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Eisenhut P, Marx N, Borsi G, Papež M, Ruggeri C, Baumann M, Borth N. Corrigendum to "Manipulating gene expression levels in mammalian cell factories: An outline of synthetic molecular toolboxes to achieve multiplexed control" [New Biotechnol 79 (2024) 1-19]. N Biotechnol 2024; 84:30-36. [PMID: 39332183 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbt.2024.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/29/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Peter Eisenhut
- Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology (acib GmbH), Muthgasse 11, 1190 Vienna, Austria
| | - Nicolas Marx
- BOKU University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Institute of Animal Cell Technology and Systems Biology, Muthgasse 18, 1190 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Giulia Borsi
- BOKU University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Institute of Animal Cell Technology and Systems Biology, Muthgasse 18, 1190 Vienna, Austria
| | - Maja Papež
- Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology (acib GmbH), Muthgasse 11, 1190 Vienna, Austria; BOKU University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Institute of Animal Cell Technology and Systems Biology, Muthgasse 18, 1190 Vienna, Austria
| | - Caterina Ruggeri
- BOKU University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Institute of Animal Cell Technology and Systems Biology, Muthgasse 18, 1190 Vienna, Austria
| | - Martina Baumann
- Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology (acib GmbH), Muthgasse 11, 1190 Vienna, Austria
| | - Nicole Borth
- Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology (acib GmbH), Muthgasse 11, 1190 Vienna, Austria; BOKU University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Institute of Animal Cell Technology and Systems Biology, Muthgasse 18, 1190 Vienna, Austria.
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2
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Liu M, Li Z, Huang J, Yan J, Zhao G, Zhang Y. OptoLacI: optogenetically engineered lactose operon repressor LacI responsive to light instead of IPTG. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:8003-8016. [PMID: 38860425 PMCID: PMC11260447 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2024] [Revised: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Optogenetics' advancement has made light induction attractive for controlling biological processes due to its advantages of fine-tunability, reversibility, and low toxicity. The lactose operon induction system, commonly used in Escherichia coli, relies on the binding of lactose or isopropyl β-d-1-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG) to the lactose repressor protein LacI, playing a pivotal role in controlling the lactose operon. Here, we harnessed the light-responsive light-oxygen-voltage 2 (LOV2) domain from Avena sativa phototropin 1 as a tool for light control and engineered LacI into two light-responsive variants, OptoLacIL and OptoLacID. These variants exhibit direct responsiveness to light and darkness, respectively, eliminating the need for IPTG. Building upon OptoLacI, we constructed two light-controlled E. coli gene expression systems, OptoE.coliLight system and OptoE.coliDark system. These systems enable bifunctional gene expression regulation in E. coli through light manipulation and show superior controllability compared to IPTG-induced systems. We applied the OptoE.coliDark system to protein production and metabolic flux control. Protein production levels are comparable to those induced by IPTG. Notably, the titers of dark-induced production of 1,3-propanediol (1,3-PDO) and ergothioneine exceeded 110% and 60% of those induced by IPTG, respectively. The development of OptoLacI will contribute to the advancement of the field of optogenetic protein engineering, holding substantial potential applications across various fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meizi Liu
- Key Laboratory of Engineering Biology for Low-Carbon Manufacturing, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin 300308, China
- National Center of Technology Innovation for Synthetic Biology, Tianjin 300308, China
- Haihe Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Tianjin 300308, China
| | - Zuhui Li
- Key Laboratory of Engineering Biology for Low-Carbon Manufacturing, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin 300308, China
- National Center of Technology Innovation for Synthetic Biology, Tianjin 300308, China
- School of Biological Engineering, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin 300457, China
| | - Jianfeng Huang
- Key Laboratory of Engineering Biology for Low-Carbon Manufacturing, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin 300308, China
- National Center of Technology Innovation for Synthetic Biology, Tianjin 300308, China
| | - Junjun Yan
- Key Laboratory of Engineering Biology for Low-Carbon Manufacturing, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin 300308, China
- National Center of Technology Innovation for Synthetic Biology, Tianjin 300308, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101408, China
| | - Guoping Zhao
- National Center of Technology Innovation for Synthetic Biology, Tianjin 300308, China
- CAS-Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yanfei Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Engineering Biology for Low-Carbon Manufacturing, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin 300308, China
- National Center of Technology Innovation for Synthetic Biology, Tianjin 300308, China
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Verzino SJ, Priyev SA, Estrada VAS, Crowley GX, Rutkowski A, Lam AC, Nazginov ES, Kotemelo P, Bacelo A, Sukhram DT, Vázquez FX, Juárez JF. Expanding salivary biomarker detection by creating a synthetic neuraminic acid sensor via chimeragenesis. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.06.13.598939. [PMID: 38915506 PMCID: PMC11195194 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.13.598939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/26/2024]
Abstract
Accurate and timely diagnosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is crucial in preventing its progression to advanced stages with a poor prognosis. As such, the construction of sensors capable of detecting previously established disease biomarkers for the early and non-invasive diagnosis of this and many other conditions has enormous therapeutic potential. In this work, we apply synthetic biology techniques for the development of a whole-cell biosensor (WCB) that leverages the physiology of engineered bacteria in vivo to promote the expression of an observable effector upon detection of a soluble molecule. To this end, we have constructed a bacterial strain expressing a novel chimeric transcription factor (Sphnx) for the detection of N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac), a salivary biomolecule correlated with the onset of OSCC. This WCB serves as the proof-of-concept of a platform that can eventually be applied to clinical screening panels for a multitude of oral and systemic medical conditions whose biomarkers are present in saliva.
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Wu RY, Wu CQ, Xie F, Xing X, Xu L. Building RNA-Mediated Artificial Signaling Pathways between Endogenous Genes. Acc Chem Res 2024; 57:1777-1789. [PMID: 38872074 DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.4c00070] [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: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
ConspectusSophisticated genetic networks play a pivotal role in orchestrating cellular responses through intricate signaling pathways across diverse environmental conditions. Beyond the inherent complexity of natural cellular signaling networks, the construction of artificial signaling pathways (ASPs) introduces a vast array of possibilities for reshaping cellular responses, enabling programmable control of living organisms. ASPs can be integrated with existing cellular networks and redirect output responses as desired, allowing seamless communication and coordination with other cellular processes, thereby achieving designable transduction within cells. Among diversified ASPs, establishing connections between originally independent endogenous genes is of particular significance in modifying the genetic networks, so that cells can be endowed with new capabilities to sense and deal with abnormal factors related to differentiated gene expression (i.e., solve the issues of the aberrant gene expression induced by either external or internal stimuli). In a typical scenario, the two genes X and Y in the cell are originally expressed independently. After the introduction of an ASP, changes in the expression of gene X may exert a designed impact on gene Y, subsequently inducing the cellular response related to gene Y. If X represents a disease signal and Y serves as a therapeutic module, the introduction of the ASP empowers cells with a new spontaneous defense system to handle potential risks, which holds great potential for both fundamental and translational studies.In this Account, we primarily review our endeavors in the construction of RNA-mediated ASPs between endogenous genes that can respond to differentiated RNA expression. In contrast to other molecules that may be restricted to specific pathways, synthetic RNA circuits can be easily utilized and expanded as a general platform for constructing ASPs with a high degree of programmability and tunability for diversified functionalities through predictable Watson-Crick base pairing. We first provide an overview of recent advancements in RNA-based genetic circuits, encompassing but not limited to utilization of RNA toehold switches, siRNA and CRISPR systems. Despite notable progress, most reported RNA circuits have to contain at least one exogenous RNA X as input or one engineered RNA Y as a target, which is not suitable for establishing endogenous gene connections. While exogenous RNAs can be engineered and controlled as desired, constructing a general and efficient platform for manipulation of naturally occurring RNAs poses a formidable challenge, especially for the mammalian system. With a focus on this goal, we are devoted to developing efficient strategies to manipulate cell responses by establishing RNA-mediated ASPs between endogenous genes, particularly in mammalian cells. Our step-by-step progress in engineering customized cell signaling circuits, from bacterial cells to mammalian cells, from gene expression regulation to phenotype control, and from small RNA to long mRNA of low abundance and more complex secondary structures, is systematically described. Finally, future perspectives and potential applications of these RNA-mediated ASPs between endogenous genes are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruo-Yue Wu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic and Synthetic Chemistry, School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Chao-Qun Wu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic and Synthetic Chemistry, School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Fan Xie
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic and Synthetic Chemistry, School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Xiwen Xing
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Liang Xu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic and Synthetic Chemistry, School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
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Islam F, Lewis MR, Craig JD, Leyendecker PM, Deans TL. Advancing in vivo reprogramming with synthetic biology. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2024; 87:103109. [PMID: 38520824 PMCID: PMC11162311 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2024.103109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
Reprogramming cells will play a fundamental role in shaping the future of cell therapies by developing new strategies to engineer cells for improved performance and higher-order physiological functions. Approaches in synthetic biology harness cells' natural ability to sense diverse signals, integrate environmental inputs to make decisions, and execute complex behaviors based on the health of the organism or tissue. In this review, we highlight strategies in synthetic biology to reprogram cells, and discuss how recent approaches in the delivery of modified mRNA have created new opportunities to alter cell function in vivo. Finally, we discuss how combining concepts from synthetic biology and the delivery of mRNA in vivo could provide a platform for innovation to advance in vivo cellular reprogramming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farhana Islam
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Mitchell R Lewis
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - James D Craig
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Peyton M Leyendecker
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Tara L Deans
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
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Huang J, Xue S, Teixeira AP, Fussenegger M. A Gene-Switch Platform Interfacing with Reactive Oxygen Species Enables Transcription Fine-Tuning by Soluble and Volatile Pharmacologics and Food Additives. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2306333. [PMID: 38526196 PMCID: PMC11132055 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202306333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
Synthetic biology aims to engineer transgene switches for precise therapeutic protein control in cell-based gene therapies. However, off-the-shelf trigger-inducible gene circuits are usually switched on by single or structurally similar molecules. This study presents a mammalian gene-switch platform that controls therapeutic gene expression by a wide range of molecules generating low, non-toxic levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In this system, KEAP1 (Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1) serves as ROS sensor, regulating the translocation of NRF2 (nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2) to the nucleus, where NRF2 binds to antioxidant response elements (ARE) to activate the expression of a gene of interest. It is found that a promoter containing eight-tandem ARE repeats is highly sensitive to the low ROS levels generated by the soluble and volatile molecules, which include food preservatives, food additives, pharmaceuticals, and signal transduction inducers. In a proof-of-concept study, it is shown that many of these compounds can independently trigger microencapsulated engineered cells to produce sufficient insulin to restore normoglycemia in experimental type-1 diabetic mice. It is believed that this system greatly extends the variety of small-molecule inducers available to drive therapeutic gene switches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinbo Huang
- Department of Biosystems Science and EngineeringETH ZurichKlingelbergstrasse 48BaselCH‐4056Switzerland
| | - Shuai Xue
- Department of Biosystems Science and EngineeringETH ZurichKlingelbergstrasse 48BaselCH‐4056Switzerland
- Faculty of ScienceUniversity of BaselKlingelbergstrasse 48BaselCH‐4056Switzerland
| | - Ana Palma Teixeira
- Department of Biosystems Science and EngineeringETH ZurichKlingelbergstrasse 48BaselCH‐4056Switzerland
| | - Martin Fussenegger
- Department of Biosystems Science and EngineeringETH ZurichKlingelbergstrasse 48BaselCH‐4056Switzerland
- Present address:
Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang ProvinceSchool of Life Sciences, Westlake UniversityHangzhou, ZhejiangChina
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De Carluccio G, Fusco V, di Bernardo D. Engineering a synthetic gene circuit for high-performance inducible expression in mammalian systems. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3311. [PMID: 38632224 PMCID: PMC11024104 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47592-y] [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: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Inducible gene expression systems can be used to control the expression of a gene of interest by means of a small-molecule. One of the most common designs involves engineering a small-molecule responsive transcription factor (TF) and its cognate promoter, which often results in a compromise between minimal uninduced background expression (leakiness) and maximal induced expression. Here, we focus on an alternative strategy using quantitative synthetic biology to mitigate leakiness while maintaining high expression, without modifying neither the TF nor the promoter. Through mathematical modelling and experimental validations, we design the CASwitch, a mammalian synthetic gene circuit based on combining two well-known network motifs: the Coherent Feed-Forward Loop (CFFL) and the Mutual Inhibition (MI). The CASwitch combines the CRISPR-Cas endoribonuclease CasRx with the state-of-the-art Tet-On3G inducible gene system to achieve high performances. To demonstrate the potentialities of the CASwitch, we apply it to three different scenarios: enhancing a whole-cell biosensor, controlling expression of a toxic gene and inducible production of Adeno-Associated Virus (AAV) vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuliano De Carluccio
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Naples, Italy
- University of Naples Federico II, Department of Chemical Materials and Industrial Engineering, Naples, Italy
- Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Virginia Fusco
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Naples, Italy
- University of Naples Federico II, Department of Chemical Materials and Industrial Engineering, Naples, Italy
| | - Diego di Bernardo
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Naples, Italy.
- University of Naples Federico II, Department of Chemical Materials and Industrial Engineering, Naples, Italy.
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Eisenhut P, Marx N, Borsi G, Papež M, Ruggeri C, Baumann M, Borth N. Manipulating gene expression levels in mammalian cell factories: An outline of synthetic molecular toolboxes to achieve multiplexed control. N Biotechnol 2024; 79:1-19. [PMID: 38040288 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbt.2023.11.003] [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: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Abstract
Mammalian cells have developed dedicated molecular mechanisms to tightly control expression levels of their genes where the specific transcriptomic signature across all genes eventually determines the cell's phenotype. Modulating cellular phenotypes is of major interest to study their role in disease or to reprogram cells for the manufacturing of recombinant products, such as biopharmaceuticals. Cells of mammalian origin, for example Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) and Human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK293) cells, are most commonly employed to produce therapeutic proteins. Early genetic engineering approaches to alter their phenotype have often been attempted by "uncontrolled" overexpression or knock-down/-out of specific genetic factors. Many studies in the past years, however, highlight that rationally regulating and fine-tuning the strength of overexpression or knock-down to an optimum level, can adjust phenotypic traits with much more precision than such "uncontrolled" approaches. To this end, synthetic biology tools have been generated that enable (fine-)tunable and/or inducible control of gene expression. In this review, we discuss various molecular tools used in mammalian cell lines and group them by their mode of action: transcriptional, post-transcriptional, translational and post-translational regulation. We discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using these tools for each cell regulatory layer and with respect to cell line engineering approaches. This review highlights the plethora of synthetic toolboxes that could be employed, alone or in combination, to optimize cellular systems and eventually gain enhanced control over the cellular phenotype to equip mammalian cell factories with the tools required for efficient production of emerging, more difficult-to-express biologics formats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Eisenhut
- Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology (acib GmbH), Muthgasse 11, 1190 Vienna, Austria
| | - Nicolas Marx
- BOKU University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Institute of Animal Cell Technology and Systems Biology, Muthgasse 18, 1190 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Giulia Borsi
- BOKU University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Institute of Animal Cell Technology and Systems Biology, Muthgasse 18, 1190 Vienna, Austria
| | - Maja Papež
- Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology (acib GmbH), Muthgasse 11, 1190 Vienna, Austria; BOKU University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Institute of Animal Cell Technology and Systems Biology, Muthgasse 18, 1190 Vienna, Austria
| | - Caterina Ruggeri
- BOKU University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Institute of Animal Cell Technology and Systems Biology, Muthgasse 18, 1190 Vienna, Austria
| | - Martina Baumann
- Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology (acib GmbH), Muthgasse 11, 1190 Vienna, Austria
| | - Nicole Borth
- Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology (acib GmbH), Muthgasse 11, 1190 Vienna, Austria; BOKU University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Institute of Animal Cell Technology and Systems Biology, Muthgasse 18, 1190 Vienna, Austria.
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9
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Lewis MR, Deans TL. In Vitro Generation of Megakaryocytes from Engineered Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2774:279-301. [PMID: 38441772 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3718-0_19] [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] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
The in vitro differentiation of pluripotent stem cells into desired lineages enables mechanistic studies of cell transitions into more mature states that can provide insights into the design principles governing cell fate control. We are interested in reprogramming pluripotent stem cells with synthetic gene circuits to drive mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) down the hematopoietic lineage for the production of megakaryocytes, the progenitor cells for platelets. Here, we describe the methodology for growing and differentiating mESCs, in addition to inserting a transgene to observe its expression throughout differentiation. This entails four key methods: (1) growing and preparing mouse embryonic fibroblasts for supporting mESC growth and expansion, (2) growing and preparing OP9 feeder cells to support the differentiation of mESCs, (3) the differentiation of mESCs into megakaryocytes, and (4) utilizing an integrase-mediated docking site to insert transgenes for their stable integration and expression throughout differentiation. Altogether, this approach demonstrates a streamline differentiation protocol that emphasizes the reprogramming potential of mESCs that can be used for future mechanistic and therapeutic studies of controlling cell fate outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitchell R Lewis
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Tara L Deans
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
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Javdan SB, Islam F, Deans TL. Reprogramming megakaryocytes to engineer platelets as delivery vehicles. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.10.13.562311. [PMID: 37873465 PMCID: PMC10592833 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.13.562311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
We developed a method for the efficient generation of engineered platelets that can be filled with any recombinant therapeutic protein during the differentiation process by reprogramming megakaryocytes, the progenitor cells of platelets. To demonstrate the versatility of this approach, we loaded cytoplasmic and secreted proteins that can be delivered as active enzymes to recipient cells, be released upon platelet activation, or be continuously secreted by platelets over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shwan B. Javdan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Farhana Islam
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Tara L. Deans
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
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11
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Ingram D, Stan GB. Modelling genetic stability in engineered cell populations. Nat Commun 2023; 14:3471. [PMID: 37308512 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38850-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Predicting the evolution of engineered cell populations is a highly sought-after goal in biotechnology. While models of evolutionary dynamics are far from new, their application to synthetic systems is scarce where the vast combination of genetic parts and regulatory elements creates a unique challenge. To address this gap, we here-in present a framework that allows one to connect the DNA design of varied genetic devices with mutation spread in a growing cell population. Users can specify the functional parts of their system and the degree of mutation heterogeneity to explore, after which our model generates host-aware transition dynamics between different mutation phenotypes over time. We show how our framework can be used to generate insightful hypotheses across broad applications, from how a device's components can be tweaked to optimise long-term protein yield and genetic shelf life, to generating new design paradigms for gene regulatory networks that improve their functionality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duncan Ingram
- Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology and Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Guy-Bart Stan
- Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology and Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.
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12
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Lewis MR, Deans TL. In vitro generation of megakaryocytes from engineered mouse embryonic stem cells. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.01.530476. [PMID: 36909620 PMCID: PMC10002726 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.01.530476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
The in vitro differentiation of pluripotent stem cells into desired lineages enables mechanistic studies of cell transitions into more mature states that can provide insights into the design principles governing cell fate control. We are interested in reprogramming pluripotent stem cells with synthetic gene circuits to drive mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) down the hematopoietic lineage for the production of megakaryocytes, the progenitor cells for platelets. Here, we describe the methodology for growing and differentiating mESCs, in addition to inserting a transgene to observe its expression throughout differentiation. This entails four key methods: (1) growing and preparing mouse embryonic fibroblasts for supporting mESC growth and expansion, (2) growing and preparing OP9 feeder cells to support the differentiation of mESCs, (3) the differentiation of mESCs into megakaryocytes, and (4) utilizing an integrase mediated docking site to insert transgenes for their stable integration and expression throughout differentiation. Altogether, this approach demonstrates a streamline differentiation protocol that emphasizes the reprogramming potential of mESCs that can be used for future mechanistic and therapeutic studies of controlling cell fate outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitchell R. Lewis
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Tara L. Deans
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
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13
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Aggarwal N, Kitano S, Puah GRY, Kittelmann S, Hwang IY, Chang MW. Microbiome and Human Health: Current Understanding, Engineering, and Enabling Technologies. Chem Rev 2023; 123:31-72. [PMID: 36317983 PMCID: PMC9837825 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.2c00431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 54.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The human microbiome is composed of a collection of dynamic microbial communities that inhabit various anatomical locations in the body. Accordingly, the coevolution of the microbiome with the host has resulted in these communities playing a profound role in promoting human health. Consequently, perturbations in the human microbiome can cause or exacerbate several diseases. In this Review, we present our current understanding of the relationship between human health and disease development, focusing on the microbiomes found across the digestive, respiratory, urinary, and reproductive systems as well as the skin. We further discuss various strategies by which the composition and function of the human microbiome can be modulated to exert a therapeutic effect on the host. Finally, we examine technologies such as multiomics approaches and cellular reprogramming of microbes that can enable significant advancements in microbiome research and engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikhil Aggarwal
- NUS
Synthetic Biology for Clinical and Technological Innovation (SynCTI), National University of Singapore, Singapore 117456, Singapore
- Synthetic
Biology Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117456, Singapore
| | - Shohei Kitano
- NUS
Synthetic Biology for Clinical and Technological Innovation (SynCTI), National University of Singapore, Singapore 117456, Singapore
- Synthetic
Biology Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117456, Singapore
| | - Ginette Ru Ying Puah
- NUS
Synthetic Biology for Clinical and Technological Innovation (SynCTI), National University of Singapore, Singapore 117456, Singapore
- Synthetic
Biology Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117456, Singapore
- Wilmar-NUS
(WIL@NUS) Corporate Laboratory, National
University of Singapore, Singapore 117599, Singapore
- Wilmar
International Limited, Singapore 138568, Singapore
| | - Sandra Kittelmann
- Wilmar-NUS
(WIL@NUS) Corporate Laboratory, National
University of Singapore, Singapore 117599, Singapore
- Wilmar
International Limited, Singapore 138568, Singapore
| | - In Young Hwang
- NUS
Synthetic Biology for Clinical and Technological Innovation (SynCTI), National University of Singapore, Singapore 117456, Singapore
- Synthetic
Biology Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117456, Singapore
- Department
of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117596, Singapore
- Singapore
Institute of Technology, Singapore 138683, Singapore
| | - Matthew Wook Chang
- NUS
Synthetic Biology for Clinical and Technological Innovation (SynCTI), National University of Singapore, Singapore 117456, Singapore
- Synthetic
Biology Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117456, Singapore
- Wilmar-NUS
(WIL@NUS) Corporate Laboratory, National
University of Singapore, Singapore 117599, Singapore
- Department
of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117596, Singapore
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14
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Cabrera A, Edelstein HI, Glykofrydis F, Love KS, Palacios S, Tycko J, Zhang M, Lensch S, Shields CE, Livingston M, Weiss R, Zhao H, Haynes KA, Morsut L, Chen YY, Khalil AS, Wong WW, Collins JJ, Rosser SJ, Polizzi K, Elowitz MB, Fussenegger M, Hilton IB, Leonard JN, Bintu L, Galloway KE, Deans TL. The sound of silence: Transgene silencing in mammalian cell engineering. Cell Syst 2022; 13:950-973. [PMID: 36549273 PMCID: PMC9880859 DOI: 10.1016/j.cels.2022.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
To elucidate principles operating in native biological systems and to develop novel biotechnologies, synthetic biology aims to build and integrate synthetic gene circuits within native transcriptional networks. The utility of synthetic gene circuits for cell engineering relies on the ability to control the expression of all constituent transgene components. Transgene silencing, defined as the loss of expression over time, persists as an obstacle for engineering primary cells and stem cells with transgenic cargos. In this review, we highlight the challenge that transgene silencing poses to the robust engineering of mammalian cells, outline potential molecular mechanisms of silencing, and present approaches for preventing transgene silencing. We conclude with a perspective identifying future research directions for improving the performance of synthetic gene circuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan Cabrera
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA; Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Hailey I Edelstein
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA; The Eli and Edythe Broad CIRM Center, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Fokion Glykofrydis
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033-9080, USA
| | - Kasey S Love
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Sebastian Palacios
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Josh Tycko
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Meng Zhang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Sarah Lensch
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Cara E Shields
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Mark Livingston
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Ron Weiss
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Synthetic Biology Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Huimin Zhao
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Karmella A Haynes
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Leonardo Morsut
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033-9080, USA
| | - Yvonne Y Chen
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy Center at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Ahmad S Khalil
- Biological Design Center and Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Wilson W Wong
- Biological Design Center and Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - James J Collins
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033-9080, USA; Synthetic Biology Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA; Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA; Harvard-MIT Program in Health Sciences and Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Susan J Rosser
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Karen Polizzi
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London, UK; Imperial College Centre for Synthetic Biology, South Kensington Campus, London, UK
| | - Michael B Elowitz
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Martin Fussenegger
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, Basel 4058, Switzerland; Faculty of Science, University of Basel, Mattenstrasse 26, Basel 4058, Switzerland
| | - Isaac B Hilton
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA
| | - Joshua N Leonard
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA; The Eli and Edythe Broad CIRM Center, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Lacramioara Bintu
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Kate E Galloway
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Tara L Deans
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA.
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15
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de Rossi J, Arefeayne Y, Robinson A, Segatori L. Emerging technologies for genetic control systems in cellular therapies. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2022; 78:102833. [PMID: 36334445 PMCID: PMC10091305 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2022.102833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Progress in synthetic biology has enabled the construction of designer cells that sense biological inputs, and, in response, activate user-defined biomolecular programs. Such engineered cells provide unique opportunities for treating a wide variety of diseases. Current strategies mostly rely on cell-surface receptor systems engineered to convert binding interactions into activation of a transcriptional program. Genetic control systems are emerging as an appealing alternative to receptor-based sensors as they overcome the need for receptor engineering and result in cellular behaviors that operate over therapeutically relevant timescales. Genetic control systems include synthetic gene networks, RNA-based sensors, and post-translational tools. These technologies present fundamental challenges, including the requirement for precise integration with innate pathways, the need for parts orthogonal to existing circuitries, and the metabolic burden induced by such complex cell engineering endeavors. This review discusses the challenges in the design of genetic control systems for cellular therapies and their translational applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacopo de Rossi
- Systems, Synthetic, and Physical Biology, Rice University, Houston, United States
| | - Yafet Arefeayne
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, United States
| | - Ashley Robinson
- Systems, Synthetic, and Physical Biology, Rice University, Houston, United States
| | - Laura Segatori
- Systems, Synthetic, and Physical Biology, Rice University, Houston, United States; Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, United States; Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Rice University, Houston, United States; Department of Biosciences, Rice University, Houston, United States.
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16
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Aydin O, Passaro AP, Raman R, Spellicy SE, Weinberg RP, Kamm RD, Sample M, Truskey GA, Zartman J, Dar RD, Palacios S, Wang J, Tordoff J, Montserrat N, Bashir R, Saif MTA, Weiss R. Principles for the design of multicellular engineered living systems. APL Bioeng 2022; 6:010903. [PMID: 35274072 PMCID: PMC8893975 DOI: 10.1063/5.0076635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Remarkable progress in bioengineering over the past two decades has enabled the formulation of fundamental design principles for a variety of medical and non-medical applications. These advancements have laid the foundation for building multicellular engineered living systems (M-CELS) from biological parts, forming functional modules integrated into living machines. These cognizant design principles for living systems encompass novel genetic circuit manipulation, self-assembly, cell-cell/matrix communication, and artificial tissues/organs enabled through systems biology, bioinformatics, computational biology, genetic engineering, and microfluidics. Here, we introduce design principles and a blueprint for forward production of robust and standardized M-CELS, which may undergo variable reiterations through the classic design-build-test-debug cycle. This Review provides practical and theoretical frameworks to forward-design, control, and optimize novel M-CELS. Potential applications include biopharmaceuticals, bioreactor factories, biofuels, environmental bioremediation, cellular computing, biohybrid digital technology, and experimental investigations into mechanisms of multicellular organisms normally hidden inside the "black box" of living cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Austin P. Passaro
- Regenerative Bioscience Center, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, USA
| | - Ritu Raman
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
| | | | - Robert P. Weinberg
- School of Pharmacy, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | | | - Matthew Sample
- Center for Ethics and Law in the Life Sciences, Leibniz Universität Hannover, 30167 Hannover, Germany
| | - George A. Truskey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, USA
| | - Jeremiah Zartman
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, USA
| | - Roy D. Dar
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA
| | - Sebastian Palacios
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02139, USA
| | - Jason Wang
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA
| | - Jesse Tordoff
- Computational and Systems Biology Program, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
| | - Nuria Montserrat
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - M. Taher A. Saif
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA
| | - Ron Weiss
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed:
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17
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Javdan SB, Deans TL. Design and development of engineered receptors for cell and tissue engineering. CURRENT OPINION IN SYSTEMS BIOLOGY 2021; 28:100363. [PMID: 34527831 PMCID: PMC8437148 DOI: 10.1016/j.coisb.2021.100363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Advances in synthetic biology have provided genetic tools to reprogram cells to obtain desired cellular functions that include tools to enable the customization of cells to sense an extracellular signal and respond with a desired output. These include a variety of engineered receptors capable of transmembrane signaling that transmit information from outside of the cell to inside when specific ligands bind to them. Recent advances in synthetic receptor engineering have enabled the reprogramming of cell and tissue behavior, controlling cell fate decisions, and providing new vehicles for therapeutic delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shwan B. Javdan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Tara L. Deans
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
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18
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Gamez S, Vesga LC, Mendez-Sanchez SC, Akbari OS. Spatial control of gene expression in flies using bacterially derived binary transactivation systems. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2021; 30:461-471. [PMID: 33963794 PMCID: PMC8459377 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Revised: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Controlling gene expression is an instrumental tool for biotechnology, as it enables the dissection of gene function, affording precise spatial-temporal resolution. To generate this control, binary transactivational systems have been used employing a modular activator consisting of a DNA binding domain(s) fused to activation domain(s). For fly genetics, many binary transactivational systems have been exploited in vivo; however, as the study of complex problems often requires multiple systems that can be used in parallel, there is a need to identify additional bipartite genetic systems. To expand this molecular genetic toolbox, we tested multiple bacterially derived binary transactivational systems in Drosophila melanogaster including the p-CymR operon from Pseudomonas putida, PipR operon from Streptomyces coelicolor, TtgR operon from Pseudomonas putida and the VanR operon from Caulobacter crescentus. Our work provides the first characterization of these systems in an animal model in vivo. For each system, we demonstrate robust tissue-specific spatial transactivation of reporter gene expression, enabling future studies to exploit these transactivational systems for molecular genetic studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Gamez
- Division of Biological Sciences, Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Luis C. Vesga
- Group for Research in Biochemistry and Microbiology (Grupo de Investigación en Bioquímica Y Microbiología-GIBIM), School of Chemistry, Universidad Industrial de Santander, Bucaramanga, Colombia
| | - Stelia C. Mendez-Sanchez
- Group for Research in Biochemistry and Microbiology (Grupo de Investigación en Bioquímica Y Microbiología-GIBIM), School of Chemistry, Universidad Industrial de Santander, Bucaramanga, Colombia
| | - Omar S. Akbari
- Division of Biological Sciences, Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
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19
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Kiwimagi KA, Letendre JH, Weinberg BH, Wang J, Chen M, Watanabe L, Myers CJ, Beal J, Wong WW, Weiss R. Quantitative characterization of recombinase-based digitizer circuits enables predictable amplification of biological signals. Commun Biol 2021; 4:875. [PMID: 34267310 PMCID: PMC8282836 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02325-5] [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: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Many synthetic gene circuits are restricted to single-use applications or require iterative refinement for incorporation into complex systems. One example is the recombinase-based digitizer circuit, which has been used to improve weak or leaky biological signals. Here we present a workflow to quantitatively define digitizer performance and predict responses to different input signals. Using a combination of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), area under a receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), and fold change (FC), we evaluate three small-molecule inducible digitizer designs demonstrating FC up to 508x and SNR up to 3.77 dB. To study their behavior further and improve modularity, we develop a mixed phenotypic/mechanistic model capable of predicting digitizer configurations that amplify a synNotch cell-to-cell communication signal (Δ SNR up to 2.8 dB). We hope the metrics and modeling approaches here will facilitate incorporation of these digitizers into other systems while providing an improved workflow for gene circuit characterization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine A Kiwimagi
- Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Justin H Letendre
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Biological Design Center, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Benjamin H Weinberg
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Biological Design Center, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Junmin Wang
- The Bioinformatics Graduate Program, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Mingzhe Chen
- Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Leandro Watanabe
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Chris J Myers
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Jacob Beal
- Raytheon BBN Technologies, Cambridge, MA, USA.
| | - Wilson W Wong
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Biological Design Center, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Ron Weiss
- Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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20
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MacDonald IC, Seamons TR, Emmons JC, Javdan SB, Deans TL. Enhanced regulation of prokaryotic gene expression by a eukaryotic transcriptional activator. Nat Commun 2021; 12:4109. [PMID: 34226549 PMCID: PMC8257575 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-24434-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Expanding the genetic toolbox for prokaryotic synthetic biology is a promising strategy for enhancing the dynamic range of gene expression and enabling new engineered applications for research and biomedicine. Here, we reverse the current trend of moving genetic parts from prokaryotes to eukaryotes and demonstrate that the activating eukaryotic transcription factor QF and its corresponding DNA-binding sequence can be moved to E. coli to introduce transcriptional activation, in addition to tight off states. We further demonstrate that the QF transcription factor can be used in genetic devices that respond to low input levels with robust and sustained output signals. Collectively, we show that eukaryotic gene regulator elements are functional in prokaryotes and establish a versatile and broadly applicable approach for constructing genetic circuits with complex functions. These genetic tools hold the potential to improve biotechnology applications for medical science and research. Expanded toolkits for prokaryotic synthetic biology can enhance the dynamic range of gene expression. Here the authors move the eukaryotic transcription factor QF into E. coli and integrate it into genetic devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Cody MacDonald
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Travis R Seamons
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Jonathan C Emmons
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Shwan B Javdan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Tara L Deans
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
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21
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Nishizaki SS, McDonald TL, Farnum GA, Holmes MJ, Drexel ML, Switzenberg JA, Boyle AP. The Inducible lac Operator-Repressor System Is Functional in Zebrafish Cells. Front Genet 2021; 12:683394. [PMID: 34220959 PMCID: PMC8249864 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.683394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Zebrafish are a foundational model organism for studying the spatio-temporal activity of genes and their regulatory sequences. A variety of approaches are currently available for editing genes and modifying gene expression in zebrafish, including RNAi, Cre/lox, and CRISPR-Cas9. However, the lac operator-repressor system, an E. coli lac operon component which has been adapted for use in many other species and is a valuable, flexible tool for inducible modulation of gene expression studies, has not been previously tested in zebrafish. Results Here we demonstrate that the lac operator-repressor system robustly decreases expression of firefly luciferase in cultured zebrafish fibroblast cells. Our work establishes the lac operator-repressor system as a promising tool for the manipulation of gene expression in whole zebrafish. Conclusion Our results lay the groundwork for the development of lac-based reporter assays in zebrafish, and adds to the tools available for investigating dynamic gene expression in embryogenesis. We believe this work will catalyze the development of new reporter assay systems to investigate uncharacterized regulatory elements and their cell-type specific activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sierra S Nishizaki
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States.,Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Torrin L McDonald
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Gregory A Farnum
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Monica J Holmes
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Melissa L Drexel
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Jessica A Switzenberg
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Alan P Boyle
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States.,Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
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22
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Bush LM, Healy CP, Marvin JE, Deans TL. High-throughput enrichment and isolation of megakaryocyte progenitor cells from the mouse bone marrow. Sci Rep 2021; 11:8268. [PMID: 33859294 PMCID: PMC8050096 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-87681-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Megakaryocytes are a rare population of cells that develop in the bone marrow and function to produce platelets that circulate throughout the body and form clots to stop or prevent bleeding. A major challenge in studying megakaryocyte development, and the diseases that arise from their dysfunction, is the identification, classification, and enrichment of megakaryocyte progenitor cells that are produced during hematopoiesis. Here, we present a high throughput strategy for identifying and isolating megakaryocytes and their progenitor cells from a heterogeneous population of bone marrow samples. Specifically, we couple thrombopoietin (TPO) induction, image flow cytometry, and principal component analysis (PCA) to identify and enrich for megakaryocyte progenitor cells that are capable of self-renewal and directly differentiating into mature megakaryocytes. This enrichment strategy distinguishes megakaryocyte progenitors from other lineage-committed cells in a high throughput manner. Furthermore, by using image flow cytometry with PCA, we have identified a combination of markers and characteristics that can be used to isolate megakaryocyte progenitor cells using standard flow cytometry methods. Altogether, these techniques enable the high throughput enrichment and isolation of cells in the megakaryocyte lineage and have the potential to enable rapid disease identification and diagnoses ahead of severe disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas M Bush
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA
| | - Connor P Healy
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA
| | - James E Marvin
- Flow Cytometry Core Facility, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA
| | - Tara L Deans
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA.
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23
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Bush LM, Healy CP, Javdan SB, Emmons JC, Deans TL. Biological Cells as Therapeutic Delivery Vehicles. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2020; 42:106-118. [PMID: 33342562 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2020.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Revised: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
One of the significant challenges remaining in the field of drug delivery is insufficient targeting of diseased tissues or cells. While efforts to perform targeted drug delivery by engineered nanoparticles have shown some success, there are underlying targeting, toxicity, and immunogenicity challenges. By contrast, live cells usually have innate targeting mechanisms, and can be used as drug-delivery vehicles to increase the efficiency with which a drug accumulates to act on the intended tissue. In some cases, when no native cell types exhibit the desired therapeutic phenotype, preferred outcomes can be achieved by genetically modifying and reprogramming cells with gene circuits. This review highlights recent advances in the use of cells to deliver therapeutics. Specifically, we discuss how red blood cells (RBCs), platelets, neutrophils, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), and bacteria have been utilized to advance drug delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas M Bush
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Connor P Healy
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Shwan B Javdan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Jonathan C Emmons
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Tara L Deans
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA.
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24
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Verbič A, Praznik A, Jerala R. A guide to the design of synthetic gene networks in mammalian cells. FEBS J 2020; 288:5265-5288. [PMID: 33289352 DOI: 10.1111/febs.15652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Revised: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Synthetic biology aims to harness natural and synthetic biological parts and engineering them in new combinations and systems, producing novel therapies, diagnostics, bioproduction systems, and providing information on the mechanism of function of biological systems. Engineering cell function requires the rewiring or de novo construction of cell information processing networks. Using natural and synthetic signal processing elements, researchers have demonstrated a wide array of signal sensing, processing and propagation modules, using transcription, translation, or post-translational modification to program new function. The toolbox for synthetic network design is ever-advancing and has still ample room to grow. Here, we review the diversity of synthetic gene networks, types of building modules, techniques of regulation, and their applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anže Verbič
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Arne Praznik
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Roman Jerala
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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25
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McCarthy DM, Medford JI. Quantitative and Predictive Genetic Parts for Plant Synthetic Biology. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2020; 11:512526. [PMID: 33123175 PMCID: PMC7573182 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2020.512526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2019] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Plant synthetic biology aims to harness the natural abilities of plants and to turn them to new purposes. A primary goal of plant synthetic biology is to produce predictable and programmable genetic circuits from simple regulatory elements and well-characterized genetic components. The number of available DNA parts for plants is increasing, and the methods for rapid quantitative characterization are being developed, but the field of plant synthetic biology is still in its early stages. We here describe methods used to describe the quantitative properties of genetic components needed for plant synthetic biology. Once the quantitative properties and transfer function of a variety of genetic parts are known, computers can select the optimal components to assemble into functional devices, such as toggle switches and positive feedback circuits. However, while the variety of circuits and traits that can be put into plants are limitless, doing synthetic biology in plants poses unique challenges. Plants are composed of differentiated cells and tissues, each representing potentially unique regulatory or developmental contexts to introduced synthetic genetic circuits. Further, plants have evolved to be highly sensitive to environmental influences, such as light or temperature, any of which can affect the quantitative function of individual parts or whole circuits. Measuring the function of plant components within the context of a plant cell and, ideally, in a living plant, will be essential to using these components in gene circuits with predictable function. Mathematical modeling will be needed to account for the variety of contexts a genetic part will experience in different plant tissues or environments. With such understanding in hand, it may be possible to redesign plant traits to serve human and environmental needs.
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26
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Joanito I, Yan CCS, Chu JW, Wu SH, Hsu CP. Basal leakage in oscillation: Coupled transcriptional and translational control using feed-forward loops. PLoS Comput Biol 2020; 16:e1007740. [PMID: 32881861 PMCID: PMC7494099 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1007740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Revised: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The circadian clock is a complex system that plays many important roles in most organisms. Previously, many mathematical models have been used to sharpen our understanding of the Arabidopsis clock, which brought to light the roles of each transcriptional and post-translational regulations. However, the presence of both regulations, instead of either transcription or post-translation, raised curiosity of whether the combination of these two regulations is important for the clock’s system. In this study, we built a series of simplified oscillators with different regulations to study the importance of post-translational regulation (specifically, 26S proteasome degradation) in the clock system. We found that a simple transcriptional-based oscillator can already generate sustained oscillation, but the oscillation can be easily destroyed in the presence of transcriptional leakage. Coupling post-translational control with transcriptional-based oscillator in a feed-forward loop will greatly improve the robustness of the oscillator in the presence of basal leakage. Using these general models, we were able to replicate the increased variability observed in the E3 ligase mutant for both plant and mammalian clocks. With this insight, we also predict a plausible regulator of several E3 ligase genes in the plant’s clock. Thus, our results provide insights into and the plausible importance in coupling transcription and post-translation controls in the clock system. For circadian clocks, several current models had successfully captured the essential dynamic behavior of the clock system mainly with transcriptional regulation. Previous studies have shown that the 26S proteasome degradation controls are important in maintaining the stability of circadian rhythms. However, how the loss-of-function or over-expression mutant of this targeted degradations lead to unstable oscillation is still unclear. In this work, we investigate the importance of coupled transcriptional and post-translational feedback loop in the circadian oscillator. With general models our study indicate that the unstable behavior of degradation mutants could be caused by the increase in the basal level of the clock genes. We found that coupling a non-linear degradation control into this transcriptional based oscillator using feed-forward loop improves the robustness of the oscillator. Using this finding, we further predict some plausible regulators of Arabidopsis’s E3 ligase protein such as COP1 and SINAT5. Hence, our results provide insights on the importance of coupling transcription and post-translation controls in the clock system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ignasius Joanito
- Institute of Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- Bioinformatics Program, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan and Institute of Bioinformatics and System Biology, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | | | - Jhih-Wei Chu
- Bioinformatics Program, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan and Institute of Bioinformatics and System Biology, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Hsing Wu
- Institute of Plant and Microbial Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- Genome and Systems Biology Degree Program, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chao-Ping Hsu
- Institute of Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- Genome and Systems Biology Degree Program, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- * E-mail:
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27
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Myung SH, Park J, Han JH, Kim TH. Development of the Mammalian Expression Vector System that can be Induced by IPTG and/or Lactose. J Microbiol Biotechnol 2020; 30:1124-1131. [PMID: 32423185 PMCID: PMC9728253 DOI: 10.4014/jmb.2003.03030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Accepted: 05/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Techniques used for the regulation of gene expression facilitate studies of gene function and treatment of diseases via gene therapy. Many tools have been developed for the regulation of gene expression in mammalian cells. The Lac operon system induced with isopropyl β-D-1- thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG) is one of the employed inducible systems. IPTG mimics the molecular structure of allolactose and has a strong affinity for the corresponding repressor. IPTG is known to rapidly penetrate into mammalian cells and exhibits low toxicity. In the present study, we developed a new inducible expression system that could regulate the expression of genes in mammalian cells using IPTG. Here we confirm that unlike other vector systems based on the Lac operon, this expression system allows regulation of gene expression with lactose in the mammalian cells upon transfection. The co-treatment with IPTG and lactose could improve the regulatory efficiency of the specific target gene expression. The regulation of gene expression with lactose has several benefits. Lactose is safe in humans as compared to other chemical substances and is easily available, making this technique very cost-effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seung-Hyun Myung
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Chosun University School of Medicine, 309 Pilmoon-Daero, Dong-Gu, Gwang-Ju 61452, Republic of Korea
| | - Junghee Park
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Chosun University School of Medicine, 309 Pilmoon-Daero, Dong-Gu, Gwang-Ju 61452, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji-Hye Han
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Chosun University School of Medicine, 309 Pilmoon-Daero, Dong-Gu, Gwang-Ju 61452, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae-Hyoung Kim
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Chosun University School of Medicine, 309 Pilmoon-Daero, Dong-Gu, Gwang-Ju 61452, Republic of Korea,Corresponding author Phone: +82-62-230-6294 Fax: +82-62-226-4165 E-mail:
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28
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Meško M, Lebar T, Dekleva P, Jerala R, Benčina M. Engineering and Rewiring of a Calcium-Dependent Signaling Pathway. ACS Synth Biol 2020; 9:2055-2065. [PMID: 32643923 PMCID: PMC7467823 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.0c00133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
![]()
An important feature of synthetic
biological circuits is their
response to physicochemical signals, which enables the external control
of cellular processes. Calcium-dependent regulation is an attractive
approach for achieving such control, as diverse stimuli induce calcium
influx by activating membrane channel receptors. Most calcium-dependent
gene circuits use the endogenous nuclear factor of activated T-cells
(NFAT) signaling pathway. Here, we employed engineered NFAT transcription
factors to induce the potent and robust activation of exogenous gene
expression in HEK293T cells. Furthermore, we designed a calcium-dependent
transcription factor that does not interfere with NFAT-regulated promoters
and potently activates transcription in several mammalian cell types.
Additionally, we demonstrate that coupling the circuit to a calcium-selective
ion channel resulted in capsaicin- and temperature-controlled gene
expression. This engineered calcium-dependent signaling pathway enables
tightly controlled regulation of gene expression through different
stimuli in mammalian cells and is versatile, adaptable, and useful
for a wide range of therapeutic and diagnostic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maja Meško
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, SI-1001 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Interfaculty Doctoral Study of Biomedicine, University of Ljubljana, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Tina Lebar
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, SI-1001 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Petra Dekleva
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, SI-1001 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Roman Jerala
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, SI-1001 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- EN-FIST Centre of Excellence, Trg Osvobodilne fronte 13, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Mojca Benčina
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, SI-1001 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- EN-FIST Centre of Excellence, Trg Osvobodilne fronte 13, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
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29
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Fitzgerald M, Livingston M, Gibbs C, Deans TL. Rosa26 docking sites for investigating genetic circuit silencing in stem cells. Synth Biol (Oxf) 2020; 5:ysaa014. [PMID: 33195816 PMCID: PMC7644442 DOI: 10.1093/synbio/ysaa014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2020] [Revised: 08/01/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Approaches in mammalian synthetic biology have transformed how cells can be programmed to have reliable and predictable behavior, however, the majority of mammalian synthetic biology has been accomplished using immortalized cell lines that are easy to grow and easy to transfect. Genetic circuits that integrate into the genome of these immortalized cell lines remain functional for many generations, often for the lifetime of the cells, yet when genetic circuits are integrated into the genome of stem cells gene silencing is observed within a few generations. To investigate the reactivation of silenced genetic circuits in stem cells, the Rosa26 locus of mouse pluripotent stem cells was modified to contain docking sites for site-specific integration of genetic circuits. We show that the silencing of genetic circuits can be reversed with the addition of sodium butyrate, a histone deacetylase inhibitor. These findings demonstrate an approach to reactivate the function of genetic circuits in pluripotent stem cells to ensure robust function over many generations. Altogether, this work introduces an approach to overcome the silencing of genetic circuits in pluripotent stem cells that may enable the use of genetic circuits in pluripotent stem cells for long-term function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Fitzgerald
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Mark Livingston
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Chelsea Gibbs
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Tara L Deans
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
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30
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Stirling F, Silver PA. Controlling the Implementation of Transgenic Microbes: Are We Ready for What Synthetic Biology Has to Offer? Mol Cell 2020; 78:614-623. [PMID: 32442504 PMCID: PMC7307494 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2020.03.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Revised: 03/24/2020] [Accepted: 03/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Synthetic biology has promised and delivered on an impressive array of applications based on genetically modified microorganisms. While novel biotechnology undoubtedly offers benefits, like all new technology, precautions should be considered during implementation to reduce the risk of both known and unknown adverse effects. To achieve containment of transgenic microorganisms, confidence to a near-scientific certainty that they cannot transfer their transgenic genes to other organisms, and that they cannot survive to propagate in unintended environments, is a priority. Here, we present an in-depth summary of biological containment systems for micro-organisms published to date, including the production of a genetic firewall through genome recoding and physical containment of microbes using auxotrophies, regulation of essential genes, and expression of toxic genes. The level of containment required to consider a transgenic organism suitable for deployment is discussed, as well as standards of practice for developing new containment systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Finn Stirling
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, 200 Longwood Avenue, Warren Alpert 536, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, 3 Blackfan Circle, 5th Floor, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Pamela A Silver
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, 200 Longwood Avenue, Warren Alpert 536, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, 3 Blackfan Circle, 5th Floor, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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31
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Li X, Zhang C, Xu X, Miao J, Yao J, Liu R, Zhao Y, Chen X, Yang Y. A single-component light sensor system allows highly tunable and direct activation of gene expression in bacterial cells. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 48:e33. [PMID: 31989175 PMCID: PMC7102963 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkaa044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2019] [Revised: 01/11/2020] [Accepted: 01/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Light-regulated modules offer unprecedented new ways to control cellular behaviour with precise spatial and temporal resolution. Among a variety of bacterial light-switchable gene expression systems, single-component systems consisting of single transcription factors would be more useful due to the advantages of speed, simplicity, and versatility. In the present study, we developed a single-component light-activated bacterial gene expression system (eLightOn) based on a novel LOV domain from Rhodobacter sphaeroides (RsLOV). The eLightOn system showed significant improvements over the existing single-component bacterial light-activated expression systems, with benefits including a high ON/OFF ratio of >500-fold, a high activation level, fast activation kinetics, and/or good adaptability. Additionally, the induction characteristics, including regulatory windows, activation kinetics and light sensitivities, were highly tunable by altering the expression level of LexRO. We demonstrated the usefulness of the eLightOn system in regulating cell division and swimming by controlling the expression of the FtsZ and CheZ genes, respectively, as well as constructing synthetic Boolean logic gates using light and arabinose as the two inputs. Taken together, our data indicate that the eLightOn system is a robust and highly tunable tool for quantitative and spatiotemporal control of bacterial gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xie Li
- Optogenetics & Synthetic Biology Interdisciplinary Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center for Biomanufacturing Technology, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Mei Long Road, Shanghai 200237, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Mei Long Road, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Changcheng Zhang
- Optogenetics & Synthetic Biology Interdisciplinary Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center for Biomanufacturing Technology, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Mei Long Road, Shanghai 200237, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Mei Long Road, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Xiaopei Xu
- Optogenetics & Synthetic Biology Interdisciplinary Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center for Biomanufacturing Technology, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Mei Long Road, Shanghai 200237, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Mei Long Road, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Jun Miao
- Optogenetics & Synthetic Biology Interdisciplinary Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center for Biomanufacturing Technology, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Mei Long Road, Shanghai 200237, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Mei Long Road, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Jing Yao
- Optogenetics & Synthetic Biology Interdisciplinary Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center for Biomanufacturing Technology, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Mei Long Road, Shanghai 200237, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Mei Long Road, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Renmei Liu
- Optogenetics & Synthetic Biology Interdisciplinary Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center for Biomanufacturing Technology, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Mei Long Road, Shanghai 200237, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Mei Long Road, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Yuzheng Zhao
- Optogenetics & Synthetic Biology Interdisciplinary Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center for Biomanufacturing Technology, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Mei Long Road, Shanghai 200237, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Mei Long Road, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Xianjun Chen
- Optogenetics & Synthetic Biology Interdisciplinary Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center for Biomanufacturing Technology, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Mei Long Road, Shanghai 200237, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Mei Long Road, Shanghai 200237, China.,CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Yi Yang
- Optogenetics & Synthetic Biology Interdisciplinary Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center for Biomanufacturing Technology, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Mei Long Road, Shanghai 200237, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Mei Long Road, Shanghai 200237, China.,CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
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32
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Synthetic biology for improving cell fate decisions and tissue engineering outcomes. Emerg Top Life Sci 2019; 3:631-643. [PMID: 33523179 DOI: 10.1042/etls20190091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2019] [Revised: 10/02/2019] [Accepted: 10/07/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic biology is a relatively new field of science that combines aspects of biology and engineering to create novel tools for the construction of biological systems. Using tools within synthetic biology, stem cells can then be reprogrammed and differentiated into a specified cell type. Stem cells have already proven to be largely beneficial in many different therapies and have paved the way for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Although scientists have made great strides in tissue engineering, there still remain many questions to be answered in regard to regeneration. Presented here is an overview of synthetic biology, common tools built within synthetic biology, and the way these tools are being used in stem cells. Specifically, this review focuses on how synthetic biologists engineer genetic circuits to dynamically control gene expression while also introducing emerging topics such as genome engineering and synthetic transcription factors. The findings mentioned in this review show the diverse use of stem cells within synthetic biology and provide a foundation for future research in tissue engineering with the use of synthetic biology tools. Overall, the work done using synthetic biology in stem cells is in its early stages, however, this early work is leading to new approaches for repairing diseased and damaged tissues and organs, and further expanding the field of tissue engineering.
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33
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Xie M, Fussenegger M. Designing cell function: assembly of synthetic gene circuits for cell biology applications. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2019; 19:507-525. [PMID: 29858606 DOI: 10.1038/s41580-018-0024-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 163] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic biology is the discipline of engineering application-driven biological functionalities that were not evolved by nature. Early breakthroughs of cell engineering, which were based on ectopic (over)expression of single sets of transgenes, have already had a revolutionary impact on the biotechnology industry, regenerative medicine and blood transfusion therapies. Now, we require larger-scale, rationally assembled genetic circuits engineered to programme and control various human cell functions with high spatiotemporal precision in order to solve more complex problems in applied life sciences, biomedicine and environmental sciences. This will open new possibilities for employing synthetic biology to advance personalized medicine by converting cells into living therapeutics to combat hitherto intractable diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingqi Xie
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Martin Fussenegger
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Basel, Switzerland. .,University of Basel, Faculty of Science, Basel, Switzerland.
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34
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Guinn MT, Balázsi G. Noise-reducing optogenetic negative-feedback gene circuits in human cells. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 47:7703-7714. [PMID: 31269201 PMCID: PMC6698750 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkz556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2019] [Revised: 06/10/2019] [Accepted: 06/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene autorepression is widely present in nature and is also employed in synthetic biology, partly to reduce gene expression noise in cells. Optogenetic systems have recently been developed for controlling gene expression levels in mammalian cells, but most have utilized activator-based proteins, neglecting negative feedback except for in silico control. Here, we engineer optogenetic gene circuits into mammalian cells to achieve noise-reduction for precise gene expression control by genetic, in vitro negative feedback. We build a toolset of these noise-reducing Light-Inducible Tuner (LITer) gene circuits using the TetR repressor fused with a Tet-inhibiting peptide (TIP) or a degradation tag through the light-sensitive LOV2 protein domain. These LITers provide a range of nearly 4-fold gene expression control and up to 5-fold noise reduction from existing optogenetic systems. Moreover, we use the LITer gene circuit architecture to control gene expression of the cancer oncogene KRAS(G12V) and study its downstream effects through phospho-ERK levels and cellular proliferation. Overall, these novel LITer optogenetic platforms should enable precise spatiotemporal perturbations for studying multicellular phenotypes in developmental biology, oncology and other biomedical fields of research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Tyler Guinn
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
- The Louis and Beatrice Laufer Center for Physical and Quantitative Biology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
- Stony Brook Medical Scientist Training Program, Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Gábor Balázsi
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
- The Louis and Beatrice Laufer Center for Physical and Quantitative Biology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
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35
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Vogel M, Weigand JE, Kluge B, Grez M, Suess B. A small, portable RNA device for the control of exon skipping in mammalian cells. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 46:e48. [PMID: 29420816 PMCID: PMC5934650 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gky062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2016] [Accepted: 01/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Splicing is an essential and highly regulated process in mammalian cells. We developed a synthetic riboswitch that efficiently controls alternative splicing of a cassette exon in response to the small molecule ligand tetracycline. The riboswitch was designed to control the accessibility of the 3' splice site by placing the latter inside the closing stem of a conformationally controlled tetracycline aptamer. In the presence of tetracycline, the cassette exon is skipped, whereas it is included in the ligand's absence. The design allows for an easy, context-independent integration of the regulatory device into any gene of interest. Portability of the device was shown through its functionality in four different systems: a synthetic minigene, a reporter gene and two endogenous genes. Furthermore, riboswitch functionality to control cellular signaling cascades was demonstrated by using it to specifically induce cell death through the conditionally controlled expression of CD20, which is a target in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Vogel
- Department of Biology, Technical University Darmstadt, Schnittspahnstr. 10, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Julia E Weigand
- Department of Biology, Technical University Darmstadt, Schnittspahnstr. 10, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Britta Kluge
- Department of Biology, Technical University Darmstadt, Schnittspahnstr. 10, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Manuel Grez
- Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, Georg-Speyer-Haus, Paul-Ehrlich-Str. 42-44, 60596 Frankfurt/M, Germany
| | - Beatrix Suess
- Department of Biology, Technical University Darmstadt, Schnittspahnstr. 10, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
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36
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Ma T, Pei Y, Li C, Zhu M. Periodicity and dosage optimization of an RNAi model in eukaryotes cells. BMC Bioinformatics 2019; 20:340. [PMID: 31208316 PMCID: PMC6580653 DOI: 10.1186/s12859-019-2925-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2018] [Accepted: 05/31/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND As a highly efficient and specific gene regulation technology, RNAi has broad application fields and good prospects. The effect of RNAi enhances as the dosage of siRNA increases, while an exorbitant siRNA dosage will inhibit the RNAi effect. So it is crucial to formulate a dose-effect model to describe the degradation effects of the target mRNA at different siRNA dosages. RESULTS In this work, a simple RNA interference model with hill kinetic function (Giulia Cuccato et al. (2011)) is extended. Firstly, by introducing both the degradation time delay τ1 of mRNA caused by siRNA and the transportation time delay τ2 of mRNA from the nucleus to the cytoplasm during protein translation, one acquires a novel delay differential equations (DDEs) model with physiology lags. Secondly, qualitative analyses are executed to identify regions of stability of the positive equilibrium and to determine the corresponding parameter scales. Next, the approximate period of the limit cycle at Hopf bifurcation points is computed. Furthermore we analyze the parameter sensitivity of the limit cycle. Finally, we propose an optimal strategy to select siRNA dosage which arouses significant silencing efficiency. CONCLUSIONS Our researches indicate that when the dosage of siRNA is large, oscillating periods are identical for disparate number of siRNA target sites even if it greatly impacts the critical siRNA dosage which is the switch of oscillating behavior. Furthermore, parametric sensitivity analyses of limit cycle disclose that both of degradation lag and maximum degradation rate of mRNA due to RNAi are principal elements on determining periodic oscillation. Our explorations will provide evidence for gene regulation and RNAi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tongle Ma
- School of Computer Science and Technology Tianjin Polytechnic University, Tianjin, 300387, China
| | - Yongzhen Pei
- School of Computer Science and Technology Tianjin Polytechnic University, Tianjin, 300387, China. .,School of Mathematical Sciences, Tianjin Polytechnic University, Tianjin, 300387, China.
| | - Changguo Li
- Department of Basic Science, Army Military Transportation University, Tianjin, 300361, China
| | - Meixia Zhu
- School of Computer Science and Technology Tianjin Polytechnic University, Tianjin, 300387, China
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37
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Wang S, Emery NJ, Liu AP. A Novel Synthetic Toehold Switch for MicroRNA Detection in Mammalian Cells. ACS Synth Biol 2019; 8:1079-1088. [PMID: 31039307 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.8b00530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNA or miR) are short noncoding RNA of about 21-23 nucleotides that play critical roles in multiple aspects of biological processes by mediating translational repression through targeting messenger RNA (mRNA). Conventional methods for miRNA detection, including RT-PCR and Northern blot, are limited due to the requirement of cell disruption. Here, we developed a novel synthetic toehold switch, inspired by the toehold switches developed for bacterial systems, to detect endogenous and exogenously expressed miRNAs in mammalian cells, including HEK 293, HeLa, and MDA-MB-231 cells. Transforming growth factor β-induced miR-155 expression in MDA-MB-231 cells could be detected by the synthetic toehold switch. The experimental results showed the dynamic range of current design of toehold switch is about two. Furthermore, we tested multiplex detection of miR-155 and miR-21 in HEK 293 cells by using miR-155 and miR-21 toehold switches. These toehold switches provide a modest level of orthogonality and could be optimized to achieve a better dynamic range. Our experimental results demonstrate the capability of miRNA toehold switch for detecting and visualizing miRNA expression in mammalian cells, which may potentially lead to new therapeutic or diagnostic applications.
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38
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Healy CP, Deans TL. Genetic circuits to engineer tissues with alternative functions. J Biol Eng 2019; 13:39. [PMID: 31073328 PMCID: PMC6500048 DOI: 10.1186/s13036-019-0170-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2019] [Accepted: 04/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Persistent and complex problems arising with respect to human physiology and pathology have led to intense investigation into therapies and tools that permit more targeted outcomes and biomimetic responses to pathological conditions. A primary goal in mammalian synthetic biology is to build genetic circuits that exert fine control over cell behavior for next-generation biomedical applications. In pursuit of this, synthetic biologists have engineered cells endowed with genetic circuits with sensor that are capable of reacting to a variety of stimuli and responding with targeted behavior. Here, we highlight how synthetic biology approaches are being used to program cells with novel functions for therapeutic applications, and how they can be used in stem cells to improve differentiation outcomes. These approaches open the possibilities for engineering synthetic tissues for employing personalized medicine and to develop next-generation biomedical therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- C P Healy
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112 USA
| | - T L Deans
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112 USA
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39
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A novel reporter system for cyclic AMP mediated gene expression in mammalian cells based on synthetic transgene expression system. Eur J Pharmacol 2019; 855:56-64. [PMID: 31034821 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2019.04.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2019] [Revised: 03/22/2019] [Accepted: 04/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Cyclic AMP (cAMP) is an important second messenger that mediates various biological functions in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Due to the ever increasing significance in studying the function and modulation of cAMP-based signaling, it is important to develop a protein-based biosensor that reports the cAMP mediated gene expression. Based on a synthetic transgene approach, an artificial mammalian transactivator was developed by fusing a transcriptional regulatory element cAMP receptor protein (CRP) of Escherichia coli to the VP16 transactivation domain of Herpes simplex virus in a mammalian expression vector (pLA1) that activates CRP specific operator site present in a chimeric promoter (OCRP- PhCMVmin- Luciferase) in a concentration dependent manner in mammalian cells. Our results reveal that the engineered transactivator report the gene expression mediated by cAMP directly in mammalian cells and this cAMP reporter system works irrespective of Protein kinase A (PKA) - cyclic AMP response element binding protein (CREB) - cyclic AMP response element (CRE) signaling since the luciferase activity mediated by synthetic gene construct is seen even in the presence of PKA inhibitor H-89 (derived from H-8 (N-[2-(methylamino) ethyl]-5-isoquinoline-sulfonamide). Furthermore this synthetic transcription factor plays a significant role in reporting and mediating cAMP signaling in tumorigenic cells which possess an aberrant cAMP signaling due to PKA and CREB mutations.
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40
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Merritt A, Booms P, Shaw MA, Miller DM, Daly C, Bilmen JG, Stowell KM, Allen PD, Steele DS, Hopkins PM. Assessing the pathogenicity of RYR1 variants in malignant hyperthermia. Br J Anaesth 2018; 118:533-543. [PMID: 28403410 DOI: 10.1093/bja/aex042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background . Missense variants in the ryanodine receptor 1 gene ( RYR1 ) are associated with malignant hyperthermia but only a minority of these have met the criteria for use in predictive DNA diagnosis. We examined the utility of a simplified method of segregation analysis and a functional assay for determining the pathogenicity of recurrent RYR1 variants associated with malignant hyperthermia. Methods . We identified previously uncharacterised RYR1 variants found in four or more malignant hyperthermia families and conducted simplified segregation analyses. An efficient cloning and mutagenesis strategy was used to express ryanodine receptor protein containing one of six RYR1 variants in HEK293 cells. Caffeine-induced calcium release, measured using a fluorescent calcium indicator, was compared in cells expressing each variant to that in cells expressing wild type ryanodine receptor protein. Results. We identified 43 malignant hyperthermia families carrying one of the six RYR1 variants. There was segregation of genotype with the malignant hyperthermia susceptibility phenotype in families carrying the p.E3104K and p.D3986E variants, but the number of informative meioses limited the statistical significance of the associations. HEK293 functional assays demonstrated an increased sensitivity of RyR1 channels containing the p.R2336H, p.R2355W, p.E3104K, p.G3990V and p.V4849I compared with wild type, but cells expressing p.D3986E had a similar caffeine sensitivity to cells expressing wild type RyR1. Conclusions . Segregation analysis is of limited value in assessing pathogenicity of RYR1 variants in malignant hyperthermia. Functional analyses in HEK293 cells provided evidence to support the use of p.R2336H, p.R2355W, p.E3104K, p.G3990V and p.V4849I for diagnostic purposes but not p.D3986E.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Merritt
- Leeds Institute of Biomedical & Clinical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - P Booms
- Leeds Institute of Biomedical & Clinical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - M-A Shaw
- Leeds Institute of Biomedical & Clinical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - D M Miller
- Leeds Institute of Biomedical & Clinical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.,Malignant Hyperthermia Unit, St James's University Hospital, Leeds, UK
| | - C Daly
- Malignant Hyperthermia Unit, St James's University Hospital, Leeds, UK
| | - J G Bilmen
- Leeds Institute of Biomedical & Clinical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.,Malignant Hyperthermia Unit, St James's University Hospital, Leeds, UK
| | - K M Stowell
- Institute of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - P D Allen
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, UC Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - D S Steele
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - P M Hopkins
- Leeds Institute of Biomedical & Clinical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.,Malignant Hyperthermia Unit, St James's University Hospital, Leeds, UK
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41
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Purcell O, Cao J, Müller IE, Chen YC, Lu TK. Artificial Repeat-Structured siRNA Precursors as Tunable Regulators for Saccharomyces cerevisiae. ACS Synth Biol 2018; 7:2403-2412. [PMID: 30176724 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.8b00185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi) is widely used as a research tool for studying biological systems and implementing artificial genetic circuits that function by modulating RNA concentrations. Here we engineered Saccharomyces cerevisiae containing a heterologous Saccharomyces castelli RNAi system as a test-bed for RNAi-based circuits. Unlike prior approaches, we describe a strategy that leverages repeat-structured siRNA precursors with incrementally sized stems formed from 23 bp-repeats to achieve modular RNAi-based gene regulation. These enable repression strength to be tuned in a systematic manner by changing the size of the siRNA precursor hairpin stem, without modifying the number or sequence of target sites in the target RNA. We demonstrate that this hairpin-based regulation is able to target both cytoplasmic and nuclear localized RNAs and is stable over extended growth periods. This platform enables the targeting of cellular RNAs as a tunable regulatory layer for sophisticated gene circuits in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Purcell
- Synthetic Biology Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Jicong Cao
- Synthetic Biology Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Isaak E. Müller
- Synthetic Biology Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- Microbiology Program, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Ying-Chou Chen
- Synthetic Biology Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Timothy K. Lu
- Synthetic Biology Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- Research Laboratory of Electronics, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
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42
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Lee J, Arun Kumar S, Jhan YY, Bishop CJ. Engineering DNA vaccines against infectious diseases. Acta Biomater 2018; 80:31-47. [PMID: 30172933 PMCID: PMC7105045 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2018.08.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2018] [Revised: 08/14/2018] [Accepted: 08/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Engineering vaccine-based therapeutics for infectious diseases is highly challenging, as trial formulations are often found to be nonspecific, ineffective, thermally or hydrolytically unstable, and/or toxic. Vaccines have greatly improved the therapeutic landscape for treating infectious diseases and have significantly reduced the threat by therapeutic and preventative approaches. Furthermore, the advent of recombinant technologies has greatly facilitated growth within the vaccine realm by mitigating risks such as virulence reversion despite making the production processes more cumbersome. In addition, seroconversion can also be enhanced by recombinant technology through kinetic and nonkinetic approaches, which are discussed herein. Recombinant technologies have greatly improved both amino acid-based vaccines and DNA-based vaccines. A plateau of interest has been reached between 2001 and 2010 for the scientific community with regard to DNA vaccine endeavors. The decrease in interest may likely be attributed to difficulties in improving immunogenic properties associated with DNA vaccines, although there has been research demonstrating improvement and optimization to this end. Despite improvement, to the extent of our knowledge, there are currently no regulatory body-approved DNA vaccines for human use (four vaccines approved for animal use). This article discusses engineering DNA vaccines against infectious diseases while discussing advantages and disadvantages of each, with an emphasis on applications of these DNA vaccines. Statement of Significance This review paper summarizes the state of the engineered/recombinant DNA vaccine field, with a scope entailing “Engineering DNA vaccines against infectious diseases”. We endeavor to emphasize recent advances, recapitulating the current state of the field. In addition to discussing DNA therapeutics that have already been clinically translated, this review also examines current research developments, and the challenges thwarting further progression. Our review covers: recombinant DNA-based subunit vaccines; internalization and processing; enhancing immune protection via adjuvants; manufacturing and engineering DNA; the safety, stability and delivery of DNA vaccines or plasmids; controlling gene expression using plasmid engineering and gene circuits; overcoming immunogenic issues; and commercial successes. We hope that this review will inspire further research in DNA vaccine development.
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43
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Dual-controlled optogenetic system for the rapid down-regulation of protein levels in mammalian cells. Sci Rep 2018; 8:15024. [PMID: 30301909 PMCID: PMC6177421 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-32929-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2018] [Accepted: 09/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Optogenetic switches are emerging molecular tools for studying cellular processes as they offer higher spatiotemporal and quantitative precision than classical, chemical-based switches. Light-controllable gene expression systems designed to upregulate protein expression levels meanwhile show performances superior to their chemical-based counterparts. However, systems to reduce protein levels with similar efficiency are lagging behind. Here, we present a novel two-component, blue light-responsive optogenetic OFF switch ('Blue-OFF'), which enables a rapid and quantitative down-regulation of a protein upon illumination. Blue-OFF combines the first light responsive repressor KRAB-EL222 with the protein degradation module B-LID (blue light-inducible degradation domain) to simultaneously control gene expression and protein stability with a single wavelength. Blue-OFF thus outperforms current optogenetic systems for controlling protein levels. The system is described by a mathematical model which aids in the choice of experimental conditions such as light intensity and illumination regime to obtain the desired outcome. This approach represents an advancement of dual-controlled optogenetic systems in which multiple photosensory modules operate synergistically. As exemplified here for the control of apoptosis in mammalian cell culture, the approach opens up novel perspectives in fundamental research and applications such as tissue engineering.
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44
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Lin MW, Tseng YW, Shen CC, Hsu MN, Hwu JR, Chang CW, Yeh CJ, Chou MY, Wu JC, Hu YC. Synthetic switch-based baculovirus for transgene expression control and selective killing of hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Nucleic Acids Res 2018; 46:e93. [PMID: 29905834 PMCID: PMC6125686 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gky447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2018] [Revised: 05/04/2018] [Accepted: 05/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Baculovirus (BV) holds promise as a vector for anticancer gene delivery to combat the most common liver cancer-hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, in vivo BV administration inevitably results in BV entry into non-HCC normal cells, leaky anticancer gene expression and possible toxicity. To improve the safety, we employed synthetic biology to engineer BV for transgene expression regulation. We first uncovered that miR-196a and miR-126 are exclusively expressed in HCC and normal cells, respectively, which allowed us to engineer a sensor based on distinct miRNA expression signature. We next assembled a synthetic switch by coupling the miRNA sensor and RNA binding protein L7Ae for translational repression, and incorporated the entire device into a single BV. The recombinant BV efficiently entered HCC and normal cells and enabled cis-acting transgene expression control, by turning OFF transgene expression in normal cells while switching ON transgene expression in HCC cells. Using pro-apoptotic hBax as the transgene, the switch-based BV selectively killed HCC cells in separate culture and mixed culture of HCC and normal cells. These data demonstrate the potential of synthetic switch-based BV to distinguish HCC and non-HCC normal cells for selective transgene expression control and killing of HCC cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei-Wei Lin
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
- Biomedical Technology and Device Research Laboratories, Industrial Technology Research Institute, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Yen-Wen Tseng
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Che Shen
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Mu-Nung Hsu
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Jih-Ru Hwu
- Department of Chemistry, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
- Frontier Research Center on Fundamental and Applied Sciences of Matters, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Chin-Wei Chang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Ju Yeh
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Min-Yuan Chou
- Biomedical Technology and Device Research Laboratories, Industrial Technology Research Institute, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Jaw-Ching Wu
- Medical Research Department, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei Taiwan
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Chen Hu
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
- Frontier Research Center on Fundamental and Applied Sciences of Matters, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
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45
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Kassaw TK, Donayre-Torres AJ, Antunes MS, Morey KJ, Medford JI. Engineering synthetic regulatory circuits in plants. PLANT SCIENCE : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PLANT BIOLOGY 2018; 273:13-22. [PMID: 29907304 DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2018.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2018] [Revised: 04/05/2018] [Accepted: 04/07/2018] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Plant synthetic biology is a rapidly emerging field that aims to engineer genetic circuits to function in plants with the same reliability and precision as electronic circuits. These circuits can be used to program predictable plant behavior, producing novel traits to improve crop plant productivity, enable biosensors, and serve as platforms to synthesize chemicals and complex biomolecules. Herein we introduce the importance of developing orthogonal plant parts and the need for quantitative part characterization for mathematical modeling of complex circuits. In particular, transfer functions are important when designing electronic-like genetic controls such as toggle switches, positive/negative feedback loops, and Boolean logic gates. We then discuss potential constraints and challenges in synthetic regulatory circuit design and integration when using plants. Finally, we highlight current and potential plant synthetic regulatory circuit applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tessema K Kassaw
- Department of Biology, 1878 Campus Delivery, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1878, USA
| | - Alberto J Donayre-Torres
- Department of Biology, 1878 Campus Delivery, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1878, USA
| | - Mauricio S Antunes
- Department of Biology, 1878 Campus Delivery, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1878, USA
| | - Kevin J Morey
- Department of Biology, 1878 Campus Delivery, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1878, USA
| | - June I Medford
- Department of Biology, 1878 Campus Delivery, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1878, USA.
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46
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Weisenberger MS, Deans TL. Bottom-up approaches in synthetic biology and biomaterials for tissue engineering applications. J Ind Microbiol Biotechnol 2018; 45:599-614. [PMID: 29552703 PMCID: PMC6041164 DOI: 10.1007/s10295-018-2027-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2018] [Accepted: 03/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Synthetic biologists use engineering principles to design and construct genetic circuits for programming cells with novel functions. A bottom-up approach is commonly used to design and construct genetic circuits by piecing together functional modules that are capable of reprogramming cells with novel behavior. While genetic circuits control cell operations through the tight regulation of gene expression, a diverse array of environmental factors within the extracellular space also has a significant impact on cell behavior. This extracellular space offers an addition route for synthetic biologists to apply their engineering principles to program cell-responsive modules within the extracellular space using biomaterials. In this review, we discuss how taking a bottom-up approach to build genetic circuits using DNA modules can be applied to biomaterials for controlling cell behavior from the extracellular milieu. We suggest that, by collectively controlling intrinsic and extrinsic signals in synthetic biology and biomaterials, tissue engineering outcomes can be improved.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tara L Deans
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA.
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47
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Kashida S, Saito H. Design of Ligand-Controlled Genetic Switches Based on RNA Interference. Synth Biol (Oxf) 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/9783527688104.ch8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Shunnichi Kashida
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University; Department of Life Science Frontiers; 53 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku Kyoto 606-8507 Japan
- Ecole Normale Supérieure, UMR 8640 CNRS-ENS-UPMC Pasteur; Department of Chemistry; 24 rue Lhomond Paris 75005 France
| | - Hirohide Saito
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University; Department of Life Science Frontiers; 53 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku Kyoto 606-8507 Japan
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48
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Mansouri M, Berger P. Multigene delivery in mammalian cells: Recent advances and applications. Biotechnol Adv 2018; 36:871-879. [PMID: 29374595 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2018.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2017] [Revised: 01/19/2018] [Accepted: 01/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Systems for multigene delivery in mammalian cells, particularly in the context of genome engineering, have gained a lot of attention in biomolecular research and medicine. Initially these methods were based on RNA polymerase II promoters and were used for the production of protein complexes and for applications in cell biology such as reprogramming of somatic cells to stem cells. Emerging technologies such as CRISPR/Cas9-based genome engineering, which enable any alteration at the genomic level of an organism, require additional elements including U6-driven expression cassettes for RNA expression and homology constructs for designed genome modifications. For these applications, systems with high DNA capacity, flexibility and transfer rates are needed. In this article, we briefly give an update on some of recent strategies that facilitate multigene assembly and delivery into mammalian cells. Also, we review applications in various fields of biology that rely on multigene delivery systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maysam Mansouri
- Paul Scherrer Institute, Biomolecular Research, Applied Molecular Biology, CH-5232 Villigen, Switzerland
| | - Philipp Berger
- Paul Scherrer Institute, Biomolecular Research, Applied Molecular Biology, CH-5232 Villigen, Switzerland.
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49
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Quarton T, Ehrhardt K, Lee J, Kannan S, Li Y, Ma L, Bleris L. Mapping the operational landscape of microRNAs in synthetic gene circuits. NPJ Syst Biol Appl 2018; 4:6. [PMID: 29354284 PMCID: PMC5765153 DOI: 10.1038/s41540-017-0043-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2017] [Revised: 11/27/2017] [Accepted: 12/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs are a class of short, noncoding RNAs that are ubiquitous modulators of gene expression, with roles in development, homeostasis, and disease. Engineered microRNAs are now frequently used as regulatory modules in synthetic biology. Moreover, synthetic gene circuits equipped with engineered microRNA targets with perfect complementarity to endogenous microRNAs establish an interface with the endogenous milieu at the single-cell level. The function of engineered microRNAs and sensor systems is typically optimized through extensive trial-and-error. Here, using a combination of synthetic biology experimentation in human embryonic kidney cells and quantitative analysis, we investigate the relationship between input genetic template abundance, microRNA concentration, and output under microRNA control. We provide a framework that employs the complete operational landscape of a synthetic gene circuit and enables the stepwise development of mathematical models. We derive a phenomenological model that recapitulates experimentally observed nonlinearities and contains features that provide insight into the microRNA function at various abundances. Our work facilitates the characterization and engineering of multi-component genetic circuits and specifically points to new insights on the operation of microRNAs as mediators of endogenous information and regulators of gene expression in synthetic biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler Quarton
- 1Bioengineering Department, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX USA.,2Center for Systems Biology, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX USA
| | - Kristina Ehrhardt
- 1Bioengineering Department, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX USA.,2Center for Systems Biology, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX USA
| | - James Lee
- 3Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX USA
| | - Srijaa Kannan
- 4School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX USA
| | - Yi Li
- 1Bioengineering Department, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX USA.,2Center for Systems Biology, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX USA
| | - Lan Ma
- 1Bioengineering Department, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX USA
| | - Leonidas Bleris
- 1Bioengineering Department, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX USA.,2Center for Systems Biology, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX USA.,3Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX USA
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50
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Cao J, Perez-Pinera P, Lowenhaupt K, Wu MR, Purcell O, de la Fuente-Nunez C, Lu TK. Versatile and on-demand biologics co-production in yeast. Nat Commun 2018; 9:77. [PMID: 29311542 PMCID: PMC5758815 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-02587-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2017] [Accepted: 12/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Current limitations to on-demand drug manufacturing can be addressed by technologies that streamline manufacturing processes. Combining the production of two or more drugs into a single batch could not only be useful for research, clinical studies, and urgent therapies but also effective when combination therapies are needed or where resources are scarce. Here we propose strategies to concurrently produce multiple biologics from yeast in single batches by multiplexing strain development, cell culture, separation, and purification. We demonstrate proof-of-concept for three biologics co-production strategies: (i) inducible expression of multiple biologics and control over the ratio between biologic drugs produced together; (ii) consolidated bioprocessing; and (iii) co-expression and co-purification of a mixture of two monoclonal antibodies. We then use these basic strategies to produce drug mixtures as well as to separate drugs. These strategies offer a diverse array of options for on-demand, flexible, low-cost, and decentralized biomanufacturing applications without the need for specialized equipment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jicong Cao
- Synthetic Biology Group, Department of Biological Engineering and Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.,Research Laboratory of Electronics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.,The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Pablo Perez-Pinera
- Synthetic Biology Group, Department of Biological Engineering and Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.,Research Laboratory of Electronics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.,Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Ky Lowenhaupt
- Synthetic Biology Group, Department of Biological Engineering and Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.,Research Laboratory of Electronics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Ming-Ru Wu
- Synthetic Biology Group, Department of Biological Engineering and Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.,Research Laboratory of Electronics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Oliver Purcell
- Synthetic Biology Group, Department of Biological Engineering and Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.,Research Laboratory of Electronics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Cesar de la Fuente-Nunez
- Synthetic Biology Group, Department of Biological Engineering and Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.,Research Laboratory of Electronics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Timothy K Lu
- Synthetic Biology Group, Department of Biological Engineering and Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA. .,Research Laboratory of Electronics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA. .,The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.
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