls and flaws in the current research funding system. Conversely, we identify encouraging new trends in research and government policy. In light of these new research directions, we provide recommendations regarding prioritization of research funding. The goal of this document is to stimulate scientific and public discussion on the need to explore new avenues in AD research, considering outcome and ethics as core principles to reliably judge traditional research efforts and eventually undertake new research strategies.

A Comprehensive Toolbox for Genome Editing in Cultured Drosophila melanogaster Cells

Custom genome editing has become an essential element of molecular biology. In particular, the generation of fusion constructs with epitope tags or fluorescent proteins at the genomic locus facilitates the analysis of protein expression, localization, and interaction partners at physiologic levels. Following up on our initial publication, we now describe a considerably simplified, more efficient, and readily scalable experimental workflow for PCR-based genome editing in cultured Drosophila melanogaster cells. Our analysis at the act5C locus suggests that PCR-based homology arms of 60 bp are sufficient to reach targeting efficiencies of up to 80% after selection; extension to 80 bp (PCR) or 500 bp (targeting vector) did not further improve the yield. We have expanded our targeting system to N-terminal epitope tags; this also allows the generation of cell populations with heterologous expression control of the tagged locus via the copper-inducible mtnDE promoter. We present detailed, quantitative data on editing efficiencies for several genomic loci that may serve as positive controls or benchmarks in other laboratories. While our first PCR-based editing approach offered only blasticidin-resistance for selection, we now introduce puromycin-resistance as a second, independent selection marker; it is thus possible to edit two loci (e.g., for coimmunoprecipitation) without marker removal. Finally, we describe a modified FLP recombinase expression plasmid that improves the efficiency of marker cassette FLP-out. In summary, our technique and reagents enable a flexible, robust, and cloning-free genome editing approach that can be parallelized for scale-up.

Modeling Alzheimer's disease with human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells

In the last decade, induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells have revolutionized the utility of human in vitro models of neurological disease. The iPS-derived and differentiated cells allow researchers to study the impact of a distinct cell type in health and disease as well as performing therapeutic drug screens on a human genetic background. In particular, clinical trials for Alzheimer's disease (AD) have been failing. Two of the potential reasons are first, the species gap involved in proceeding from initial discoveries in rodent models to human studies, and second, an unsatisfying patient stratification, meaning subgrouping patients based on the disease severity due to the lack of phenotypic and genetic markers. iPS cells overcome this obstacles and will improve our understanding of disease subtypes in AD. They allow researchers conducting in depth characterization of neural cells from both familial and sporadic AD patients as well as preclinical screens on human cells. In this review, we briefly outline the status quo of iPS cell research in neurological diseases along with the general advantages and pitfalls of these models. We summarize how genome-editing techniques such as CRISPR/Cas9 will allow researchers to reduce the problem of genomic variability inherent to human studies, followed by recent iPS cell studies relevant to AD. We then focus on current techniques for the differentiation of iPS cells into neural cell types that are relevant to AD research. Finally, we discuss how the generation of three-dimensional cell culture systems will be important for understanding AD phenotypes in a complex cellular milieu, and how both two- and three-dimensional iPS cell models can provide platforms for drug discovery and translational studies into the treatment of AD.

Improving the Gene Transfection in Human Embryonic Stem Cells: Balancing with Cytotoxicity and Pluripotent Maintenance

Manipulation of genes in human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) is imperative for their highly potential applications; however, the transduction efficiency remains very low. Although existing evidence revealed the type, size, and zeta potential of vector affect gene transfection efficiency in cells, the systematic study in hESCs is scarce. In this study, using poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers ended with amine, hydroxyl, or carboxyl as model, we tested the influences of size and surface group as well as cytotoxicity and endocytosis on hESC gene transfection. We found that in culture medium of mTeSR the particle sizes of G5, G7, G4.5COOH, and G5OH were around 5 nm and G1 had a smaller size of 3.14 nm. G5 and G7 had a slight and significant positive zeta potential, respectively, whereas G1 was slightly negative, and G4.5COOH and G5OH were significantly negative. We demonstrated that only amine-terminated dendrimers accomplished gene transfection in hESCs, which is greater than that from Lipofectamine 2000 transfection. Ten micromolar G5 had the greatest efficiency and was better than 1000 μM G1. Only a low concentration (0.5 and 1 μM) of G7 realized gene delivery. Amine-ended dendrimers, especially with higher generations, were detrimental to the growth and pluripotent maintenance of hESCs. In contrast, similarly sized hydroxyl- and carboxyl-terminated dendrimers exerted much lower cytotoxicity, in which carboxyl-terminated dendrimer maintained pluripotency of hESCs. We also confirmed the endocytosis into and significant exocytosis from hESCs using FITC-labeled G5 dendrimer. These results suggested that careful considerations of size, concentration, and zeta potential, particularly the identity and position of groups, as well as minimized exocytosis in the design of a vector for hESC gene delivery are necessary, which helps to better design an effective vector in hESC gene transduction.

Modeling psychiatric disorders with patient-derived iPSCs

Psychiatric disorders are heterogeneous disorders characterized by complex genetics, variable symptomatology, and anatomically distributed pathology, all of which present challenges for effective treatment. Current treatments are often blunt tools used to ameliorate the most severe symptoms, often at the risk of disrupting functional neural systems, thus there is a pressing need to develop rational therapeutics. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) reprogrammed from patient somatic cells offer an unprecedented opportunity to recapitulate both normal and pathologic human tissue and organ development, and provides new approaches for understanding disease mechanisms and for drug discovery with higher predictability of their effects in humans. Here we review recent progress and challenges in using human iPSCs for modeling neuropsychiatric disorders and developing novel therapeutic strategies.

Barth Syndrome: From Mitochondrial Dysfunctions Associated with Aberrant Production of Reactive Oxygen Species to Pluripotent Stem Cell Studies

Mutations in the gene encoding the enzyme tafazzin, TAZ, cause Barth syndrome (BTHS). Individuals with this X-linked multisystem disorder present cardiomyopathy (CM) (often dilated), skeletal muscle weakness, neutropenia, growth retardation, and 3-methylglutaconic aciduria. Biopsies of the heart, liver and skeletal muscle of patients have revealed mitochondrial malformations and dysfunctions. It is the purpose of this review to summarize recent results of studies on various animal or cell models of Barth syndrome, which have characterized biochemically the strong cellular defects associated with TAZ mutations. Tafazzin is a mitochondrial phospholipidlysophospholipid transacylase that shuttles acyl groups between phospholipids and regulates the remodeling of cardiolipin (CL), a unique inner mitochondrial membrane phospholipid dimer consisting of two phosphatidyl residues linked by a glycerol bridge. After their biosynthesis, the acyl chains of CLs may be modified in remodeling processes involving up to three different enzymes. Their characteristic acyl chain composition depends on the function of tafazzin, although the enzyme itself surprisingly lacks acyl specificity. CLs are crucial for correct mitochondrial structure and function. In addition to their function in the basic mitochondrial function of ATP production, CLs play essential roles in cardiac function, apoptosis, autophagy, cell cycle regulation and Fe-S cluster biosynthesis. Recent developments in tafazzin research have provided strong insights into the link between mitochondrial dysfunction and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). An important tool has been the generation of BTHS-specific induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from BTHS patients. In a complementary approach, disease-specific mutations have been introduced into wild-type iPSC lines enabling direct comparison with isogenic controls. iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes were then characterized using biochemical and classical bioenergetic approaches. The cells are tested in a "heart-on-chip" assay to model the pathophysiology in vitro, to characterize the underlying mechanism of BTHS deriving from TAZ mutations, mitochondrial deficiencies and ROS production and leading to tissue defects, and to evaluate potential therapies with the use of mitochondrially targeted antioxidants.

The Structural Basis of Asymmetry in DNA Binding and Cleavage as Exhibited by the I-SmaMI LAGLIDADG Meganuclease

LAGLIDADG homing endonucleases ("meganucleases") are highly specific DNA cleaving enzymes that are used for genome engineering. Like other enzymes that act on DNA targets, meganucleases often display binding affinities and cleavage activities that are dominated by one protein domain. To decipher the underlying mechanism of asymmetric DNA recognition and catalysis, we identified and characterized a new monomeric meganuclease (I-SmaMI), which belongs to a superfamily of homologous enzymes that recognize divergent DNA sequences. We solved a series of crystal structures of the enzyme-DNA complex representing a progression of sequential reaction states, and we compared the structural rearrangements and surface potential distributions within each protein domain against their relative contribution to binding affinity. We then determined the effects of equivalent point mutations in each of the two enzyme active sites to determine whether asymmetry in DNA recognition is translated into corresponding asymmetry in DNA cleavage activity. These experiments demonstrate the structural basis for "dominance" by one protein domain over the other and provide insights into this enzyme's conformational switch from a nonspecific search mode to a more specific recognition mode.

Functional Evaluations of Genes Disrupted in Patients with Tourette's Disorder

Tourette's disorder (TD) is a highly heritable neurodevelopmental disorder with complex genetic architecture and unclear neuropathology. Disruptions of particular genes have been identified in subsets of TD patients. However, none of the findings have been replicated, probably due to the complex and heterogeneous genetic architecture of TD that involves both common and rare variants. To understand the etiology of TD, functional analyses are required to characterize the molecular and cellular consequences caused by mutations in candidate genes. Such molecular and cellular alterations may converge into common biological pathways underlying the heterogeneous genetic etiology of TD patients. Herein, we review specific genes implicated in TD etiology, discuss the functions of these genes in the mammalian central nervous system and the corresponding behavioral anomalies exhibited in animal models, and importantly, review functional analyses that can be performed to evaluate the role(s) that the genetic disruptions might play in TD. Specifically, the functional assays include novel cell culture systems, genome editing techniques, bioinformatics approaches, transcriptomic analyses, and genetically modified animal models applied or developed to study genes associated with TD or with other neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders. By describing methods used to study diseases with genetic architecture similar to TD, we hope to develop a systematic framework for investigating the etiology of TD and related disorders.

MMEJ-assisted gene knock-in using TALENs and CRISPR-Cas9 with the PITCh systems

Programmable nucleases enable engineering of the genome by utilizing endogenous DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair pathways. Although homologous recombination (HR)-mediated gene knock-in is well established, it cannot necessarily be applied in every cell type and organism because of variable HR frequencies. We recently reported an alternative method of gene knock-in, named the PITCh (Precise Integration into Target Chromosome) system, assisted by microhomology-mediated end-joining (MMEJ). MMEJ harnesses independent machinery from HR, and it requires an extremely short homologous sequence (5-25 bp) for DSB repair, resulting in precise gene knock-in with a more easily constructed donor vector. Here we describe a streamlined protocol for PITCh knock-in, including the design and construction of the PITCh vectors, and their delivery to either human cell lines by transfection or to frog embryos by microinjection. The construction of the PITCh vectors requires only a few days, and the entire process takes ∼ 1.5 months to establish knocked-in cells or ∼ 1 week from injection to early genotyping in frog embryos.

The necessity for in vivo functional analysis in human medical genetics

Approximately 50% of all congenital anomalies cannot be linked to any specific genetic etiology, but in recent years cost effective high throughput sequencing has emerged as an efficient strategy for identifying single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with disease. However, in many cases there is not enough evidence to determine if these SNPs underlie disease. To bridge this gap in our understanding advances in functional analyses are warranted. Several preclinical model systems are currently being utilized to provide such evidence, including the advantageous zebrafish embryo. While every system exhibits disadvantages and caveats, a new era of multidisciplinary research has evolved, which uses a broad spectrum of functional analysis tools. This approach will make it possible to identify potential therapeutic targets for both common and rare human disorders.

Genetic manipulation of secondary metabolite biosynthesis for improved production in Streptomyces and other actinomycetes

Actinomycetes continue to be important sources for the discovery of secondary metabolites for applications in human medicine, animal health, and crop protection. With the maturation of actinomycete genome mining as a robust approach to identify new and novel cryptic secondary metabolite gene clusters, it is critical to continue developing methods to activate and enhance secondary metabolite biosynthesis for discovery, development, and large-scale manufacturing. This review covers recent reports on promising new approaches and further validations or technical improvements of existing approaches to strain improvement applicable to a wide range of Streptomyces species and other actinomycetes.

Efficient CRISPR-Cas9-mediated generation of knockin human pluripotent stem cells lacking undesired mutations at the targeted locus

The CRISPR-Cas9 system has the potential to revolutionize genome editing in human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs), but its advantages and pitfalls are still poorly understood. We systematically tested the ability of CRISPR-Cas9 to mediate reporter gene knockin at 16 distinct genomic sites in hPSCs. We observed efficient gene targeting but found that targeted clones carried an unexpectedly high frequency of insertion and deletion (indel) mutations at both alleles of the targeted gene. These indels were induced by Cas9 nuclease, as well as Cas9-D10A single or dual nickases, and often disrupted gene function. To overcome this problem, we designed strategies to physically destroy or separate CRISPR target sites at the targeted allele and developed a bioinformatic pipeline to identify and eliminate clones harboring deleterious indels at the other allele. This two-pronged approach enables the reliable generation of knockin hPSC reporter cell lines free of unwanted mutations at the targeted locus.