151
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Xiong X, Liu K, Li Z, Xia FN, Ruan XM, He X, Li JF. Split complementation of base editors to minimize off-target edits. NATURE PLANTS 2023; 9:1832-1847. [PMID: 37845337 DOI: 10.1038/s41477-023-01540-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
Base editors (BEs) empower the efficient installation of beneficial or corrective point mutations in crop and human genomes. However, conventional BEs can induce unpredictable guide RNA (gRNA)-independent off-target edits in the genome and transcriptome due to spurious activities of BE-enclosing deaminases, and current improvements mostly rely on deaminase-specific mutagenesis or exogenous regulators. Here we developed a split deaminase for safe editing (SAFE) system applicable to BEs containing distinct cytidine or adenosine deaminases, with no need of external regulators. In SAFE, a BE was properly split at a deaminase domain embedded inside a Cas9 nickase, simultaneously fragmenting and deactivating both the deaminase and the Cas9 nickase. The gRNA-conditioned BE reassembly conferred robust on-target editing in plant, human and yeast cells, while minimizing both gRNA-independent and gRNA-dependent off-target DNA/RNA edits. SAFE also substantially increased product purity by eliminating indels. Altogether, SAFE provides a generalizable solution for BEs to suppress off-target editing and improve on-target performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangyu Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kehui Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Zhenxiang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Fan-Nv Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xue-Ming Ruan
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xionglei He
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jian-Feng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
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152
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Ting WW, Ng IS. Tunable T7 Promoter Orthogonality on T7RNAP for cis-Aconitate Decarboxylase Evolution via Base Editor and Screening from Itaconic Acid Biosensor. ACS Synth Biol 2023; 12:3020-3029. [PMID: 37750409 PMCID: PMC10595973 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.3c00344] [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: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
The deaminase-fused T7 RNA polymerase (T7RNAP) presents a promising toolkit for in vivo target-specific enzyme evolution, offering the unique advantage of simultaneous DNA modification and screening. Previous studies have reported the mutation efficiency of base editors relying on different resources. In contrast, the mechanism underlying the T7RNAP/T7 system is well-understood. Therefore, this study aimed to establish a new platform, termed dT7-Muta, by tuning the binding efficiency between T7RNAP and the T7 promoter for gene mutagenesis. The strategy for proof-of-concept involves alterations in the fluorescence distribution through dT7-Muta and screening of the mutants via flow cytometry. The cis-aconitate decarboxylase from Aspergillus terreus (AtCadA) was evolved and screened via an itaconate-induced biosensor as proof-of-function of enzyme evolution. First, the degenerated codons were designed within the binding and initial region of T7 promoters (dT7s), including upstream (U), central (C), and downstream (D) regions. Three strength variants of dT7 promoter from each design, i.e., strong (S), medium (M), and weak (W), were used for evaluation. Mutation using dT7s of varying strength resulted in a broader fluorescence distribution in sfGFP mutants from the promoters CW and DS. On the other hand, broader fluorescence distribution was observed in the AtCadA mutants from the original promoter T7, UW, and DS, with the highest fluorescence and itaconic acid titer at 860 a.u. and 0.51 g/L, respectively. The present platform introduces a novel aspect of the deaminase-based mutagenesis, emphasizing the potential of altering the binding efficiency between T7RNAP and the T7 promoter for further efforts in enzyme evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wan-Wen Ting
- Department of Chemical
Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
| | - I-Son Ng
- Department of Chemical
Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
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153
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Hong S, Kim S, Kim K, Lee H. Clinical Approaches for Mitochondrial Diseases. Cells 2023; 12:2494. [PMID: 37887337 PMCID: PMC10605124 DOI: 10.3390/cells12202494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Mitochondria are subcontractors dedicated to energy production within cells. In human mitochondria, almost all mitochondrial proteins originate from the nucleus, except for 13 subunit proteins that make up the crucial system required to perform 'oxidative phosphorylation (OX PHOS)', which are expressed by the mitochondria's self-contained DNA. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) also encodes 2 rRNA and 22 tRNA species. Mitochondrial DNA replicates almost autonomously, independent of the nucleus, and its heredity follows a non-Mendelian pattern, exclusively passing from mother to children. Numerous studies have identified mtDNA mutation-related genetic diseases. The consequences of various types of mtDNA mutations, including insertions, deletions, and single base-pair mutations, are studied to reveal their relationship to mitochondrial diseases. Most mitochondrial diseases exhibit fatal symptoms, leading to ongoing therapeutic research with diverse approaches such as stimulating the defective OXPHOS system, mitochondrial replacement, and allotropic expression of defective enzymes. This review provides detailed information on two topics: (1) mitochondrial diseases caused by mtDNA mutations, and (2) the mechanisms of current treatments for mitochondrial diseases and clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seongho Hong
- Korea Mouse Phenotyping Center, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea;
- Department of Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul 02708, Republic of Korea
| | - Sanghun Kim
- Laboratory Animal Resource and Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Cheongju 28116, Republic of Korea;
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyoungmi Kim
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
- Department of Physiology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyunji Lee
- Department of Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul 02708, Republic of Korea
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154
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Haldrup J, Andersen S, Labial AR, Wolff JH, Frandsen F, Skov T, Rovsing A, Nielsen I, Jakobsen TS, Askou A, Thomsen M, Corydon T, Thomsen E, Mikkelsen J. Engineered lentivirus-derived nanoparticles (LVNPs) for delivery of CRISPR/Cas ribonucleoprotein complexes supporting base editing, prime editing and in vivo gene modification. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:10059-10074. [PMID: 37678882 PMCID: PMC10570023 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Implementation of therapeutic in vivo gene editing using CRISPR/Cas relies on potent delivery of gene editing tools. Administration of ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes consisting of Cas protein and single guide RNA (sgRNA) offers short-lived editing activity and safety advantages over conventional viral and non-viral gene and RNA delivery approaches. By engineering lentivirus-derived nanoparticles (LVNPs) to facilitate RNP delivery, we demonstrate effective administration of SpCas9 as well as SpCas9-derived base and prime editors (BE/PE) leading to gene editing in recipient cells. Unique Gag/GagPol protein fusion strategies facilitate RNP packaging in LVNPs, and refinement of LVNP stoichiometry supports optimized LVNP yield and incorporation of therapeutic payload. We demonstrate near instantaneous target DNA cleavage and complete RNP turnover within 4 days. As a result, LVNPs provide high on-target DNA cleavage and lower levels of off-target cleavage activity compared to standard RNP nucleofection in cultured cells. LVNPs accommodate BE/sgRNA and PE/epegRNA RNPs leading to base editing with reduced bystander editing and prime editing without detectable indel formation. Notably, in the mouse eye, we provide the first proof-of-concept for LVNP-directed in vivo gene disruption. Our findings establish LVNPs as promising vehicles for delivery of RNPs facilitating donor-free base and prime editing without formation of double-stranded DNA breaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakob Haldrup
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Sofie Andersen
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Ian Nielsen
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Thomas Stax Jakobsen
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
- Department of Ophthalmology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Anne Louise Askou
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
- Department of Ophthalmology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus N, Denmark
| | | | - Thomas J Corydon
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
- Department of Ophthalmology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus N, Denmark
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155
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Zhao L, Koseki SRT, Silverstein RA, Amrani N, Peng C, Kramme C, Savic N, Pacesa M, Rodríguez TC, Stan T, Tysinger E, Hong L, Yudistyra V, Ponnapati MR, Jacobson JM, Church GM, Jakimo N, Truant R, Jinek M, Kleinstiver BP, Sontheimer EJ, Chatterjee P. PAM-flexible genome editing with an engineered chimeric Cas9. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6175. [PMID: 37794046 PMCID: PMC10550912 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41829-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023] Open
Abstract
CRISPR enzymes require a defined protospacer adjacent motif (PAM) flanking a guide RNA-programmed target site, limiting their sequence accessibility for robust genome editing applications. In this study, we recombine the PAM-interacting domain of SpRY, a broad-targeting Cas9 possessing an NRN > NYN (R = A or G, Y = C or T) PAM preference, with the N-terminus of Sc + +, a Cas9 with simultaneously broad, efficient, and accurate NNG editing capabilities, to generate a chimeric enzyme with highly flexible PAM preference: SpRYc. We demonstrate that SpRYc leverages properties of both enzymes to specifically edit diverse PAMs and disease-related loci for potential therapeutic applications. In total, the approaches to generate SpRYc, coupled with its robust flexibility, highlight the power of integrative protein design for Cas9 engineering and motivate downstream editing applications that require precise genomic positioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Zhao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | | | - Rachel A Silverstein
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences Program, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nadia Amrani
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Cambridge, USA
| | - Christina Peng
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Christian Kramme
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Natasha Savic
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Martin Pacesa
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Tomás C Rodríguez
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Cambridge, USA
| | - Teodora Stan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Emma Tysinger
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Lauren Hong
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Vivian Yudistyra
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | | | - Joseph M Jacobson
- Media Lab, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - George M Church
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Noah Jakimo
- Media Lab, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Ray Truant
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Martin Jinek
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Benjamin P Kleinstiver
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Erik J Sontheimer
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Cambridge, USA
| | - Pranam Chatterjee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
- Department of Computer Science, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
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156
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Kabra M, Shahi PK, Wang Y, Sinha D, Spillane A, Newby GA, Saxena S, Tong Y, Chang Y, Abdeen AA, Edwards KL, Theisen CO, Liu DR, Gamm DM, Gong S, Saha K, Pattnaik BR. Nonviral base editing of KCNJ13 mutation preserves vision in a model of inherited retinal channelopathy. J Clin Invest 2023; 133:e171356. [PMID: 37561581 PMCID: PMC10541187 DOI: 10.1172/jci171356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Clinical genome editing is emerging for rare disease treatment, but one of the major limitations is the targeting of CRISPR editors' delivery. We delivered base editors to the retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) in the mouse eye using silica nanocapsules (SNCs) as a treatment for retinal degeneration. Leber congenital amaurosis type 16 (LCA16) is a rare pediatric blindness caused by point mutations in the KCNJ13 gene, a loss of function inwardly rectifying potassium channel (Kir7.1) in the RPE. SNCs carrying adenine base editor 8e (ABE8e) mRNA and sgRNA precisely and efficiently corrected the KCNJ13W53X/W53X mutation. Editing in both patient fibroblasts (47%) and human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived RPE (LCA16-iPSC-RPE) (17%) showed minimal off-target editing. We detected functional Kir7.1 channels in the edited LCA16-iPSC-RPE. In the LCA16 mouse model (Kcnj13W53X/+ΔR), RPE cells targeted SNC delivery of ABE8e mRNA preserved normal vision, measured by full-field electroretinogram (ERG). Moreover, multifocal ERG confirmed the topographic measure of electrical activity primarily originating from the edited retinal area at the injection site. Preserved retina structure after treatment was established by optical coherence tomography (OCT). This preclinical validation of targeted ion channel functional rescue, a challenge for pharmacological and genomic interventions, reinforced the effectiveness of nonviral genome-editing therapy for rare inherited disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meha Kabra
- Department of Pediatrics
- McPherson Eye Research Institute
| | - Pawan K. Shahi
- Department of Pediatrics
- McPherson Eye Research Institute
| | - Yuyuan Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering
- Wisconsin Institute of Discovery, and
| | - Divya Sinha
- McPherson Eye Research Institute
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | | | - Gregory A. Newby
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Shivani Saxena
- McPherson Eye Research Institute
- Department of Biomedical Engineering
- Wisconsin Institute of Discovery, and
| | - Yao Tong
- Department of Biomedical Engineering
- Wisconsin Institute of Discovery, and
| | | | - Amr A. Abdeen
- McPherson Eye Research Institute
- Department of Biomedical Engineering
- Wisconsin Institute of Discovery, and
| | - Kimberly L. Edwards
- McPherson Eye Research Institute
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Cole O. Theisen
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - David R. Liu
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - David M. Gamm
- McPherson Eye Research Institute
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences and
| | - Shaoqin Gong
- McPherson Eye Research Institute
- Department of Biomedical Engineering
- Wisconsin Institute of Discovery, and
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences and
| | - Krishanu Saha
- Department of Pediatrics
- McPherson Eye Research Institute
- Department of Biomedical Engineering
- Wisconsin Institute of Discovery, and
- Center for Human Genomics and Precision Medicine, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Bikash R. Pattnaik
- Department of Pediatrics
- McPherson Eye Research Institute
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences and
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157
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Xia K, Wang F, Tan Z, Zhang S, Lai X, Ou W, Yang C, Chen H, Peng H, Luo P, Hu A, Tu X, Wang T, Ke Q, Deng C, Xiang AP. Precise Correction of Lhcgr Mutation in Stem Leydig Cells by Prime Editing Rescues Hereditary Primary Hypogonadism in Mice. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2300993. [PMID: 37697644 PMCID: PMC10582410 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202300993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023]
Abstract
Hereditary primary hypogonadism (HPH), caused by gene mutation related to testosterone synthesis in Leydig cells, usually impairs male sexual development and spermatogenesis. Genetically corrected stem Leydig cells (SLCs) transplantation may provide a new approach for treating HPH. Here, a novel nonsense-point-mutation mouse model (LhcgrW495X ) is first generated based on a gene mutation relative to HPH patients. To verify the efficacy and feasibility of SLCs transplantation in treating HPH, wild-type SLCs are transplanted into LhcgrW495X mice, in which SLCs obviously rescue HPH phenotypes. Through comparing several editing strategies, optimized PE2 protein (PEmax) system is identified as an efficient and precise approach to correct the pathogenic point mutation in Lhcgr. Furthermore, delivering intein-split PEmax system via lentivirus successfully corrects the mutation in SLCs from LhcgrW495X mice ex vivo. Gene-corrected SLCs from LhcgrW495X mice exert ability to differentiate into functional Leydig cells in vitro. Notably, the transplantation of gene-corrected SLCs effectively regenerates Leydig cells, recovers testosterone production, restarts sexual development, rescues spermatogenesis, and produces fertile offspring in LhcgrW495X mice. Altogether, these results suggest that PE-based gene editing in SLCs ex vivo is a promising strategy for HPH therapy and is potentially leveraged to address more hereditary diseases in reproductive system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Xia
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Tissue EngineeringKey Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue EngineeringMinistry of Education National‐Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Zhongshan School of MedicineSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouGuangdong510080China
| | - Fulin Wang
- Department of Urology and AndrologyThe First Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouGuangdong510080China
| | - Zhipeng Tan
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Tissue EngineeringKey Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue EngineeringMinistry of Education National‐Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Zhongshan School of MedicineSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouGuangdong510080China
| | - Suyuan Zhang
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Tissue EngineeringKey Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue EngineeringMinistry of Education National‐Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Zhongshan School of MedicineSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouGuangdong510080China
| | - Xingqiang Lai
- Cardiovascular DepartmentThe Eighth Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐sen UniversityShenzhenGuangdong518033China
| | - Wangsheng Ou
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology Zhong Shan Ophthalmic CenterSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouGuangdong510000China
| | - Cuifeng Yang
- Department of Urology and AndrologyThe First Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouGuangdong510080China
| | - Hong Chen
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Tissue EngineeringKey Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue EngineeringMinistry of Education National‐Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Zhongshan School of MedicineSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouGuangdong510080China
| | - Hao Peng
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Tissue EngineeringKey Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue EngineeringMinistry of Education National‐Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Zhongshan School of MedicineSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouGuangdong510080China
| | - Peng Luo
- Department of Urology and AndrologyThe First Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouGuangdong510080China
| | - Anqi Hu
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Tissue EngineeringKey Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue EngineeringMinistry of Education National‐Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Zhongshan School of MedicineSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouGuangdong510080China
| | - Xiang'an Tu
- Department of Urology and AndrologyThe First Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouGuangdong510080China
| | - Tao Wang
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Tissue EngineeringKey Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue EngineeringMinistry of Education National‐Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Zhongshan School of MedicineSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouGuangdong510080China
| | - Qiong Ke
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Tissue EngineeringKey Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue EngineeringMinistry of Education National‐Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Zhongshan School of MedicineSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouGuangdong510080China
| | - Chunhua Deng
- Department of Urology and AndrologyThe First Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouGuangdong510080China
| | - Andy Peng Xiang
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Tissue EngineeringKey Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue EngineeringMinistry of Education National‐Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Zhongshan School of MedicineSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouGuangdong510080China
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158
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Jewel D, Pham Q, Chatterjee A. Virus-assisted directed evolution of biomolecules. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2023; 76:102375. [PMID: 37542745 PMCID: PMC10870257 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2023.102375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/07/2023]
Abstract
Directed evolution is a powerful technique that uses principles of natural evolution to enable the development of biomolecules with novel functions. However, the slow pace of natural evolution does not support the demand for rapidly generating new biomolecular functions in the laboratory. Viruses offer a unique path to design fast laboratory evolution experiments, owing to their innate ability to evolve much more rapidly than most living organisms, facilitated by a smaller genome size that tolerate a high frequency of mutations, as well as a fast rate of replication. These attributes offer a great opportunity to evolve various biomolecules by linking their activity to the replication of a suitable virus. This review highlights the recent advances in the application of virus-assisted directed evolution of designer biomolecules in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delilah Jewel
- Department of Chemistry, Boston College, 2609 Beacon Street, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA
| | - Quan Pham
- Department of Chemistry, Boston College, 2609 Beacon Street, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA
| | - Abhishek Chatterjee
- Department of Chemistry, Boston College, 2609 Beacon Street, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA.
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159
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Cui Y, Cao Q, Li Y, He M, Liu X. Advances in cis-element- and natural variation-mediated transcriptional regulation and applications in gene editing of major crops. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2023; 74:5441-5457. [PMID: 37402253 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erad248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023]
Abstract
Transcriptional regulation is crucial to control of gene expression. Both spatio-temporal expression patterns and expression levels of genes are determined by the interaction between cis-acting elements and trans-acting factors. Numerous studies have focused on the trans-acting factors that mediate transcriptional regulatory networks. However, cis-acting elements, such as enhancers, silencers, transposons, and natural variations in the genome, are also vital for gene expression regulation and could be utilized by clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9)-mediated gene editing to improve crop quality and yield. In this review, we discuss current understanding of cis-element-mediated transcriptional regulation in major crops, including rice (Oryza sativa), wheat (Triticum aestivum), and maize (Zea mays), as well as the latest advancements in gene editing techniques and their applications in crops to highlight prospective strategies for crop breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Cui
- College of Teacher Education, Molecular and Cellular Postdoctoral Research Station, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang 050024, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Hebei Collaboration Innovation Center for Cell Signaling, Hebei Research Center of the Basic Discipline Cell Biology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang 050024, China
| | - Qiao Cao
- Shijiazhuang Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province 050041, China
| | - Yongpeng Li
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Hebei Collaboration Innovation Center for Cell Signaling, Hebei Research Center of the Basic Discipline Cell Biology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang 050024, China
| | - Mingqi He
- Shijiazhuang Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province 050041, China
| | - Xigang Liu
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Hebei Collaboration Innovation Center for Cell Signaling, Hebei Research Center of the Basic Discipline Cell Biology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang 050024, China
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160
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Zhong Z, Liu G, Tang Z, Xiang S, Yang L, Huang L, He Y, Fan T, Liu S, Zheng X, Zhang T, Qi Y, Huang J, Zhang Y. Efficient plant genome engineering using a probiotic sourced CRISPR-Cas9 system. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6102. [PMID: 37773156 PMCID: PMC10541446 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41802-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Among CRISPR-Cas genome editing systems, Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9 (SpCas9), sourced from a human pathogen, is the most widely used. Here, through in silico data mining, we have established an efficient plant genome engineering system using CRISPR-Cas9 from probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus. We have confirmed the predicted 5'-NGAAA-3' PAM via a bacterial PAM depletion assay and showcased its exceptional editing efficiency in rice, wheat, tomato, and Larix cells, surpassing LbCas12a, SpCas9-NG, and SpRY when targeting the identical sequences. In stable rice lines, LrCas9 facilitates multiplexed gene knockout through coding sequence editing and achieves gene knockdown via targeted promoter deletion, demonstrating high specificity. We have also developed LrCas9-derived cytosine and adenine base editors, expanding base editing capabilities. Finally, by harnessing LrCas9's A/T-rich PAM targeting preference, we have created efficient CRISPR interference and activation systems in plants. Together, our work establishes CRISPR-LrCas9 as an efficient and user-friendly genome engineering tool for diverse applications in crops and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaohui Zhong
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Center for Informational Biology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, 610054, Chengdu, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservation and Germplasm Innovation, Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (Chongqing) Science City, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, 400715, Chongqing, China
| | - Guanqing Liu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genomics and Molecular Breeding/Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Physiology, Agricultural College of Yangzhou University, 225012, Yangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education/Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety, The Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, 225012, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops, Yangzhou University, 225012, Yangzhou, China
| | - Zhongjie Tang
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Center for Informational Biology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, 610054, Chengdu, China
| | - Shuyue Xiang
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Center for Informational Biology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, 610054, Chengdu, China
| | - Liang Yang
- Horticulture Research Institute, Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Sichuan, China
- Vegetable Germplasm Innovation and Variety Improvement Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, 610066, Chengdu, China
| | - Lan Huang
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Center for Informational Biology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, 610054, Chengdu, China
| | - Yao He
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Center for Informational Biology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, 610054, Chengdu, China
| | - Tingting Fan
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Center for Informational Biology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, 610054, Chengdu, China
| | - Shishi Liu
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Center for Informational Biology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, 610054, Chengdu, China
| | - Xuelian Zheng
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Center for Informational Biology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, 610054, Chengdu, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservation and Germplasm Innovation, Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (Chongqing) Science City, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, 400715, Chongqing, China
| | - Tao Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genomics and Molecular Breeding/Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Physiology, Agricultural College of Yangzhou University, 225012, Yangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education/Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety, The Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, 225012, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops, Yangzhou University, 225012, Yangzhou, China
| | - Yiping Qi
- Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA.
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD, 20850, USA.
| | - Jian Huang
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Center for Informational Biology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, 610054, Chengdu, China.
| | - Yong Zhang
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Center for Informational Biology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, 610054, Chengdu, China.
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservation and Germplasm Innovation, Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (Chongqing) Science City, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, 400715, Chongqing, China.
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161
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Rabaan AA, Al Fares MA, Almaghaslah M, Alpakistany T, Al Kaabi NA, Alshamrani SA, Alshehri AA, Almazni IA, Saif A, Hakami AR, Khamis F, Alfaresi M, Alsalem Z, Alsoliabi ZA, Al Amri KAS, Hassoueh AK, Mohapatra RK, Arteaga-Livias K, Alissa M. Application of CRISPR-Cas System to Mitigate Superbug Infections. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2404. [PMID: 37894063 PMCID: PMC10609045 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11102404] [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: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Multidrug resistance in bacterial strains known as superbugs is estimated to cause fatal infections worldwide. Migration and urbanization have resulted in overcrowding and inadequate sanitation, contributing to a high risk of superbug infections within and between different communities. The CRISPR-Cas system, mainly type II, has been projected as a robust tool to precisely edit drug-resistant bacterial genomes to combat antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains effectively. To entirely opt for its potential, advanced development in the CRISPR-Cas system is needed to reduce toxicity and promote efficacy in gene-editing applications. This might involve base-editing techniques used to produce point mutations. These methods employ designed Cas9 variations, such as the adenine base editor (ABE) and the cytidine base editor (CBE), to directly edit single base pairs without causing DSBs. The CBE and ABE could change a target base pair into a different one (for example, G-C to A-T or C-G to A-T). In this review, we addressed the limitations of the CRISPR/Cas system and explored strategies for circumventing these limitations by applying diverse base-editing techniques. Furthermore, we also discussed recent research showcasing the ability of base editors to eliminate drug-resistant microbes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali A Rabaan
- Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory, Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare, Dhahran 31311, Saudi Arabia
- College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh 11533, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Public Health and Nutrition, The University of Haripur, Haripur 22610, Pakistan
| | - Mona A Al Fares
- Department of Internal Medicine, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Manar Almaghaslah
- Infectious Disease Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Dammam Medical Complex, Dammam 32245, Saudi Arabia
| | - Tariq Alpakistany
- Bacteriology Department, Public Health Laboratory, Taif 26521, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nawal A Al Kaabi
- College of Medicine and Health Science, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi 127788, United Arab Emirates
- Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA), Abu Dhabi 51900, United Arab Emirates
| | - Saleh A Alshamrani
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Najran University, Najran 61441, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmad A Alshehri
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Najran University, Najran 61441, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ibrahim Abdullah Almazni
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Najran University, Najran 61441, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed Saif
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, Abha 62223, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulrahim R Hakami
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, Abha 62223, Saudi Arabia
| | - Faryal Khamis
- Infection Diseases Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Royal Hospital, Muscat 1331, Oman
| | - Mubarak Alfaresi
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Zayed Military Hospital, Abu Dhabi 3740, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai 505055, United Arab Emirates
| | - Zainab Alsalem
- Department of Epidemic Diseases Research, Institute for Research and Medical Consultations (IRMC), Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam 31441, Saudi Arabia
| | | | | | - Amal K Hassoueh
- Pharmacy Department, King Saud Medical City, Riyadh 7790, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ranjan K Mohapatra
- Department of Chemistry, Government College of Engineering, Keonjhar 758002, India
| | - Kovy Arteaga-Livias
- Escuela de Medicina-Filial Ica, Universidad Privada San Juan Bautista, Ica 11000, Peru
- Escuela de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Hermilio Valdizán, Huanuco 10000, Peru
| | - Mohammed Alissa
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj 11942, Saudi Arabia
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162
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Medina-Munoz HC, Kofman E, Jagannatha P, Boyle EA, Yu T, Jones KL, Mueller JR, Lykins GD, Doudna AT, Park SS, Blue SM, Ranzau BL, Kohli RM, Komor AC, Yeo GW. Expanded palette of RNA base editors for comprehensive RBP-RNA interactome studies. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.25.558915. [PMID: 37808757 PMCID: PMC10557582 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.25.558915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
RNA binding proteins (RBPs) are key regulators of RNA processing and cellular function. Technologies to discover RNA targets of RBPs such as TRIBE (targets of RNA binding proteins identified by editing) and STAMP (surveying targets by APOBEC1 mediated profiling) utilize fusions of RNA base-editors (rBEs) to RBPs to circumvent the limitations of immunoprecipitation (CLIP)-based methods that require enzymatic digestion and large amounts of input material. To broaden the repertoire of rBEs suitable for editing-based RBP-RNA interaction studies, we have devised experimental and computational assays in a framework called PRINTER (protein-RNA interaction-based triaging of enzymes that edit RNA) to assess over thirty A-to-I and C-to-U rBEs, allowing us to identify rBEs that expand the characterization of binding patterns for both sequence-specific and broad-binding RBPs. We also propose specific rBEs suitable for dual-RBP applications. We show that the choice between single or multiple rBEs to fuse with a given RBP or pair of RBPs hinges on the editing biases of the rBEs and the binding preferences of the RBPs themselves. We believe our study streamlines and enhances the selection of rBEs for the next generation of RBP-RNA target discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugo C. Medina-Munoz
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Stem Cell Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Eric Kofman
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Stem Cell Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Bioinformatics and Systems Biology Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Pratibha Jagannatha
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Stem Cell Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Bioinformatics and Systems Biology Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Evan A. Boyle
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Stem Cell Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Tao Yu
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Stem Cell Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Krysten L. Jones
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Stem Cell Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Jasmine R. Mueller
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Stem Cell Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Grace D. Lykins
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Stem Cell Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Andrew T. Doudna
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Stem Cell Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Samuel S. Park
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Stem Cell Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Steven M. Blue
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Stem Cell Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Brodie L. Ranzau
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Rahul M. Kohli
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Alexis C. Komor
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Gene W. Yeo
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Stem Cell Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Bioinformatics and Systems Biology Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
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163
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Wellhausen N, O’Connell RP, Lesch S, Engel NW, Rennels AK, Gonzales D, Herbst F, Young RM, Garcia KC, Weiner D, June CH, Gill SI. Epitope base editing CD45 in hematopoietic cells enables universal blood cancer immune therapy. Sci Transl Med 2023; 15:eadi1145. [PMID: 37651540 PMCID: PMC10682510 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.adi1145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
In the absence of cell surface cancer-specific antigens, immunotherapies such as chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells, monoclonal antibodies, or bispecific T cell engagers typically target lineage antigens. Currently, such immunotherapies are individually designed and tested for each disease. This approach is inefficient and limited to a few lineage antigens for which the on-target/off-tumor toxicities are clinically tolerated. Here, we sought to develop a universal CAR T cell therapy for blood cancers directed against the pan-leukocyte marker CD45. To protect healthy hematopoietic cells, including CAR T cells, from CD45-directed on-target/off-tumor toxicity while preserving the essential functions of CD45, we mapped the epitope on CD45 that is targeted by the CAR and used CRISPR adenine base editing to install a function-preserving mutation sufficient to evade CAR T cell recognition. Epitope-edited CD45 CAR T cells were fratricide resistant and effective against patient-derived acute myeloid leukemia, B cell lymphoma, and acute T cell leukemia. Epitope-edited hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) were protected from CAR T cells and, unlike CD45 knockout cells, could engraft, persist, and differentiate in vivo. Ex vivo epitope editing in HSCs and T cells enables the safe and effective use of CD45-directed CAR T cells and bispecific T cell engagers for the universal treatment of hematologic malignancies and might be exploited for other diseases requiring intensive hematopoietic ablation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nils Wellhausen
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania; Philadelphia, 19104, USA
| | - Ryan P. O’Connell
- Vaccine and Immunotherapy Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Stefanie Lesch
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania; Philadelphia, 19104, USA
| | - Nils W. Engel
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania; Philadelphia, 19104, USA
| | - Austin K. Rennels
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania; Philadelphia, 19104, USA
| | - Donna Gonzales
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania; Philadelphia, 19104, USA
| | - Friederike Herbst
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania; Philadelphia, 19104, USA
| | - Regina M. Young
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania; Philadelphia, 19104, USA
| | - K. Christopher Garcia
- Departments of Molecular and Cellular Physiology and Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- The Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - David Weiner
- Vaccine and Immunotherapy Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Carl H. June
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania; Philadelphia, 19104, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania; Philadelphia, 19104, USA
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy at University of Pennsylvania, University of Pennsylvania; Philadelphia, 19104, USA
| | - Saar I. Gill
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania; Philadelphia, 19104, USA
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania; Philadelphia, 19104, USA
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164
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Garcia EM, Lue NZ, Liang JK, Lieberman WK, Hwang DD, Woods J, Liau BB. Base Editor Scanning Reveals Activating Mutations of DNMT3A. ACS Chem Biol 2023; 18:2030-2038. [PMID: 37603861 PMCID: PMC10560492 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.3c00257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/23/2023]
Abstract
DNA methyltransferase 3A (DNMT3A) is a de novo cytosine methyltransferase responsible for establishing proper DNA methylation during mammalian development. Loss-of-function (LOF) mutations to DNMT3A, including the hotspot mutation R882H, frequently occur in developmental growth disorders and hematological diseases, including clonal hematopoiesis and acute myeloid leukemia. Accordingly, identifying mechanisms that activate DNMT3A is of both fundamental and therapeutic interest. Here, we applied a base editor mutational scanning strategy with an improved DNA methylation reporter to systematically identify DNMT3A activating mutations in cells. By integrating an optimized cellular recruitment strategy with paired isogenic cell lines with or without the LOF hotspot R882H mutation, we identify and validate three distinct hyperactivating mutations within or interacting with the regulatory ADD domain of DNMT3A, nominating these regions as potential functional target sites for pharmacological intervention. Notably, these mutations are still activating in the context of a heterozygous R882H mutation. Altogether, we showcase the utility of base editor scanning for discovering functional regions of target proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma M. Garcia
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA 02138
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA 02142
| | - Nicholas Z. Lue
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA 02138
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA 02142
| | - Jessica K. Liang
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA 02138
| | - Whitney K. Lieberman
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA 02138
| | - Derek D. Hwang
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA 02138
| | - James Woods
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA 02138
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA 02142
| | - Brian B. Liau
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA 02138
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA 02142
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165
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Joynt AT, Kavanagh EW, Newby GA, Mitchell S, Eastman AC, Paul KC, Bowling AD, Osorio DL, Merlo CA, Patel SU, Raraigh KS, Liu DR, Sharma N, Cutting GR. Protospacer modification improves base editing of a canonical splice site variant and recovery of CFTR function in human airway epithelial cells. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2023; 33:335-350. [PMID: 37547293 PMCID: PMC10400809 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2023.06.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
Canonical splice site variants affecting the 5' GT and 3' AG nucleotides of introns result in severe missplicing and account for about 10% of disease-causing genomic alterations. Treatment of such variants has proven challenging due to the unstable mRNA or protein isoforms that typically result from disruption of these sites. Here, we investigate CRISPR-Cas9-mediated adenine base editing for such variants in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. We validate a CFTR expression minigene (EMG) system for testing base editing designs for two different targets. We then use the EMG system to test non-standard single-guide RNAs with either shortened or lengthened protospacers to correct the most common cystic fibrosis-causing variant in individuals of African descent (c.2988+1G>A). Varying the spacer region length allowed placement of the editing window in a more efficient context and enabled use of alternate protospacer adjacent motifs. Using these modifications, we restored clinically significant levels of CFTR function to human airway epithelial cells from two donors bearing the c.2988+1G>A variant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anya T. Joynt
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Erin W. Kavanagh
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Gregory A. Newby
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Shakela Mitchell
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Alice C. Eastman
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Kathleen C. Paul
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Alyssa D. Bowling
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Derek L. Osorio
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Christian A. Merlo
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Shivani U. Patel
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Karen S. Raraigh
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - David R. Liu
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Neeraj Sharma
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Garry R. Cutting
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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166
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Gapinske M, Winter J, Swami D, Gapinske L, Woods WS, Shirguppe S, Miskalis A, Busza A, Joulani D, Kao CJ, Kostan K, Bigot A, Bashir R, Perez-Pinera P. Targeting Duchenne muscular dystrophy by skipping DMD exon 45 with base editors. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2023; 33:572-586. [PMID: 37637209 PMCID: PMC10448430 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2023.07.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy is an X-linked monogenic disease caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene (DMD) characterized by progressive muscle weakness, leading to loss of ambulation and decreased life expectancy. Since the current standard of care for Duchenne muscular dystrophy is to merely treat symptoms, there is a dire need for treatment modalities that can correct the underlying genetic mutations. While several gene replacement therapies are being explored in clinical trials, one emerging approach that can directly correct mutations in genomic DNA is base editing. We have recently developed CRISPR-SKIP, a base editing strategy to induce permanent exon skipping by introducing C > T or A > G mutations at splice acceptors in genomic DNA, which can be used therapeutically to recover dystrophin expression when a genomic deletion leads to an out-of-frame DMD transcript. We now demonstrate that CRISPR-SKIP can be adapted to correct some forms of Duchenne muscular dystrophy by disrupting the splice acceptor in human DMD exon 45 with high efficiency, which enables open reading frame recovery and restoration of dystrophin expression. We also demonstrate that AAV-delivered split-intein base editors edit the splice acceptor of DMD exon 45 in cultured human cells and in vivo, highlighting the therapeutic potential of this strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Gapinske
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Jackson Winter
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Devyani Swami
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Lauren Gapinske
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Nick J. Holonyak Micro and Nano Technology Laboratory, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Wendy S. Woods
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Shraddha Shirguppe
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Angelo Miskalis
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Anna Busza
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Dana Joulani
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Collin J. Kao
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Kurt Kostan
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Anne Bigot
- Sorbonne Université, Inserm, Institut de Myologie, Centre de Recherche en Myologie, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Rashid Bashir
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Nick J. Holonyak Micro and Nano Technology Laboratory, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Carle Illinois College of Medicine, Champaign, IL 61820, USA
| | - Pablo Perez-Pinera
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Carle Illinois College of Medicine, Champaign, IL 61820, USA
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Cancer Center at Illinois, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
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167
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Zeng H, Yuan Q, Peng F, Ma D, Lingineni A, Chee K, Gilberd P, Osikpa EC, Sun Z, Gao X. A split and inducible adenine base editor for precise in vivo base editing. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5573. [PMID: 37696818 PMCID: PMC10495389 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41331-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA base editors use deaminases fused to a programmable DNA-binding protein for targeted nucleotide conversion. However, the most widely used TadA deaminases lack post-translational control in living cells. Here, we present a split adenine base editor (sABE) that utilizes chemically induced dimerization (CID) to control the catalytic activity of the deoxyadenosine deaminase TadA-8e. sABE shows high on-target editing activity comparable to the original ABE with TadA-8e (ABE8e) upon rapamycin induction while maintaining low background activity without induction. Importantly, sABE exhibits a narrower activity window on DNA and higher precision than ABE8e, with an improved single-to-double ratio of adenine editing and reduced genomic and transcriptomic off-target effects. sABE can achieve gene knockout through multiplex splice donor disruption in human cells. Furthermore, when delivered via dual adeno-associated virus vectors, sABE can efficiently convert a single A•T base pair to a G•C base pair on the PCSK9 gene in mouse liver, demonstrating in vivo CID-controlled DNA base editing. Thus, sABE enables precise control of base editing, which will have broad implications for basic research and in vivo therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongzhi Zeng
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, 77005, USA
| | - Qichen Yuan
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, 77005, USA
| | - Fei Peng
- Department of Medicine, Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Dacheng Ma
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, 77005, USA
| | - Ananya Lingineni
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, 77005, USA
| | - Kelly Chee
- Department of Biosciences, Rice University, Houston, TX, 77005, USA
| | - Peretz Gilberd
- Department of Biosciences, Rice University, Houston, TX, 77005, USA
| | - Emmanuel C Osikpa
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, 77005, USA
| | - Zheng Sun
- Department of Medicine, Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
| | - Xue Gao
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, 77005, USA.
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, 77005, USA.
- Department of Chemistry, Rice University, Houston, TX, 77005, USA.
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168
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Ryu J, Barkal S, Yu T, Jankowiak M, Zhou Y, Francoeur M, Phan QV, Li Z, Tognon M, Brown L, Love MI, Lettre G, Ascher DB, Cassa CA, Sherwood RI, Pinello L. Joint genotypic and phenotypic outcome modeling improves base editing variant effect quantification. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.09.08.23295253. [PMID: 37732177 PMCID: PMC10508837 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.08.23295253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
CRISPR base editing screens are powerful tools for studying disease-associated variants at scale. However, the efficiency and precision of base editing perturbations vary, confounding the assessment of variant-induced phenotypic effects. Here, we provide an integrated pipeline that improves the estimation of variant impact in base editing screens. We perform high-throughput ABE8e-SpRY base editing screens with an integrated reporter construct to measure the editing efficiency and outcomes of each gRNA alongside their phenotypic consequences. We introduce BEAN, a Bayesian network that accounts for per-guide editing outcomes and target site chromatin accessibility to estimate variant impacts. We show this pipeline attains superior performance compared to existing tools in variant classification and effect size quantification. We use BEAN to pinpoint common variants that alter LDL uptake, implicating novel genes. Additionally, through saturation base editing of LDLR, we enable accurate quantitative prediction of the effects of missense variants on LDL-C levels, which aligns with measurements in UK Biobank individuals, and identify structural mechanisms underlying variant pathogenicity. This work provides a widely applicable approach to improve the power of base editor screens for disease-associated variant characterization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jayoung Ryu
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Sam Barkal
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Tian Yu
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Yunzhuo Zhou
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- Computational Biology and Clinical Informatics, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Matthew Francoeur
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Quang Vinh Phan
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Zhijian Li
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Manuel Tognon
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Computer Science Department, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Lara Brown
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michael I. Love
- Department of Genetics, Department of Biostatistics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Guillaume Lettre
- Montreal Heart Institute, Montréal, QC H1T 1C8, Canada
- Faculté de Médecine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - David B. Ascher
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- Computational Biology and Clinical Informatics, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Christopher A. Cassa
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Richard I. Sherwood
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Luca Pinello
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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169
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Zhang C, Zhong X, Li S, Yan L, Li J, He Y, Lin Y, Zhang Y, Xia L. Artificial evolution of OsEPSPS through an improved dual cytosine and adenine base editor generated a novel allele conferring rice glyphosate tolerance. JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE PLANT BIOLOGY 2023; 65:2194-2203. [PMID: 37402157 DOI: 10.1111/jipb.13543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023]
Abstract
Exploiting novel endogenous glyphosate-tolerant alleles is highly desirable and has promising potential for weed control in rice breeding. Here, through fusions of different effective cytosine and adenine deaminases with nCas9-NG, we engineered an effective surrogate two-component composite base editing system, STCBE-2, with improved C-to-T and A-to-G base editing efficiency and expanded the editing window. Furthermore, we targeted a rice endogenous OsEPSPS gene for artificial evolution through STCBE-2-mediated near-saturated mutagenesis. After hygromycin and glyphosate selection, we identified a novel OsEPSPS allele with an Asp-213-Asn (D213N) mutation (OsEPSPS-D213N) in the predicted glyphosate-binding domain, which conferred rice plants reliable glyphosate tolerance and had not been reported or applied in rice breeding. Collectively, we developed a novel dual base editor which will be valuable for artificial evolution of important genes in crops. And the novel glyphosate-tolerant rice germplasm generated in this study will benefit weeds management in rice paddy fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Zhang
- Institute of Crop Sciences (ICS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Xue Zhong
- Institute of Crop Sciences (ICS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing, 100081, China
- CAAS/Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory, National Nanfan Research Institute (Sanya), Sanya, 572024, China
| | - Shaoya Li
- Institute of Crop Sciences (ICS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing, 100081, China
- CAAS/Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory, National Nanfan Research Institute (Sanya), Sanya, 572024, China
- Key Laboratory of Gene Editing Technologies (Hainan), Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs, Sanya, 572024, China
| | - Lei Yan
- Institute of Crop Sciences (ICS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Jingying Li
- Institute of Crop Sciences (ICS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing, 100081, China
- CAAS/Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory, National Nanfan Research Institute (Sanya), Sanya, 572024, China
- Key Laboratory of Gene Editing Technologies (Hainan), Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs, Sanya, 572024, China
| | - Yubing He
- Institute of Crop Sciences (ICS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing, 100081, China
- CAAS/Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory, National Nanfan Research Institute (Sanya), Sanya, 572024, China
- Key Laboratory of Gene Editing Technologies (Hainan), Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs, Sanya, 572024, China
| | - Yong Lin
- Beijing Dabeinong Technology Group Co., Ltd, Beijing, 10080, China
| | - Yangjun Zhang
- Beijing Dabeinong Technology Group Co., Ltd, Beijing, 10080, China
| | - Lanqin Xia
- Institute of Crop Sciences (ICS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing, 100081, China
- CAAS/Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory, National Nanfan Research Institute (Sanya), Sanya, 572024, China
- Key Laboratory of Gene Editing Technologies (Hainan), Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs, Sanya, 572024, China
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170
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Liu Z, Chen S, Wu J. Advances in ultrahigh-throughput screening technologies for protein evolution. Trends Biotechnol 2023; 41:1168-1181. [PMID: 37088569 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2023.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
Inspired by natural evolution, directed evolution randomly mutates the gene of interest through artificial evolution conditions with variants being screened for the required properties. Directed evolution is vital to the enhancement of protein properties and comprises the construction of libraries with considerable diversity as well as screening methods with sufficient efficiency as key steps. Owing to the various characteristics of proteins, specific methods are urgently needed for library screening, which is one of the main limiting factors in accelerating evolution. This review initially organizes the principles of ultrahigh-throughput screening from the perspective of protein properties. It then provides a comprehensive introduction to the latest progress and future trends in ultrahigh-throughput screening technologies for directed evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhanzhi Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi, 214122, Jiangsu Province, China; School of Biotechnology and Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi, 214122, Jiangsu Province, China; International Joint Laboratory on Food Safety, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi, 214122, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Sheng Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi, 214122, Jiangsu Province, China; School of Biotechnology and Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi, 214122, Jiangsu Province, China; International Joint Laboratory on Food Safety, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi, 214122, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Jing Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi, 214122, Jiangsu Province, China; School of Biotechnology and Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi, 214122, Jiangsu Province, China; International Joint Laboratory on Food Safety, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi, 214122, Jiangsu Province, China.
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171
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Sretenovic S, Green Y, Wu Y, Cheng Y, Zhang T, Van Eck J, Qi Y. Genome- and transcriptome-wide off-target analyses of a high-efficiency adenine base editor in tomato. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 193:291-303. [PMID: 37315207 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiad347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Adenine base editors (ABEs) are valuable, precise genome editing tools in plants. In recent years, the highly promising ADENINE BASE EDITOR8e (ABE8e) was reported for efficient A-to-G editing. However, compared to monocots, comprehensive off-target analyses for ABE8e are lacking in dicots. To determine the occurrence of off-target effects in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), we assessed ABE8e and a high-fidelity version, ABE8e-HF, at 2 independent target sites in protoplasts, as well as stable T0 lines. Since ABE8e demonstrated higher on-target efficiency than ABE8e-HF in tomato protoplasts, we focused on ABE8e for off-target analyses in T0 lines. We conducted whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of wild-type (WT) tomato plants, green fluorescent protein (GFP)-expressing T0 lines, ABE8e-no-gRNA control T0 lines, and edited T0 lines. No guide RNA (gRNA)-dependent off-target edits were detected. Our data showed an average of approximately 1,200 to 1,500 single-nucleotide variations (SNVs) in either GFP control plants or base-edited plants. Also, no specific enrichment of A-to-G mutations were found in base-edited plants. We also conducted RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) of the same 6 base-edited and 3 GFP control T0 plants. On average, approximately 150 RNA-level SNVs were discovered per plant for either base-edited or GFP controls. Furthermore, we did not find enrichment of a TA motif on mutated adenine in the genomes and transcriptomes in base-edited tomato plants, as opposed to the recent discovery in rice (Oryza sativa). Hence, we could not find evidence for genome- and transcriptome-wide off-target effects by ABE8e in tomato.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Sretenovic
- Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Yumi Green
- The Boyce Thompson Institute, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Yuechao Wu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genomics and Molecular Breeding/Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education, College of Agriculture, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Yanhao Cheng
- Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Tao Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genomics and Molecular Breeding/Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education, College of Agriculture, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Joyce Van Eck
- The Boyce Thompson Institute, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
- Plant Breeding and Genetics Section, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Yiping Qi
- Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
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172
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Doman JL, Pandey S, Neugebauer ME, An M, Davis JR, Randolph PB, McElroy A, Gao XD, Raguram A, Richter MF, Everette KA, Banskota S, Tian K, Tao YA, Tolar J, Osborn MJ, Liu DR. Phage-assisted evolution and protein engineering yield compact, efficient prime editors. Cell 2023; 186:3983-4002.e26. [PMID: 37657419 PMCID: PMC10482982 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2023.07.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 58.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Revised: 05/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023]
Abstract
Prime editing enables a wide variety of precise genome edits in living cells. Here we use protein evolution and engineering to generate prime editors with reduced size and improved efficiency. Using phage-assisted evolution, we improved editing efficiencies of compact reverse transcriptases by up to 22-fold and generated prime editors that are 516-810 base pairs smaller than the current-generation editor PEmax. We discovered that different reverse transcriptases specialize in different types of edits and used this insight to generate reverse transcriptases that outperform PEmax and PEmaxΔRNaseH, the truncated editor used in dual-AAV delivery systems. Finally, we generated Cas9 domains that improve prime editing. These resulting editors (PE6a-g) enhance therapeutically relevant editing in patient-derived fibroblasts and primary human T-cells. PE6 variants also enable longer insertions to be installed in vivo following dual-AAV delivery, achieving 40% loxP insertion in the cortex of the murine brain, a 24-fold improvement compared to previous state-of-the-art prime editors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan L Doman
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Smriti Pandey
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Monica E Neugebauer
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Meirui An
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jessie R Davis
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Peyton B Randolph
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Amber McElroy
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Xin D Gao
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Aditya Raguram
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Michelle F Richter
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Kelcee A Everette
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Samagya Banskota
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Kathryn Tian
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Y Allen Tao
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jakub Tolar
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Mark J Osborn
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - David R Liu
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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173
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Chen X, McAndrew MJ, Lapinaite A. Unlocking the secrets of ABEs: the molecular mechanism behind their specificity. Biochem Soc Trans 2023; 51:1635-1646. [PMID: 37526140 PMCID: PMC10586758 DOI: 10.1042/bst20221508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas, the bacterial immune systems, have transformed the field of genome editing by providing efficient, easily programmable, and accessible tools for targeted genome editing. DNA base editors (BE) are state-of-the-art CRISPR-based technology, allowing for targeted modifications of individual nucleobases within the genome. Among the BEs, adenine base editors (ABEs) have shown great potential due to their ability to convert A-to-G with high efficiency. However, current ABEs have limitations in terms of their specificity and targeting range. In this review, we provide an overview of the molecular mechanism of ABEs, with a focus on the mechanism of deoxyadenosine deamination by evolved tRNA-specific adenosine deaminase (TadA). We discuss how mutations and adjustments introduced via both directed evolution as well as rational design have improved ABE efficiency and specificity. This review offers insights into the molecular mechanism of ABEs, providing a roadmap for future developments in the precision genome editing field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyu Chen
- School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, U.S.A
| | | | - Audrone Lapinaite
- School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, U.S.A
- Arizona State University-Banner Neurodegenerative Disease Research Center at the Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, U.S.A
- Center for Molecular Design and Biomimetics, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, U.S.A
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174
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Schuster SL, Arora S, Wladyka CL, Itagi P, Corey L, Young D, Stackhouse BL, Kollath L, Wu QV, Corey E, True LD, Ha G, Paddison PJ, Hsieh AC. Multi-level functional genomics reveals molecular and cellular oncogenicity of patient-based 3' untranslated region mutations. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112840. [PMID: 37516102 PMCID: PMC10540565 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112840] [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: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2023] Open
Abstract
3' untranslated region (3' UTR) somatic mutations represent a largely unexplored avenue of alternative oncogenic gene dysregulation. To determine the significance of 3' UTR mutations in disease, we identify 3' UTR somatic variants across 185 advanced prostate tumors, discovering 14,497 single-nucleotide mutations enriched in oncogenic pathways and 3' UTR regulatory elements. By developing two complementary massively parallel reporter assays, we measure how thousands of patient-based mutations affect mRNA translation and stability and identify hundreds of functional variants that allow us to define determinants of mutation significance. We demonstrate the clinical relevance of these mutations, observing that CRISPR-Cas9 endogenous editing of distinct variants increases cellular stress resistance and that patients harboring oncogenic 3' UTR mutations have a particularly poor prognosis. This work represents an expansive view of the extent to which disease-relevant 3' UTR mutations affect mRNA stability, translation, and cancer progression, uncovering principles of regulatory functionality and potential therapeutic targets in previously unexplored regulatory regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha L Schuster
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Sonali Arora
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Cynthia L Wladyka
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Pushpa Itagi
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Lukas Corey
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Dave Young
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | | | - Lori Kollath
- Department of Urology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Qian V Wu
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Eva Corey
- Department of Urology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Lawrence D True
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Gavin Ha
- Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Patrick J Paddison
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Andrew C Hsieh
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
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175
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Skrekas C, Limeta A, Siewers V, David F. Targeted In Vivo Mutagenesis in Yeast Using CRISPR/Cas9 and Hyperactive Cytidine and Adenine Deaminases. ACS Synth Biol 2023; 12:2278-2289. [PMID: 37486333 PMCID: PMC10443040 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.2c00690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
Directed evolution is a preferred strategy to improve the function of proteins such as enzymes that act as bottlenecks in metabolic pathways. Common directed evolution approaches rely on error-prone PCR-based libraries where the number of possible variants is usually limited by cellular transformation efficiencies. Targeted in vivo mutagenesis can advance directed evolution approaches and help to overcome limitations in library generation. In the current study, we aimed to develop a high-efficiency time-controllable targeted mutagenesis toolkit in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae by employing the CRISPR/Cas9 technology. To that end, we fused the dCas9 protein with hyperactive variants of adenine and cytidine deaminases aiming to create an inducible CRISPR-based mutagenesis tool targeting a specific DNA sequence in vivo with extended editing windows and high mutagenesis efficiency. We also investigated the effect of guide RNA multiplexing on the mutagenesis efficiency both phenotypically and on the DNA level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christos Skrekas
- Department
of Life Sciences, Chalmers University of
Technology, Gothenburg SE-41296, Sweden
| | - Angelo Limeta
- Department
of Life Sciences, Chalmers University of
Technology, Gothenburg SE-41296, Sweden
| | - Verena Siewers
- Department
of Life Sciences, Chalmers University of
Technology, Gothenburg SE-41296, Sweden
- Novo
Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Florian David
- Department
of Life Sciences, Chalmers University of
Technology, Gothenburg SE-41296, Sweden
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176
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Peters CW, Hanlon KS, Ivanchenko MV, Zinn E, Linarte EF, Li Y, Levy JM, Liu DR, Kleinstiver BP, Indzhykulian AA, Corey DP. Rescue of hearing by adenine base editing in a humanized mouse model of Usher syndrome type 1F. Mol Ther 2023; 31:2439-2453. [PMID: 37312453 PMCID: PMC10421997 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2023.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Usher syndrome type 1F (USH1F), characterized by congenital lack of hearing and balance and progressive loss of vision, is caused by mutations in the PCDH15 gene. In the Ashkenazi population, a recessive truncation mutation accounts for a large proportion of USH1F cases. The truncation is caused by a single C→T mutation, which converts an arginine codon to a stop (R245X). To test the potential for base editors to revert this mutation, we developed a humanized Pcdh15R245X mouse model for USH1F. Mice homozygous for the R245X mutation were deaf and exhibited profound balance deficits, while heterozygous mice were unaffected. Here we show that an adenine base editor (ABE) is capable of reversing the R245X mutation to restore the PCDH15 sequence and function. We packaged a split-intein ABE into dual adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors and delivered them into cochleas of neonatal USH1F mice. Hearing was not restored in a Pcdh15 constitutive null mouse despite base editing, perhaps because of early disorganization of cochlear hair cells. However, injection of vectors encoding the split ABE into a late-deletion conditional Pcdh15 knockout rescued hearing. This study demonstrates the ability of an ABE to correct the PCDH15 R245X mutation in the cochlea and restore hearing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cole W Peters
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Killian S Hanlon
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | | | - Eric Zinn
- Grousbeck Gene Therapy Center, Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | | | - Yaqiao Li
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Jonathan M Levy
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - David R Liu
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Benjamin P Kleinstiver
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Artur A Indzhykulian
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - David P Corey
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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177
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Doering L, Cornean A, Thumberger T, Benjaminsen J, Wittbrodt B, Kellner T, Hammouda OT, Gorenflo M, Wittbrodt J, Gierten J. CRISPR-based knockout and base editing confirm the role of MYRF in heart development and congenital heart disease. Dis Model Mech 2023; 16:dmm049811. [PMID: 37584388 PMCID: PMC10445736 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.049811] [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: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023] Open
Abstract
High-throughput DNA sequencing studies increasingly associate DNA variants with congenital heart disease (CHD). However, functional modeling is a crucial prerequisite for translating genomic data into clinical care. We used CRISPR-Cas9-mediated targeting of 12 candidate genes in the vertebrate model medaka (Oryzias latipes), five of which displayed a novel cardiovascular phenotype spectrum in F0 (crispants): mapre2, smg7, cdc42bpab, ankrd11 and myrf, encoding a transcription factor recently linked to cardiac-urogenital syndrome. Our myrf mutant line showed particularly prominent embryonic cardiac defects recapitulating phenotypes of pediatric patients, including hypoplastic ventricle. Mimicking human mutations, we edited three sites to generate specific myrf single-nucleotide variants via cytosine and adenine base editors. The Glu749Lys missense mutation in the conserved intramolecular chaperon autocleavage domain fully recapitulated the characteristic myrf mutant phenotype with high penetrance, underlining the crucial function of this protein domain. The efficiency and scalability of base editing to model specific point mutations accelerate gene validation studies and the generation of human-relevant disease models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lino Doering
- Centre for Organismal Studies, Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, University Hospital Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Alex Cornean
- Centre for Organismal Studies, Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Heidelberg Biosciences International Graduate School, Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Thomas Thumberger
- Centre for Organismal Studies, Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Joergen Benjaminsen
- Centre for Organismal Studies, Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Beate Wittbrodt
- Centre for Organismal Studies, Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Tanja Kellner
- Centre for Organismal Studies, Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Omar T. Hammouda
- Centre for Organismal Studies, Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Matthias Gorenflo
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, University Hospital Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Heidelberg/Mannheim, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Joachim Wittbrodt
- Centre for Organismal Studies, Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Heidelberg/Mannheim, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jakob Gierten
- Centre for Organismal Studies, Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, University Hospital Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Heidelberg/Mannheim, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
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178
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Tong H, Wang X, Liu Y, Liu N, Li Y, Luo J, Ma Q, Wu D, Li J, Xu C, Yang H. Programmable A-to-Y base editing by fusing an adenine base editor with an N-methylpurine DNA glycosylase. Nat Biotechnol 2023; 41:1080-1084. [PMID: 36624150 DOI: 10.1038/s41587-022-01595-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 62.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Here we developed an adenine transversion base editor, AYBE, for A-to-C and A-to-T transversion editing in mammalian cells by fusing an adenine base editor (ABE) with hypoxanthine excision protein N-methylpurine DNA glycosylase (MPG). We also engineered AYBE variants enabling targeted editing at genomic loci with higher transversion editing activity (up to 72% for A-to-C or A-to-T editing).
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Affiliation(s)
- Huawei Tong
- HuiGene Therapeutics Co., Ltd., Shanghai, China.
| | - Xuchen Wang
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yuanhua Liu
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Nana Liu
- HuiGene Therapeutics Co., Ltd., Shanghai, China
| | - Yun Li
- HuiGene Therapeutics Co., Ltd., Shanghai, China
| | - Jiamin Luo
- HuiGene Therapeutics Co., Ltd., Shanghai, China
| | - Qian Ma
- HuiGene Therapeutics Co., Ltd., Shanghai, China
| | - Danni Wu
- HuiGene Therapeutics Co., Ltd., Shanghai, China
| | - Jiyong Li
- HuiGene Therapeutics Co., Ltd., Shanghai, China
| | | | - Hui Yang
- HuiGene Therapeutics Co., Ltd., Shanghai, China.
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.
- Shanghai Research Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Shanghai, China.
- HuiEdit Therapeutics Co., Ltd., Shanghai, China.
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179
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Zhang XE, Liu C, Dai J, Yuan Y, Gao C, Feng Y, Wu B, Wei P, You C, Wang X, Si T. Enabling technology and core theory of synthetic biology. SCIENCE CHINA. LIFE SCIENCES 2023; 66:1742-1785. [PMID: 36753021 PMCID: PMC9907219 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-022-2214-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic biology provides a new paradigm for life science research ("build to learn") and opens the future journey of biotechnology ("build to use"). Here, we discuss advances of various principles and technologies in the mainstream of the enabling technology of synthetic biology, including synthesis and assembly of a genome, DNA storage, gene editing, molecular evolution and de novo design of function proteins, cell and gene circuit engineering, cell-free synthetic biology, artificial intelligence (AI)-aided synthetic biology, as well as biofoundries. We also introduce the concept of quantitative synthetic biology, which is guiding synthetic biology towards increased accuracy and predictability or the real rational design. We conclude that synthetic biology will establish its disciplinary system with the iterative development of enabling technologies and the maturity of the core theory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xian-En Zhang
- Faculty of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
| | - Chenli Liu
- Faculty of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
- Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
| | - Junbiao Dai
- Faculty of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
- Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
| | - Yingjin Yuan
- Frontiers Science Center for Synthetic Biology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China.
| | - Caixia Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Cell and Chromosome Engineering, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
| | - Yan Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China.
| | - Bian Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
| | - Ping Wei
- Faculty of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
- Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
| | - Chun You
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, 300308, China.
| | - Xiaowo Wang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics; Center for Synthetic and Systems Biology; Bioinformatics Division, Beijing National Research Center for Information Science and Technology; Department of Automation, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.
| | - Tong Si
- Faculty of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
- Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
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180
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Adair BA, Korecki AJ, Djaksigulova D, Wagner PK, Chiu NY, Lam SL, Lengyell TC, Leavitt BR, Simpson EM. ABE8e Corrects Pax6-Aniridic Variant in Humanized Mouse ESCs and via LNPs in Ex Vivo Cortical Neurons. Ophthalmol Ther 2023; 12:2049-2068. [PMID: 37210469 PMCID: PMC10287867 DOI: 10.1007/s40123-023-00729-6] [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: 03/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Aniridia is a rare congenital vision-loss disease caused by heterozygous variants in the PAX6 gene. There is no vision-saving therapy, but one exciting approach is to use CRISPR/Cas9 to permanently correct the causal genomic variants. Preclinical studies to develop such a therapy in animal models face the challenge of showing efficacy when binding human DNA. Thus, we hypothesized that a CRISPR gene therapy can be developed and optimized in humanized mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) that will be able to distinguish between an aniridia patient variant and nonvariant chromosome and lay the foundation for human therapy. METHODS To answer the challenge of binding human DNA, we proposed the "CRISPR Humanized Minimally Mouse Models" (CHuMMMs) strategy. Thus, we minimally humanized Pax6 exon 9, the location of the most common aniridia variant c.718C > T. We generated and characterized a nonvariant CHuMMMs mouse, and a CHuMMMs cell-based disease model, in which we tested five CRISPR enzymes for therapeutic efficacy. We then delivered the therapy via lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) to alter a second variant in ex vivo cortical primary neurons. RESULTS We successfully established a nonvariant CHuMMMs mouse and three novel CHuMMMs aniridia cell lines. We showed that humanization did not disrupt Pax6 function in vivo, as the mouse showed no ocular phenotype. We developed and optimized a CRISPR therapeutic strategy for aniridia in the in vitro system, and found that the base editor, ABE8e, had the highest correction of the patient variant at 76.8%. In the ex vivo system, the LNP-encapsulated ABE8e ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex altered the second patient variant and rescued 24.8% Pax6 protein expression. CONCLUSION We demonstrated the usefulness of the CHuMMMs approach, and showed the first genomic editing by ABE8e encapsulated as an LNP-RNP. Furthermore, we laid the foundation for translation of the proposed CRISPR therapy to preclinical mouse studies and eventually patients with aniridia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bethany A Adair
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics at British Columbia Children's Hospital, The University of British Columbia, 950 West 28th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, The University of British Columbia, 950 West 28th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada
| | - Andrea J Korecki
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics at British Columbia Children's Hospital, The University of British Columbia, 950 West 28th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada
| | - Diana Djaksigulova
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics at British Columbia Children's Hospital, The University of British Columbia, 950 West 28th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada
| | | | - Nina Y Chiu
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics at British Columbia Children's Hospital, The University of British Columbia, 950 West 28th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, The University of British Columbia, 950 West 28th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada
| | - Siu Ling Lam
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics at British Columbia Children's Hospital, The University of British Columbia, 950 West 28th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada
| | - Tess C Lengyell
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics at British Columbia Children's Hospital, The University of British Columbia, 950 West 28th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada
| | - Blair R Leavitt
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics at British Columbia Children's Hospital, The University of British Columbia, 950 West 28th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, The University of British Columbia, 950 West 28th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada
- Incisive Genetics Inc., Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Elizabeth M Simpson
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics at British Columbia Children's Hospital, The University of British Columbia, 950 West 28th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada.
- Department of Medical Genetics, The University of British Columbia, 950 West 28th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada.
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181
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Wei CT, Popp NA, Peleg O, Powell RL, Borenstein E, Maly DJ, Fowler DM. A chemically controlled Cas9 switch enables temporal modulation of diverse effectors. Nat Chem Biol 2023; 19:981-991. [PMID: 36879061 PMCID: PMC10480357 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-023-01278-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas9 has yielded a plethora of effectors, including targeted transcriptional activators, base editors and prime editors. Current approaches for inducibly modulating Cas9 activity lack temporal precision and require extensive screening and optimization. We describe a versatile, chemically controlled and rapidly activated single-component DNA-binding Cas9 switch, ciCas9, which we use to confer temporal control over seven Cas9 effectors, including two cytidine base editors, two adenine base editors, a dual base editor, a prime editor and a transcriptional activator. Using these temporally controlled effectors, we analyze base editing kinetics, showing that editing occurs within hours and that rapid early editing of nucleotides predicts eventual editing magnitude. We also reveal that editing at preferred nucleotides within target sites increases the frequency of bystander edits. Thus, the ciCas9 switch offers a simple, versatile approach to generating chemically controlled Cas9 effectors, informing future effector engineering and enabling precise temporal effector control for kinetic studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cindy T Wei
- Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research Inc, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Nicholas A Popp
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Omri Peleg
- The Blavatnik School of Computer Science, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Rachel L Powell
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Elhanan Borenstein
- The Blavatnik School of Computer Science, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Santa Fe Institute, Santa Fe, NM, USA
| | - Dustin J Maly
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
| | - Douglas M Fowler
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
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182
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Tong H, Liu N, Wei Y, Zhou Y, Li Y, Wu D, Jin M, Cui S, Li H, Li G, Zhou J, Yuan Y, Zhang H, Shi L, Yao X, Yang H. Programmable deaminase-free base editors for G-to-Y conversion by engineered glycosylase. Natl Sci Rev 2023; 10:nwad143. [PMID: 37404457 PMCID: PMC10317176 DOI: 10.1093/nsr/nwad143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 05/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Current DNA base editors contain nuclease and DNA deaminase that enables deamination of cytosine (C) or adenine (A), but no method for guanine (G) or thymine (T) editing is available at present. Here we developed a deaminase-free glycosylase-based guanine base editor (gGBE) with G editing ability, by fusing Cas9 nickase with engineered N-methylpurine DNA glycosylase protein (MPG). By several rounds of MPG mutagenesis via unbiased and rational screening using an intron-split EGFP reporter, we demonstrated that gGBE with engineered MPG could increase G editing efficiency by more than 1500 fold. Furthermore, this gGBE exhibited high base editing efficiency (up to 81.2%) and high G-to-T or G-to-C (i.e. G-to-Y) conversion ratio (up to 0.95) in both cultured human cells and mouse embryos. Thus, we have provided a proof-of-concept of a new base editing approach by endowing the engineered DNA glycosylase the capability to selectively excise a new type of substrate.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Ming Jin
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology of First Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Neuroscience, and Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350004, China
| | - Shuna Cui
- HuidaGene Therapeutics Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200131, China
| | - Hengbin Li
- HuidaGene Therapeutics Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200131, China
| | - Guoling Li
- HuidaGene Therapeutics Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200131, China
| | - Jingxing Zhou
- HuidaGene Therapeutics Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200131, China
| | - Yuan Yuan
- HuidaGene Therapeutics Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200131, China
| | - Hainan Zhang
- HuidaGene Therapeutics Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200131, China
| | - Linyu Shi
- HuidaGene Therapeutics Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200131, China
| | - Xuan Yao
- HuidaGene Therapeutics Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200131, China
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183
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Song Z, Zhang G, Huang S, Liu Y, Li G, Zhou X, Sun J, Gao P, Chen Y, Huang X, Liu J, Wang X. PE-STOP: A versatile tool for installing nonsense substitutions amenable for precise reversion. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:104942. [PMID: 37343700 PMCID: PMC10365944 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.104942] [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: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The rapid advances in genome editing technologies have revolutionized the study of gene functions in cell or animal models. The recent generation of double-stranded DNA cleavage-independent base editors has been suitably adapted for interrogation of protein-coding genes on the basis of introducing premature stop codons or disabling the start codons. However, such versions of stop/start codon-oriented genetic tools still present limitations on their versatility, base-level precision, and target specificity. Here, we exploit a newly developed prime editor (PE) that differs from base editors by its adoption of a reverse transcriptase activity, which enables incorporation of various types of precise edits templated by a specialized prime editing guide RNA. Based on such a versatile platform, we established a prime editing-empowered method (PE-STOP) for installation of nonsense substitutions, providing a complementary approach to the present gene-targeting tools. PE-STOP is bioinformatically predicted to feature substantially expanded coverage in the genome space. In practice, PE-STOP introduces stop codons with good efficiencies in human embryonic kidney 293T and N2a cells (with medians of 29% [ten sites] and 25% [four sites] editing efficiencies, respectively), while exhibiting minimal off-target effects and high on-target precision. Furthermore, given the fact that PE installs prime editing guide RNA-templated mutations, we introduce a unique strategy for precise genetic rescue of PE-STOP-dependent nonsense mutation via the same PE platform. Altogether, the present work demonstrates a versatile and specific tool for gene inactivation and for functional interrogation of nonsense mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziguo Song
- International Joint Agriculture Research Center for Animal Bio-Breeding of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Guiquan Zhang
- Zhejiang Lab, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center at Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Shuhong Huang
- International Joint Agriculture Research Center for Animal Bio-Breeding of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yao Liu
- International Joint Agriculture Research Center for Animal Bio-Breeding of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Guanglei Li
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xianhui Zhou
- International Joint Agriculture Research Center for Animal Bio-Breeding of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jiayuan Sun
- International Joint Agriculture Research Center for Animal Bio-Breeding of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Pengfei Gao
- International Joint Agriculture Research Center for Animal Bio-Breeding of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yulin Chen
- International Joint Agriculture Research Center for Animal Bio-Breeding of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China; Key Laboratory of Livestock Biology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xingxu Huang
- Zhejiang Lab, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianghuai Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center at Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Xiaolong Wang
- International Joint Agriculture Research Center for Animal Bio-Breeding of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China; Key Laboratory of Livestock Biology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China.
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Choi EH, Suh S, Sears AE, Hołubowicz R, Kedhar SR, Browne AW, Palczewski K. Genome editing in the treatment of ocular diseases. Exp Mol Med 2023; 55:1678-1690. [PMID: 37524870 PMCID: PMC10474087 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-023-01057-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Genome-editing technologies have ushered in a new era in gene therapy, providing novel therapeutic strategies for a wide range of diseases, including both genetic and nongenetic ocular diseases. These technologies offer new hope for patients suffering from previously untreatable conditions. The unique anatomical and physiological features of the eye, including its immune-privileged status, size, and compartmentalized structure, provide an optimal environment for the application of these cutting-edge technologies. Moreover, the development of various delivery methods has facilitated the efficient and targeted administration of genome engineering tools designed to correct specific ocular tissues. Additionally, advancements in noninvasive ocular imaging techniques and electroretinography have enabled real-time monitoring of therapeutic efficacy and safety. Herein, we discuss the discovery and development of genome-editing technologies, their application to ocular diseases from the anterior segment to the posterior segment, current limitations encountered in translating these technologies into clinical practice, and ongoing research endeavors aimed at overcoming these challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elliot H Choi
- Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Susie Suh
- Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Avery E Sears
- Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Rafał Hołubowicz
- Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Sanjay R Kedhar
- Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Andrew W Browne
- Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Krzysztof Palczewski
- Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA.
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA.
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA.
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA.
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185
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Gao Z, Jiang W, Zhang Y, Zhang L, Yi M, Wang H, Ma Z, Qu B, Ji X, Long H, Zhang S. Amphioxus adenosine-to-inosine tRNA-editing enzyme that can perform C-to-U and A-to-I deamination of DNA. Commun Biol 2023; 6:744. [PMID: 37464027 PMCID: PMC10354150 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05134-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Adenosine-to-inosine tRNA-editing enzyme has been identified for more than two decades, but the study on its DNA editing activity is rather scarce. We show that amphioxus (Branchiostoma japonicum) ADAT2 (BjADAT2) contains the active site 'HxE-PCxxC' and the key residues for target-base-binding, and amphioxus ADAT3 (BjADAT3) harbors both the N-terminal positively charged region and the C-terminal pseudo-catalytic domain important for recognition of substrates. The sequencing of BjADAT2-transformed Escherichia coli genome suggests that BjADAT2 has the potential to target E. coli DNA and can deaminate at TCG and GAA sites in the E. coli genome. Biochemical analyses further demonstrate that BjADAT2, in complex with BjADAT3, can perform A-to-I editing of tRNA and convert C-to-U and A-to-I deamination of DNA. We also show that BjADAT2 preferentially deaminates adenosines and cytidines in the loop of DNA hairpin structures of substrates, and BjADAT3 also affects the type of DNA substrate targeted by BjADAT2. Finally, we find that C89, N113, C148 and Y156 play critical roles in the DNA editing activity of BjADAT2. Collectively, our study indicates that BjADAT2/3 is the sole naturally occurring deaminase with both tRNA and DNA editing capacity identified so far in Metazoa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhan Gao
- Institute of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity and Department of Marine Biology, Ocean University of China, 266003, Qingdao, China.
| | - Wanyue Jiang
- Institute of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity, KLMME, Ocean University of China, 266003, Qingdao, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Institute of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity and Department of Marine Biology, Ocean University of China, 266003, Qingdao, China
| | - Liping Zhang
- Institute of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity and Department of Marine Biology, Ocean University of China, 266003, Qingdao, China
| | - Mengmeng Yi
- Institute of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity and Department of Marine Biology, Ocean University of China, 266003, Qingdao, China
| | - Haitao Wang
- Institute of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity and Department of Marine Biology, Ocean University of China, 266003, Qingdao, China
| | - Zengyu Ma
- Institute of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity and Department of Marine Biology, Ocean University of China, 266003, Qingdao, China
| | - Baozhen Qu
- Institute of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity and Department of Marine Biology, Ocean University of China, 266003, Qingdao, China
| | - Xiaohan Ji
- Institute of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity and Department of Marine Biology, Ocean University of China, 266003, Qingdao, China
| | - Hongan Long
- Institute of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity, KLMME, Ocean University of China, 266003, Qingdao, China
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Laoshan Laboratory, 266237, Qingdao, China
| | - Shicui Zhang
- Institute of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity and Department of Marine Biology, Ocean University of China, 266003, Qingdao, China.
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Laoshan Laboratory, 266237, Qingdao, China.
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186
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Lue NZ, Liau BB. Base editor screens for in situ mutational scanning at scale. Mol Cell 2023; 83:2167-2187. [PMID: 37390819 PMCID: PMC10330937 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2023.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023]
Abstract
A fundamental challenge in biology is understanding the molecular details of protein function. How mutations alter protein activity, regulation, and response to drugs is of critical importance to human health. Recent years have seen the emergence of pooled base editor screens for in situ mutational scanning: the interrogation of protein sequence-function relationships by directly perturbing endogenous proteins in live cells. These studies have revealed the effects of disease-associated mutations, discovered novel drug resistance mechanisms, and generated biochemical insights into protein function. Here, we discuss how this "base editor scanning" approach has been applied to diverse biological questions, compare it with alternative techniques, and describe the emerging challenges that must be addressed to maximize its utility. Given its broad applicability toward profiling mutations across the proteome, base editor scanning promises to revolutionize the investigation of proteins in their native contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Z Lue
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Brian B Liau
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
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187
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Shao WX, Min YH, Chen W, Xiong J, Guo X, Xie NB, Zhang S, Yu SY, Xie C, Feng YQ, Yuan BF. Single-Base Resolution Detection of N6-Methyladenosine in RNA by Adenosine Deamination Sequencing. Anal Chem 2023. [PMID: 37402148 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c00502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/06/2023]
Abstract
N6-Methyladenosine (m6A) is one of the most abundant and prevalent natural modifications occurring in diverse RNA species. m6A plays a wide range of roles in physiological and pathological processes. Revealing the functions of m6A relies on the faithful detection of individual m6A sites in RNA. However, developing a simple method for the single-base resolution detection of m6A is still a challenging task. Herein, we report an adenosine deamination sequencing (AD-seq) technique for the facile detection of m6A in RNA at single-base resolution. The AD-seq approach capitalizes on the selective deamination of adenosine, but not m6A, by the evolved tRNA adenosine deaminase (TadA) variant of TadA8e or the dimer protein of TadA-TadA8e. In AD-seq, adenosine is deaminated by TadA8e or TadA-TadA8e to form inosine, which pairs with cytidine and is read as guanosine in sequencing. m6A resists deamination due to the interference of the methyl group at the N6 position of adenosine. Thus, the m6A base pairs with thymine and is still read as adenosine in sequencing. The differential readouts from A and m6A in sequencing can achieve the single-base resolution detection of m6A in RNA. Application of the proposed AD-seq successfully identified individual m6A sites in Escherichia coli 23S rRNA. Taken together, the proposed AD-seq allows simple and cost-effective detection of m6A at single-base resolution in RNA, which provides a valuable tool to decipher the functions of m6A in RNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Xuan Shao
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
- School of Public Health, Research Center of Public Health, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Yi-Hao Min
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Jun Xiong
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Xia Guo
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Neng-Bin Xie
- School of Public Health, Research Center of Public Health, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Shan Zhang
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Si-Yu Yu
- School of Public Health, Research Center of Public Health, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Conghua Xie
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
- Cancer Precision Diagnosis and Treatment and Translational Medicine Hubei Engineering Research Center, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan Research Center for Infectious Diseases and Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Yu-Qi Feng
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
- School of Public Health, Research Center of Public Health, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Bi-Feng Yuan
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
- School of Public Health, Research Center of Public Health, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
- Cancer Precision Diagnosis and Treatment and Translational Medicine Hubei Engineering Research Center, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan Research Center for Infectious Diseases and Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
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188
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Mayuranathan T, Newby GA, Feng R, Yao Y, Mayberry KD, Lazzarotto CR, Li Y, Levine RM, Nimmagadda N, Dempsey E, Kang G, Porter SN, Doerfler PA, Zhang J, Jang Y, Chen J, Bell HW, Crossley M, Bhoopalan SV, Sharma A, Tisdale JF, Pruett-Miller SM, Cheng Y, Tsai SQ, Liu DR, Weiss MJ, Yen JS. Potent and uniform fetal hemoglobin induction via base editing. Nat Genet 2023; 55:1210-1220. [PMID: 37400614 PMCID: PMC10722557 DOI: 10.1038/s41588-023-01434-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023]
Abstract
Inducing fetal hemoglobin (HbF) in red blood cells can alleviate β-thalassemia and sickle cell disease. We compared five strategies in CD34+ hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells, using either Cas9 nuclease or adenine base editors. The most potent modification was adenine base editor generation of γ-globin -175A>G. Homozygous -175A>G edited erythroid colonies expressed 81 ± 7% HbF versus 17 ± 11% in unedited controls, whereas HbF levels were lower and more variable for two Cas9 strategies targeting a BCL11A binding motif in the γ-globin promoter or a BCL11A erythroid enhancer. The -175A>G base edit also induced HbF more potently than a Cas9 approach in red blood cells generated after transplantation of CD34+ hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells into mice. Our data suggest a strategy for potent, uniform induction of HbF and provide insights into γ-globin gene regulation. More generally, we demonstrate that diverse indels generated by Cas9 can cause unexpected phenotypic variation that can be circumvented by base editing.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gregory A Newby
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Ruopeng Feng
- Department of Hematology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Yu Yao
- Department of Hematology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Kalin D Mayberry
- Department of Hematology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Cicera R Lazzarotto
- Department of Hematology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Yichao Li
- Department of Hematology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Rachel M Levine
- Department of Hematology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Nikitha Nimmagadda
- Department of Hematology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Erin Dempsey
- Department of Hematology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Guolian Kang
- Department of Biostatistics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Shaina N Porter
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Phillip A Doerfler
- Department of Hematology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Jingjing Zhang
- Department of Hematology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Yoonjeong Jang
- Department of Hematology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Jingjing Chen
- Department of Hematology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Henry W Bell
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Merlin Crossley
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | | | - Akshay Sharma
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - John F Tisdale
- Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Shondra M Pruett-Miller
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Yong Cheng
- Department of Hematology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Shengdar Q Tsai
- Department of Hematology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - David R Liu
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.
| | - Mitchell J Weiss
- Department of Hematology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA.
| | - Jonathan S Yen
- Department of Hematology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA.
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189
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Zhang H, Kong X, Xue M, Hu J, Wang Z, Wei Y, Wang H, Zhou J, Zhang W, Xu M, Shen X, Yin F, Ai Z, Huang G, Xia J, Song X, Li H, Yuan Y, Li J, Zhong N, Zhang M, Zhou Y, Yang H. An engineered xCas12i with high activity, high specificity, and broad PAM range. Protein Cell 2023; 14:538-543. [PMID: 37378659 PMCID: PMC10305737 DOI: 10.1093/procel/pwac052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 08/22/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Hainan Zhang
- HuiEdit Therapeutics Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200120, China
| | | | - Mingxing Xue
- HuiEdit Therapeutics Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Jing Hu
- HuiEdit Therapeutics Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Zikang Wang
- HuiEdit Therapeutics Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Yinghui Wei
- HuiEdit Therapeutics Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Haoqiang Wang
- HuiEdit Therapeutics Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Jingxing Zhou
- HuiEdit Therapeutics Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Weihong Zhang
- HuiEdit Therapeutics Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Mengqiu Xu
- HuiEdit Therapeutics Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Xiaowen Shen
- HuiEdit Therapeutics Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Fengcai Yin
- HuiEdit Therapeutics Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Zhiyuan Ai
- HuiEdit Therapeutics Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200120, China
| | | | - Junhui Xia
- HuiEdit Therapeutics Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Xueqiong Song
- HuiEdit Therapeutics Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Hengbin Li
- HuiGene Therapeutics Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Yuan Yuan
- HuiGene Therapeutics Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Jinhui Li
- HuiEdit Therapeutics Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Na Zhong
- HuiEdit Therapeutics Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Meiling Zhang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Innovative Research Team of High-level Local Universities in Shanghai, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Yingsi Zhou
- HuiEdit Therapeutics Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Hui Yang
- HuiEdit Therapeutics Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200120, China
- HuiGene Therapeutics Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200120, China
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190
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Pablo JLB, Cornett SL, Wang LA, Jo S, Brünger T, Budnik N, Hegde M, DeKeyser JM, Thompson CH, Doench JG, Lal D, George AL, Pan JQ. Scanning mutagenesis of the voltage-gated sodium channel Na V1.2 using base editing. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112563. [PMID: 37267104 PMCID: PMC10592450 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112563] [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: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2023] Open
Abstract
It is challenging to apply traditional mutational scanning to voltage-gated sodium channels (NaVs) and functionally annotate the large number of coding variants in these genes. Using a cytosine base editor and a pooled viability assay, we screen a library of 368 guide RNAs (gRNAs) tiling NaV1.2 to identify more than 100 gRNAs that change NaV1.2 function. We sequence base edits made by a subset of these gRNAs to confirm specific variants that drive changes in channel function. Electrophysiological characterization of these channel variants validates the screen results and provides functional mechanisms of channel perturbation. Most of the changes caused by these gRNAs are classifiable as loss of function along with two missense mutations that lead to gain of function in NaV1.2 channels. This two-tiered strategy to functionally characterize ion channel protein variants at scale identifies a large set of loss-of-function mutations in NaV1.2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Lorenzo B Pablo
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
| | - Savannah L Cornett
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Lei A Wang
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Sooyeon Jo
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Tobias Brünger
- Cologne Center for Genomics, University of Cologne, 51149 Cologne, Germany; Genomic Medicine Institute, Lerner Research Institute, Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Nikita Budnik
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Mudra Hegde
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Jean-Marc DeKeyser
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Christopher H Thompson
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - John G Doench
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Dennis Lal
- Cologne Center for Genomics, University of Cologne, 51149 Cologne, Germany; Genomic Medicine Institute, Lerner Research Institute, Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA; Department of Neurology, McGovern Medical School, UTHealth, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Alfred L George
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Jen Q Pan
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
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191
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Chen W, Ma J, Wu Z, Wang Z, Zhang H, Fu W, Pan D, Shi J, Ji Q. Cas12n nucleases, early evolutionary intermediates of type V CRISPR, comprise a distinct family of miniature genome editors. Mol Cell 2023:S1097-2765(23)00463-X. [PMID: 37402371 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2023.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023]
Abstract
Type V CRISPR-associated systems (Cas)12 family nucleases are considered to have evolved from transposon-associated TnpB, and several of these nucleases have been engineered as versatile genome editors. Despite the conserved RNA-guided DNA-cleaving functionality, these Cas12 nucleases differ markedly from the currently identified ancestor TnpB in aspects such as guide RNA origination, effector complex composition, and protospacer adjacent motif (PAM) specificity, suggesting the presence of earlier evolutionary intermediates that could be mined to develop advanced genome manipulation biotechnologies. Using evolutionary and biochemical analyses, we identify that the miniature type V-U4 nuclease (referred to as Cas12n, 400-700 amino acids) is likely the earliest evolutionary intermediate between TnpB and large type V CRISPR systems. We demonstrate that with the exception of CRISPR array emergence, CRISPR-Cas12n shares several similar characteristics with TnpB-ωRNA, including a miniature and likely monomeric nuclease for DNA targeting, origination of guide RNA from nuclease coding sequence, and generation of a small sticky end following DNA cleavage. Cas12n nucleases recognize a unique 5'-AAN PAM sequence, of which the A nucleotide at the -2 position is also required for TnpB. Moreover, we demonstrate the robust genome-editing capacity of Cas12n in bacteria and engineer a highly efficient CRISPR-Cas12n (termed Cas12Pro) with up to 80% indel efficiency in human cells. The engineered Cas12Pro enables base editing in human cells. Our results further expand the understanding regarding type V CRISPR evolutionary mechanisms and enrich the miniature CRISPR toolbox for therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weizhong Chen
- School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China; School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315832, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jiacheng Ma
- School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Zhaowei Wu
- School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Zhipeng Wang
- School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Hongyuan Zhang
- School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Wenhan Fu
- School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Deng Pan
- School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Jin Shi
- School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Quanjiang Ji
- School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China; Gene Editing Center, School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China.
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192
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Grosch M, Schraft L, Chan A, Küchenhoff L, Rapti K, Ferreira AM, Kornienko J, Li S, Radke MH, Krämer C, Clauder-Münster S, Perlas E, Backs J, Gotthardt M, Dieterich C, van den Hoogenhof MMG, Grimm D, Steinmetz LM. Striated muscle-specific base editing enables correction of mutations causing dilated cardiomyopathy. Nat Commun 2023; 14:3714. [PMID: 37349314 PMCID: PMC10287752 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39352-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Dilated cardiomyopathy is the second most common cause for heart failure with no cure except a high-risk heart transplantation. Approximately 30% of patients harbor heritable mutations which are amenable to CRISPR-based gene therapy. However, challenges related to delivery of the editing complex and off-target concerns hamper the broad applicability of CRISPR agents in the heart. We employ a combination of the viral vector AAVMYO with superior targeting specificity of heart muscle tissue and CRISPR base editors to repair patient mutations in the cardiac splice factor Rbm20, which cause aggressive dilated cardiomyopathy. Using optimized conditions, we repair >70% of cardiomyocytes in two Rbm20 knock-in mouse models that we have generated to serve as an in vivo platform of our editing strategy. Treatment of juvenile mice restores the localization defect of RBM20 in 75% of cells and splicing of RBM20 targets including TTN. Three months after injection, cardiac dilation and ejection fraction reach wild-type levels. Single-nuclei RNA sequencing uncovers restoration of the transcriptional profile across all major cardiac cell types and whole-genome sequencing reveals no evidence for aberrant off-target editing. Our study highlights the potential of base editors combined with AAVMYO to achieve gene repair for treatment of hereditary cardiac diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Grosch
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Genome Biology Unit, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Heidelberg/Mannheim, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Laura Schraft
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Genome Biology Unit, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Adrian Chan
- Klaus Tschira Institute for Integrative Computational Cardiology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Leonie Küchenhoff
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Genome Biology Unit, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Kleopatra Rapti
- Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Section Viral Vector Technologies, Medical Faculty, BioQuant, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Anne-Maud Ferreira
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Julia Kornienko
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Genome Biology Unit, Heidelberg, Germany
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Heidelberg/Mannheim, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Shengdi Li
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Genome Biology Unit, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Michael H Radke
- Translational Cardiology and Functional Genomics, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Chiara Krämer
- Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Section Viral Vector Technologies, Medical Faculty, BioQuant, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Emerald Perlas
- Epigenetics and Neurobiology Unit, EMBL Rome, Monterotondo, Italy
| | - Johannes Backs
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Heidelberg/Mannheim, Heidelberg, Germany
- Institute of Experimental Cardiology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Michael Gotthardt
- Translational Cardiology and Functional Genomics, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Cardiology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christoph Dieterich
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Heidelberg/Mannheim, Heidelberg, Germany
- Klaus Tschira Institute for Integrative Computational Cardiology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Maarten M G van den Hoogenhof
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Heidelberg/Mannheim, Heidelberg, Germany
- Institute of Experimental Cardiology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Dirk Grimm
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Heidelberg/Mannheim, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Section Viral Vector Technologies, Medical Faculty, BioQuant, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Lars M Steinmetz
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Genome Biology Unit, Heidelberg, Germany.
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Heidelberg/Mannheim, Heidelberg, Germany.
- Stanford Genome Technology Center, Palo Alto, CA, USA.
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193
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Abstract
DNA-editing enzymes perform chemical reactions on DNA nucleobases. These reactions can change the genetic identity of the modified base or modulate gene expression. Interest in DNA-editing enzymes has burgeoned in recent years due to the advent of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat-associated (CRISPR-Cas) systems, which can be used to direct their DNA-editing activity to specific genomic loci of interest. In this review, we showcase DNA-editing enzymes that have been repurposed or redesigned and developed into programmable base editors. These include deaminases, glycosylases, methyltransferases, and demethylases. We highlight the astounding degree to which these enzymes have been redesigned, evolved, and refined and present these collective engineering efforts as a paragon for future efforts to repurpose and engineer other families of enzymes. Collectively, base editors derived from these DNA-editing enzymes facilitate programmable point mutation introduction and gene expression modulation by targeted chemical modification of nucleobases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kartik L Rallapalli
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA;
| | - Alexis C Komor
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA;
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194
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Park JC, Park MJ, Lee SY, Kim D, Kim KT, Jang HK, Cha HJ. Gene editing with 'pencil' rather than 'scissors' in human pluripotent stem cells. Stem Cell Res Ther 2023; 14:164. [PMID: 37340491 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-023-03394-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Owing to the advances in genome editing technologies, research on human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) have recently undergone breakthroughs that enable precise alteration of desired nucleotide bases in hPSCs for the creation of isogenic disease models or for autologous ex vivo cell therapy. As pathogenic variants largely consist of point mutations, precise substitution of mutated bases in hPSCs allows researchers study disease mechanisms with "disease-in-a-dish" and provide functionally repaired cells to patients for cell therapy. To this end, in addition to utilizing the conventional homologous directed repair system in the knock-in strategy based on endonuclease activity of Cas9 (i.e., 'scissors' like gene editing), diverse toolkits for editing the desirable bases (i.e., 'pencils' like gene editing) that avoid the accidental insertion and deletion (indel) mutations as well as large harmful deletions have been developed. In this review, we summarize the recent progress in genome editing methodologies and employment of hPSCs for future translational applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ju-Chan Park
- College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, 08826, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Mihn Jeong Park
- College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, 08826, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung-Yeon Lee
- College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, 08826, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Dayeon Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, 08826, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Keun-Tae Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, 08826, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyeon-Ki Jang
- Division of Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering, College of Art Culture and Engineering, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, South Korea
| | - Hyuk-Jin Cha
- College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, 08826, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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195
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Li Z, Gonçalves MA. AAV-vectored base editor trans-splicing delivers dystrophin repair. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2023; 32:900-902. [PMID: 37346982 PMCID: PMC10280080 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2023.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Li
- Leiden University Medical Centre, Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Einthovenweg 20, 2333 ZC Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Manuel A.F.V. Gonçalves
- Leiden University Medical Centre, Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Einthovenweg 20, 2333 ZC Leiden, the Netherlands
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196
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Chai AC, Chemello F, Li H, Nishiyama T, Chen K, Zhang Y, Sánchez-Ortiz E, Alomar A, Xu L, Liu N, Bassel-Duby R, Olson EN. Single-swap editing for the correction of common Duchenne muscular dystrophy mutations. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2023; 32:522-535. [PMID: 37215149 PMCID: PMC10192335 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2023.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a fatal X-linked recessive disease of progressive muscle weakness and wasting caused by the absence of dystrophin protein. Current gene therapy approaches using antisense oligonucleotides require lifelong dosing and have limited efficacy in restoring dystrophin production. A gene editing approach could permanently correct the genome and restore dystrophin protein expression. Here, we describe single-swap editing, in which an adenine base editor edits a single base pair at a splice donor site or splice acceptor site to enable exon skipping or reframing. In human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes, we demonstrate that single-swap editing can enable beneficial exon skipping or reframing for the three most therapeutically relevant exons-DMD exons 45, 51, and 53-which could be beneficial for 30% of all DMD patients. Furthermore, an adeno-associated virus delivery method for base editing components can efficiently restore dystrophin production locally and systemically in skeletal and cardiac muscles of a DMD mouse model containing a deletion of Dmd exon 44. Our studies demonstrate single-swap editing as a potential gene editing therapy for common DMD mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas C. Chai
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Francesco Chemello
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Takahiko Nishiyama
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Kenian Chen
- Quantitative Biomedical Research Center, Department of Population and Data Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Yu Zhang
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Efraín Sánchez-Ortiz
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Adeeb Alomar
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Lin Xu
- Quantitative Biomedical Research Center, Department of Population and Data Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Ning Liu
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Rhonda Bassel-Duby
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Eric N. Olson
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
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197
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Brooks DL, Carrasco MJ, Qu P, Peranteau WH, Ahrens-Nicklas RC, Musunuru K, Alameh MG, Wang X. Rapid and definitive treatment of phenylketonuria in variant-humanized mice with corrective editing. Nat Commun 2023; 14:3451. [PMID: 37301931 PMCID: PMC10257655 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39246-2] [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: 02/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Phenylketonuria (PKU), an autosomal recessive disorder caused by pathogenic variants in the phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) gene, results in the accumulation of blood phenylalanine (Phe) to neurotoxic levels. Current dietary and medical treatments are chronic and reduce, rather than normalize, blood Phe levels. Among the most frequently occurring PAH variants in PKU patients is the P281L (c.842C>T) variant. Using a CRISPR prime-edited hepatocyte cell line and a humanized PKU mouse model, we demonstrate efficient in vitro and in vivo correction of the P281L variant with adenine base editing. With the delivery of ABE8.8 mRNA and either of two guide RNAs in vivo using lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) in humanized PKU mice, we observe complete and durable normalization of blood Phe levels within 48 h of treatment, resulting from corrective PAH editing in the liver. These studies nominate a drug candidate for further development as a definitive treatment for a subset of PKU patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominique L Brooks
- Cardiovascular Institute, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Manuel J Carrasco
- Department of Bioengineering, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia, USA
| | - Ping Qu
- Cardiovascular Institute, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - William H Peranteau
- The Center for Fetal Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Division of Pediatric General, Thoracic, and Fetal Surgery, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Rebecca C Ahrens-Nicklas
- Division of Human Genetics and Metabolism, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Kiran Musunuru
- Cardiovascular Institute, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
- Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
| | - Mohamad-Gabriel Alameh
- Department of Bioengineering, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia, USA.
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
| | - Xiao Wang
- Cardiovascular Institute, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
- Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
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198
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Seo D, Koh B, Eom GE, Kim HW, Kim S. A dual gene-specific mutator system installs all transition mutations at similar frequencies in vivo. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:e59. [PMID: 37070179 PMCID: PMC10250238 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Targeted in vivo hypermutation accelerates directed evolution of proteins through concurrent DNA diversification and selection. Although systems employing a fusion protein of a nucleobase deaminase and T7 RNA polymerase present gene-specific targeting, their mutational spectra have been limited to exclusive or dominant C:G→T:A mutations. Here we describe eMutaT7transition, a new gene-specific hypermutation system, that installs all transition mutations (C:G→T:A and A:T→G:C) at comparable frequencies. By using two mutator proteins in which two efficient deaminases, PmCDA1 and TadA-8e, are separately fused to T7 RNA polymerase, we obtained similar numbers of C:G→T:A and A:T→G:C substitutions at a sufficiently high frequency (∼6.7 substitutions in 1.3 kb gene during 80-h in vivo mutagenesis). Through eMutaT7transition-mediated TEM-1 evolution for antibiotic resistance, we generated many mutations found in clinical isolates. Overall, with a high mutation frequency and wider mutational spectrum, eMutaT7transition is a potential first-line method for gene-specific in vivo hypermutation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daeje Seo
- Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Bonghyun Koh
- Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Ga-eul Eom
- Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Hye Won Kim
- Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Seokhee Kim
- Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
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199
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Amistadi S, Maule G, Ciciani M, Ensinck MM, De Keersmaecker L, Ramalho AS, Guidone D, Buccirossi M, Galietta LJV, Carlon MS, Cereseto A. Functional restoration of a CFTR splicing mutation through RNA delivery of CRISPR adenine base editor. Mol Ther 2023; 31:1647-1660. [PMID: 36895161 PMCID: PMC10277887 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2023.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 01/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disease caused by mutations in the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. The 2789+5G>A CFTR mutation is a quite frequent defect causing an aberrant splicing and a non-functional CFTR protein. Here we used a CRISPR adenine base editing (ABE) approach to correct the mutation in the absence of DNA double-strand breaks (DSB). To select the strategy, we developed a minigene cellular model reproducing the 2789+5G>A splicing defect. We obtained up to 70% editing in the minigene model by adapting the ABE to the PAM sequence optimal for targeting 2789+5G>A with a SpCas9-NG (NG-ABE). Nonetheless, the on-target base correction was accompanied by secondary (bystander) A-to-G conversions in nearby nucleotides, which affected the wild-type CFTR splicing. To decrease the bystander edits, we used a specific ABE (NG-ABEmax), which was delivered as mRNA. The NG-ABEmax RNA approach was validated in patient-derived rectal organoids and bronchial epithelial cells showing sufficient gene correction to recover the CFTR function. Finally, in-depth sequencing revealed high editing precision genome-wide and allele-specific correction. Here we report the development of a base editing strategy to precisely repair the 2789+5G>A mutation resulting in restoration of the CFTR function, while reducing bystander and off-target activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Amistadi
- University of Trento, Department of Computational, Cellular and Integrative Biology, Laboratory of Molecular Virology, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Giulia Maule
- University of Trento, Department of Computational, Cellular and Integrative Biology, Laboratory of Molecular Virology, 38123 Trento, Italy.
| | - Matteo Ciciani
- University of Trento, Department of Computational, Cellular and Integrative Biology, Laboratory of Molecular Virology, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Marjolein M Ensinck
- KU Leuven, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Laboratory for Molecular Virology and Gene Therapy, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Liesbeth De Keersmaecker
- KU Leuven, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Laboratory for Molecular Virology and Gene Therapy, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Anabela S Ramalho
- CF Research Lab, Woman and Child Unit, Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Daniela Guidone
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, 80078 Pozzuoli, Italy
| | | | - Luis J V Galietta
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, 80078 Pozzuoli, Italy; Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Napoli "Federico II," 80138 Napoli, Italy
| | - Marianne S Carlon
- KU Leuven, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Laboratory for Molecular Virology and Gene Therapy, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; KU Leuven, Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism, BREATHE Laboratory, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Anna Cereseto
- University of Trento, Department of Computational, Cellular and Integrative Biology, Laboratory of Molecular Virology, 38123 Trento, Italy.
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200
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Barefield DY, Alvarez-Arce A, Araujo KN. Mechanisms of Sarcomere Protein Mutation-Induced Cardiomyopathies. Curr Cardiol Rep 2023; 25:473-484. [PMID: 37060436 PMCID: PMC11141690 DOI: 10.1007/s11886-023-01876-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/16/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The pace of identifying cardiomyopathy-associated mutations and advances in our understanding of sarcomere function that underlies many cardiomyopathies has been remarkable. Here, we aim to synthesize how these advances have led to the promising new treatments that are being developed to treat cardiomyopathies. RECENT FINDINGS The genomics era has identified and validated many genetic causes of hypertrophic and dilated cardiomyopathies. Recent advances in our mechanistic understanding of sarcomere pathophysiology include high-resolution molecular models of sarcomere components and the identification of the myosin super-relaxed state. The advances in our understanding of sarcomere function have yielded several therapeutic agents that are now in development and clinical use to correct contractile dysfunction-mediated cardiomyopathy. New genes linked to cardiomyopathy include targets with limited clinical evidence and require additional investigation. Large portions of cardiomyopathy with family history remain genetically undiagnosed and may be due to polygenic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Y Barefield
- Department of Cell and Molecular Physiology, Loyola University Chicago, 2160 S. 1st Ave, Maywood, IL, 60153, USA.
| | - Alejandro Alvarez-Arce
- Department of Cell and Molecular Physiology, Loyola University Chicago, 2160 S. 1st Ave, Maywood, IL, 60153, USA
| | - Kelly N Araujo
- Department of Cell and Molecular Physiology, Loyola University Chicago, 2160 S. 1st Ave, Maywood, IL, 60153, USA
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