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Baba H, Fujita T, Mizuno K, Tambo M, Toda S. Programming Spatial Cell Sorting by Engineering Cadherin Intracellular Activity. ACS Synth Biol 2024; 13:1705-1715. [PMID: 38726686 PMCID: PMC11197096 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.3c00774] [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: 12/29/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
The spatial sorting of cells into appropriate tissue compartments is essential for embryogenesis and tissue development. Spatial cell sorting is controlled by the interplay between cell surface affinity and intracellular mechanical properties. However, intracellular signaling that can sufficiently sort cell populations remains unexplored. In this study, we engineered chimeric cadherins by replacing the cadherin intracellular domain with cytoskeletal regulators to test their ability to induce spatial cell sorting. Using a fibroblast-based reconstitution system, we observed that Rac1 and RhoA activity in the cadherin tail induced outward and inward sorting, respectively. In particular, RhoA activity embedded cells toward the inside of E-cadherin-expressing spheroids and tumor spheroids, leading to tissue invagination. Despite the simplicity of chimeric cadherin design, our results indicate that differences in cadherin intracellular activities can determine the direction of spatial cell sorting, even when cell surface affinity is not different, and provide new molecular tools to engineer tissue architectures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hikari Baba
- WPI
Nano Life Science Institute (NanoLSI), Kanazawa
University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-1192, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Fujita
- WPI
Nano Life Science Institute (NanoLSI), Kanazawa
University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-1192, Japan
- Graduate
School of Frontier Science Initiative, Kanazawa
University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-1192, Japan
| | - Kosuke Mizuno
- WPI
Nano Life Science Institute (NanoLSI), Kanazawa
University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-1192, Japan
- Graduate
School of Frontier Science Initiative, Kanazawa
University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-1192, Japan
| | - Mai Tambo
- WPI
Nano Life Science Institute (NanoLSI), Kanazawa
University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-1192, Japan
| | - Satoshi Toda
- WPI
Nano Life Science Institute (NanoLSI), Kanazawa
University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-1192, Japan
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Raab CA, Wegner SV. Reversible Photoregulation of Cell-Cell Adhesions With Opto-E-cadherin. Bio Protoc 2024; 14:e4995. [PMID: 38798983 PMCID: PMC11116891 DOI: 10.21769/bioprotoc.4995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
The cell-cell adhesion molecule E-cadherin has been intensively studied due to its prevalence in tissue function and its spatiotemporal regulation during epithelial-to-mesenchymal cell transition. Nonetheless, regulating and studying the dynamics of it has proven challenging. We developed a photoswitchable version of E-cadherin, named opto-E-cadherin, which can be toggled OFF with blue light illumination and back ON in the dark. Herein, we describe easy-to-use methods to test and characterise opto-E- cadherin cell clones for downstream experiments. Key features • This protocol describes how to implement optogenetic cell-cell adhesion molecules effectively (described here on the basis of opto-E-cadherin), while highlighting possible pitfalls. • Utilises equipment commonly found in most laboratories with high ease of use. • Phenotype screening is easy and done within a few hours (comparison of cell clusters in the dark vs. blue light in an aggregation assay). • Three different functionality assay systems are described. • After the cell line is established, all experiments can be performed within three days.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher A. Raab
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Seraphine V. Wegner
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
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Nzigou Mombo B, Bijonowski BM, Raab CA, Niland S, Brockhaus K, Müller M, Eble JA, Wegner SV. Reversible photoregulation of cell-cell adhesions with opto-E-cadherin. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6292. [PMID: 37813868 PMCID: PMC10562482 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41932-0] [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: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023] Open
Abstract
E-cadherin-based cell-cell adhesions are dynamically and locally regulated in many essential processes, including embryogenesis, wound healing and tissue organization, with dysregulation manifesting as tumorigenesis and metastasis. However, the lack of tools that would provide control of the high spatiotemporal precision observed with E-cadherin adhesions hampers investigation of the underlying mechanisms. Here, we present an optogenetic tool, opto-E-cadherin, that allows reversible control of E-cadherin-mediated cell-cell adhesions with blue light. With opto-E-cadherin, functionally essential calcium binding is photoregulated such that cells expressing opto-E-cadherin at their surface adhere to each other in the dark but not upon illumination. Consequently, opto-E-cadherin provides remote control over multicellular aggregation, E-cadherin-associated intracellular signalling and F-actin organization in 2D and 3D cell cultures. Opto-E-cadherin also allows switching of multicellular behaviour between single and collective cell migration, as well as of cell invasiveness in vitro and in vivo. Overall, opto-E-cadherin is a powerful optogenetic tool capable of controlling cell-cell adhesions at the molecular, cellular and behavioural level that opens up perspectives for the study of dynamics and spatiotemporal control of E-cadherin in biological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brice Nzigou Mombo
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry, University of Münster, Waldeyerstraße 15, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Brent M Bijonowski
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry, University of Münster, Waldeyerstraße 15, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Christopher A Raab
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry, University of Münster, Waldeyerstraße 15, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Stephan Niland
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry, University of Münster, Waldeyerstraße 15, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Katrin Brockhaus
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry, University of Münster, Waldeyerstraße 15, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Marc Müller
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry, University of Münster, Waldeyerstraße 15, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Johannes A Eble
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry, University of Münster, Waldeyerstraße 15, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Seraphine V Wegner
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry, University of Münster, Waldeyerstraße 15, 48149, Münster, Germany.
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Quispe Haro JJ, Wegner SV. An Adenosylcobalamin Specific Whole-Cell Biosensor. Adv Healthc Mater 2023; 12:e2300835. [PMID: 37070155 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202300835] [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: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023]
Abstract
Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is essential for human health and its deficiency results in anemia and neurological damage. Vitamin B12 exists in different forms with various bioactivity but most sensors are unable to discriminate between them. Here, a whole-cell agglutination assay that is specific for adenosylcobalamin (AboB12), which is one of two bioactive forms, is reported. This biosensor consists of Escherichia coli that express the AdoB12 specific binding domain of CarH at their surface. In the presence of AdoB12, CarH forms tetramers, which leads to specific bacterial cell-cell adhesions and agglutination. These CarH tetramers disassemble upon green light illumination such that reversion of the bacterial aggregation can serve as internal quality control. The agglutination assay has a detection limit of 500 nм AdoB12, works in protein-poor biofluids such as urine, and has high specificity to AdoB12 over other forms of vitamin B12 as also demonstrated with commercially available supplements. This work is a proof of concept for a cheap and easy-to-readout AdoB12 sensor that can be implemented at the point-of-care to monitor high-dose vitamin B12 supplementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan José Quispe Haro
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry, University of Münster, Waldeyerstrasse 15, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Seraphine V Wegner
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry, University of Münster, Waldeyerstrasse 15, 48149, Münster, Germany
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Månsson LK, Pitenis AA, Wilson MZ. Extracellular Optogenetics at the Interface of Synthetic Biology and Materials Science. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:903982. [PMID: 35774061 PMCID: PMC9237228 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.903982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
We review fundamental mechanisms and applications of OptoGels: hydrogels with light-programmable properties endowed by photoswitchable proteins (“optoproteins”) found in nature. Light, as the primary source of energy on earth, has driven evolution to develop highly-tuned functionalities, such as phototropism and circadian entrainment. These functions are mediated through a growing family of optoproteins that respond to the entire visible spectrum ranging from ultraviolet to infrared by changing their structure to transmit signals inside of cells. In a recent series of articles, engineers and biochemists have incorporated optoproteins into a variety of extracellular systems, endowing them with photocontrollability. While other routes exist for dynamically controlling material properties, light-sensitive proteins have several distinct advantages, including precise spatiotemporal control, reversibility, substrate selectivity, as well as biodegradability and biocompatibility. Available conjugation chemistries endow OptoGels with a combinatorially large design space determined by the set of optoproteins and polymer networks. These combinations result in a variety of tunable material properties. Despite their potential, relatively little of the OptoGel design space has been explored. Here, we aim to summarize innovations in this emerging field and highlight potential future applications of these next generation materials. OptoGels show great promise in applications ranging from mechanobiology, to 3D cell and organoid engineering, and programmable cell eluting materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa K. Månsson
- Materials Department, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, United States
| | - Angela A. Pitenis
- Materials Department, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, United States
- Center for BioEngineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, United States
- *Correspondence: Angela A. Pitenis, ; Maxwell Z. Wilson,
| | - Maxwell Z. Wilson
- Center for BioEngineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, United States
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, United States
- Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, United States
- *Correspondence: Angela A. Pitenis, ; Maxwell Z. Wilson,
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Baumschlager A. Engineering Light-Control in Biology. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:901300. [PMID: 35573251 PMCID: PMC9096073 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.901300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Unraveling the transformative power of optogenetics in biology requires sophisticated engineering for the creation and optimization of light-regulatable proteins. In addition, diverse strategies have been used for the tuning of these light-sensitive regulators. This review highlights different protein engineering and synthetic biology approaches, which might aid in the development and optimization of novel optogenetic proteins (Opto-proteins). Focusing on non-neuronal optogenetics, chromophore availability, general strategies for creating light-controllable functions, modification of the photosensitive domains and their fusion to effector domains, as well as tuning concepts for Opto-proteins are discussed. Thus, this review shall not serve as an encyclopedic summary of light-sensitive regulators but aims at discussing important aspects for the engineering of light-controllable proteins through selected examples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Armin Baumschlager
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering (D-BSSE), ETH Zürich, Basel, Switzerland
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Padmanabhan S, Pérez-Castaño R, Osete-Alcaraz L, Polanco MC, Elías-Arnanz M. Vitamin B 12 photoreceptors. VITAMINS AND HORMONES 2022; 119:149-184. [PMID: 35337618 DOI: 10.1016/bs.vh.2022.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Photoreceptor proteins enable living organisms to sense light and transduce this signal into biochemical outputs to elicit appropriate cellular responses. Their light sensing is typically mediated by covalently or noncovalently bound molecules called chromophores, which absorb light of specific wavelengths and modulate protein structure and biological activity. Known photoreceptors have been classified into about ten families based on the chromophore and its associated photosensory domain in the protein. One widespread photoreceptor family uses coenzyme B12 or 5'-deoxyadenosylcobalamin, a biological form of vitamin B12, to sense ultraviolet, blue, or green light, and its discovery revealed both a new type of photoreceptor and a novel functional facet of this vitamin, best known as an enzyme cofactor. Large strides have been made in our understanding of how these B12-based photoreceptors function, high-resolution structural descriptions of their functional states are available, as are details of their unusual photochemistry. Additionally, they have inspired notable applications in optogenetics/optobiochemistry and synthetic biology. Here, we provide an overview of what is currently known about these B12-based photoreceptors, their discovery, distribution, molecular mechanism of action, and the structural and photochemical basis of how they orchestrate signal transduction and gene regulation, and how they have been used to engineer optogenetic control of protein activities in living cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Padmanabhan
- Instituto de Química Física "Rocasolano", Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Ricardo Pérez-Castaño
- Departamento de Genética y Microbiología, Área de Genética (Unidad Asociada al IQFR-CSIC), Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Lucía Osete-Alcaraz
- Departamento de Genética y Microbiología, Área de Genética (Unidad Asociada al IQFR-CSIC), Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - María Carmen Polanco
- Departamento de Genética y Microbiología, Área de Genética (Unidad Asociada al IQFR-CSIC), Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Montserrat Elías-Arnanz
- Departamento de Genética y Microbiología, Área de Genética (Unidad Asociada al IQFR-CSIC), Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain.
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