1
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Chen XR, Jiang WJ, Guo QH, Liu XY, Cui G, Li L. Theoretical insights into the photophysics of an unnatural base Z: A MS-CASPT2 investigation. Photochem Photobiol 2024; 100:380-392. [PMID: 38041414 DOI: 10.1111/php.13884] [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: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 10/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Abstract
We have employed the highly accurate multistate complete active space second-order perturbation theory (MS-CASPT2) method to investigate the photoinduced excited state relaxation properties of one unnatural base, namely Z. Upon excitation to the S2 state of Z, the internal conversion to the S1 state would be dominant. From the S1 state, two intersystem crossing paths leading to the T2 and T1 states and one internal conversion path to the S0 state are possible. However, considering the large barrier to access the S1 /S0 conical intersection and the strong spin-orbit coupling between S1 and T2 states (>40 cm-1 ), the intersystem crossing to the triplet manifolds is predicted to be more preferred. Arriving at the T2 state, the internal conversion to the T1 state and the intersystem crossing back to the S1 state are both possible considering the S1 /T2 /T1 three-state intersection near the T2 minimum. Upon arrival at the T1 state, the deactivation to S0 can be efficient after overcoming a small barrier to access T1 /S0 crossing point, where the spin-orbit coupling (SOC) is as large as 39.7 cm-1 . Our present work not only provides in-depth insights into the photoinduced process of unnatural base Z, but can also help the future design of novel unnatural bases with better photostability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin-Rui Chen
- College of Chemistry and Material Science, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, China
| | - Wen-Jun Jiang
- College of Chemistry and Material Science, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, China
| | - Qian-Hong Guo
- College of Chemistry and Material Science, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiang-Yang Liu
- College of Chemistry and Material Science, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ganglong Cui
- Key Laboratory of Theoretical and Computational Photochemistry, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Laicai Li
- College of Chemistry and Material Science, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, China
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2
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Wang H, Zhu W, Wang C, Li X, Wang L, Huo B, Mei H, Zhu A, Zhang G, Li L. Locating, tracing and sequencing multiple expanded genetic letters in complex DNA context via a bridge-base approach. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:e52. [PMID: 36971131 PMCID: PMC10201413 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/11/2024] Open
Abstract
A panel of unnatural base pairs is developed to expand genetic alphabets. One or more unnatural base pairs (UBPs) can be inserted to enlarge the capacity, diversity, and functionality of canonical DNA, so monitoring the multiple-UBPs-containing DNA by simple and convenient approaches is essential. Herein, we report a bridge-base approach to repurpose the capability of determining TPT3-NaM UBPs. The success of this approach depends on the design of isoTAT that can simultaneously pair with NaM and G as a bridge base, as well as the discovering of the transformation of NaM to A in absence of its complementary base. TPT3-NaM can be transferred to C-G or A-T by simple PCR assays with high read-through ratios and low sequence-dependent properties, permitting for the first time to dually locate the multiple sites of TPT3-NaM pairs. Then we show the unprecedented capacity of this approach to trace accurate changes and retention ratios of multiple TPT3-NaM UPBs during in vivo replications. In addition, the method can also be applied to identify multiple-site DNA lesions, transferring TPT3-NaM makers to different natural bases. Taken together, our work presents the first general and convenient approach capable of locating, tracing, and sequencing site- and number-unlimited TPT3-NaM pairs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Honglei Wang
- Henan Key Laboratory of Organic Functional Molecule and Drug Innovation, Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Province for Green Manufacturing of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Green Chemical Media and Reactions, Ministry of Education, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan 453007, China
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation Regulation and Target Drug, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China
| | - Wuyuan Zhu
- Henan Key Laboratory of Organic Functional Molecule and Drug Innovation, Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Province for Green Manufacturing of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Green Chemical Media and Reactions, Ministry of Education, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan 453007, China
| | - Chao Wang
- Henan Key Laboratory of Organic Functional Molecule and Drug Innovation, Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Province for Green Manufacturing of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Green Chemical Media and Reactions, Ministry of Education, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan 453007, China
| | - Xiaohuan Li
- Henan Key Laboratory of Organic Functional Molecule and Drug Innovation, Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Province for Green Manufacturing of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Green Chemical Media and Reactions, Ministry of Education, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan 453007, China
| | - Luying Wang
- Henan Key Laboratory of Organic Functional Molecule and Drug Innovation, Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Province for Green Manufacturing of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Green Chemical Media and Reactions, Ministry of Education, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan 453007, China
| | - Bianbian Huo
- Henan Key Laboratory of Organic Functional Molecule and Drug Innovation, Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Province for Green Manufacturing of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Green Chemical Media and Reactions, Ministry of Education, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan 453007, China
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation Regulation and Target Drug, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China
| | - Hui Mei
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Anlian Zhu
- Henan Key Laboratory of Organic Functional Molecule and Drug Innovation, Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Province for Green Manufacturing of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Green Chemical Media and Reactions, Ministry of Education, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan 453007, China
| | - Guisheng Zhang
- Henan Key Laboratory of Organic Functional Molecule and Drug Innovation, Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Province for Green Manufacturing of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Green Chemical Media and Reactions, Ministry of Education, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan 453007, China
| | - Lingjun Li
- Henan Key Laboratory of Organic Functional Molecule and Drug Innovation, Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Province for Green Manufacturing of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Green Chemical Media and Reactions, Ministry of Education, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan 453007, China
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation Regulation and Target Drug, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China
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3
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Gerecht K, Freund N, Liu W, Liu Y, Fürst MJLJ, Holliger P. The Expanded Central Dogma: Genome Resynthesis, Orthogonal Biosystems, Synthetic Genetics. Annu Rev Biophys 2023; 52:413-432. [PMID: 37159296 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-biophys-111622-091203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic biology seeks to probe fundamental aspects of biological form and function by construction [i.e., (re)synthesis] rather than deconstruction (analysis). In this sense, biological sciences now follow the lead given by the chemical sciences. Synthesis can complement analytic studies but also allows novel approaches to answering fundamental biological questions and opens up vast opportunities for the exploitation of biological processes to provide solutions for global problems. In this review, we explore aspects of this synthesis paradigm as applied to the chemistry and function of nucleic acids in biological systems and beyond, specifically, in genome resynthesis, synthetic genetics (i.e., the expansion of the genetic alphabet, of the genetic code, and of the chemical make-up of genetic systems), and the elaboration of orthogonal biosystems and components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karola Gerecht
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, United Kingdom;
| | - Niklas Freund
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, United Kingdom;
| | - Wei Liu
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, United Kingdom;
| | - Yang Liu
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, United Kingdom;
| | - Maximilian J L J Fürst
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, United Kingdom;
- Current address: Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Philipp Holliger
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, United Kingdom;
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4
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Thomas CA, Craig JM, Hoshika S, Brinkerhoff H, Huang JR, Abell SJ, Kim HC, Franzi MC, Carrasco JD, Kim HJ, Smith DC, Gundlach JH, Benner SA, Laszlo AH. Assessing Readability of an 8-Letter Expanded Deoxyribonucleic Acid Alphabet with Nanopores. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:8560-8568. [PMID: 37036666 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c00829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/11/2023]
Abstract
Chemists have now synthesized new kinds of DNA that add nucleotides to the four standard nucleotides (guanine, adenine, cytosine, and thymine) found in standard Terran DNA. Such "artificially expanded genetic information systems" are today used in molecular diagnostics; to support directed evolution to create medically useful receptors, ligands, and catalysts; and to explore issues related to the early evolution of life. Further applications are limited by the inability to directly sequence DNA containing nonstandard nucleotides. Nanopore sequencing is well-suited for this purpose, as it does not require enzymatic synthesis, amplification, or nucleotide modification. Here, we take the first steps to realize nanopore sequencing of an 8-letter "hachimoji" expanded DNA alphabet by assessing its nanopore signal range using the MspA (Mycobacterium smegmatis porin A) nanopore. We find that hachimoji DNA exhibits a broader signal range in nanopore sequencing than standard DNA alone and that hachimoji single-base substitutions are distinguishable with high confidence. Because nanopore sequencing relies on a molecular motor to control the motion of DNA, we then assessed the compatibility of the Hel308 motor enzyme with nonstandard nucleotides by tracking the translocation of single Hel308 molecules along hachimoji DNA, monitoring the enzyme kinetics and premature enzyme dissociation from the DNA. We find that Hel308 is compatible with hachimoji DNA but dissociates more frequently when walking over C-glycoside nucleosides, compared to N-glycosides. C-glycocide nucleosides passing a particular site within Hel308 induce a higher likelihood of dissociation. This highlights the need to optimize nanopore sequencing motors to handle different glycosidic bonds. It may also inform designs of future alternative DNA systems that can be sequenced with existing motors and pores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher A Thomas
- Department of Physics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Jonathan M Craig
- Department of Physics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Shuichi Hoshika
- Foundation for Applied Molecular Evolution, Alachua, Florida 32615, United States
| | - Henry Brinkerhoff
- Department of Physics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Jesse R Huang
- Department of Physics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Sarah J Abell
- Department of Physics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Hwanhee C Kim
- Department of Physics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Michaela C Franzi
- Department of Physics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Jessica D Carrasco
- Department of Physics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Hyo-Joong Kim
- Foundation for Applied Molecular Evolution, Alachua, Florida 32615, United States
| | - Drew C Smith
- Department of Physics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Jens H Gundlach
- Department of Physics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Steven A Benner
- Foundation for Applied Molecular Evolution, Alachua, Florida 32615, United States
| | - Andrew H Laszlo
- Department of Physics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
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5
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Romesberg FE. Discovery, implications and initial use of semi-synthetic organisms with an expanded genetic alphabet/code. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2023; 378:20220030. [PMID: 36633274 PMCID: PMC9835597 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2022.0030] [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: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Much recent interest has focused on developing proteins for human use, such as in medicine. However, natural proteins are made up of only a limited number of canonical amino acids with limited functionalities, and this makes the discovery of variants with some functions difficult. The ability to recombinantly express proteins containing non-canonical amino acids (ncAAs) with properties selected to impart the protein with desired properties is expected to dramatically improve the discovery of proteins with different functions. Perhaps the most straightforward approach to such an expansion of the genetic code is through expansion of the genetic alphabet, so that new codon/anticodon pairs can be created to assign to ncAAs. In this review, I briefly summarize more than 20 years of effort leading ultimately to the discovery of synthetic nucleotides that pair to form an unnatural base pair, which when incorporated into DNA, is stably maintained, transcribed and used to translate proteins in Escherichia coli. In addition to discussing wide ranging conceptual implications, I also describe ongoing efforts at the pharmaceutical company Sanofi to employ the resulting 'semi-synthetic organisms' or SSOs, for the production of next-generation protein therapeutics. This article is part of the theme issue 'Reactivity and mechanism in chemical and synthetic biology'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Floyd E. Romesberg
- Platform Innovation, Synthorx, a Sanofi Company, 11099 N. Torrey Pines Road, Suite 190, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
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6
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Samokhvalova S, Lutz JF. Macromolecular Information Transfer. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202300014. [PMID: 36696359 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202300014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Macromolecular information transfer can be defined as the process by which a coded monomer sequence is communicated from one macromolecule to another. In such a transfer process, the information sequence can be kept identical, transformed into a complementary sequence or even translated into a different molecular language. Such mechanisms are crucial in biology and take place in DNA→DNA replication, DNA→RNA transcription and RNA→protein translation. In fact, there would be no life on Earth without macromolecular information transfer. Mimicking such processes with synthetic macromolecules would also be of major scientific relevance because it would open up new avenues for technological applications (e.g. data storage and processing) but also for the creation of artificial life. In this important context, this minireview summarizes recent research about information transfer in synthetic oligomers and polymers. Medium- and long-term perspectives are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Svetlana Samokhvalova
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, ISIS, 8 allée Gaspard Monge, 67000, Strasbourg, France
| | - Jean-François Lutz
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, ISIS, 8 allée Gaspard Monge, 67000, Strasbourg, France
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7
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In vitro evolution of ribonucleases from expanded genetic alphabets. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2208261119. [PMID: 36279447 PMCID: PMC9636917 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2208261119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability of nucleic acids to catalyze reactions (as well as store and transmit information) is important for both basic and applied science, the first in the context of molecular evolution and the origin of life and the second for biomedical applications. However, the catalytic power of standard nucleic acids (NAs) assembled from just four nucleotide building blocks is limited when compared with that of proteins. Here, we assess the evolutionary potential of libraries of nucleic acids with six nucleotide building blocks as reservoirs for catalysis. We compare the outcomes of in vitro selection experiments toward RNA-cleavage activity of two nucleic acid libraries: one built from the standard four independently replicable nucleotides and the other from six, with the two added nucleotides coming from an artificially expanded genetic information system (AEGIS). Results from comparative experiments suggest that DNA libraries with increased chemical diversity, higher information density, and larger searchable sequence spaces are one order of magnitude richer reservoirs of molecules that catalyze the cleavage of a phosphodiester bond in RNA than DNA libraries built from a standard four-nucleotide alphabet. Evolved AEGISzymes with nitro-carrying nucleobase Z appear to exploit a general acid–base catalytic mechanism to cleave that bond, analogous to the mechanism of the ribonuclease A family of protein enzymes and heavily modified DNAzymes. The AEGISzyme described here represents a new type of catalysts evolved from libraries built from expanded genetic alphabets.
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8
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Sun L, Ma X, Zhang B, Qin Y, Ma J, Du Y, Chen T. From polymerase engineering to semi-synthetic life: artificial expansion of the central dogma. RSC Chem Biol 2022; 3:1173-1197. [PMID: 36320892 PMCID: PMC9533422 DOI: 10.1039/d2cb00116k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Nucleic acids have been extensively modified in different moieties to expand the scope of genetic materials in the past few decades. While the development of unnatural base pairs (UBPs) has expanded the genetic information capacity of nucleic acids, the production of synthetic alternatives of DNA and RNA has increased the types of genetic information carriers and introduced novel properties and functionalities into nucleic acids. Moreover, the efforts of tailoring DNA polymerases (DNAPs) and RNA polymerases (RNAPs) to be efficient unnatural nucleic acid polymerases have enabled broad application of these unnatural nucleic acids, ranging from production of stable aptamers to evolution of novel catalysts. The introduction of unnatural nucleic acids into living organisms has also started expanding the central dogma in vivo. In this article, we first summarize the development of unnatural nucleic acids with modifications or alterations in different moieties. The strategies for engineering DNAPs and RNAPs are then extensively reviewed, followed by summarization of predominant polymerase mutants with good activities for synthesizing, reverse transcribing, or even amplifying unnatural nucleic acids. Some recent application examples of unnatural nucleic acids with their polymerases are then introduced. At the end, the approaches of introducing UBPs and synthetic genetic polymers into living organisms for the creation of semi-synthetic organisms are reviewed and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leping Sun
- MOE International Joint Research Laboratory on Synthetic Biology and Medicines, School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology 510006 Guangzhou China
| | - Xingyun Ma
- MOE International Joint Research Laboratory on Synthetic Biology and Medicines, School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology 510006 Guangzhou China
| | - Binliang Zhang
- MOE International Joint Research Laboratory on Synthetic Biology and Medicines, School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology 510006 Guangzhou China
| | - Yanjia Qin
- MOE International Joint Research Laboratory on Synthetic Biology and Medicines, School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology 510006 Guangzhou China
| | - Jiezhao Ma
- MOE International Joint Research Laboratory on Synthetic Biology and Medicines, School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology 510006 Guangzhou China
| | - Yuhui Du
- MOE International Joint Research Laboratory on Synthetic Biology and Medicines, School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology 510006 Guangzhou China
| | - Tingjian Chen
- MOE International Joint Research Laboratory on Synthetic Biology and Medicines, School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology 510006 Guangzhou China
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9
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Kramer ST, Gruenke PR, Alam KK, Xu D, Burke DH. FASTAptameR 2.0: A web tool for combinatorial sequence selections. MOLECULAR THERAPY - NUCLEIC ACIDS 2022; 29:862-870. [PMID: 36159593 PMCID: PMC9464650 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2022.08.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Combinatorial selections are powerful strategies for identifying biopolymers with specific biological, biomedical, or chemical characteristics. Unfortunately, most available software tools for high-throughput sequencing analysis have high entrance barriers for many users because they require extensive programming expertise. FASTAptameR 2.0 is an R-based reimplementation of FASTAptamer designed to minimize this barrier while maintaining the ability to answer complex sequence-level and population-level questions. This open-source toolkit features a user-friendly web tool, interactive graphics, up to 100 times faster clustering, an expanded module set, and an extensive user guide. FASTAptameR 2.0 accepts diverse input polymer types and can be applied to any sequence-encoded selection.
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10
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Hoshika S, Shukla MS, Benner SA, Georgiadis MM. Visualizing "Alternative Isoinformational Engineered" DNA in A- and B-Forms at High Resolution. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:15603-15611. [PMID: 35969672 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c05255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
A fundamental property of DNA built from four informational nucleotide units (GCAT) is its ability to adopt different helical forms within the context of the Watson-Crick pair. Well-characterized examples include A-, B-, and Z-DNA. For this study, we created an isoinformational biomimetic polymer, built (like standard DNA) from four informational "letters", but with the building blocks being artificial. This ALternative Isoinformational ENgineered (ALIEN) DNA was hypothesized to support two nucleobase pairs, the P:Z pair matching 2-amino-imidazo-[1,2a]-1,3,5-triazin-[8H]-4-one with 6-amino-3-5-nitro-1H-pyridin-2-one and the B:S pair matching 6-amino-4-hydroxy-5-1H-purin-2-one with 3-methyl-6-amino-pyrimidin-2-one. We report two structures of ALIEN DNA duplexes at 1.2 Å resolution and a third at 1.65 Å. All of these are built from a single self-complementary sequence (5'-CTSZZPBSBSZPPBAG) that includes 12 consecutive ALIEN nucleotides. We characterized the helical, nucleobase pair, and dinucleotide step parameters of ALIEN DNA in these structures. In addition to showing that ALIEN pairs retain basic Watson-Crick pairing geometry, two of the ALIEN DNA structures are characterized as A-form DNA and one as B-form DNA. We identified parameters that map differences effecting the transition between the two helical forms; these same parameters distinguish helical forms of isoinformational natural DNA. Collectively, our analyses suggest that ALIEN DNA retains essential structural features of natural DNA, not only its information density and Watson-Crick pairing but also its ability to adopt two canonical forms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuichi Hoshika
- Foundation for Molecular Evolution, 13709 Progress Boulevard, No. 7, Alachua, Florida 32615, United States
| | - Madhura S Shukla
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, 635 Barnhill Dr., Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, United States
| | - Steven A Benner
- Foundation for Molecular Evolution, 13709 Progress Boulevard, No. 7, Alachua, Florida 32615, United States
| | - Millie M Georgiadis
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, 635 Barnhill Dr., Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, United States
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11
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Kimoto M, Hirao I. Genetic Code Engineering by Natural and Unnatural Base Pair Systems for the Site-Specific Incorporation of Non-Standard Amino Acids Into Proteins. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:851646. [PMID: 35685243 PMCID: PMC9171071 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.851646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Amino acid sequences of proteins are encoded in nucleic acids composed of four letters, A, G, C, and T(U). However, this four-letter alphabet coding system limits further functionalities of proteins by the twenty letters of amino acids. If we expand the genetic code or develop alternative codes, we could create novel biological systems and biotechnologies by the site-specific incorporation of non-standard amino acids (or unnatural amino acids, unAAs) into proteins. To this end, new codons and their complementary anticodons are required for unAAs. In this review, we introduce the current status of methods to incorporate new amino acids into proteins by in vitro and in vivo translation systems, by focusing on the creation of new codon-anticodon interactions, including unnatural base pair systems for genetic alphabet expansion.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ichiro Hirao
- *Correspondence: Michiko Kimoto, ; Ichiro Hirao,
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12
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Freund N, Fürst MJLJ, Holliger P. New chemistries and enzymes for synthetic genetics. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2021; 74:129-136. [PMID: 34883451 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2021.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Revised: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Beyond the natural nucleic acids DNA and RNA, nucleic acid chemistry has unlocked a whole universe of modifications to their canonical chemical structure, which can in various ways modify and enhance nucleic acid function and utility for applications in biotechnology and medicine. Unlike the natural modifications of tRNA and rRNA or the epigenetic modifications in mRNA and genomic DNA, these altered chemistries are not found in nature and therefore these molecules are referred to as xeno-nucleic acids (XNAs). In this review we aim to focus specifically on recent progress in a subsection of this vast field-synthetic genetics-concerned with encoded synthesis, reverse transcription, and evolution of XNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niklas Freund
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge, CB2 0QH, UK
| | | | - Philipp Holliger
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge, CB2 0QH, UK.
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13
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Romesberg FE. Creation, Optimization, and Use of Semi-Synthetic Organisms that Store and Retrieve Increased Genetic Information. J Mol Biol 2021; 434:167331. [PMID: 34710400 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2021.167331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Revised: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
With few exceptions, natural proteins are built from only 20 canonical (proteogenic) amino acids which limits the functionality and accordingly the properties they can possess. Genetic code expansion, i.e. the creation of codons and the machinery needed to assign them to non-canonical amino acids (ncAAs), promises to enable the discovery of proteins with novel properties that are otherwise difficult or impossible to obtain. One approach to expanding the genetic code is to expand the genetic alphabet via the development of unnatural nucleotides that pair to form an unnatural base pair (UBP). Semi-synthetic organisms (SSOs), i.e. organisms that stably maintain the UBP, transcribe its component nucleotides into RNA, and use it to translate proteins, would have available to them new codons and the anticodons needed to assign them to ncAAs. This review summarizes the development of a family of UBPs, their use to create SSOs, and the optimization and application of the SSOs to produce candidate therapeutic proteins with improved properties that are now undergoing evaluation in clinical trials.
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14
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Kofman C, Lee J, Jewett MC. Engineering molecular translation systems. Cell Syst 2021; 12:593-607. [PMID: 34139167 DOI: 10.1016/j.cels.2021.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Molecular translation systems provide a genetically encoded framework for protein synthesis, which is essential for all life. Engineering these systems to incorporate non-canonical amino acids (ncAAs) into peptides and proteins has opened many exciting opportunities in chemical and synthetic biology. Here, we review recent advances that are transforming our ability to engineer molecular translation systems. In cell-based systems, new processes to synthesize recoded genomes, tether ribosomal subunits, and engineer orthogonality with high-throughput workflows have emerged. In cell-free systems, adoption of flexizyme technology and cell-free ribosome synthesis and evolution platforms are expanding the limits of chemistry at the ribosome's RNA-based active site. Looking forward, innovations will deepen understanding of molecular translation and provide a path to polymers with previously unimaginable structures and functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila Kofman
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Joongoo Lee
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL 60208, USA; Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Michael C Jewett
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL 60208, USA; Interdisplinary Biological Sciences Graduate Program, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA; Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA; Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA; Simpson Querrey Institute, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA; Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL 60208, USA.
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15
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Manandhar M, Chun E, Romesberg FE. Genetic Code Expansion: Inception, Development, Commercialization. J Am Chem Soc 2021; 143:4859-4878. [DOI: 10.1021/jacs.0c11938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Miglena Manandhar
- Synthorx, a Sanofi Company, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Eugene Chun
- Synthorx, a Sanofi Company, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
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16
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Structural Studies of HNA Substrate Specificity in Mutants of an Archaeal DNA Polymerase Obtained by Directed Evolution. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10121647. [PMID: 33302546 PMCID: PMC7763228 DOI: 10.3390/biom10121647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Archaeal DNA polymerases from the B-family (polB) have found essential applications in biotechnology. In addition, some of their variants can accept a wide range of modified nucleotides or xenobiotic nucleotides, such as 1,5-anhydrohexitol nucleic acid (HNA), which has the unique ability to selectively cross-pair with DNA and RNA. This capacity is essential to allow the transmission of information between different chemistries of nucleic acid molecules. Variants of the archaeal polymerase from Thermococcus gorgonarius, TgoT, that can either generate HNA from DNA (TgoT_6G12) or DNA from HNA (TgoT_RT521) have been previously identified. To understand how DNA and HNA are recognized and selected by these two laboratory-evolved polymerases, we report six X-ray structures of these variants, as well as an in silico model of a ternary complex with HNA. Structural comparisons of the apo form of TgoT_6G12 together with its binary and ternary complexes with a DNA duplex highlight an ensemble of interactions and conformational changes required to promote DNA or HNA synthesis. MD simulations of the ternary complex suggest that the HNA-DNA hybrid duplex remains stable in the A-DNA helical form and help explain the presence of mutations in regions that would normally not be in contact with the DNA if it were not in the A-helical form. One complex with two incorporated HNA nucleotides is surprisingly found in a one nucleotide-backtracked form, which is new for a DNA polymerase. This information can be used for engineering a new generation of more efficient HNA polymerase variants.
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17
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Špaček J, Karalkar N, Fojta M, Wang J, Benner SA. Electrochemical reduction and oxidation of eight unnatural 2′-deoxynucleosides at a pyrolytic graphite electrode. Electrochim Acta 2020; 362. [DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2020.137210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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18
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Kimoto M, Hirao I. Genetic alphabet expansion technology by creating unnatural base pairs. Chem Soc Rev 2020; 49:7602-7626. [PMID: 33015699 DOI: 10.1039/d0cs00457j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Recent advancements in the creation of artificial extra base pairs (unnatural base pairs, UBPs) are opening the door to a new research area, xenobiology, and genetic alphabet expansion technologies. UBPs that function as third base pairs in replication, transcription, and/or translation enable the site-specific incorporation of novel components into DNA, RNA, and proteins. Here, we describe the UBPs developed by three research teams and their application in PCR-based diagnostics, high-affinity DNA aptamer generation, site-specific labeling of RNAs, semi-synthetic organism creation, and unnatural-amino-acid-containing protein synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michiko Kimoto
- Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, A*STAR, Singapore.
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19
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Müller D, Trucks S, Schwalbe H, Hengesbach M. Genetic Code Expansion Facilitates Position-Selective Modification of Nucleic Acids and Proteins. Chempluschem 2020; 85:1233-1243. [PMID: 32515171 DOI: 10.1002/cplu.202000150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Revised: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Transcription and translation obey to the genetic code of four nucleobases and 21 amino acids evolved over billions of years. Both these processes have been engineered to facilitate the use of non-natural building blocks in both nucleic acids and proteins, enabling researchers with a decent toolbox for structural and functional analyses. Here, we review the most common approaches for how labeling of both nucleic acids as well as proteins in a site-selective fashion with either modifiable building blocks or spectroscopic probes can be facilitated by genetic code expansion. We emphasize methodological approaches and how these can be adapted for specific modifications, both during as well as after biomolecule synthesis. These modifications can facilitate, for example, a number of different spectroscopic analysis techniques and can under specific circumstances even be used in combination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Müller
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Strasse 7, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Sven Trucks
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Strasse 7, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Harald Schwalbe
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Strasse 7, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Martin Hengesbach
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Strasse 7, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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20
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Marx A, Betz K. The Structural Basis for Processing of Unnatural Base Pairs by DNA Polymerases. Chemistry 2020; 26:3446-3463. [PMID: 31544987 PMCID: PMC7155079 DOI: 10.1002/chem.201903525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2019] [Revised: 09/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Unnatural base pairs (UBPs) greatly increase the diversity of DNA and RNA, furthering their broad range of molecular biological and biotechnological approaches. Different candidates have been developed whereby alternative hydrogen-bonding patterns and hydrophobic and packing interactions have turned out to be the most promising base-pairing concepts to date. The key in many applications is the highly efficient and selective acceptance of artificial base pairs by DNA polymerases, which enables amplification of the modified DNA. In this Review, computational as well as experimental studies that were performed to characterize the pairing behavior of UBPs in free duplex DNA or bound to the active site of KlenTaq DNA polymerase are highlighted. The structural studies, on the one hand, elucidate how base pairs lacking hydrogen bonds are accepted by these enzymes and, on the other hand, highlight the influence of one or several consecutive UBPs on the structure of a DNA double helix. Understanding these concepts facilitates optimization of future UBPs for the manifold fields of applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Marx
- Department of ChemistryKonstanz Research School Chemical BiologyUniversity of KonstanzUniversitätsstrasse 1078464KonstanzGermany
| | - Karin Betz
- Department of ChemistryKonstanz Research School Chemical BiologyUniversity of KonstanzUniversitätsstrasse 1078464KonstanzGermany
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21
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Jena NR. Electron and hole interactions with P, Z, and P:Z and the formation of mutagenic products by proton transfer reactions. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2020; 22:919-931. [DOI: 10.1039/c9cp05367k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Z would act as an electron acceptor and P would capture a hole in the unnatural DNA. The latter process would produce mutagenic products via a proton transfer reaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- N. R. Jena
- Discipline of Natural Sciences
- Indian Institute of Information Technology, Design, and Manufacturing
- Jabalpur-482005
- India
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22
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Ledbetter MP, Malyshev DA, Romesberg FE. Site-Specific Labeling of DNA via PCR with an Expanded Genetic Alphabet. Methods Mol Biol 2019; 1973:193-212. [PMID: 31016704 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-9216-4_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a universal and essential tool in molecular biology and biotechnology, but it is generally limited to the amplification of DNA with the four-letter genetic alphabet. Here, we describe PCR amplification with a six-letter alphabet that includes the two natural dA-dT and dG-dC base pairs and an unnatural base pair (UBP) formed between the synthetic nucleotides dNaM and d5SICS or dTPT3 or analogs of these synthetic nucleotides modified with linkers that allow for the site-specific labeling of the amplified DNA with different functional groups. Under standard conditions, the six-letter DNA may be amplified with high efficiency and with greater than 99.9% fidelity. This allows for the efficient production of DNA site-specifically modified with different functionalities of interest for use in a wide range of applications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Denis A Malyshev
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Floyd E Romesberg
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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23
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Cozens C, Pinheiro VB. Darwin Assembly: fast, efficient, multi-site bespoke mutagenesis. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 46:e51. [PMID: 29409059 PMCID: PMC5934624 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gky067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2017] [Accepted: 01/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Engineering proteins for designer functions and biotechnological applications almost invariably requires (or at least benefits from) multiple mutations to non-contiguous residues. Several methods for multiple site-directed mutagenesis exist, but there remains a need for fast and simple methods to efficiently introduce such mutations – particularly for generating large, high quality libraries for directed evolution. Here, we present Darwin Assembly, which can deliver high quality libraries of >108 transformants, targeting multiple (>10) distal sites with minimal wild-type contamination (<0.25% of total population) and which takes a single working day from purified plasmid to library transformation. We demonstrate its efficacy with whole gene codon reassignment of chloramphenicol acetyl transferase, mutating 19 codons in a single reaction in KOD DNA polymerase and generating high quality, multiple-site libraries in T7 RNA polymerase and Tgo DNA polymerase. Darwin Assembly uses commercially available enzymes, can be readily automated, and offers a cost-effective route to highly complex and customizable library generation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Vitor B Pinheiro
- University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK.,Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Birkbeck College, University of London, Malet Street WC1E 7HX, UK
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24
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Huang K, Dunn DW, Li Z, Zhang P, Dai Y, Li B. Inference of individual ploidy level using codominant markers. Mol Ecol Resour 2019; 19:1218-1229. [DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.13032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2018] [Revised: 04/18/2019] [Accepted: 05/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kang Huang
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory for Animal Conservation, College of Life Sciences Northwest University Xi'an China
| | - Derek W. Dunn
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory for Animal Conservation, College of Life Sciences Northwest University Xi'an China
| | - Zhonghu Li
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory for Animal Conservation, College of Life Sciences Northwest University Xi'an China
| | - Pei Zhang
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory for Animal Conservation, College of Life Sciences Northwest University Xi'an China
| | - Yu Dai
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory for Animal Conservation, College of Life Sciences Northwest University Xi'an China
| | - Baoguo Li
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory for Animal Conservation, College of Life Sciences Northwest University Xi'an China
- Center for Excellence in Animal Evolution and Genetics Chinese Academy of Sciences Kunming China
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25
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Behera B, Das P, Jena NR. Accurate Base Pair Energies of Artificially Expanded Genetic Information Systems (AEGIS): Clues for Their Mutagenic Characteristics. J Phys Chem B 2019; 123:6728-6739. [PMID: 31290661 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.9b04653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Recently, several artificial nucleobases, such as B, S, J, V, X, K, P, and Z, have been proposed to help in the expansion of the genetic information system and diagnosis of diseases. Among these bases, P and Z were identified to form stable DNA and to participate in the replication. However, the stabilities of P:Z and other artificial base pairs are not fully understood. The abilities of these unnatural nucleobases in mispairing with themselves and with natural bases are also not known. Here, the ωB97X-D dispersion-corrected density functional theoretical and complete basis set (CBS-QB3) methods are used to obtain accurate structural and energetic data related to base pair interactions involving these unnatural nucleobases. The roles of protonation and deprotonation of certain artificial bases in inducing mutations are also studied. It is found that each artificial purine has a complementary artificial pyrimidine, the base pair interactions between which are similar to those of the natural Watson-Crick base pairs. Hence, these base pairs will function naturally and would not impart mutagenicity. Among these base pairs, the J:V complex is found to be the most stable and promising artificial base pair. Remarkably, the noncomplementary artificial nucleobases are found to form stable mispairs, which may generate mutagenic products in DNA. Similarly, the misinsertions of natural bases opposite artificial bases are also found to be mutagenic. The mechanisms of these mutations are explained in detail. These results are in agreement with earlier biochemical studies. It is thus expected that this study would aid in the advancement of the synthetic biology to design more robust artificial nucleotides.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Behera
- Discipline of Natural Sciences , Indian Institute of Information Technology, Design and Manufacturing , Jabalpur 482005 , India
| | - P Das
- Discipline of Natural Sciences , Indian Institute of Information Technology, Design and Manufacturing , Jabalpur 482005 , India
| | - N R Jena
- Discipline of Natural Sciences , Indian Institute of Information Technology, Design and Manufacturing , Jabalpur 482005 , India
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26
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Padroni G, Withers JM, Taladriz-Sender A, Reichenbach LF, Parkinson JA, Burley GA. Sequence-Selective Minor Groove Recognition of a DNA Duplex Containing Synthetic Genetic Components. J Am Chem Soc 2019; 141:9555-9563. [DOI: 10.1021/jacs.8b12444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Giacomo Padroni
- Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde, Thomas Graham Building, 295 Cathedral Street, Glasgow G1 1XL, United Kingdom
| | - Jamie M. Withers
- Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde, Thomas Graham Building, 295 Cathedral Street, Glasgow G1 1XL, United Kingdom
| | - Andrea Taladriz-Sender
- Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde, Thomas Graham Building, 295 Cathedral Street, Glasgow G1 1XL, United Kingdom
| | - Linus F. Reichenbach
- Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde, Thomas Graham Building, 295 Cathedral Street, Glasgow G1 1XL, United Kingdom
| | - John A. Parkinson
- Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde, Thomas Graham Building, 295 Cathedral Street, Glasgow G1 1XL, United Kingdom
| | - Glenn A. Burley
- Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde, Thomas Graham Building, 295 Cathedral Street, Glasgow G1 1XL, United Kingdom
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27
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Laos R, Lampropoulos C, Benner SA. The surprising pairing of 2-aminoimidazo[1,2-a][1,3,5]triazin-4-one, a component of an expanded DNA alphabet. ACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA SECTION C-STRUCTURAL CHEMISTRY 2019; 75:22-28. [PMID: 30601127 DOI: 10.1107/s2053229618016923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2018] [Accepted: 11/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Synthetic biologists demonstrate their command over natural biology by reproducing the behaviors of natural living systems on synthetic biomolecular platforms. For nucleic acids, this is being done stepwise, first by adding replicable nucleotides to DNA, and then removing its standard nucleotides. This challenge has been met in vitro with `six-letter' DNA and RNA, where the Watson-Crick pairing `concept' is recruited to increase the number of independently replicable nucleotides from four to six. The two nucleobases most successfully added so far are Z and P, which present a donor-donor-acceptor and an acceptor-acceptor-donor pattern, respectively. This pair of nucleobases are part of an `artificially expanded genetic information system' (AEGIS). The Z nucleobase has been already crystallized, characterized, and published in this journal [Matsuura et al. (2016). Acta Cryst. C72, 952-959]. More recently, variants of Taq polymerase have been crystallized with the pair P:Z trapped in the active site. Here we report the crystal structure of the nucleobase 2-aminoimidazo[1,2-a][1,3,5]triazin-4-one (trivially named P) as the monohydrate, C5H5N5O·H2O. The nucleobase P was crystallized from water and characterized by X-ray diffraction. Interestingly, the crystal structure shows two tautomers of P packed in a Watson-Crick fashion that cocrystallized in a 1:1 ratio.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Laos
- Foundation for Applied Molecular Evolution (FfAME), 13709 Progress Blvd, Box 7, Alachua, FL 32615, USA
| | - Christos Lampropoulos
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Florida, 1 UNF Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Steven A Benner
- Foundation for Applied Molecular Evolution (FfAME), 13709 Progress Blvd, Box 7, Alachua, FL 32615, USA
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28
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Lyu Y, Teng IT, Zhang L, Guo Y, Cai R, Zhang X, Qiu L, Tan W. Comprehensive Regression Model for Dissociation Equilibria of Cell-Specific Aptamers. Anal Chem 2018; 90:10487-10493. [PMID: 30039967 PMCID: PMC6522138 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.8b02484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
A comprehensive nonlinear regression model for dissociation equilibria of cell-specific aptamers is proposed by considering the effect of receptor expression level. Benefiting from the global regression of simultaneous equations, the fitted parameters reach a very significant level, indicating the statistical validity of this updated model. According to the fitting results, we found that dissociation constants fitted using the previous model are obviously larger than the updated values, which can be explained by the effect of receptor number on curve fitting. In addition, equivalent receptor density can be estimated using the updated model, which may lead to some new judgments about reported results of cell-SELEX.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifan Lyu
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine and College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, People’s Republic of China
- Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Life Sciences, Aptamer Engineering Center of Hunan Province, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Chemistry and Department of Physiology and Functional Genomics, Center for Research at the Bio/Nano Inter-face, Health Cancer Center, UF Genetics Institute, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611-7200, United States
| | - I-Ting Teng
- Department of Chemistry and Department of Physiology and Functional Genomics, Center for Research at the Bio/Nano Inter-face, Health Cancer Center, UF Genetics Institute, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611-7200, United States
| | - Liqin Zhang
- Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Life Sciences, Aptamer Engineering Center of Hunan Province, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Chemistry and Department of Physiology and Functional Genomics, Center for Research at the Bio/Nano Inter-face, Health Cancer Center, UF Genetics Institute, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611-7200, United States
| | - Yian Guo
- Department of Chemistry and Department of Physiology and Functional Genomics, Center for Research at the Bio/Nano Inter-face, Health Cancer Center, UF Genetics Institute, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611-7200, United States
| | - Ren Cai
- Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Life Sciences, Aptamer Engineering Center of Hunan Province, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Chemistry and Department of Physiology and Functional Genomics, Center for Research at the Bio/Nano Inter-face, Health Cancer Center, UF Genetics Institute, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611-7200, United States
| | - Xiaobing Zhang
- Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Life Sciences, Aptamer Engineering Center of Hunan Province, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, People’s Republic of China
| | - Liping Qiu
- Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Life Sciences, Aptamer Engineering Center of Hunan Province, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, People’s Republic of China
| | - Weihong Tan
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine and College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, People’s Republic of China
- Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Life Sciences, Aptamer Engineering Center of Hunan Province, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Chemistry and Department of Physiology and Functional Genomics, Center for Research at the Bio/Nano Inter-face, Health Cancer Center, UF Genetics Institute, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611-7200, United States
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29
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Röthlisberger P, Hollenstein M. Aptamer chemistry. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2018; 134:3-21. [PMID: 29626546 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2018.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 218] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2018] [Revised: 03/28/2018] [Accepted: 04/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Aptamers are single-stranded DNA or RNA molecules capable of tightly binding to specific targets. These functional nucleic acids are obtained by an in vitro Darwinian evolution method coined SELEX (Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential enrichment). Compared to their proteinaceous counterparts, aptamers offer a number of advantages including a low immunogenicity, a relative ease of large-scale synthesis at affordable costs with little or no batch-to-batch variation, physical stability, and facile chemical modification. These alluring properties have propelled aptamers into the forefront of numerous practical applications such as the development of therapeutic and diagnostic agents as well as the construction of biosensing platforms. However, commercial success of aptamers still proceeds at a weak pace. The main factors responsible for this delay are the susceptibility of aptamers to degradation by nucleases, their rapid renal filtration, suboptimal thermal stability, and the lack of functional group diversity. Here, we describe the different chemical methods available to mitigate these shortcomings. Particularly, we describe the chemical post-SELEX processing of aptamers to include functional groups as well as the inclusion of modified nucleoside triphosphates into the SELEX protocol. These methods will be illustrated with successful examples of chemically modified aptamers used as drug delivery systems, in therapeutic applications, and as biosensing devices.
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30
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Jena NR, Das P, Behera B, Mishra PC. Analogues of P and Z as Efficient Artificially Expanded Genetic Information System. J Phys Chem B 2018; 122:8134-8145. [PMID: 30063353 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.8b04207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
To artificially expand the genetic information system and to realize artificial life, it is necessary to discover new functional DNA bases that can form stable duplex DNA and participate in error-free replication. It is recently proposed that the 2-amino-imidazo[1,2- a]-1,3,5-triazin-4(8 H)one (P) and 6-amino-5-nitro-2(1 H)-pyridone (Z) would form a base pair complex, which is more stable than that of the normal G-C base pair and would produce an unperturbed duplex DNA. Here, by using quantum chemical calculations in aqueous medium, it is shown that the P and Z molecules can be modified with the help of electron-withdrawing and -donating substituents mainly found in B-DNA to generate new bases that can produce even more stable base pairs. Among the various bases studied, P3, P4, Z3, and Z5 are found to produce base pairs, which are about 2-15 kcal/mol more stable than the P-Z base pair. It is further shown that these base pairs can be stacked onto the G-C and A-T base pairs to produce stable dimers. The consecutive stacking of these base pairs is found to yield even more stable dimers. The influence of charge penetration effects and backbone atoms in stabilizing these dimers are also discussed. It is thus proposed that the P3, P4, Z3, and Z5 would form promiscuous artificial genetic information system and can be used for different biological applications. However, the evaluations of the dynamical effects of these bases in DNA-containing several nucleotides and the efficacy of DNA polymerases to replicate these bases would provide more insights.
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Affiliation(s)
- N R Jena
- Discipline of Natural Sciences , Indian Institute of Information Technology, Design and Manufacturing , Khamaria, Jabalpur 482005 , India
| | - P Das
- Discipline of Natural Sciences , Indian Institute of Information Technology, Design and Manufacturing , Khamaria, Jabalpur 482005 , India
| | - B Behera
- Discipline of Natural Sciences , Indian Institute of Information Technology, Design and Manufacturing , Khamaria, Jabalpur 482005 , India
| | - P C Mishra
- Department of Physics , Banaras Hindu University , Varanasi 221005 , India
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31
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Whitford CM, Dymek S, Kerkhoff D, März C, Schmidt O, Edich M, Droste J, Pucker B, Rückert C, Kalinowski J. Auxotrophy to Xeno-DNA: an exploration of combinatorial mechanisms for a high-fidelity biosafety system for synthetic biology applications. J Biol Eng 2018; 12:13. [PMID: 30123321 PMCID: PMC6090650 DOI: 10.1186/s13036-018-0105-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2018] [Accepted: 06/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Biosafety is a key aspect in the international Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) competition, which offers student teams an amazing opportunity to pursue their own research projects in the field of Synthetic Biology. iGEM projects often involve the creation of genetically engineered bacterial strains. To minimize the risks associated with bacterial release, a variety of biosafety systems were constructed, either to prevent survival of bacteria outside the lab or to hinder horizontal or vertical gene transfer. MAIN BODY Physical containment methods such as bioreactors or microencapsulation are considered the first safety level. Additionally, various systems involving auxotrophies for both natural and synthetic compounds have been utilized by iGEM teams in recent years. Combinatorial systems comprising multiple auxotrophies have been shown to reduced escape frequencies below the detection limit. Furthermore, a number of natural toxin-antitoxin systems can be deployed to kill cells under certain conditions. Additionally, parts of naturally occurring toxin-antitoxin systems can be used for the construction of 'kill switches' controlled by synthetic regulatory modules, allowing control of cell survival. Kill switches prevent cell survival but do not completely degrade nucleic acids. To avoid horizontal gene transfer, multiple mechanisms to cleave nucleic acids can be employed, resulting in 'self-destruction' of cells. Changes in light or temperature conditions are powerful regulators of gene expression and could serve as triggers for kill switches or self-destruction systems. Xenobiology-based containment uses applications of Xeno-DNA, recoded codons and non-canonical amino acids to nullify the genetic information of constructed cells for wild type organisms. A 'minimal genome' approach brings the opportunity to reduce the genome of a cell to only genes necessary for survival under lab conditions. Such cells are unlikely to survive in the natural environment and are thus considered safe hosts. If suitable for the desired application, a shift to cell-free systems based on Xeno-DNA may represent the ultimate biosafety system. CONCLUSION Here we describe different containment approaches in synthetic biology, ranging from auxotrophies to minimal genomes, which can be combined to significantly improve reliability. Since the iGEM competition greatly increases the number of people involved in synthetic biology, we will focus especially on biosafety systems developed and applied in the context of the iGEM competition.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Saskia Dymek
- Center for Biotechnology, Bielefeld University, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Denise Kerkhoff
- Center for Biotechnology, Bielefeld University, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Camilla März
- Center for Biotechnology, Bielefeld University, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Olga Schmidt
- Center for Biotechnology, Bielefeld University, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Maximilian Edich
- Center for Biotechnology, Bielefeld University, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Julian Droste
- Center for Biotechnology, Bielefeld University, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
- Faculty of Biology, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Boas Pucker
- Center for Biotechnology, Bielefeld University, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
- Faculty of Biology, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
- Present address: Evolution and Diversity, Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Christian Rückert
- Center for Biotechnology, Bielefeld University, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
- Faculty of Biology, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Jörn Kalinowski
- Center for Biotechnology, Bielefeld University, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
- Faculty of Biology, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
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32
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Karalkar NB, Benner SA. The challenge of synthetic biology. Synthetic Darwinism and the aperiodic crystal structure. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2018; 46:188-195. [PMID: 30098527 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2018.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2018] [Revised: 06/07/2018] [Accepted: 07/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
'Grand Challenges' offer ways to discover flaws in existing theory without first needing to guess what those flaws are. Our grand challenge here is to reproduce the Darwinism of terran biology, but on molecular platforms different from standard DNA. Access to Darwinism distinguishes the living from the non-living state. However, theory suggests that any biopolymer able to support Darwinism must (a) be able to form Schrödinger's `aperiodic crystal', where different molecular components pack into a single crystal lattice, and (b) have a polyelectrolyte backbone. In 1953, the descriptive biology of Watson and Crick suggested DNA met Schrödinger's criertion, forming a linear crystal with geometrically similar building blocks supported on a polyelectrolye backbone. At the center of genetics were nucleobase pairs that fit into that crystal lattice by having both size complementarity and hydrogen bonding complementarity to enforce a constant geometry. This review covers experiments that show that by adhering to these two structural rules, the aperiodic crystal structure is maintained in DNA having 6 (or more) components. Further, this molecular system is shown to support Darwinism. Together with a deeper understanding of the role played in crystal formation by the poly-charged backbone and the intervening scaffolding, these results define how we might search for Darwinism, and therefore life, on Mars, Europa, Enceladus, and other watery lagoons in our Solar System.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nilesh B Karalkar
- Foundation for Applied Molecular Evolution (FfAME), 13709 Progress Boulevard, Box 7, Alachua, FL 32615, United States
| | - Steven A Benner
- Foundation for Applied Molecular Evolution (FfAME), 13709 Progress Boulevard, Box 7, Alachua, FL 32615, United States; Firebird Biomolecular Sciences LLC, 13709 Progress Boulevard, Box 17, Alachua, FL 32615, United States.
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33
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Arranz-Gibert P, Vanderschuren K, Isaacs FJ. Next-generation genetic code expansion. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2018; 46:203-211. [PMID: 30072242 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2018.07.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2018] [Revised: 06/07/2018] [Accepted: 07/13/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Engineering of the translation apparatus has permitted the site-specific incorporation of nonstandard amino acids (nsAAs) into proteins, thereby expanding the genetic code of organisms. Conventional approaches have focused on porting tRNAs and aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRS) from archaea into bacterial and eukaryotic systems where they have been engineered to site-specifically encode nsAAs. More recent work in genome engineering has opened up the possibilities of whole genome recoding, in which organisms with alternative genetic codes have been constructed whereby codons removed from the genetic code can be repurposed as new sense codons dedicated for incorporation of nsAAs. These advances, together with the advent of engineered ribosomes and new molecular evolution methods, enable multisite incorporation of nsAAs and nonstandard monomers (nsM) paving the way for the template-directed production of functionalized proteins, new classes of polymers, and genetically encoded materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pol Arranz-Gibert
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA; Systems Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT 06516, USA; Equal contribution
| | - Koen Vanderschuren
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA; Systems Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT 06516, USA; Equal contribution
| | - Farren J Isaacs
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA; Systems Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT 06516, USA.
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34
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Cozens C, Pinheiro VB. XNA Synthesis and Reverse Transcription by Engineered Thermophilic Polymerases. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 10:e47. [PMID: 30039931 DOI: 10.1002/cpch.47] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The B-family polymerases of hyperthermophilic archaea have proven an exceptional platform for engineering polymerases with extended substrate spectra, despite multiple mechanisms for detecting and avoiding incorporation of non-cognate substrates. These polymerases can efficiently synthesize and reverse-transcribe a number of xenonucleic acids (XNAs) that differ significantly from the canonical B-form of DNA. We present here a protocol for hexitol nucleic acid (HNA) synthesis by an engineered Thermococcus gorgonarius polymerase variant, including adaptation for large-scale synthesis and purification, and for other XNAs. We describe XNA purification and reverse transcription (with a previously reported XNA RT also based on Thermococcus gorgonarius), as well as key considerations for the characterization and optimization of XNA reactions. © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Cozens
- Institute for Structural and Molecular Biology, Division of Biosciences, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Vitor B Pinheiro
- Institute for Structural and Molecular Biology, Division of Biosciences, University College London, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Biological Sciences, Birkbeck, University of London, London, United Kingdom
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35
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Design of a fused triazolyl 2-quinolinone unnatural nucleoside via tandem CuAAC-Ullmann coupling reaction and study of photophysical property. Tetrahedron 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tet.2018.03.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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36
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Mei H, Chaput JC. Expanding the chemical diversity of TNA with tUTP derivatives that are substrates for a TNA polymerase. Chem Commun (Camb) 2018; 54:1237-1240. [PMID: 29340357 DOI: 10.1039/c7cc09130c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Expanding the chemical diversity of threose nucleic acid (TNA) beyond the natural bases would enable the development of TNA polymers with enhanced physicochemical properties. Here, we describe a versatile approach for increasing the chemical diversity of TNA using 5-alkynyl-modified α-l-threofuranosyl uridine triphosphates that are substrates for a TNA polymerase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Mei
- Departments of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-3958, USA.
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37
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Wang W, Sheng X, Zhang S, Huang F, Sun C, Liu J, Chen D. Theoretical characterization of the conformational features of unnatural oligonucleotides containing a six nucleotide genetic alphabet. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2018; 18:28492-28501. [PMID: 27711557 DOI: 10.1039/c6cp05594j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The addition of the unnatural P:Z base pair to the four naturally occurring DNA bases expands the genetic alphabet and yields an artificially expanded genetic information system (AEGIS). Herein, the structural feature of oligonucleotides containing a novel unnatural P:Z base pair is characterized using both molecular dynamics and quantum chemistry. The results show that the incorporation of the novel artificial base pair (P:Z) preserves the global conformational feature of duplex DNA except for some local structures. The Z-nitro group imparts new properties to the groove width, which widens the major groove. The unnatural oligonucleotides containing mismatched base pairs exhibit low stability. This ensures efficient and high-fidelity replication. In general, the incorporation of the P:Z pair strengthens the stability of the corresponding DNA duplex. The calculated results also show that the thermostability originates from both hydrogen interaction and stacking interaction. The Z-nitro group plays an important role in enhancing the stability of the H-bonds and stacking strength of the P:Z pair. Overall, the present results provide theoretical insights in the exploration of artificially expanded genetic information systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjuan Wang
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Functionalized Probes for Chemical Imaging in Universities of Shandong, Key Laboratory of Molecular and Nano Probes, Ministry of Education, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Clean Production of Fine Chemicals, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, P. R. China.
| | - Xiehuang Sheng
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Functionalized Probes for Chemical Imaging in Universities of Shandong, Key Laboratory of Molecular and Nano Probes, Ministry of Education, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Clean Production of Fine Chemicals, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, P. R. China.
| | - Shaolong Zhang
- College of Physics and Electronics, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, P. R. China
| | - Fang Huang
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Functionalized Probes for Chemical Imaging in Universities of Shandong, Key Laboratory of Molecular and Nano Probes, Ministry of Education, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Clean Production of Fine Chemicals, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, P. R. China.
| | - Chuanzhi Sun
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Functionalized Probes for Chemical Imaging in Universities of Shandong, Key Laboratory of Molecular and Nano Probes, Ministry of Education, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Clean Production of Fine Chemicals, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, P. R. China.
| | - Jianbiao Liu
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Functionalized Probes for Chemical Imaging in Universities of Shandong, Key Laboratory of Molecular and Nano Probes, Ministry of Education, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Clean Production of Fine Chemicals, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, P. R. China.
| | - Dezhan Chen
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Functionalized Probes for Chemical Imaging in Universities of Shandong, Key Laboratory of Molecular and Nano Probes, Ministry of Education, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Clean Production of Fine Chemicals, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, P. R. China.
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38
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Singh I, Kim MJ, Molt RW, Hoshika S, Benner SA, Georgiadis MM. Structure and Biophysics for a Six Letter DNA Alphabet that Includes Imidazo[1,2-a]-1,3,5-triazine-2(8H)-4(3H)-dione (X) and 2,4-Diaminopyrimidine (K). ACS Synth Biol 2017; 6:2118-2129. [PMID: 28752992 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.7b00150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
A goal of synthetic biology is to develop new nucleobases that retain the desirable properties of natural nucleobases at the same time as expanding the genetic alphabet. The nonstandard Watson-Crick pair between imidazo[1,2-a]-1,3,5-triazine-2(8H)-4(3H)-dione (X) and 2,4-diaminopyrimidine (K) does exactly this, pairing via complementary arrangements of hydrogen bonding in these two nucleobases, which do not complement any natural nucleobase. Here, we report the crystal structure of a duplex DNA oligonucleotide in B-form including two consecutive X:K pairs in GATCXK DNA determined as a host-guest complex at 1.75 Å resolution. X:K pairs have significant propeller twist angles, similar to those observed for A:T pairs, and a calculated hydrogen bonding pairing energy that is weaker than that of A:T. Thus, although inclusion of X:K pairs results in a duplex DNA structure that is globally similar to that of an analogous G:C structure, the X:K pairs locally and energetically more closely resemble A:T pairs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isha Singh
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, United States
| | - Myong-Jung Kim
- Foundation for Applied Molecular Evolution, and the Westheimer Institute of Science & Technology, 13709 Progress Boulevard, Box 7, Alachua, Florida 32615, United States
- Firebird Biomolecular
Sciences LLC, 13709 Progress Boulevard, Box 17, Alachua, Florida 32615, United States
| | - Robert W. Molt
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, United States
- ENSCO, Inc., 4849 North Wickham Road, Melbourne, Florida 32940, United States
| | - Shuichi Hoshika
- Foundation for Applied Molecular Evolution, and the Westheimer Institute of Science & Technology, 13709 Progress Boulevard, Box 7, Alachua, Florida 32615, United States
- Firebird Biomolecular
Sciences LLC, 13709 Progress Boulevard, Box 17, Alachua, Florida 32615, United States
| | - Steven A. Benner
- Foundation for Applied Molecular Evolution, and the Westheimer Institute of Science & Technology, 13709 Progress Boulevard, Box 7, Alachua, Florida 32615, United States
- Firebird Biomolecular
Sciences LLC, 13709 Progress Boulevard, Box 17, Alachua, Florida 32615, United States
| | - Millie M. Georgiadis
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, United States
- Department
of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Indiana University, Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, United States
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39
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Röthlisberger P, Gasse C, Hollenstein M. Nucleic Acid Aptamers: Emerging Applications in Medical Imaging, Nanotechnology, Neurosciences, and Drug Delivery. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:E2430. [PMID: 29144411 PMCID: PMC5713398 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18112430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2017] [Revised: 11/08/2017] [Accepted: 11/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent progresses in organic chemistry and molecular biology have allowed the emergence of numerous new applications of nucleic acids that markedly deviate from their natural functions. Particularly, DNA and RNA molecules-coined aptamers-can be brought to bind to specific targets with high affinity and selectivity. While aptamers are mainly applied as biosensors, diagnostic agents, tools in proteomics and biotechnology, and as targeted therapeutics, these chemical antibodies slowly begin to be used in other fields. Herein, we review recent progress on the use of aptamers in the construction of smart DNA origami objects and MRI and PET imaging agents. We also describe advances in the use of aptamers in the field of neurosciences (with a particular emphasis on the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases) and as drug delivery systems. Lastly, the use of chemical modifications, modified nucleoside triphosphate particularly, to enhance the binding and stability of aptamers is highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pascal Röthlisberger
- Institut Pasteur, Department of Structural Biology and Chemistry, Laboratory for Bioorganic Chemistry of Nucleic Acids, CNRS UMR3523, 28, rue du Docteur Roux, 75724 Paris CEDEX 15, France.
| | - Cécile Gasse
- Institute of Systems & Synthetic Biology, Xenome Team, 5 rue Henri Desbruères Genopole Campus 1, University of Evry, F-91030 Evry, France.
| | - Marcel Hollenstein
- Institut Pasteur, Department of Structural Biology and Chemistry, Laboratory for Bioorganic Chemistry of Nucleic Acids, CNRS UMR3523, 28, rue du Docteur Roux, 75724 Paris CEDEX 15, France.
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40
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Lee KH, Hamashima K, Kimoto M, Hirao I. Genetic alphabet expansion biotechnology by creating unnatural base pairs. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2017; 51:8-15. [PMID: 29049900 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2017.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2017] [Accepted: 09/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Recent studies have made it possible to expand the genetic alphabet of DNA, which is originally composed of the four-letter alphabet with A-T and G-C pairs, by introducing an unnatural base pair (UBP). Several types of UBPs function as a third base pair in replication, transcription, and/or translation. Through the UBP formation, new components with different physicochemical properties from those of the natural ones can be introduced into nucleic acids and proteins site-specifically, providing their increased functionalities. Here, we describe the genetic alphabet expansion technology by focusing on three types of UBPs, which were recently applied to the creations of DNA aptamers that bind to proteins and cells and semi-synthetic organisms containing DNAs with a six-letter alphabet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyung Hyun Lee
- Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, 31 Biopolis Way, The Nanos, #09-01, Singapore 138669, Singapore
| | - Kiyofumi Hamashima
- Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, 31 Biopolis Way, The Nanos, #09-01, Singapore 138669, Singapore
| | - Michiko Kimoto
- Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, 31 Biopolis Way, The Nanos, #09-01, Singapore 138669, Singapore
| | - Ichiro Hirao
- Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, 31 Biopolis Way, The Nanos, #09-01, Singapore 138669, Singapore.
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41
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Liu Q, Liu G, Wang T, Fu J, Li R, Song L, Wang ZG, Ding B, Chen F. Enhanced Stability of DNA Nanostructures by Incorporation of Unnatural Base Pairs. Chemphyschem 2017; 18:2977-2980. [DOI: 10.1002/cphc.201700809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2017] [Revised: 08/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Qing Liu
- CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience; National Center for Nanoscience and Technology; Beijing 100190 P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences; Beijing 100049 P. R. China
| | - Guocheng Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Genome Sciences & Information, Beijing Institute of Genomics; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Beijing 100101 P. R. China
| | - Ting Wang
- CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience; National Center for Nanoscience and Technology; Beijing 100190 P. R. China
| | - Jing Fu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Genome Sciences & Information, Beijing Institute of Genomics; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Beijing 100101 P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences; Beijing 100049 P. R. China
| | - Rujiao Li
- Big Data Center, Beijing Institute of Genomics; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Beijing 100101 P. R. China
| | - Linlin Song
- CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience; National Center for Nanoscience and Technology; Beijing 100190 P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences; Beijing 100049 P. R. China
| | - Zhen-Gang Wang
- CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience; National Center for Nanoscience and Technology; Beijing 100190 P. R. China
| | - Baoquan Ding
- CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience; National Center for Nanoscience and Technology; Beijing 100190 P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences; Beijing 100049 P. R. China
| | - Fei Chen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Genome Sciences & Information, Beijing Institute of Genomics; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Beijing 100101 P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences; Beijing 100049 P. R. China
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42
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Richards NGJ, Georgiadis MM. Toward an Expanded Genome: Structural and Computational Characterization of an Artificially Expanded Genetic Information System. Acc Chem Res 2017; 50:1375-1382. [PMID: 28594167 DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.6b00655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Although the fundamental properties of DNA as first proposed by Watson and Crick in 1953 provided a basic understanding of how duplex DNA was organized and might be replicated, it was not until the first crystal structures of DNA (Z-DNA in 1979, B-DNA in 1980, and A-DNA in 1982) that the true complexity of the molecule began to be appreciated. Many crystal structures of oligonucleotides have since shed light on the helical forms that "Watson-Crick" DNA can adopt, their associated groove widths, and the properties of the nucleobase pairs and their interactions in all three helical forms. Additional understanding of the properties of Watson-Crick DNA has been provided by computational studies employing a variety of theoretical methods. Together with these studies devoted to understanding Watson-Crick DNA, recent efforts to expand the genetic alphabet have founded a new field in synthetic biology. One of these efforts, the artificially expanded genetic information system (AEGIS) developed by Steven Benner and co-workers, takes advantage of orthogonal hydrogen bonding to produce DNA comprised of six nucleobase pairs, of which the most extensively studied is referred to as P:Z with P being 2-amino-imidazo[1,2-a]-1,3,5-triazin-4(8H)-one) and Z being 6-amino-5-nitro-2(1H)-pyridone. P:Z forms three edge-on hydrogen bonds that differ from standard Watson-Crick pairs in the arrangement of acceptors and donor groups; P presents acceptor, acceptor, donor, and Z presents donor, donor, acceptor. Z is unique among the AEGIS nucleobases in having a nitro group present in the major groove. PZ-containing DNA has been exploited in a number of clinical applications and is being used to develop receptors and catalysts. Ultimately, the grand challenge will be to create a semisynthetic organism with an expanded genome. Furthermore, just as our understanding of the properties of natural DNA have benefited from structural and computational characterization, so too will our understanding of artificial DNA. This Account focuses on the structural and biophysical properties of AEGIS DNA containing P:Z pairs. We begin with the fundamental properties of P:Z nucleobase pairs, including their electrostatic potential and hydrogen-bonding energies, as elucidated by quantum mechanical calculations. We then examine the impact of including multiple consecutive P:Z pairs into duplex DNA providing an opportunity to investigate stacking interactions between P:Z pairs. The self-complementary 5'-CTTATPPTAZZATAAG was crystallized in B-form using the host-guest system along with analogous natural sequences including Gs or As. Use of the host-guest system to characterize B-DNA obviates a number of limitations on the structural characterization of sequences of interest; these include the ability to crystallize the desired sequences and to distinguish structural effects imparted by the lattice constraints from those inherent in the sequence itself. On the other hand, 3/6ZP, 5'-CTTATPPPZZZATAAG, was crystallized in A-form in a DNA-only lattice allowing a comparative analysis of P:Z pairs in two of the biologically relevant helical forms: A- and B-DNA. Computational studies on the 3/6ZP sequence starting in A-form provide additional evidence for a more energetically favorable stacking interaction, which we term the "slide" conformer, observed in the A-form crystal structure; this unusual stacking interaction plays a major role in altering the conformational dynamics observed for the PZ-containing duplex as compared to a GC-containing "control" duplex in long time scale molecular dynamics simulations. This combined use of structural and computational strategies paves the way for obtaining a detailed description of artificial DNA, both in how it differs from Watson-Crick DNA and in the rational discovery of proteins, such as endonucleases, transcription factors, and polymerases, which can specifically manipulate DNA containing AEGIS nucleobase pairs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nigel G. J. Richards
- School
of Chemistry, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AT, United Kingdom
- Foundation for Applied Molecular Evolution, 13709 Progress Boulevard, Alachua, Florida 32615, United States
| | - Millie M. Georgiadis
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, United States
- Department
of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Indiana University−Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, United States
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43
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Wang X, Hoshika S, Peterson RJ, Kim MJ, Benner SA, Kahn JD. Biophysics of Artificially Expanded Genetic Information Systems. Thermodynamics of DNA Duplexes Containing Matches and Mismatches Involving 2-Amino-3-nitropyridin-6-one (Z) and Imidazo[1,2-a]-1,3,5-triazin-4(8H)one (P). ACS Synth Biol 2017; 6:782-792. [PMID: 28094993 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.6b00224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Synthetic nucleobases presenting non-Watson-Crick arrangements of hydrogen bond donor and acceptor groups can form additional nucleotide pairs that stabilize duplex DNA independent of the standard A:T and G:C pairs. The pair between 2-amino-3-nitropyridin-6-one 2'-deoxyriboside (presenting a {donor-donor-acceptor} hydrogen bonding pattern on the Watson-Crick face of the small component, trivially designated Z) and imidazo[1,2-a]-1,3,5-triazin-4(8H)one 2'-deoxyriboside (presenting an {acceptor-acceptor-donor} hydrogen bonding pattern on the large component, trivially designated P) is one of these extra pairs for which a substantial amount of molecular biology has been developed. Here, we report the results of UV absorbance melting measurements and determine the energetics of binding of DNA strands containing Z and P to give short duplexes containing Z:P pairs as well as various mismatches comprising Z and P. All measurements were done at 1 M NaCl in buffer (10 mM Na cacodylate, 0.5 mM EDTA, pH 7.0). Thermodynamic parameters (ΔH°, ΔS°, and ΔG°37) for oligonucleotide hybridization were extracted. Consistent with the Watson-Crick model that considers both geometric and hydrogen bonding complementarity, the Z:P pair was found to contribute more to duplex stability than any mismatches involving either nonstandard nucleotide. Further, the Z:P pair is more stable than a C:G pair. The Z:G pair was found to be the most stable mismatch, forming either a deprotonated mismatched pair or a wobble base pair analogous to the stable T:G mismatch. The C:P pair is less stable, perhaps analogous to the wobble pair observed for C:O6-methyl-G, in which the pyrimidine is displaced into the minor groove. The Z:A and T:P mismatches are much less stable. Parameters for predicting the thermodynamics of oligonucleotides containing Z and P bases are provided. This represents the first case where this has been done for a synthetic genetic system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyu Wang
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, United States
| | - Shuichi Hoshika
- Foundation for Applied Molecular Evolution, 13709 Progress Boulevard, No. 7, Alachua, Florida 32615, United States
| | - Raymond J. Peterson
- Celadon Laboratories, 6525 Belcrest
Road, Hyattsville, Maryland 20782, United States
| | - Myong-Jung Kim
- Foundation for Applied Molecular Evolution, 13709 Progress Boulevard, No. 7, Alachua, Florida 32615, United States
| | - Steven A. Benner
- Foundation for Applied Molecular Evolution, 13709 Progress Boulevard, No. 7, Alachua, Florida 32615, United States
- Firebird Biomolecular Sciences LLC, 13709 Progress Boulevard, No. 17, Alachua, Florida 32615, United States
| | - Jason D. Kahn
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, United States
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Molt RW, Georgiadis MM, Richards NG. Consecutive non-natural PZ nucleobase pairs in DNA impact helical structure as seen in 50 μs molecular dynamics simulations. Nucleic Acids Res 2017; 45:3643-3653. [PMID: 28334863 PMCID: PMC5397145 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkx144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2016] [Revised: 02/12/2017] [Accepted: 02/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Z Little is known about the influence of multiple consecutive 'non-standard' ( , 6-amino-5-nitro-2(1H)-pyridone, and , 2-amino-imidazo[1,2-a]-1,3,5-triazin-4(8H)-one) nucleobase pairs on the structural parameters of duplex DNA. nucleobase pairs follow standard rules for Watson-Crick base pairing but have rearranged hydrogen bonding donor and acceptor groups. Using the X-ray crystal structure as a starting point, we have modeled the motions of a DNA duplex built from a self-complementary oligonucleotide (5΄-CTTATPPPZZZATAAG-3΄) in water over a period of 50 μs and calculated DNA local parameters, step parameters, helix parameters, and major/minor groove widths to examine how the presence of multiple, consecutive nucleobase pairs might impact helical structure. In these simulations, the -containing DNA duplex exhibits a significantly wider major groove and greater average values of stagger, slide, rise, twist and h-rise than observed for a 'control' oligonucleotide in which nucleobase pairs are replaced by . The molecular origins of these structural changes are likely associated with at least two differences between and . First, the electrostatic properties of differ from in terms of density distribution and dipole moment. Second, differences are seen in the base stacking of pairs in dinucleotide steps, arising from energetically favorable stacking of the nitro group in with π-electrons of the adjacent base.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert W. Molt
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
- School of Chemistry, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3AT, UK
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
- ENSCO, Inc., 4849 North Wickham Road, Melbourne, FL 32940, USA
| | - Millie M. Georgiadis
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
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Biological phosphorylation of an Unnatural Base Pair (UBP) using a Drosophila melanogaster deoxynucleoside kinase (DmdNK) mutant. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0174163. [PMID: 28323896 PMCID: PMC5360312 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0174163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2016] [Accepted: 03/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
One research goal for unnatural base pair (UBP) is to replicate, transcribe and translate them in vivo. Accordingly, the corresponding unnatural nucleoside triphosphates must be available at sufficient concentrations within the cell. To achieve this goal, the unnatural nucleoside analogues must be phosphorylated to the corresponding nucleoside triphosphates by a cascade of three kinases. The first step is the monophosphorylation of unnatural deoxynucleoside catalyzed by deoxynucleoside kinases (dNK), which is generally considered the rate limiting step because of the high specificity of dNKs. Here, we applied a Drosophila melanogaster deoxyribonucleoside kinase (DmdNK) to the phosphorylation of an UBP (a pyrimidine analogue (6-amino-5-nitro-3-(1’-b-d-2’-deoxyribofuranosyl)-2(1H)-pyridone, Z) and its complementary purine analogue (2-amino-8-(1’-b-d-2’-deoxyribofuranosyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]-1,3,5-triazin-4(8H)-one, P). The results showed that DmdNK could efficiently phosphorylate only the dP nucleoside. To improve the catalytic efficiency, a DmdNK-Q81E mutant was created based on rational design and structural analyses. This mutant could efficiently phosphorylate both dZ and dP nucleoside. Structural modeling indicated that the increased efficiency of dZ phosphorylation by the DmdNK-Q81E mutant might be related to the three additional hydrogen bonds formed between E81 and the dZ base. Overall, this study provides a groundwork for the biological phosphorylation and synthesis of unnatural base pair in vivo.
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Matsuura MF, Winiger CB, Shaw RW, Kim MJ, Kim MS, Daugherty AB, Chen F, Moussatche P, Moses JD, Lutz S, Benner SA. A Single Deoxynucleoside Kinase Variant from Drosophila melanogaster Synthesizes Monophosphates of Nucleosides That Are Components of an Expanded Genetic System. ACS Synth Biol 2017; 6:388-394. [PMID: 27935283 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.6b00228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Deoxynucleoside kinase from D. melanogaster (DmdNK) has broad specificity; although it catalyzes the phosphorylation of natural pyrimidine more efficiently than natural purine nucleosides, it accepts all four 2'-deoxynucleosides and many analogues, using ATP as a phosphate donor to give the corresponding deoxynucleoside monophosphates. Here, we show that replacing a single amino acid (glutamine 81 by glutamate) in DmdNK creates a variant that also catalyzes the phosphorylation of nucleosides that form part of an artificially expanded genetic information system (AEGIS). By shuffling hydrogen bonding groups on the nucleobases, AEGIS adds potentially as many as four additional nucleobase pairs to the genetic "alphabet". Specifically, we show that DmdNK Q81E creates the monophosphates from the AEGIS nucleosides dP, dZ, dX, and dK (respectively 2-amino-8-(1'-β-d-2'-deoxyribofuranosyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]-1,3,5-triazin-4(8H)-one, dP; 6-amino-3-(1'-β-d-2'-deoxyribofuranosyl)-5-nitro-1H-pyridin-2-one, dZ; 8-(1'β-d-2'-deoxy-ribofuranosyl)imidazo[1,2-a]-1,3,5-triazine-2(8H)-4(3H)-dione, dX; and 2,4-diamino-5-(1'-β-d-2'-deoxyribofuranosyl)-pyrimidine, dK). Using a coupled enzyme assay, in vitro kinetic parameters were obtained for three of these nucleosides (dP, dX, and dK; the UV absorbance of dZ made it impossible to get its precise kinetic parameters). Thus, DmdNK Q81E appears to be a suitable enzyme to catalyze the first step in the biosynthesis of AEGIS 2'-deoxynucleoside triphosphates in vitro and, perhaps, in vivo, in a cell able to manage plasmids containing AEGIS DNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariko F. Matsuura
- The Foundation for Applied Molecular Evolution (FfAME), 13709 Progress Blvd., Box 17, Alachua, Florida 32615, United States
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
| | - Christian B. Winiger
- The Foundation for Applied Molecular Evolution (FfAME), 13709 Progress Blvd., Box 17, Alachua, Florida 32615, United States
| | - Ryan W. Shaw
- The Foundation for Applied Molecular Evolution (FfAME), 13709 Progress Blvd., Box 17, Alachua, Florida 32615, United States
- Firebird Biomolecular Sciences, LLC, 13709 Progress Blvd., Box 17, Alachua, Florida 32615, United States
| | - Myong-Jung Kim
- The Foundation for Applied Molecular Evolution (FfAME), 13709 Progress Blvd., Box 17, Alachua, Florida 32615, United States
- Firebird Biomolecular Sciences, LLC, 13709 Progress Blvd., Box 17, Alachua, Florida 32615, United States
| | - Myong-Sang Kim
- The Foundation for Applied Molecular Evolution (FfAME), 13709 Progress Blvd., Box 17, Alachua, Florida 32615, United States
- Firebird Biomolecular Sciences, LLC, 13709 Progress Blvd., Box 17, Alachua, Florida 32615, United States
| | - Ashley B. Daugherty
- Department
of Chemistry, Emory University, 1515 Dickey Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Fei Chen
- The Foundation for Applied Molecular Evolution (FfAME), 13709 Progress Blvd., Box 17, Alachua, Florida 32615, United States
| | - Patricia Moussatche
- The Foundation for Applied Molecular Evolution (FfAME), 13709 Progress Blvd., Box 17, Alachua, Florida 32615, United States
- Firebird Biomolecular Sciences, LLC, 13709 Progress Blvd., Box 17, Alachua, Florida 32615, United States
| | - Jennifer D. Moses
- The Foundation for Applied Molecular Evolution (FfAME), 13709 Progress Blvd., Box 17, Alachua, Florida 32615, United States
| | - Stefan Lutz
- Department
of Chemistry, Emory University, 1515 Dickey Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Steven A. Benner
- The Foundation for Applied Molecular Evolution (FfAME), 13709 Progress Blvd., Box 17, Alachua, Florida 32615, United States
- Firebird Biomolecular Sciences, LLC, 13709 Progress Blvd., Box 17, Alachua, Florida 32615, United States
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48
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Torres L, Krüger A, Csibra E, Gianni E, Pinheiro VB. Synthetic biology approaches to biological containment: pre-emptively tackling potential risks. Essays Biochem 2016; 60:393-410. [PMID: 27903826 PMCID: PMC5264511 DOI: 10.1042/ebc20160013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2016] [Revised: 10/21/2016] [Accepted: 10/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Biocontainment comprises any strategy applied to ensure that harmful organisms are confined to controlled laboratory conditions and not allowed to escape into the environment. Genetically engineered microorganisms (GEMs), regardless of the nature of the modification and how it was established, have potential human or ecological impact if accidentally leaked or voluntarily released into a natural setting. Although all evidence to date is that GEMs are unable to compete in the environment, the power of synthetic biology to rewrite life requires a pre-emptive strategy to tackle possible unknown risks. Physical containment barriers have proven effective but a number of strategies have been developed to further strengthen biocontainment. Research on complex genetic circuits, lethal genes, alternative nucleic acids, genome recoding and synthetic auxotrophies aim to design more effective routes towards biocontainment. Here, we describe recent advances in synthetic biology that contribute to the ongoing efforts to develop new and improved genetic, semantic, metabolic and mechanistic plans for the containment of GEMs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leticia Torres
- Department of Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, U.K.
| | - Antje Krüger
- Department of Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, U.K
| | - Eszter Csibra
- Department of Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, U.K
| | - Edoardo Gianni
- Department of Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, U.K
| | - Vitor B Pinheiro
- Department of Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, U.K.
- Birkbeck, Department of Biological Sciences, University of London, Malet Street, WC1E 7HX, U.K
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49
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Benner SA, Karalkar NB, Hoshika S, Laos R, Shaw RW, Matsuura M, Fajardo D, Moussatche P. Alternative Watson-Crick Synthetic Genetic Systems. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol 2016; 8:a023770. [PMID: 27663774 PMCID: PMC5088529 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a023770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
In its "grand challenge" format in chemistry, "synthesis" as an activity sets out a goal that is substantially beyond current theoretical and technological capabilities. In pursuit of this goal, scientists are forced across uncharted territory, where they must answer unscripted questions and solve unscripted problems, creating new theories and new technologies in ways that would not be created by hypothesis-directed research. Thus, synthesis drives discovery and paradigm changes in ways that analysis cannot. Described here are the products that have arisen so far through the pursuit of one grand challenge in synthetic biology: Recreate the genetics, catalysis, evolution, and adaptation that we value in life, but using genetic and catalytic biopolymers different from those that have been delivered to us by natural history on Earth. The outcomes in technology include new diagnostic tools that have helped personalize the care of hundreds of thousands of patients worldwide. In science, the effort has generated a fundamentally different view of DNA, RNA, and how they work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven A Benner
- The Westheimer Institute for Science and Technology, The Foundation for Applied Molecular Evolution, Alachua, Florida 32615
| | - Nilesh B Karalkar
- The Westheimer Institute for Science and Technology, The Foundation for Applied Molecular Evolution, Alachua, Florida 32615
| | - Shuichi Hoshika
- The Westheimer Institute for Science and Technology, The Foundation for Applied Molecular Evolution, Alachua, Florida 32615
| | - Roberto Laos
- The Westheimer Institute for Science and Technology, The Foundation for Applied Molecular Evolution, Alachua, Florida 32615
| | - Ryan W Shaw
- The Westheimer Institute for Science and Technology, The Foundation for Applied Molecular Evolution, Alachua, Florida 32615
| | - Mariko Matsuura
- The Westheimer Institute for Science and Technology, The Foundation for Applied Molecular Evolution, Alachua, Florida 32615
| | - Diego Fajardo
- The Westheimer Institute for Science and Technology, The Foundation for Applied Molecular Evolution, Alachua, Florida 32615
| | - Patricia Moussatche
- The Westheimer Institute for Science and Technology, The Foundation for Applied Molecular Evolution, Alachua, Florida 32615
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50
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Biondi E, Lane JD, Das D, Dasgupta S, Piccirilli JA, Hoshika S, Bradley KM, Krantz BA, Benner SA. Laboratory evolution of artificially expanded DNA gives redesignable aptamers that target the toxic form of anthrax protective antigen. Nucleic Acids Res 2016; 44:9565-9577. [PMID: 27701076 PMCID: PMC5175368 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkw890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2016] [Revised: 09/14/2016] [Accepted: 09/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Reported here is a laboratory in vitro evolution (LIVE) experiment based on an artificially expanded genetic information system (AEGIS). This experiment delivers the first example of an AEGIS aptamer that binds to an isolated protein target, the first whose structural contact with its target has been outlined and the first to inhibit biologically important activities of its target, the protective antigen from Bacillus anthracis. We show how rational design based on secondary structure predictions can also direct the use of AEGIS to improve the stability and binding of the aptamer to its target. The final aptamer has a dissociation constant of ∼35 nM. These results illustrate the value of AEGIS-LIVE for those seeking to obtain receptors and ligands without the complexities of medicinal chemistry, and also challenge the biophysical community to develop new tools to analyze the spectroscopic signatures of new DNA folds that will emerge in synthetic genetic systems replacing standard DNA and RNA as platforms for LIVE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Biondi
- Foundation for Applied Molecular Evolution, Alachua, FL 32615, USA
| | - Joshua D Lane
- Foundation for Applied Molecular Evolution, Alachua, FL 32615, USA
| | - Debasis Das
- School of Dentistry, The University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Saurja Dasgupta
- Department of Chemistry, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Joseph A Piccirilli
- Department of Chemistry, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Shuichi Hoshika
- Foundation for Applied Molecular Evolution, Alachua, FL 32615, USA
| | - Kevin M Bradley
- Foundation for Applied Molecular Evolution, Alachua, FL 32615, USA
| | - Bryan A Krantz
- School of Dentistry, The University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Steven A Benner
- Foundation for Applied Molecular Evolution, Alachua, FL 32615, USA .,Firebird Biomolecular Sciences LLC, Alachua, FL 32615, USA
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