1
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Lu S, Hou Y, Zhang XE, Gao Y. Live cell imaging of DNA and RNA with fluorescent signal amplification and background reduction techniques. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1216232. [PMID: 37342234 PMCID: PMC10277805 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1216232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Illuminating DNA and RNA dynamics in live cell can elucidate their life cycle and related biochemical activities. Various protocols have been developed for labeling the regions of interest in DNA and RNA molecules with different types of fluorescent probes. For example, CRISPR-based techniques have been extensively used for imaging genomic loci. However, some DNA and RNA molecules can still be difficult to tag and observe dynamically, such as genomic loci in non-repetitive regions. In this review, we will discuss the toolbox of techniques and methodologies that have been developed for imaging DNA and RNA. We will also introduce optimized systems that provide enhanced signal intensity or low background fluorescence for those difficult-to-tag molecules. These strategies can provide new insights for researchers when designing and using techniques to visualize DNA or RNA molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Song Lu
- Center for Advanced Measurement Science, National Institute of Metrology, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Hou
- Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xian-En Zhang
- Faculty of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Shenzhen, China
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yunhua Gao
- Center for Advanced Measurement Science, National Institute of Metrology, Beijing, China
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2
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Mollashahi B, Latifi-Navid H, Owliaee I, Shamdani S, Uzan G, Jamehdor S, Naserian S. Research and Therapeutic Approaches in Stem Cell Genome Editing by CRISPR Toolkit. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28041982. [PMID: 36838970 PMCID: PMC9961668 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28041982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The most widely used genome editing toolkit is CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats). It provides the possibility of replacing and modifying DNA and RNA nucleotides. Furthermore, with advancements in biological technology, inhibition and activation of the transcription of specific gene(s) has become possible. Bioinformatics tools that target the evolution of CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) turn this protein into a vehicle that is specific for a DNA or RNA region with single guide RNA (sgRNA). This toolkit could be used by researchers to investigate the function of stem cell gene(s). Here, in this review article, we cover recent developments and applications of this technique in stem cells for research and clinical purposes and discuss different CRISPR/Cas technologies for knock-out, knock-in, activation, or inhibition of gene expression. Additionally, a comparison of several deliveries and off-target detecting strategies is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Behrouz Mollashahi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBiT), University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Hamid Latifi-Navid
- Department of Molecular Medicine, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran 14965/161, Iran
| | - Iman Owliaee
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamedan 6517838636, Iran
| | - Sara Shamdani
- INSERM UMR-S-MD 1197, Hôpital Paul Brousse, Paris-Saclay University, 94807 Villejuif, France
- CellMedEx, 94100 Saint Maur Des Fossés, France
| | - Georges Uzan
- INSERM UMR-S-MD 1197, Hôpital Paul Brousse, Paris-Saclay University, 94807 Villejuif, France
| | - Saleh Jamehdor
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamedan 6517838636, Iran
- Correspondence: (S.J.); (S.N.)
| | - Sina Naserian
- INSERM UMR-S-MD 1197, Hôpital Paul Brousse, Paris-Saclay University, 94807 Villejuif, France
- CellMedEx, 94100 Saint Maur Des Fossés, France
- Correspondence: (S.J.); (S.N.)
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3
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Maloshenok LG, Abushinova GA, Ryazanova AY, Bruskin SA, Zherdeva VV. Visualizing the Nucleome Using the CRISPR–Cas9 System: From in vitro to in vivo. BIOCHEMISTRY (MOSCOW) 2023; 88:S123-S149. [PMID: 37069118 PMCID: PMC9940691 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297923140080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
One of the latest methods in modern molecular biology is labeling genomic loci in living cells using fluorescently labeled Cas protein. The NIH Foundation has made the mapping of the 4D nucleome (the three-dimensional nucleome on a timescale) a priority in the studies aimed to improve our understanding of chromatin organization. Fluorescent methods based on CRISPR-Cas are a significant step forward in visualization of genomic loci in living cells. This approach can be used for studying epigenetics, cell cycle, cellular response to external stimuli, rearrangements during malignant cell transformation, such as chromosomal translocations or damage, as well as for genome editing. In this review, we focused on the application of CRISPR-Cas fluorescence technologies as components of multimodal imaging methods for in vivo mapping of chromosomal loci, in particular, attribution of fluorescence signal to morphological and anatomical structures in a living organism. The review discusses the approaches to the highly sensitive, high-precision labeling of CRISPR-Cas components, delivery of genetically engineered constructs into cells and tissues, and promising methods for molecular imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liliya G Maloshenok
- Bach Institute of Biochemistry, Federal Research Center for Biotechnology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119071, Russia
- Vavilov Institute of General Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119991, Russia
| | - Gerel A Abushinova
- Bach Institute of Biochemistry, Federal Research Center for Biotechnology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119071, Russia
- Vavilov Institute of General Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119991, Russia
| | - Alexandra Yu Ryazanova
- Bach Institute of Biochemistry, Federal Research Center for Biotechnology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119071, Russia
| | - Sergey A Bruskin
- Bach Institute of Biochemistry, Federal Research Center for Biotechnology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119071, Russia
- Vavilov Institute of General Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119991, Russia
| | - Victoria V Zherdeva
- Bach Institute of Biochemistry, Federal Research Center for Biotechnology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119071, Russia.
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4
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Memar N, Sethi A, Luehr S, Lambie EJ, Conradt B. In vivo labeling of endogenous genomic loci in C. elegans using CRISPR/dCas9. MICROPUBLICATION BIOLOGY 2022; 2022:10.17912/micropub.biology.000701. [PMID: 36606081 PMCID: PMC9807462 DOI: 10.17912/micropub.biology.000701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Visualization of genomic loci with open chromatin state has been reported in mammalian tissue culture cells using a CRISPR/Cas9-based system that utilizes an EGFP-tagged endonuclease-deficient Cas9 protein (dCas9::EGFP) (Chen et al. 2013). Here, we adapted this approach for use in Caenorhabditis elegans . We generated a C. elegans strain that expresses the dCas9 protein fused to two nuclear-localized EGFP molecules (dCas9::NLS::2xEGFP::NLS) in an inducible manner. Using this strain, we report the visualization in live C. elegans embryos of two endogenous repetitive loci, rrn-4 and rrn-1 , from which 5S and 18S ribosomal RNAs are constitutively generated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadin Memar
- Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Ulsan 44919, South Korea
| | | | | | | | - Barbara Conradt
- University College London, United Kingdom
,
Correspondence to: Barbara Conradt (
)
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5
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Delker RK, Munce RH, Hu M, Mann RS. Fluorescent labeling of genomic loci in Drosophila imaginal discs with heterologous DNA-binding proteins. CELL REPORTS METHODS 2022; 2:100175. [PMID: 35475221 PMCID: PMC9017127 DOI: 10.1016/j.crmeth.2022.100175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Revised: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Using the Drosophila melanogaster Hox gene Ultrabithorax (Ubx) as an example, we demonstrate the use of three heterologous DNA-binding protein systems-LacI/LacO, ParB1/ParS1, and ParB2/ParS2-to label genomic loci in imaginal discs with the insertion of a small DNA tag. We compare each system, considering the impact of labeling in genomic regions (1) inside versus outside of a transcribed gene body and (2) with varying chromatin accessibility. We demonstrate the value of this system by interrogating the relationship between gene expression level and enhancer-promoter distance, as well as inter-allelic distance at the Ubx locus. We find that the distance between an essential intronic cis-regulatory element, anterobithorax (abx), and the promoter does not vary with expression level. In contrast, inter-allelic distance correlates with Ubx expression level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca K. Delker
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ross H. Munce
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Michelle Hu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Richard S. Mann
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
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6
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Goelzer M, Goelzer J, Ferguson ML, Neu CP, Uzer G. Nuclear envelope mechanobiology: linking the nuclear structure and function. Nucleus 2021; 12:90-114. [PMID: 34455929 PMCID: PMC8432354 DOI: 10.1080/19491034.2021.1962610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The nucleus, central to cellular activity, relies on both direct mechanical input as well as its molecular transducers to sense external stimuli and respond by regulating intra-nuclear chromatin organization that determines cell function and fate. In mesenchymal stem cells of musculoskeletal tissues, changes in nuclear structures are emerging as a key modulator of their differentiation and proliferation programs. In this review we will first introduce the structural elements of the nucleoskeleton and discuss the current literature on how nuclear structure and signaling are altered in relation to environmental and tissue level mechanical cues. We will focus on state-of-the-art techniques to apply mechanical force and methods to measure nuclear mechanics in conjunction with DNA, RNA, and protein visualization in living cells. Ultimately, combining real-time nuclear deformations and chromatin dynamics can be a powerful tool to study mechanisms of how forces affect the dynamics of genome function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Goelzer
- Materials Science and Engineering, Boise State University, Boise, ID, US
| | | | - Matthew L. Ferguson
- Biomolecular Science, Boise State University, Boise, ID, US
- Physics, Boise State University, Boise, ID, US
| | - Corey P. Neu
- Paul M. Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, US
| | - Gunes Uzer
- Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering, Boise State University, Boise, ID, US
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7
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Repurposing type I-F CRISPR-Cas system as a transcriptional activation tool in human cells. Nat Commun 2020; 11:3136. [PMID: 32561716 PMCID: PMC7305327 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-16880-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2019] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Class 2 CRISPR–Cas proteins have been widely developed as genome editing and transcriptional regulating tools. Class 1 type I CRISPR–Cas constitutes ~60% of all the CRISPR–Cas systems. However, only type I–B and I–E systems have been used to control mammalian gene expression and for genome editing. Here we demonstrate the feasibility of using type I–F system to regulate human gene expression. By fusing transcription activation domain to Pseudomonas aeruginosa type I–F Cas proteins, we activate gene transcription in human cells. In most cases, type I–F system is more efficient than other CRISPR-based systems. Transcription activation is enhanced by elongating the crRNA. In addition, we achieve multiplexed gene activation with a crRNA array. Furthermore, type I–F system activates target genes specifically without off-target transcription activation. These data demonstrate the robustness and programmability of type I–F CRISPR–Cas in human cells. Class 1 type I CRISPR–Cas systems have not been as extensively developed for genome engineering as Class 2 systems. Here the authors modify the Type I–F CRISPR–Cas system for transcriptional activation of gene expression.
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8
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Filippova J, Matveeva A, Zhuravlev E, Stepanov G. Guide RNA modification as a way to improve CRISPR/Cas9-based genome-editing systems. Biochimie 2019; 167:49-60. [PMID: 31493470 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2019.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2019] [Accepted: 09/02/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Genome-editing technologies, in particular, CRISPR systems, are widely used for targeted regulation of gene expression and obtaining modified human and animal cell lines, plants, fungi, and animals with preassigned features. Despite being well described and easy to perform, the most common methods for construction and delivery of CRISPR/Cas9-containing plasmid systems possess significant disadvantages, mostly associated with effects of the presence of exogenous DNA within the cell. Transfection with active ribonucleoprotein complexes of Cas9 with single-guide RNAs (sgRNAs) represents one of the most promising options because of faster production of sgRNAs, the ability of a researcher to control the amount of sgRNA delivered into the cell, and consequently, fewer off-target mutations. Artificial-RNA synthesis strategies allow for the introduction of various modified components, such as backbone alterations, native structural motifs, and labels for visualization. Modifications of RNA can increase its resistance to hydrolysis, alter the thermodynamic stability of RNA-protein and RNA-DNA complexes, and reduce the immunogenic and cytotoxic effects. This review describes various approaches to improving synthetic guide RNA function through nucleotide modification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Filippova
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Lavrentiev Avenue, 8, 630090, Novosibirsk, Russia.
| | - Anastasiya Matveeva
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Lavrentiev Avenue, 8, 630090, Novosibirsk, Russia; Novosibirsk State University, Pirogova Str, 1, 630090, Novosibirsk, Russia.
| | - Evgenii Zhuravlev
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Lavrentiev Avenue, 8, 630090, Novosibirsk, Russia.
| | - Grigory Stepanov
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Lavrentiev Avenue, 8, 630090, Novosibirsk, Russia; Novosibirsk State University, Pirogova Str, 1, 630090, Novosibirsk, Russia.
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9
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Wu X, Mao S, Yang Y, Rushdi MN, Krueger CJ, Chen AK. A CRISPR/molecular beacon hybrid system for live-cell genomic imaging. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 46:e80. [PMID: 29718399 PMCID: PMC6061827 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gky304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2018] [Accepted: 04/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The clustered regularly interspersed short palindromic repeat (CRISPR) gene-editing system has been repurposed for live-cell genomic imaging, but existing approaches rely on fluorescent protein reporters, making sensitive and continuous imaging difficult. Here, we present a fluorophore-based live-cell genomic imaging system that consists of a nuclease-deactivated mutant of the Cas9 protein (dCas9), a molecular beacon (MB), and an engineered single-guide RNA (sgRNA) harboring a unique MB target sequence (sgRNA-MTS), termed CRISPR/MB. Specifically, dCas9 and sgRNA-MTS are first co-expressed to target a specific locus in cells, followed by delivery of MBs that can then hybridize to MTS to illuminate the target locus. We demonstrated the feasibility of this approach for quantifying genomic loci, for monitoring chromatin dynamics, and for dual-color imaging when using two orthogonal MB/MTS pairs. With flexibility in selecting different combinations of fluorophore/quencher pairs and MB/MTS sequences, our CRISPR/MB hybrid system could be a promising platform for investigating chromatin activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaotian Wu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.,School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Shiqi Mao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Yantao Yang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Muaz N Rushdi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.,Wallace H Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Christopher J Krueger
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.,Wallace H Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Antony K Chen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
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10
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Moon SB, Kim DY, Ko JH, Kim JS, Kim YS. Improving CRISPR Genome Editing by Engineering Guide RNAs. Trends Biotechnol 2019; 37:870-881. [PMID: 30846198 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2019.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2018] [Revised: 01/29/2019] [Accepted: 01/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
CRISPR technology is a two-component gene editing system in which the effector protein induces genetic alterations with the aid of a gene targeting guide RNA. Guide RNA can be produced through chemical synthesis, in vitro transcription, or intracellular transcription. Guide RNAs can be engineered to have chemical modifications, alterations in the spacer length, sequence modifications, fusion of RNA or DNA components, and incorporation of deoxynucleotides. Engineered guide RNA can improve genome editing efficiency and target specificity, regulation of biological toxicity, sensitive and specific molecular imaging, multiplexing, and editing flexibility. Therefore, engineered guide RNA will enable more specific, efficient, and safe gene editing, ultimately improving the clinical benefits of gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Su Bin Moon
- Genome Editing Research Center, KRIBB, Daejeon, Republic of Korea; KRIBB School of Bioscience, Korea University of Science and Technology (UST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea; These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Do Yon Kim
- Genome Editing Research Center, KRIBB, Daejeon, Republic of Korea; KRIBB School of Bioscience, Korea University of Science and Technology (UST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea; These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Jeong-Heon Ko
- Genome Editing Research Center, KRIBB, Daejeon, Republic of Korea; KRIBB School of Bioscience, Korea University of Science and Technology (UST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin-Soo Kim
- Center for Genome Engineering, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon, Republic of Korea; IBS School, Korea University of Science and Technology (UST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea; Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong-Sam Kim
- Genome Editing Research Center, KRIBB, Daejeon, Republic of Korea; KRIBB School of Bioscience, Korea University of Science and Technology (UST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
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11
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Adames NR, Gallegos JE, Peccoud J. Yeast genetic interaction screens in the age of CRISPR/Cas. Curr Genet 2019; 65:307-327. [PMID: 30255296 PMCID: PMC6420903 DOI: 10.1007/s00294-018-0887-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2018] [Revised: 09/14/2018] [Accepted: 09/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The ease of performing both forward and reverse genetics in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, along with its stable haploid state and short generation times, has made this budding yeast the consummate model eukaryote for genetics. The major advantage of using budding yeast for reverse genetics is this organism's highly efficient homology-directed repair, allowing for precise genome editing simply by introducing DNA with homology to the chromosomal target. Although plasmid- and PCR-based genome editing tools are quite efficient, they depend on rare spontaneous DNA breaks near the target sequence. Consequently, they can generate only one genomic edit at a time, and the edit must be associated with a selectable marker. However, CRISPR/Cas technology is efficient enough to permit markerless and multiplexed edits in a single step. These features have made CRISPR/Cas popular for yeast strain engineering in synthetic biology and metabolic engineering applications, but it has not been widely employed for genetic screens. In this review, we critically examine different methods to generate multi-mutant strains in systematic genetic interaction screens and discuss the potential of CRISPR/Cas to supplement or improve on these methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neil R Adames
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Jenna E Gallegos
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Jean Peccoud
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA.
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12
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Abstract
Genome organization and subnuclear protein localization are essential for normal cellular function and have been implicated in the control of gene expression, DNA replication, and genomic stability. The coupling of chromatin conformation capture (3C), chromatin immunoprecipitation and sequencing, and related techniques have continuously improved our understanding of genome architecture. To profile site-specifically DNA-associated proteins in a high-throughput and unbiased manner, the RNA-programmable CRISPR-Cas9 platform has recently been combined with an enzymatic labeling system to allow proteomic landscapes at repetitive and nonrepetitive loci to be defined with unprecedented ease and resolution. In this chapter, we describe the dCas9-APEX2 experimental approach for specifically targeting a DNA sequence, enzymatically labeling local proteins with biotin, and quantitatively analyzing the labeled proteome. We also discuss the optimization and extension of this pipeline to facilitate its use in understanding nuclear and chromosome biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin D Gao
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Tomás C Rodríguez
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Erik J Sontheimer
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States.
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13
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Efficient labeling and imaging of protein-coding genes in living cells using CRISPR-Tag. Nat Commun 2018; 9:5065. [PMID: 30498221 PMCID: PMC6265289 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-07498-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2018] [Accepted: 11/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The lack of efficient tools to image non-repetitive genes in living cells has limited our ability to explore the functional impact of the spatiotemporal dynamics of such genes. Here, we addressed this issue by developing a CRISPR-Tag system using one to four highly active sgRNAs to specifically label protein-coding genes with a high signal-to-noise ratio for visualization by wide-field fluorescence microscopy. Our approach involves assembling a CRISPR-Tag within the intron region of a fluorescent protein and then integrating this cassette to N- or C-terminus of a specific gene, which enables simultaneous real-time imaging of protein and DNA of human protein-coding genes, such as HIST2H2BE, LMNA and HSPA8 in living cells. This CRISPR-Tag system, with a minimal size of ~250 bp DNA tag, represents an easily and broadly applicable technique to study the spatiotemporal organization of genomic elements in living cells.
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14
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Raper AT, Stephenson AA, Suo Z. Sharpening the Scissors: Mechanistic Details of CRISPR/Cas9 Improve Functional Understanding and Inspire Future Research. J Am Chem Soc 2018; 140:11142-11152. [PMID: 30160947 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.8b05469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Interest in CRISPR/Cas9 remains high level as new applications of the revolutionary gene-editing tool continue to emerge. While key structural and biochemical findings have illuminated major steps in the enzymatic mechanism of Cas9, several important details remain unidentified or poorly characterized that may contribute to known functional limitations. Here we describe the foundation of research that has led to a fundamental understanding of Cas9 and address mechanistic uncertainties that restrict continued development of this gene-editing platform, including specificity for the protospacer adjacent motif, propensity for off-target binding and cleavage, as well as interactions with cellular components during gene editing. Discussion of these topics and considerations should inspire future research to hone this remarkable technology and advance CRISPR/Cas9 to new heights.
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Affiliation(s)
- Austin T Raper
- Ohio State Biochemistry Program , The Ohio State University , Columbus , Ohio 43210 , United States
| | - Anthony A Stephenson
- Ohio State Biochemistry Program , The Ohio State University , Columbus , Ohio 43210 , United States
| | - Zucai Suo
- Ohio State Biochemistry Program , The Ohio State University , Columbus , Ohio 43210 , United States.,The James Comprehensive Cancer Center , The Ohio State University , Columbus , Ohio 43210 , United States.,Department of Biomedical Sciences , College of Medicine, Florida State University , Tallahassee , Florida 32306 , United States
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15
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Lampreht Tratar U, Horvat S, Cemazar M. Transgenic Mouse Models in Cancer Research. Front Oncol 2018; 8:268. [PMID: 30079312 PMCID: PMC6062593 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2018.00268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2018] [Accepted: 06/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of existing mouse models in cancer research is of utmost importance as they aim to explore the casual link between candidate cancer genes and carcinogenesis as well as to provide models to develop and test new therapies. However, faster progress in translating mouse cancer model research into the clinic has been hampered due to the limitations of these models to better reflect the complexities of human tumors. Traditionally, immunocompetent and immunodeficient mice with syngeneic and xenografted tumors transplanted subcutaneously or orthotopically have been used. These models are still being widely employed for many different types of studies, in part due to their widespread availability and low cost. Other types of mouse models used in cancer research comprise transgenic mice in which oncogenes can be constitutively or conditionally expressed and tumor-suppressor genes silenced using conventional methods, such as retroviral infection, microinjection of DNA constructs, and the so-called "gene-targeted transgene" approach. These traditional transgenic models have been very important in studies of carcinogenesis and tumor pathogenesis, as well as in studies evaluating the development of resistance to therapy. Recently, the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-based genome editing approach has revolutionized the field of mouse cancer models and has had a profound and rapid impact on the development of more effective systems to study human cancers. The CRISPR/Cas9-based transgenic models have the capacity to engineer a wide spectrum of mutations found in human cancers and provide solutions to problems that were previously unsolvable. Recently, humanized mouse xenograft models that accept patient-derived xenografts and CD34+ cells were developed to better mimic tumor heterogeneity, the tumor microenvironment, and cross-talk between the tumor and stromal/immune cells. These features make them extremely valuable models for the evaluation of investigational cancer therapies, specifically new immunotherapies. Taken together, improvements in both the CRISPR/Cas9 system producing more valid mouse models and in the humanized mouse xenograft models resembling complex interactions between the tumor and its environment might represent one of the successful pathways to precise individualized cancer therapy, leading to improved cancer patient survival and quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ursa Lampreht Tratar
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Simon Horvat
- Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Maja Cemazar
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.,Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Primorska, Isola, Slovenia
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16
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Dultz E, Mancini R, Polles G, Vallotton P, Alber F, Weis K. Quantitative imaging of chromatin decompaction in living cells. Mol Biol Cell 2018; 29:1763-1777. [PMID: 29771637 DOI: 10.1101/219253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Chromatin organization is highly dynamic and regulates transcription. Upon transcriptional activation, chromatin is remodeled and referred to as "open," but quantitative and dynamic data of this decompaction process are lacking. Here, we have developed a quantitative high resolution-microscopy assay in living yeast cells to visualize and quantify chromatin dynamics using the GAL7-10-1 locus as a model system. Upon transcriptional activation of these three clustered genes, we detect an increase of the mean distance across this locus by >100 nm. This decompaction is linked to active transcription but is not sensitive to the histone deacetylase inhibitor trichostatin A or to deletion of the histone acetyl transferase Gcn5. In contrast, the deletion of SNF2 (encoding the ATPase of the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex) or the deactivation of the histone chaperone complex FACT lead to a strongly reduced decompaction without significant effects on transcriptional induction in FACT mutants. Our findings are consistent with nucleosome remodeling and eviction activities being major contributors to chromatin reorganization during transcription but also suggest that transcription can occur in the absence of detectable decompaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Dultz
- Institute of Biochemistry, Department of Biology, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Roberta Mancini
- Institute of Biochemistry, Department of Biology, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Guido Polles
- Molecular and Computational Biology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089
| | - Pascal Vallotton
- Institute of Biochemistry, Department of Biology, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Frank Alber
- Molecular and Computational Biology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089
| | - Karsten Weis
- Institute of Biochemistry, Department of Biology, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
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17
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Dultz E, Mancini R, Polles G, Vallotton P, Alber F, Weis K. Quantitative imaging of chromatin decompaction in living cells. Mol Biol Cell 2018; 29:1763-1777. [PMID: 29771637 PMCID: PMC6080713 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e17-11-0648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Chromatin organization is highly dynamic and regulates transcription. Upon transcriptional activation, chromatin is remodeled and referred to as “open,” but quantitative and dynamic data of this decompaction process are lacking. Here, we have developed a quantitative high resolution–microscopy assay in living yeast cells to visualize and quantify chromatin dynamics using the GAL7-10-1 locus as a model system. Upon transcriptional activation of these three clustered genes, we detect an increase of the mean distance across this locus by >100 nm. This decompaction is linked to active transcription but is not sensitive to the histone deacetylase inhibitor trichostatin A or to deletion of the histone acetyl transferase Gcn5. In contrast, the deletion of SNF2 (encoding the ATPase of the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex) or the deactivation of the histone chaperone complex FACT lead to a strongly reduced decompaction without significant effects on transcriptional induction in FACT mutants. Our findings are consistent with nucleosome remodeling and eviction activities being major contributors to chromatin reorganization during transcription but also suggest that transcription can occur in the absence of detectable decompaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Dultz
- Institute of Biochemistry, Department of Biology, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Roberta Mancini
- Institute of Biochemistry, Department of Biology, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Guido Polles
- Molecular and Computational Biology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089
| | - Pascal Vallotton
- Institute of Biochemistry, Department of Biology, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Frank Alber
- Molecular and Computational Biology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089
| | - Karsten Weis
- Institute of Biochemistry, Department of Biology, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
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18
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Edited course of biomedical research: leaping forward with CRISPR. Pharmacol Res 2017; 125:258-265. [PMID: 28918173 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2017.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2017] [Revised: 09/12/2017] [Accepted: 09/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Within the short few years since the report of its application in precise genome editing, CRISPR technology has become the method of choice to modify and modulate gene expression in biomedical research and therapeutic development. Subsequently, a variety of research, diagnostic, and therapeutic tools have been developed based upon CRISPR's mechanism of action. Such tools have helped to deepen the understanding of fundamental biology and broaden the horizon in the search for treatments for diseases that have been considered hard or impossible to cure. As CRISPR technology advances closer to clinical applications, its short comings are becoming more apparent, thus creating opportunities to improve the technology's efficacy, specificity, and safety profile in this setting. We will summarize the current status of CRISPR technology and discuss its future impact in this review.
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19
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Leitão AL, Costa MC, Enguita FJ. Applications of genome editing by programmable nucleases to the metabolic engineering of secondary metabolites. J Biotechnol 2016; 241:50-60. [PMID: 27845165 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2016.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2016] [Revised: 11/06/2016] [Accepted: 11/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Genome engineering is a branch of modern biotechnology composed of a cohort of protocols designed to construct and modify a genotype with the main objective of giving rise to a desired phenotype. Conceptually, genome engineering is based on the so called genome editing technologies, a group of genetic techniques that allow either to delete or to insert genetic information in a particular genomic locus. Ten years ago, genome editing tools were limited to virus-driven integration and homologous DNA recombination. However, nowadays the uprising of programmable nucleases is rapidly changing this paradigm. There are two main families of modern tools for genome editing depending on the molecule that controls the specificity of the system and drives the editor machinery to its place of action. Enzymes such as Zn-finger and TALEN nucleases are protein-driven genome editors; while CRISPR system is a nucleic acid-guided editing system. Genome editing techniques are still not widely applied for the design of new compounds with pharmacological activity, but they are starting to be considered as promising tools for rational genome manipulation in biotechnology applications. In this review we will discuss the potential applications of programmable nucleases for the metabolic engineering of secondary metabolites with biological activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Lúcia Leitão
- Departamento de Ciências e Tecnologia da Biomassa, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Quinta da Torre, Campus de Caparica, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal; MEtRICs, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Quinta da Torre, Campus de Caparica, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal.
| | - Marina C Costa
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Francisco J Enguita
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal.
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20
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Horvath P, Aulner N, Bickle M, Davies AM, Nery ED, Ebner D, Montoya MC, Östling P, Pietiäinen V, Price LS, Shorte SL, Turcatti G, von Schantz C, Carragher NO. Screening out irrelevant cell-based models of disease. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2016; 15:751-769. [PMID: 27616293 DOI: 10.1038/nrd.2016.175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 313] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The common and persistent failures to translate promising preclinical drug candidates into clinical success highlight the limited effectiveness of disease models currently used in drug discovery. An apparent reluctance to explore and adopt alternative cell- and tissue-based model systems, coupled with a detachment from clinical practice during assay validation, contributes to ineffective translational research. To help address these issues and stimulate debate, here we propose a set of principles to facilitate the definition and development of disease-relevant assays, and we discuss new opportunities for exploiting the latest advances in cell-based assay technologies in drug discovery, including induced pluripotent stem cells, three-dimensional (3D) co-culture and organ-on-a-chip systems, complemented by advances in single-cell imaging and gene editing technologies. Funding to support precompetitive, multidisciplinary collaborations to develop novel preclinical models and cell-based screening technologies could have a key role in improving their clinical relevance, and ultimately increase clinical success rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Horvath
- Synthetic and Systems Biology Unit, Biological Research Centre of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Szeged H-6726, Hungary; and at the Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00290, Finland.,European Cell-Based Assays Interest Group
| | - Nathalie Aulner
- Imagopole-Citech, Institut Pasteur, Paris 75015, France.,European Cell-Based Assays Interest Group
| | - Marc Bickle
- Technology Development Studio, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden 01307, Germany.,European Cell-Based Assays Interest Group
| | - Anthony M Davies
- Translational Cell Imaging Queensland (TCIQ), Institute of Health Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane 4102 QLD, Australia; and The Irish National Centre for High Content Screening and Analysis, Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Phase 3 Trinity Health Sciences 1.20, St James Hospital, Dublin D8, Republic of Ireland.,European Cell-Based Assays Interest Group
| | - Elaine Del Nery
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, Department of Translational Research, The Biophenics High-Content Screening Laboratory, Cell and Tissue Imaging Facility (PICT-IBiSA), F-75005, Paris, France.,European Cell-Based Assays Interest Group
| | - Daniel Ebner
- Target Discovery Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7FZ, UK.,European Cell-Based Assays Interest Group
| | - Maria C Montoya
- Cellomics Unit, Cell Biology &Physiology Program, Cell &Developmental Biology Area, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid 28029, Spain.,European Cell-Based Assays Interest Group
| | - Päivi Östling
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00290, Finland.,Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Oncology and Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm 17165, Sweden.,European Cell-Based Assays Interest Group
| | - Vilja Pietiäinen
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00290, Finland.,European Cell-Based Assays Interest Group
| | - Leo S Price
- Faculty of Science, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Toxicology, Universiteit Leiden, The Netherlands; and at OcellO, J.H Oortweg 21, 2333 CH, Leiden, The Netherlands.,European Cell-Based Assays Interest Group
| | - Spencer L Shorte
- Imagopole-Citech, Institut Pasteur, Paris 75015, France.,European Cell-Based Assays Interest Group
| | - Gerardo Turcatti
- Biomolecular Screening Facility, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Lausanne CH-1015, Switzerland.,European Cell-Based Assays Interest Group
| | - Carina von Schantz
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00290, Finland.,European Cell-Based Assays Interest Group
| | - Neil O Carragher
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XR, UK.,European Cell-Based Assays Interest Group
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21
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Cross BCS, Lawo S, Archer CR, Hunt JR, Yarker JL, Riccombeni A, Little AS, McCarthy NJ, Moore JD. Increasing the performance of pooled CRISPR-Cas9 drop-out screening. Sci Rep 2016; 6:31782. [PMID: 27545104 PMCID: PMC4992892 DOI: 10.1038/srep31782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2016] [Accepted: 07/27/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Components of the type II CRISPR-Cas complex in bacteria have been used successfully in eukaryotic cells to facilitate rapid and accurate cell line engineering, animal model generation and functional genomic screens. Such developments are providing new opportunities for drug target identification and validation, particularly with the application of pooled genetic screening. As CRISPR-Cas is a relatively new genetic screening tool, it is important to assess its functionality in a number of different cell lines and to analyse potential improvements that might increase the sensitivity of a given screen. To examine critical aspects of screening quality, we constructed ultra-complex libraries containing sgRNA sequences targeting a collection of essential genes. We examined the performance of screening in both haploid and hypotriploid cell lines, using two alternative guide design algorithms and two tracrRNA variants in a time-resolved analysis. Our data indicate that a simple adaptation of the tracrRNA substantially improves the robustness of guide loss during a screen. This modification minimises the requirement for high numbers of sgRNAs targeting each gene, increasing hit scoring and creating a powerful new platform for successful screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedict C. S. Cross
- Horizon Discovery, 8100 Cambridge Research Park, Waterbeach, Cambridge, CB25 9TL, United Kingdom
| | - Steffen Lawo
- Horizon Discovery, 8100 Cambridge Research Park, Waterbeach, Cambridge, CB25 9TL, United Kingdom
| | - Caroline R. Archer
- Horizon Discovery, 8100 Cambridge Research Park, Waterbeach, Cambridge, CB25 9TL, United Kingdom
| | - Jessica R. Hunt
- Horizon Discovery, 8100 Cambridge Research Park, Waterbeach, Cambridge, CB25 9TL, United Kingdom
| | - Joanne L. Yarker
- Horizon Discovery, 8100 Cambridge Research Park, Waterbeach, Cambridge, CB25 9TL, United Kingdom
| | - Alessandro Riccombeni
- Horizon Discovery, 8100 Cambridge Research Park, Waterbeach, Cambridge, CB25 9TL, United Kingdom
| | - Annette S. Little
- Horizon Discovery, 8100 Cambridge Research Park, Waterbeach, Cambridge, CB25 9TL, United Kingdom
| | - Nicola J. McCarthy
- Horizon Discovery, 8100 Cambridge Research Park, Waterbeach, Cambridge, CB25 9TL, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan D. Moore
- Horizon Discovery, 8100 Cambridge Research Park, Waterbeach, Cambridge, CB25 9TL, United Kingdom
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22
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Rau K, Rentmeister A. CRISPR/Cas9: A New Tool for RNA Imaging in Live Cells. Chembiochem 2016; 17:1682-4. [DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201600342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Rau
- Institute of Biochemistry; University of Münster; Wilhelm-Klemm-Strasse 2 48149 Münster Germany
| | - Andrea Rentmeister
- Institute of Biochemistry and; Cells-in-Motion Cluster of Excellence (EXC1003-CiM); University of Münster; Wilhelm-Klemm-Strasse 2 48149 Münster Germany
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23
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Fu Y, Rocha PP, Luo VM, Raviram R, Deng Y, Mazzoni EO, Skok JA. CRISPR-dCas9 and sgRNA scaffolds enable dual-colour live imaging of satellite sequences and repeat-enriched individual loci. Nat Commun 2016; 7:11707. [PMID: 27222091 PMCID: PMC4894952 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms11707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2015] [Accepted: 04/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Imaging systems that allow visualization of specific loci and nuclear structures are highly relevant for investigating how organizational changes within the nucleus play a role in regulating gene expression and other cellular processes. Here we present a live imaging system for targeted detection of genomic regions. Our approach involves generating chimaeric transcripts of viral RNAs (MS2 and PP7) and single-guide RNAs (sgRNAs), which when co-expressed with a cleavage-deficient Cas9 can recruit fluorescently tagged viral RNA-binding proteins (MCP and PCP) to specific genomic sites. This allows for rapid, stable, low-background visualization of target loci. We demonstrate the efficiency and flexibility of our method by simultaneously labelling major and minor satellite regions as well as two individual loci on mouse chromosome 12. This system provides a tool for dual-colour labelling, which is important for tracking the dynamics of chromatin interactions and for validating epigenetic processes identified in fixed cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Fu
- Department of Pathology, New York University School of Medicine, 550 First Avenue, Sml 311, New York, New York 10016, USA
- Department of Biology, New York University, New York, New York 10003, USA
| | - Pedro P. Rocha
- Department of Pathology, New York University School of Medicine, 550 First Avenue, Sml 311, New York, New York 10016, USA
| | - Vincent M. Luo
- Department of Pathology, New York University School of Medicine, 550 First Avenue, Sml 311, New York, New York 10016, USA
- Department of Biology, New York University, New York, New York 10003, USA
| | - Ramya Raviram
- Department of Pathology, New York University School of Medicine, 550 First Avenue, Sml 311, New York, New York 10016, USA
- Department of Biology, New York University, New York, New York 10003, USA
| | - Yan Deng
- Microscopy Core, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York 10016, USA
| | - Esteban O. Mazzoni
- Department of Biology, New York University, New York, New York 10003, USA
| | - Jane A. Skok
- Department of Pathology, New York University School of Medicine, 550 First Avenue, Sml 311, New York, New York 10016, USA
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24
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Abstract
The three-dimensional organization of the genome plays important roles in regulating the functional output of the genome and even in the maintenance of epigenetic inheritance and genome stability. Here, we review and compare a number of newly developed methods-especially those that utilize the CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat)-Cas9 (CRISPR-associated protein 9) system-that enable the direct visualization of specific, endogenous DNA sequences in living cells. We also discuss the practical considerations in implementing the CRISPR imaging technique to achieve sufficient signal-to-background levels, high specificity, and high labeling efficiency. These DNA labeling methods enable tracking of the copy number, localization, and movement of genomic elements, and we discuss the potential applications of these methods in understanding the searching and targeting mechanism of the Cas9-sgRNA complex, investigating chromosome organization, and visualizing genome instability and rearrangement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baohui Chen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, California 94143; , ,
| | - Juan Guan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, California 94143; , ,
| | - Bo Huang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, California 94143; , ,
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25
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Miorin L, Maiuri P, Marcello A. Visual detection of Flavivirus RNA in living cells. Methods 2016; 98:82-90. [PMID: 26542763 PMCID: PMC7129942 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2015.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2015] [Revised: 10/29/2015] [Accepted: 11/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Flaviviruses include a wide range of important human pathogens delivered by insects or ticks. These viruses have a positive-stranded RNA genome that is replicated in the cytoplasm of the infected cell. The viral RNA genome is the template for transcription by the virally encoded RNA polymerase and for translation of the viral proteins. Furthermore, the double-stranded RNA intermediates of viral replication are believed to trigger the innate immune response through interaction with cytoplasmic cellular sensors. Therefore, understanding the subcellular distribution and dynamics of Flavivirus RNAs is of paramount importance to understand the interaction of the virus with its cellular host, which could be of insect, tick or mammalian, including human, origin. Recent advances on the visualization of Flavivirus RNA in living cells together with the development of methods to measure the dynamic properties of viral RNA are reviewed and discussed in this essay. In particular the application of bleaching techniques such as fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) and fluorescence loss in photobleaching (FLIP) are analysed in the context of tick-borne encephalitis virus replication. Conclusions driven by this approached are discussed in the wider context Flavivirus infection.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Cell Line
- Cricetinae
- Encephalitis Viruses, Tick-Borne/genetics
- Encephalitis Viruses, Tick-Borne/metabolism
- Encephalitis Viruses, Tick-Borne/ultrastructure
- Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching
- Fluorescent Dyes/chemistry
- Gene Expression Regulation, Viral
- Host-Pathogen Interactions
- Humans
- Molecular Imaging/methods
- RNA, Messenger/chemistry
- RNA, Messenger/genetics
- RNA, Messenger/metabolism
- RNA, Viral/chemistry
- RNA, Viral/genetics
- RNA, Viral/metabolism
- Recombinant Fusion Proteins/genetics
- Recombinant Fusion Proteins/metabolism
- Staining and Labeling/methods
- Ticks/virology
- Transcription, Genetic
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Miorin
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Global Health and Emerging Pathogens Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Paolo Maiuri
- IFOM - Istituto FIRC di Oncologia Molecolare, via Adamello 16, 20139 Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandro Marcello
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Padriciano 99, 34149 Trieste, Italy.
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26
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Chen B, Hu J, Almeida R, Liu H, Balakrishnan S, Covill-Cooke C, Lim WA, Huang B. Expanding the CRISPR imaging toolset with Staphylococcus aureus Cas9 for simultaneous imaging of multiple genomic loci. Nucleic Acids Res 2016; 44:e75. [PMID: 26740581 PMCID: PMC4856973 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkv1533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 134] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2015] [Accepted: 12/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
In order to elucidate the functional organization of the genome, it is vital to directly visualize the interactions between genomic elements in living cells. For this purpose, we engineered the Cas9 protein from Staphylococcus aureus (SaCas9) for the imaging of endogenous genomic loci, which showed a similar robustness and efficiency as previously reported for Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9 (SpCas9). Imaging readouts allowed us to characterize the DNA-binding activity of SaCas9 and to optimize its sgRNA scaffold. Combining SaCas9 and SpCas9, we demonstrated two-color CRISPR imaging with the capability to resolve genomic loci spaced by <300 kb. Combinatorial color-mixing further enabled us to code multiple genomic elements in the same cell. Our results highlight the potential of combining SpCas9 and SaCas9 for multiplexed CRISPR-Cas9 applications, such as imaging and genome engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baohui Chen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Jeffrey Hu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Ricardo Almeida
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Harrison Liu
- Graduate Program of Bioengineering, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Sanjeev Balakrishnan
- Department of Cell and Tissue Biology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Christian Covill-Cooke
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Wendell A Lim
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 4143, USA
| | - Bo Huang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
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27
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Lavagnino M, Wall ME, Little D, Banes AJ, Guilak F, Arnoczky SP. Tendon mechanobiology: Current knowledge and future research opportunities. J Orthop Res 2015; 33:813-22. [PMID: 25763779 PMCID: PMC4524513 DOI: 10.1002/jor.22871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2015] [Accepted: 02/13/2015] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Tendons mainly function as load-bearing tissues in the muscloskeletal system; transmitting loads from muscle to bone. Tendons are dynamic structures that respond to the magnitude, direction, frequency, and duration of physiologic as well as pathologic mechanical loads via complex interactions between cellular pathways and the highly specialized extracellular matrix. This paper reviews the evolution and current knowledge of mechanobiology in tendon development, homeostasis, disease, and repair. In addition, we review several novel mechanotransduction pathways that have been identified recently in other tissues and cell types, providing potential research opportunities in the field of tendon mechanobiology. We also highlight current methods, models, and technologies being used in a wide variety of mechanobiology research that could be investigated in the context of their potential applicability for answering some of the fundamental unanswered questions in this field. The article concludes with a review of the major questions and future goals discussed during the recent ORS/ISMMS New Frontiers in Tendon Research Conference held on September 10 and 11, 2014 in New York City.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Lavagnino
- Laboratory for Comparative Orthopaedic Research, College of Veterinary Medicine Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
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28
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Abstract
Few discoveries transform a discipline overnight, but biologists today can manipulate cells in ways never possible before, thanks to a peculiar form of prokaryotic adaptive immunity mediated by clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR). From elegant studies that deciphered how these immune systems function in bacteria, researchers quickly uncovered the technological potential of Cas9, an RNA-guided DNA cleaving enzyme, for genome engineering. Here we highlight the recent explosion in visionary applications of CRISPR-Cas9 that promises to usher in a new era of biological understanding and control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel H Sternberg
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Jennifer A Doudna
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; Innovative Genomics Initiative, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; Physical Biosciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
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