2
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Niemirowicz GT, Carlevaro G, Campetella O, Bouvier LA, Mucci J. A versatile 2A peptide-based strategy for ectopic expression and endogenous gene tagging in Trypanosoma cruzi. Heliyon 2024; 10:e24595. [PMID: 38304823 PMCID: PMC10830525 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e24595] [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: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Nearly all expression vectors currently available for Trypanosoma cruzi were conceived to produce a single primary transcript containing the genes of interest along with those that confer antibiotic resistance. However, since each messenger RNA (mRNA) matures separately, drug selection will only guarantee the expression of those derived from the selectable marker. Therefore, commonly a considerable fraction of the cells recovered after selection with these expression vectors, although resistant do not express the protein of interest. Consequently, in order to counteract this disadvantage, we developed vectors with an alternative arrangement in which the gene of interest and antibiotic resistance are fused sharing the same mRNA. To test this configuration, we included the coding sequence for the green fluorescent protein (mEGFP) linked to the one conferring neomycin resistance (Neo). Additionally, to allow for the production of two independent proteins the sequence for a Thosea asigna virus self-cleaving 2A peptide (T2A) was inserted in-between. Cells obtained with these vectors displayed higher mEGFP expression levels with more homogeneous transgenic parasite populations than those transfected with more conventional independent mRNA-based alternatives. Moreover, as determined by Western blot, 2A mediated fusion protein dissociation occurred with high efficiency in all parasite stages. In addition, these vectors could easily be transformed into endogenous tagging constructs that allowed the insertion, by ends-in homologous recombination, of a hemagglutinin tag (HA) fused to the actin gene. The use of 2A self-cleaving peptides in the context of single mRNA vectors represents an interesting strategy capable of improving ectopic transgene expression in T. cruzi as well as providing a simple alternative to more sophisticated methods, such as the one based on CRISPR/Cas9, for the endogenous labeling of genes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Oscar Campetella
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET). Universidad Nacional de San Martín–Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías (EByN). Campus Miguelete, 25 de Mayo y Francia (B1650HMP), San Martín, Argentina
| | - León A. Bouvier
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET). Universidad Nacional de San Martín–Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías (EByN). Campus Miguelete, 25 de Mayo y Francia (B1650HMP), San Martín, Argentina
| | - Juan Mucci
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET). Universidad Nacional de San Martín–Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías (EByN). Campus Miguelete, 25 de Mayo y Francia (B1650HMP), San Martín, Argentina
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3
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Agbemabiese CA, Philip AA, Patton JT. Recovery of Recombinant Rotaviruses by Reverse Genetics. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2733:249-263. [PMID: 38064037 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3533-9_15] [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] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
Rotaviruses are the primary cause of severe gastroenteritis in infants and young children throughout the world. To combat rotavirus illness, several live oral vaccines have been developed, or are under development, that are formulated from attenuated human or human-animal reassortant strains of rotavirus. While the effectiveness of these vaccines is generally high in developed countries, the same vaccines are significantly less effective in many developing countries, where the need for rotavirus vaccines is greatest. Recently, reverse genetics systems have been developed that allow modification of the segmented double-stranded (ds)RNA genome of rotavirus, including reprogramming the genome to allow expression of additional proteins that may stimulate expanded neutralizing antibody responses in vaccinated children. The use of reverse genetics systems may not only lead to the development of more potent classes of vaccines but can be used to better explore the intricacies of rotavirus molecular biology and pathogenesis. In this article, we share protocols that can be used to generate recombinant rotaviruses, including modified strains that express foreign proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chantal A Agbemabiese
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - Asha A Philip
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
- CSL Seqirus, Waltham, MA, USA
| | - John T Patton
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA.
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7
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Gatina DZ, Garanina EE, Zhuravleva MN, Synbulatova GE, Mullakhmetova AF, Solovyeva VV, Kiyasov AP, Rutland CS, Rizvanov AA, Salafutdinov II. Proangiogenic Effect of 2A-Peptide Based Multicistronic Recombinant Constructs Encoding VEGF and FGF2 Growth Factors. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22115922. [PMID: 34072943 PMCID: PMC8198600 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22115922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Coronary artery disease remains one of the primary healthcare problems due to the high cost of treatment, increased number of patients, poor clinical outcomes, and lack of effective therapy. Though pharmacological and surgical treatments positively affect symptoms and arrest the disease progression, they generally exhibit a limited effect on the disease outcome. The development of alternative therapeutic approaches towards ischemic disease treatment, especially of decompensated forms, is therefore relevant. Therapeutic angiogenesis, stimulated by various cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors, provides the possibility of restoring functional blood flow in ischemic tissues, thereby ensuring the regeneration of the damaged area. In the current study, based on the clinically approved plasmid vector pVax1, multigenic constructs were developed encoding vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), fibroblast growth factors (FGF2), and the DsRed fluorescent protein, integrated via picornaviruses' furin-2A peptide sequences. In vitro experiments demonstrated that genetically modified cells with engineered plasmid constructs expressed the target proteins. Overexpression of VEGF and FGF2 resulted in increased levels of the recombinant proteins. Concomitantly, these did not lead to a significant shift in the general secretory profile of modified HEK293T cells. Simultaneously, the secretome of genetically modified cells showed significant stimulating effects on the formation of capillary-like structures by HUVEC (endothelial cells) in vitro. Our results revealed that when the multicistronic multigene vectors encoding 2A peptide sequences are created, transient transgene co-expression is ensured. The results obtained indicated the mutual synergistic effects of the growth factors VEGF and FGF2 on the proliferation of endothelial cells in vitro. Thus, recombinant multicistronic multigenic constructs might serve as a promising approach for establishing safe and effective systems to treat ischemic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dilara Z. Gatina
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia; (D.Z.G.); (E.E.G.); (M.N.Z.); (G.E.S.); (A.F.M.); (V.V.S.); (A.P.K.)
| | - Ekaterina E. Garanina
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia; (D.Z.G.); (E.E.G.); (M.N.Z.); (G.E.S.); (A.F.M.); (V.V.S.); (A.P.K.)
| | - Margarita N. Zhuravleva
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia; (D.Z.G.); (E.E.G.); (M.N.Z.); (G.E.S.); (A.F.M.); (V.V.S.); (A.P.K.)
| | - Gulnaz E. Synbulatova
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia; (D.Z.G.); (E.E.G.); (M.N.Z.); (G.E.S.); (A.F.M.); (V.V.S.); (A.P.K.)
| | - Adelya F. Mullakhmetova
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia; (D.Z.G.); (E.E.G.); (M.N.Z.); (G.E.S.); (A.F.M.); (V.V.S.); (A.P.K.)
| | - Valeriya V. Solovyeva
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia; (D.Z.G.); (E.E.G.); (M.N.Z.); (G.E.S.); (A.F.M.); (V.V.S.); (A.P.K.)
| | - Andrey P. Kiyasov
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia; (D.Z.G.); (E.E.G.); (M.N.Z.); (G.E.S.); (A.F.M.); (V.V.S.); (A.P.K.)
| | - Catrin S. Rutland
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Nottingham LE12 5RD, UK;
| | - Albert A. Rizvanov
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia; (D.Z.G.); (E.E.G.); (M.N.Z.); (G.E.S.); (A.F.M.); (V.V.S.); (A.P.K.)
- Correspondence: (A.A.R.); (I.I.S.)
| | - Ilnur I. Salafutdinov
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia; (D.Z.G.); (E.E.G.); (M.N.Z.); (G.E.S.); (A.F.M.); (V.V.S.); (A.P.K.)
- Correspondence: (A.A.R.); (I.I.S.)
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9
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Greene A, Pascarelli K, Broccoli D, Perkins E. Engineering Synthetic Chromosomes by Sequential Loading of Multiple Genomic Payloads over 100 Kilobase Pairs in Size. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2019; 13:463-473. [PMID: 31193384 PMCID: PMC6527818 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2019.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2018] [Accepted: 04/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Gene delivery vehicles currently in the clinic for treatment of monogenic disorders lack sufficient carrying capacity to efficiently address complex polygenic diseases. Thus, to engineer multifaceted genetic circuits for bioengineering human cells as a therapeutic option for polygenic diseases, we require new tools that are currently in their infancy. Mammalian artificial chromosomes, or synthetic chromosomes, represent a viable approach for delivery of large genetic payloads that are mitotically stable and remain independent of the host genome. Previously, we described a mammalian synthetic chromosome platform, termed the ACE system, that requires a single unidirectional integrase for the introduction of multiple genes onto the ACE platform chromosome. In this report, we provide a proof of concept that the ACE synthetic chromosome bioengineering platform is amenable to sequential delivery of off-the-shelf large genomic fragments. Specifically, large genomic clones spanning the human solute carrier family 2, facilitated glucose transporter member 1 (SLC2A1 or GLUT1, 169 kbp), and human monocarboxylate transporter 1 (SLC16A1 or MCT1, 144 kbp) genetic loci were engineered onto the ACE platform and demonstrated to express and correctly splice both gene transcripts. Thus, the ACE system provides a facile and tractable engineering platform for the development of gene-based therapeutic agents targeting polygenic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Greene
- Department of Medical Sciences, Mercer University School of Medicine, Savannah, GA 31404, USA
- SynPloid Biotek, LLC, Savannah, GA 31404, USA
| | | | - Dominique Broccoli
- Department of Medical Sciences, Mercer University School of Medicine, Savannah, GA 31404, USA
- SynPloid Biotek, LLC, Savannah, GA 31404, USA
| | - Edward Perkins
- Department of Medical Sciences, Mercer University School of Medicine, Savannah, GA 31404, USA
- SynPloid Biotek, LLC, Savannah, GA 31404, USA
- Corresponding author: Edward Perkins, Mercer University School of Medicine, Savannah, GA 31404, USA.
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10
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Yang X, Zeng Q, Wang M, Cheng A, Pan K, Zhu D, Liu M, Jia R, Yang Q, Wu Y, Chen S, Zhao X, Zhang S, Liu Y, Yu Y, Zhang L. DHAV-1 2A1 Peptide - A Newly Discovered Co-expression Tool That Mediates the Ribosomal "Skipping" Function. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:2727. [PMID: 30498481 PMCID: PMC6249498 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.02727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2018] [Accepted: 10/24/2018] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Duck hepatitis A virus 1 (DHAV-1) belongs to the genus Avihepatovirus in the family Picornaviridae. Little research has been carried out on the non-structural proteins of this virus. This study reports that 2A1 protein, the first non-structural protein on the DHAV-1 genome, has a ribosomal “skipping” function mediated by a “-GxExNPGP-” motif. In addition, we prove that when the sequence is extended 10aa to VP1 from the N-terminal of 2A1, the ribosome “skips” completely. However, as the N-terminus of 2A is shortened, the efficiency of ribosomal “skipping” reduces. When 2A1 is shortened to 10aa, it does not function. In addition, we demonstrate that N18, P19 G20, and P21 have vital roles in this function. We find that the expression of upstream and downstream proteins linked by 2A1 is different, and the expression of the upstream protein is much greater than that of the downstream protein. In addition, we demonstrate that it is the nature of 2A1 that is responsible for the expression imbalance. We also shows that the protein “cleavage” is not due to RNA “cleavage” or RNA transcription abnormalities, and the expressed protein level is independent of RNA transcriptional level. This study provides a systematic analysis of the activity of the DHAV-1 2A1 sequence and, therefore, adds to the “tool-box” that can be deployed for the co-expression applications. It provides a reference for how to apply 2A1 as a co-expression tool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyao Yang
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Wenjiang, Chengdu, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Avian Disease Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Qiurui Zeng
- School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Mingshu Wang
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Wenjiang, Chengdu, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Avian Disease Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Anchun Cheng
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Wenjiang, Chengdu, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Avian Disease Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Kangcheng Pan
- Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Dekang Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Avian Disease Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Mafeng Liu
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Wenjiang, Chengdu, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Avian Disease Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Renyong Jia
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Wenjiang, Chengdu, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Avian Disease Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Qiao Yang
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Wenjiang, Chengdu, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Avian Disease Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ying Wu
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Wenjiang, Chengdu, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Avian Disease Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Shun Chen
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Wenjiang, Chengdu, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Avian Disease Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xinxin Zhao
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Wenjiang, Chengdu, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Avian Disease Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Shaqiu Zhang
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Wenjiang, Chengdu, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Avian Disease Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yunya Liu
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Wenjiang, Chengdu, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Avian Disease Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yanling Yu
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Wenjiang, Chengdu, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Avian Disease Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ling Zhang
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Wenjiang, Chengdu, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Avian Disease Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
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