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Paßreiter A, Naumann N, Thomas A, Grogna N, Delahaut P, Thevis M. Detection of sgRNA via SHERLOCK as Potential CRISPR Related Gene Doping Control Strategy. Anal Chem 2024; 96:7452-7459. [PMID: 38685726 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c05776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Apprehensions about gene doping have grown consistently due to advancements in gene engineering techniques, particularly with the emergence of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated (CRISPR/Cas)-based tools. These tools not only provide unprecedented possibilities for illicit performance enhancement by athletes but also offer new avenues for the detection of gene doping through biosensing of nucleic acids. Hence, pursuing on a previous study, an analytical method based on reverse transcriptase-recombinase polymerase amplification (RT-RPA) and subsequent qualitative nucleic acid detection by means of Specific High Sensitive Enzymatic Reporter UnLOCKing (SHERLOCK) was optimized for the direct detection of sgRNA associated with Streptococcus pyogenes in serum. Detection device, assay parameters, and sample handling were adjusted, to overcome previously determined assay limitations. The conducted method characterization confirmed the methods' specificity and increased detection sensitivity from 100 pM to 1 fM sgRNA in 100 μL of serum. Furthermore, reanalysis of in vivo mouse administration samples collected in a previous proof-of-concept study was conducted with successful identification of sgRNA in all anticipated postadministration samples within the 24-h collection period. Those findings support the applicability of the refined analytical procedure for the detection of illegal doping attempts via ribonucleoprotein-based CRISPR/Cas application through sgRNA identification, offering a new potential doping control strategy for CRISPR related gene doping.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alina Paßreiter
- Center for Preventive Doping Research/Institute of Biochemistry, German Sport University Cologne, Am Sportpark Müngersdorf 6, 50933 Cologne, Germany
| | - Nana Naumann
- Center for Preventive Doping Research/Institute of Biochemistry, German Sport University Cologne, Am Sportpark Müngersdorf 6, 50933 Cologne, Germany
| | - Andreas Thomas
- Center for Preventive Doping Research/Institute of Biochemistry, German Sport University Cologne, Am Sportpark Müngersdorf 6, 50933 Cologne, Germany
| | - Nicolas Grogna
- CER Groupe - Département Santé, Rue du Point du Jour 8, 6900 Marche-en-Famenne, Belgium
| | - Philippe Delahaut
- CER Groupe - Département Santé, Rue du Point du Jour 8, 6900 Marche-en-Famenne, Belgium
| | - Mario Thevis
- Center for Preventive Doping Research/Institute of Biochemistry, German Sport University Cologne, Am Sportpark Müngersdorf 6, 50933 Cologne, Germany
- European Monitoring Center for Emerging Doping Agents (EuMoCEDA), Am Sportpark Müngersdorf 6, 50933 Cologne, Germany
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Li R, Su P, Shi Y, Shi H, Ding S, Su X, Chen P, Wu D. Gene doping detection in the era of genomics. Drug Test Anal 2024. [PMID: 38403949 DOI: 10.1002/dta.3664] [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: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Recent progress in gene editing has enabled development of gene therapies for many genetic diseases, but also made gene doping an emerging risk in sports and competitions. By delivery of exogenous transgenes into human body, gene doping not only challenges competition fairness but also places health risk on athletes. World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has clearly inhibited the use of gene and cell doping in sports, and many techniques have been developed for gene doping detection. In this review, we will summarize the main tools for gene doping detection at present, highlight the main challenges for current tools, and elaborate future utilizations of high-throughput sequencing for unbiased, sensitive, economic and large-scale gene doping detections. Quantitative real-time PCR assays are the widely used detection methods at present, which are useful for detection of known targets but are vulnerable to codon optimization at exon-exon junction sites of the transgenes. High-throughput sequencing has become a powerful tool for various applications in life and health research, and the era of genomics has made it possible for sensitive and large-scale gene doping detections. Non-biased genomic profiling could efficiently detect new doping targets, and low-input genomics amplification and long-read third-generation sequencing also have application potentials for more efficient and straightforward gene doping detection. By closely monitoring scientific advancements in gene editing and sport genetics, high-throughput sequencing could play a more and more important role in gene detection and hopefully contribute to doping-free sports in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruihong Li
- eHealth Program of Shanghai Anti-doping Laboratory, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Center of Agri-Products Quality and Safety, Shanghai, China
| | - Peipei Su
- Innovative Program of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi Shi
- eHealth Program of Shanghai Anti-doping Laboratory, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hui Shi
- eHealth Program of Shanghai Anti-doping Laboratory, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shengqian Ding
- eHealth Program of Shanghai Anti-doping Laboratory, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China
| | - Xianbin Su
- eHealth Program of Shanghai Anti-doping Laboratory, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biomedicine (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Center for Systems Biomedicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Peijie Chen
- School of Exercise and Health, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China
| | - Die Wu
- eHealth Program of Shanghai Anti-doping Laboratory, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China
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Naumann N, Paßreiter A, Thomas A, Krug O, Walpurgis K, Thevis M. Analysis of Potential Gene Doping Preparations for Transgenic DNA in the Context of Sports Drug Testing Programs. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15835. [PMID: 37958821 PMCID: PMC10648417 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242115835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Gene doping has been classified as a prohibited method by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for over two decades. As gene therapeutic approaches improve and, concomitantly, safety concerns regarding clinical applications decline, apprehensions about their illicit use in elite sports continue to grow. Two products available via Internet-based providers and advertised as EPO-gene- and IGF1-gene-containing materials were analyzed for the presence of potential gene doping agents using a newly developed analytical approach, allowing for the detection of transgenic DNA corresponding to seven potential targets (EPO, FST, GH1, MSTN (Propeptide), IGF1, VEGFA, and VEGFD). Panel detection was based on a 20-plex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by a single base extension (SBE) reaction and subsequent SBE product analyses via matrix-assisted time-of-flight laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). Extracts of both products were found to contain transgenic EPO-DNA, while transgenic DNA for IGF-1 was not detected. The results were confirmed using SYBR Green qPCR with primer sets directed against EPO and IGF1 cDNA, and the CMV promotor sequence. In this case study, the detection of authentic (whilst low concentrated) transgenes, potentially intended for gene doping practices in readily available products, is reported for the first time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nana Naumann
- Center for Preventive Doping Research, Institute of Biochemistry, German Sport University Cologne, 50933 Cologne, Germany (M.T.)
| | - Alina Paßreiter
- Center for Preventive Doping Research, Institute of Biochemistry, German Sport University Cologne, 50933 Cologne, Germany (M.T.)
| | - Andreas Thomas
- Center for Preventive Doping Research, Institute of Biochemistry, German Sport University Cologne, 50933 Cologne, Germany (M.T.)
| | - Oliver Krug
- Center for Preventive Doping Research, Institute of Biochemistry, German Sport University Cologne, 50933 Cologne, Germany (M.T.)
- European Monitoring Center for Emerging Doping Agents (EuMoCEDA), 50933 Cologne, Germany
| | - Katja Walpurgis
- Center for Preventive Doping Research, Institute of Biochemistry, German Sport University Cologne, 50933 Cologne, Germany (M.T.)
| | - Mario Thevis
- Center for Preventive Doping Research, Institute of Biochemistry, German Sport University Cologne, 50933 Cologne, Germany (M.T.)
- European Monitoring Center for Emerging Doping Agents (EuMoCEDA), 50933 Cologne, Germany
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Lu Y, Yan J, Ou G, Fu L. A Review of Recent Progress in Drug Doping and Gene Doping Control Analysis. Molecules 2023; 28:5483. [PMID: 37513354 PMCID: PMC10386588 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28145483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The illicit utilization of performance-enhancing substances, commonly referred to as doping, not only infringes upon the principles of fair competition within athletic pursuits but also poses significant health hazards to athletes. Doping control analysis has emerged as a conventional approach to ensuring equity and integrity in sports. Over the past few decades, extensive advancements have been made in doping control analysis methods, catering to the escalating need for qualitative and quantitative analysis of numerous banned substances exhibiting diverse chemical and biological characteristics. Progress in science, technology, and instrumentation has facilitated the proliferation of varied techniques for detecting doping. In this comprehensive review, we present a succinct overview of recent research developments within the last ten years pertaining to these doping detection methodologies. We undertake a comparative analysis, evaluating the merits and limitations of each technique, and offer insights into the prospective future advancements in doping detection methods. It is noteworthy that the continual design and synthesis of novel synthetic doping agents have compelled researchers to constantly refine and innovate doping detection methods in order to address the ever-expanding range of covertly employed doping agents. Overall, we remain in a passive position for doping detection and are always on the road to doping control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuze Lu
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, School of Physical Education, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Jiayu Yan
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, School of Physical Education, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Gaozhi Ou
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, School of Physical Education, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Li Fu
- Key Laboratory of Novel Materials for Sensor of Zhejiang Province, College of Materials and Environmental Engineering, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou 310018, China
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Yi JY, Kim M, Ahn JH, Kim BG, Son J, Sung C. CRISPR/deadCas9-based high-throughput gene doping analysis (HiGDA): A proof of concept for exogenous human erythropoietin gene doping detection. Talanta 2023; 258:124455. [PMID: 36933297 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2023.124455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023]
Abstract
A genetic approach targeted toward improving athletic performance is called gene doping and is prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency. Currently, the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-associated protein (Cas)-related assays have been utilized to detect genetic deficiencies or mutations. Among the Cas proteins, deadCas9 (dCas9), a nuclease-deficient mutant of Cas9, acts as a DNA binding protein with a target-specific single guide RNA. On the basis of the principles, we developed a dCas9-based high-throughput gene doping analysis for exogenous gene detection. The assay comprises two distinctive dCas9s, a magnetic bead immobilized capture dCas9 for exogenous gene isolation and a biotinylated dCas9 with streptavidin-polyHRP that enables rapid signal amplification. For efficient biotin labeling via maleimide-thiol chemistry, two cysteine residues of dCas9 were structurally validated, and the Cys574 residue was identified as an essential labeling site. As a result, we succeeded in detecting the target gene in a concentration as low as 12.3 fM (7.41 × 105 copies) and up to 10 nM (6.07 × 1011 copies) in a whole blood sample within 1 h with HiGDA. Assuming an exogenous gene transfer scenario, we added a direct blood amplification step to establish a rapid analytical procedure while detecting target genes with high sensitivity. Finally, we detected the exogenous human erythropoietin gene at concentrations as low as 2.5 copies within 90 min in 5 μL of the blood sample. Herein, we propose that HiGDA is a very fast, highly sensitive, and practical detection method for actual doping field in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joon-Yeop Yi
- Doping Control Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, 02792, South Korea; Interdisciplinary Program of Bioengineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, South Korea; Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, South Korea
| | - Minyoung Kim
- Doping Control Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, 02792, South Korea
| | - Jung Ho Ahn
- Clean Energy Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, 02792, South Korea
| | - Byung-Gee Kim
- Interdisciplinary Program of Bioengineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, South Korea; Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, South Korea; Bio-Max/N-Bio Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, South Korea; School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, South Korea; Institute for Sustainable Development (ISD), Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, South Korea
| | - Junghyun Son
- Doping Control Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, 02792, South Korea
| | - Changmin Sung
- Doping Control Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, 02792, South Korea.
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Baoutina A, Bhat S, Li DK, Emslie KR. Towards a robust test to detect gene doping for anabolic enhancement in human athletes. Drug Test Anal 2023; 15:314-323. [PMID: 36445200 DOI: 10.1002/dta.3411] [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: 09/08/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Success in gene therapy in treating human disease makes this technology attractive to enhance athletic performance, creating the need for gene doping detection. In 2021, World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) approved the first gene doping test. Here, we describe a new method to detect doping with four additional genes, follistatin, growth hormone 1, growth hormone-releasing hormone and insulin-like growth factor 1, that may improve performance by increasing muscle size and strength. The method utilises four hydrolysis probe-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays that target the transgenes based on the coding sequence of the four endogenous genes. The assays are specific, reproducible and capable to detect five copies of transgene in the presence of very similar endogenous gene in 25,000 times excess. To underpin reliable and comparable routine method performance by doping testing laboratories, a synthetic reference material for the method was designed and generated following the ISO Guide 35. The complete method was validated in blood samples using plasma as extraction matrix and QIAamp DNA blood midi DNA extraction kit. All blood samples from different donors (n = 8) simulated to be negative or positive (1500 transgene copies spiked per millilitre of blood) for the transgenes were reported correctly. The new method that targets four additional genes will extend the capabilities of laboratories involved in doping control to protect athletes' health, fairness and equality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Baoutina
- National Measurement Institute (NMI), Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Somanath Bhat
- National Measurement Institute (NMI), Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Desmond K Li
- National Measurement Institute (NMI), Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Kerry R Emslie
- National Measurement Institute (NMI), Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Ginevičienė V, Utkus A, Pranckevičienė E, Semenova EA, Hall ECR, Ahmetov II. Perspectives in Sports Genomics. Biomedicines 2022; 10:298. [PMID: 35203507 PMCID: PMC8869752 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10020298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Human athletic performance is a complex phenotype influenced by environmental and genetic factors, with most exercise-related traits being polygenic in nature. The aim of this article is to outline some of the challenge faced by sports genetics as this relatively new field moves forward. This review summarizes recent advances in sports science and discusses the impact of the genome, epigenome and other omics (such as proteomics and metabolomics) on athletic performance. The article also highlights the current status of gene doping and examines the possibility of applying genetic knowledge to predict athletes' injury risk and to prevent the rare but alarming occurrence of sudden deaths during sporting events. Future research in large cohorts of athletes has the potential to detect new genetic variants and to confirm the previously identified DNA variants believed to explain the natural predisposition of some individuals to certain athletic abilities and health benefits. It is hoped that this article will be useful to sports scientists who seek a greater understanding of how genetics influences exercise science and how genomic and other multi-omics approaches might support performance analysis, coaching, personalizing nutrition, rehabilitation and sports medicine, as well as the potential to develop new rationale for future scientific investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Ginevičienė
- Institute of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, 01513 Vilnius, Lithuania; (A.U.); (E.P.)
| | - Algirdas Utkus
- Institute of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, 01513 Vilnius, Lithuania; (A.U.); (E.P.)
| | - Erinija Pranckevičienė
- Institute of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, 01513 Vilnius, Lithuania; (A.U.); (E.P.)
- Department of Systems Analysis, Faculty of Informatics, Vytautas Magnus University, 44248 Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Ekaterina A. Semenova
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, 119435 Moscow, Russia;
- Research Institute of Physical Culture and Sport, Volga Region State University of Physical Culture, Sport and Tourism, 420010 Kazan, Russia
| | - Elliott C. R. Hall
- Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool L3 5AF, UK;
| | - Ildus I. Ahmetov
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, 119435 Moscow, Russia;
- Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool L3 5AF, UK;
- Department of Physical Education, Plekhanov Russian University of Economics, 115093 Moscow, Russia
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Kazan State Medical University, 420012 Kazan, Russia
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Thevis M, Kuuranne T, Geyer H. Annual banned-substance review: Analytical approaches in human sports drug testing 2020/2021. Drug Test Anal 2021; 14:7-30. [PMID: 34788500 DOI: 10.1002/dta.3199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Most core areas of anti-doping research exploit and rely on analytical chemistry, applied to studies aiming at further improving the test methods' analytical sensitivity, the assays' comprehensiveness, the interpretation of metabolic profiles and patterns, but also at facilitating the differentiation of natural/endogenous substances from structurally identical but synthetically derived compounds and comprehending the athlete's exposome. Further, a continuously growing number of advantages of complementary matrices such as dried blood spots have been identified and transferred from research to sports drug testing routine applications, with an overall gain of valuable additions to the anti-doping field. In this edition of the annual banned-substance review, literature on recent developments in anti-doping published between October 2020 and September 2021 is summarized and discussed, particularly focusing on human doping controls and potential applications of new testing strategies to substances and methods of doping specified in the World Anti-Doping Agency's 2021 Prohibited List.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Thevis
- Center for Preventive Doping Research, Institute of Biochemistry, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,European Monitoring Center for Emerging Doping Agents, Cologne, Germany
| | - Tiia Kuuranne
- Swiss Laboratory for Doping Analyses, University Center of Legal Medicine, Genève and Lausanne, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois and University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Hans Geyer
- Center for Preventive Doping Research, Institute of Biochemistry, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,European Monitoring Center for Emerging Doping Agents, Cologne, Germany
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