1
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Wang S, Zeng X, Jiang Y, Wang W, Bai L, Lu Y, Zhang L, Tan GY. Unleashing the potential: type I CRISPR-Cas systems in actinomycetes for genome editing. Nat Prod Rep 2024; 41:1441-1455. [PMID: 38888887 DOI: 10.1039/d4np00010b] [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: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
Covering: up to the end of 2023Type I CRISPR-Cas systems are widely distributed, found in over 40% of bacteria and 80% of archaea. Among genome-sequenced actinomycetes (particularly Streptomyces spp.), 45.54% possess type I CRISPR-Cas systems. In comparison to widely used CRISPR systems like Cas9 or Cas12a, these endogenous CRISPR-Cas systems have significant advantages, including better compatibility, wide distribution, and ease of operation (since no exogenous Cas gene delivery is needed). Furthermore, type I CRISPR-Cas systems can simultaneously edit and regulate genes by adjusting the crRNA spacer length. Meanwhile, most actinomycetes are recalcitrant to genetic manipulation, hindering the discovery and engineering of natural products (NPs). The endogenous type I CRISPR-Cas systems in actinomycetes may offer a promising alternative to overcome these barriers. This review summarizes the challenges and recent advances in CRISPR-based genome engineering technologies for actinomycetes. It also presents and discusses how to establish and develop genome editing tools based on type I CRISPR-Cas systems in actinomycetes, with the aim of their future application in gene editing and the discovery of NPs in actinomycetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuliu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering (SKLBE), School of Biotechnology, East China University of Science and Technology (ECUST), Shanghai 200237, China.
| | - Xiaoqian Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering (SKLBE), School of Biotechnology, East China University of Science and Technology (ECUST), Shanghai 200237, China.
| | - Yue Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering (SKLBE), School of Biotechnology, East China University of Science and Technology (ECUST), Shanghai 200237, China.
| | - Weishan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources and CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing 100101, China
| | - Linquan Bai
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, School of Life Sciences & Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Yinhua Lu
- College of Life Sciences, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai 200234, China
| | - Lixin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering (SKLBE), School of Biotechnology, East China University of Science and Technology (ECUST), Shanghai 200237, China.
| | - Gao-Yi Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering (SKLBE), School of Biotechnology, East China University of Science and Technology (ECUST), Shanghai 200237, China.
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2
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Guo J, Gong L, Yu H, Li M, An Q, Liu Z, Fan S, Yang C, Zhao D, Han J, Xiang H. Engineered minimal type I CRISPR-Cas system for transcriptional activation and base editing in human cells. Nat Commun 2024; 15:7277. [PMID: 39179566 PMCID: PMC11343773 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-51695-x] [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: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 08/15/2024] [Indexed: 08/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Type I CRISPR-Cas systems are widespread and have exhibited high versatility and efficiency in genome editing and gene regulation in prokaryotes. However, due to the multi-subunit composition and large size, their application in eukaryotes has not been thoroughly investigated. Here, we demonstrate that the type I-F2 Cascade, the most compact among type I systems, with a total gene size smaller than that of SpCas9, can be developed for transcriptional activation in human cells. The efficiency of the engineered I-F2 tool can match or surpass that of dCas9. Additionally, we create a base editor using the I-F2 Cascade, which induces a considerably wide editing window (~30 nt) with a bimodal distribution. It can expand targetable sites, which is useful for disrupting functional sequences and genetic screening. This research underscores the application of compact type I systems in eukaryotes, particularly in the development of a base editor with a wide editing window.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Luyao Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Haiying Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ming Li
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qiaohui An
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhenquan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shuru Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Changjialian Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Dahe Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Han
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hua Xiang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China.
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3
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Lim SR, Lee SJ. Multiplex CRISPR-Cas Genome Editing: Next-Generation Microbial Strain Engineering. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2024; 72:11871-11884. [PMID: 38744727 PMCID: PMC11141556 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.4c01650] [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: 02/23/2024] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Genome editing is a crucial technology for obtaining desired phenotypes in a variety of species, ranging from microbes to plants, animals, and humans. With the advent of CRISPR-Cas technology, it has become possible to edit the intended sequence by modifying the target recognition sequence in guide RNA (gRNA). By expressing multiple gRNAs simultaneously, it is possible to edit multiple targets at the same time, allowing for the simultaneous introduction of various functions into the cell. This can significantly reduce the time and cost of obtaining engineered microbial strains for specific traits. In this review, we investigate the resolution of multiplex genome editing and its application in engineering microorganisms, including bacteria and yeast. Furthermore, we examine how recent advancements in artificial intelligence technology could assist in microbial genome editing and engineering. Based on these insights, we present our perspectives on the future evolution and potential impact of multiplex genome editing technologies in the agriculture and food industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Se Ra Lim
- Department of Systems Biotechnology
and Institute of Microbiomics, Chung-Ang
University, Anseong 17546, Republic
of Korea
| | - Sang Jun Lee
- Department of Systems Biotechnology
and Institute of Microbiomics, Chung-Ang
University, Anseong 17546, Republic
of Korea
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4
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Lu M, Yu C, Zhang Y, Ju W, Ye Z, Hua C, Mao J, Hu C, Yang Z, Xiao Y. Structure and genome editing of type I-B CRISPR-Cas. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4126. [PMID: 38750051 PMCID: PMC11096372 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48598-2] [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: 11/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Type I CRISPR-Cas systems employ multi-subunit effector Cascade and helicase-nuclease Cas3 to target and degrade foreign nucleic acids, representing the most abundant RNA-guided adaptive immune systems in prokaryotes. Their ability to cause long fragment deletions have led to increasing interests in eukaryotic genome editing. While the Cascade structures of all other six type I systems have been determined, the structure of the most evolutionarily conserved type I-B Cascade is still missing. Here, we present two cryo-EM structures of the Synechocystis sp. PCC 6714 (Syn) type I-B Cascade, revealing the molecular mechanisms that underlie RNA-directed Cascade assembly, target DNA recognition, and local conformational changes of the effector complex upon R-loop formation. Remarkably, a loop of Cas5 directly intercalated into the major groove of the PAM and facilitated PAM recognition. We further characterized the genome editing profiles of this I-B Cascade-Cas3 in human CD3+ T cells using mRNA-mediated delivery, which led to unidirectional 4.5 kb deletion in TRAC locus and achieved an editing efficiency up to 41.2%. Our study provides the structural basis for understanding target DNA recognition by type I-B Cascade and lays foundation for harnessing this system for long range genome editing in human T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meiling Lu
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China.
| | - Chenlin Yu
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Yuwen Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Wenjun Ju
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Zhi Ye
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Chenyang Hua
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Jinze Mao
- Nanjing Foreign Language School, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Chunyi Hu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117543, Singapore
- Precision Medicine Translational Research Programme (TRP), Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117543, Singapore
| | - Zhenhuang Yang
- Institute for Hepatology, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Disease, Shenzhen Third People's Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518112, China.
| | - Yibei Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China.
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China.
- Chongqing Innovation Institute of China Pharmaceutical University, Chongqing, 401135, China.
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5
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Feng X, Xu R, Liao J, Zhao J, Zhang B, Xu X, Zhao P, Wang X, Yao J, Wang P, Wang X, Han W, She Q. Flexible TAM requirement of TnpB enables efficient single-nucleotide editing with expanded targeting scope. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3464. [PMID: 38658536 PMCID: PMC11043419 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47697-4] [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: 07/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
TnpBs encoded by the IS200/IS605 family transposon are among the most abundant prokaryotic proteins from which type V CRISPR-Cas nucleases may have evolved. Since bacterial TnpBs can be programmed for RNA-guided dsDNA cleavage in the presence of a transposon-adjacent motif (TAM), these nucleases hold immense promise for genome editing. However, the activity and targeting specificity of TnpB in homology-directed gene editing remain unknown. Here we report that a thermophilic archaeal TnpB enables efficient gene editing in the natural host. Interestingly, the TnpB has different TAM requirements for eliciting cell death and for facilitating gene editing. By systematically characterizing TAM variants, we reveal that the TnpB recognizes a broad range of TAM sequences for gene editing including those that do not elicit apparent cell death. Importantly, TnpB shows a very high targeting specificity on targets flanked by a weak TAM. Taking advantage of this feature, we successfully leverage TnpB for efficient single-nucleotide editing with templated repair. The use of different weak TAM sequences not only facilitates more flexible gene editing with increased cell survival, but also greatly expands targeting scopes, and this strategy is probably applicable to diverse CRISPR-Cas systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Feng
- CRISPR and Archaea Biology Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, China.
| | - Ruyi Xu
- CRISPR and Archaea Biology Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, China
| | - Jianglan Liao
- CRISPR and Archaea Biology Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, China
| | - Jingyu Zhao
- CRISPR and Archaea Biology Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, China
- College of Life Science, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, 250014, China
| | - Baochang Zhang
- CRISPR and Archaea Biology Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Xu
- CRISPR and Archaea Biology Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, China
| | - Pengpeng Zhao
- CRISPR and Archaea Biology Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, China
| | - Xiaoning Wang
- CRISPR and Archaea Biology Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, China
| | - Jianyun Yao
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510301, China
| | - Pengxia Wang
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510301, China
| | - Xiaoxue Wang
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510301, China
| | - Wenyuan Han
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Qunxin She
- CRISPR and Archaea Biology Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, China.
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Han X, Chang L, Chen H, Zhao J, Tian F, Ross RP, Stanton C, van Sinderen D, Chen W, Yang B. Harnessing the endogenous Type I-C CRISPR-Cas system for genome editing in Bifidobacterium breve. Appl Environ Microbiol 2024; 90:e0207423. [PMID: 38319094 PMCID: PMC10952402 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02074-23] [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: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Bifidobacterium breve, one of the main bifidobacterial species colonizing the human gastrointestinal tract in early life, has received extensive attention for its purported beneficial effects on human health. However, exploration of the mode of action of such beneficial effects exerted by B. breve is cumbersome due to the lack of effective genetic tools, which limits its synthetic biology application. The widespread presence of CRISPR-Cas systems in the B. breve genome makes endogenous CRISPR-based gene editing toolkits a promising tool. This study revealed that Type I-C CRISPR-Cas systems in B. breve can be divided into two groups based on the amino acid sequences encoded by cas gene clusters. Deletion of the gene coding uracil phosphoribosyl-transferase (upp) was achieved in five B. breve strains from both groups using this system. In addition, translational termination of uracil phosphoribosyl-transferase was successfully achieved in B. breve FJSWX38M7 by single-base substitution of the upp gene and insertion of three stop codons. The gene encoding linoleic acid isomerase (bbi) in B. breve, being a characteristic trait, was deleted after plasmid curing, which rendered it unable to convert linoleic acid into conjugated linoleic acid, demonstrating the feasibility of successive editing. This study expands the toolkit for gene manipulation in B. breve and provides a new approach toward functional genome editing and analysis of B. breve strains.IMPORTANCEThe lack of effective genetic tools for Bifidobacterium breve is an obstacle to studying the molecular mechanisms of its health-promoting effects, hindering the development of next-generation probiotics. Here, we introduce a gene editing method based on the endogenous CRISPR-Cas system, which can achieve gene deletion, single-base substitution, gene insertion, and successive gene editing in B. breve. This study will facilitate discovery of functional genes and elucidation of molecular mechanisms of B. breve pertaining to health-associated benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Han
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
- School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Lulu Chang
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
- School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Haiqin Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
- School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jianxin Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
- School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Fengwei Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
- School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
- International Joint Research Center for Probiotics & Gut Health, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - R. Paul Ross
- International Joint Research Center for Probiotics & Gut Health, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Catherine Stanton
- International Joint Research Center for Probiotics & Gut Health, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
- Teagasc Food Research Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Cork, Ireland
| | | | - Wei Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
- School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
- National Engineering Research Center for Functional Food, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Bo Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
- School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
- International Joint Research Center for Probiotics & Gut Health, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
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7
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Xu T, Mitra R, Tan D, Li Z, Zhou C, Chen T, Xie Z, Han J. Utilization of gene manipulation system for advancing the biotechnological potential of halophiles: A review. Biotechnol Adv 2024; 70:108302. [PMID: 38101552 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2023.108302] [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: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Halophiles are salt-loving microorganisms known to have their natural resistance against media contamination even when cultivated in nonsterile and continuous bioprocess system, thus acting as promising cell factories for Next Generation of Industrial Biotechnology (NGIB). NGIB - a successor to the traditional industrial biotechnology, is a more sustainable and efficient bioprocess technology while saving energy and water in a more convenient way as well as reducing the investment cost and skilled workforce requirement. Numerous studies have achieved intriguing outcomes during synthesis of different metabolite using halophiles such as polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), ectoine, biosurfactants, and carotenoids. Present-day development in genetic maneuverings have shown optimistic effects on the industrial applications of halophiles. However, viable and competent genetic manipulation system and gene editing tools are critical to accelerate the process of halophile engineering. With the aid of such powerful gene manipulation systems, exclusive microbial chassis are being crafted with desirable features to breed another innovative area of research such as synthetic biology. This review provides an aerial perspective on how the expansion of adaptable gene manipulation toolkits in halophiles are contributing towards biotechnological advancement, and also focusses on their subsequent application for production improvement. This current methodical and comprehensive review will definitely help the scientific fraternity to bridge the gap between challenges and opportunities in halophile engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tong Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, People's Republic of China
| | - Ruchira Mitra
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, People's Republic of China; International College, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
| | - Dan Tan
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhengjun Li
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Cheng Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, People's Republic of China; College of Biochemical Engineering, Beijing Union University, Beijing 100023, People's Republic of China
| | - Tao Chen
- Frontier Science Center for Synthetic Biology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (MOE), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhengwei Xie
- Peking University International Cancer Institute, Health Science Center, Peking University, Beijing 100191, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Han
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, People's Republic of China; College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China.
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8
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Xu Z, Chen S, Wu W, Wen Y, Cao H. Type I CRISPR-Cas-mediated microbial gene editing and regulation. AIMS Microbiol 2023; 9:780-800. [PMID: 38173969 PMCID: PMC10758571 DOI: 10.3934/microbiol.2023040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2023] [Revised: 12/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
There are six major types of CRISPR-Cas systems that provide adaptive immunity in bacteria and archaea against invasive genetic elements. The discovery of CRISPR-Cas systems has revolutionized the field of genetics in many organisms. In the past few years, exploitations of the most abundant class 1 type I CRISPR-Cas systems have revealed their great potential and distinct advantages to achieve gene editing and regulation in diverse microorganisms in spite of their complicated structures. The widespread and diversified type I CRISPR-Cas systems are becoming increasingly attractive for the development of new biotechnological tools, especially in genetically recalcitrant microbial strains. In this review article, we comprehensively summarize recent advancements in microbial gene editing and regulation by utilizing type I CRISPR-Cas systems. Importantly, to expand the microbial host range of type I CRISPR-Cas-based applications, these structurally complicated systems have been improved as transferable gene-editing tools with efficient delivery methods for stable expression of CRISPR-Cas elements, as well as convenient gene-regulation tools with the prevention of DNA cleavage by obviating deletion or mutation of the Cas3 nuclease. We envision that type I CRISPR-Cas systems will largely expand the biotechnological toolbox for microbes with medical, environmental and industrial importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeling Xu
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Shuzhen Chen
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Weiyan Wu
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Yongqi Wen
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Huiluo Cao
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
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9
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Wu Y, Zhang J, Wang B, Zhang Y, Li H, Liu Y, Yin J, He D, Luo H, Gan F, Tang B, Tang XF. Dissecting the Arginine and Lysine Biosynthetic Pathways and Their Relationship in Haloarchaeon Natrinema gari J7-2 via Endogenous CRISPR-Cas System-Based Genome Editing. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0028823. [PMID: 37347159 PMCID: PMC10433800 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00288-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The evolutionary relationship between arginine and lysine biosynthetic pathways has been well established in bacteria and hyperthermophilic archaea but remains largely unknown in haloarchaea. Here, the endogenous CRISPR-Cas system was harnessed to edit arginine and lysine biosynthesis-related genes in the haloarchaeon Natrinema gari J7-2. The ΔargW, ΔargX, ΔargB, and ΔargD mutant strains display an arginine auxotrophic phenotype, while the ΔdapB mutant shows a lysine auxotrophic phenotype, suggesting that strain J7-2 utilizes the ArgW-mediated pathway and the diaminopimelate (DAP) pathway to synthesize arginine and lysine, respectively. Unlike the ArgD in Escherichia coli acting as a bifunctional aminotransferase in both the arginine biosynthesis pathway and the DAP pathway, the ArgD in strain J7-2 participates only in arginine biosynthesis. Meanwhile, in strain J7-2, the function of argB cannot be compensated for by its evolutionary counterpart ask in the DAP pathway. Moreover, strain J7-2 cannot utilize α-aminoadipate (AAA) to synthesize lysine via the ArgW-mediated pathway, in contrast to hyperthermophilic archaea that employ a bifunctional LysW-mediated pathway to synthesize arginine (or ornithine) and lysine from glutamate and AAA, respectively. Additionally, the replacement of a 5-amino-acid signature motif responsible for substrate specificity of strain J7-2 ArgX with that of its hyperthermophilic archaeal homologs cannot endow the ΔdapB mutant with the ability to biosynthesize lysine from AAA. The in vitro analysis shows that strain J7-2 ArgX acts on glutamate rather than AAA. These results suggest that the arginine and lysine biosynthetic pathways of strain J7-2 are highly specialized during evolution. IMPORTANCE Due to their roles in amino acid metabolism and close evolutionary relationship, arginine and lysine biosynthetic pathways represent interesting models for probing functional specialization of metabolic routes. The current knowledge with respect to arginine and lysine biosynthesis is limited for haloarchaea compared to that for bacteria and hyperthermophilic archaea. Our results demonstrate that the haloarchaeon Natrinema gari J7-2 employs the ArgW-mediated pathway and the DAP pathway for arginine and lysine biosynthesis, respectively, and the two pathways are functionally independent of each other; meanwhile, ArgX is a key determinant of substrate specificity of the ArgW-mediated pathway in strain J7-2. This study provides new clues about haloarchaeal amino acid metabolism and confirms the convenience and efficiency of endogenous CRISPR-Cas system-based genome editing in haloarchaea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Wu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jia Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Bingxue Wang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yanyan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Huai Li
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jing Yin
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Dan He
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Hongyi Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Fei Gan
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Cooperative Innovation Center of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education & Hubei Province), Wuhan, China
| | - Bing Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Cooperative Innovation Center of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education & Hubei Province), Wuhan, China
| | - Xiao-Feng Tang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Cooperative Innovation Center of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education & Hubei Province), Wuhan, China
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10
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Shangguan Q, White MF. Repurposing the atypical type I-G CRISPR system for bacterial genome engineering. MICROBIOLOGY (READING, ENGLAND) 2023; 169:001373. [PMID: 37526970 PMCID: PMC10482374 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.001373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
The CRISPR-Cas system functions as a prokaryotic immune system and is highly diverse, with six major types and numerous sub-types. The most abundant are type I CRISPR systems, which utilize a multi-subunit effector, Cascade, and a CRISPR RNA (crRNA) to detect invading DNA species. Detection leads to DNA loading of the Cas3 helicase-nuclease, leading to long-range deletions in the targeted DNA, thus providing immunity against mobile genetic elements (MGE). Here, we focus on the type I-G system, a streamlined, 4-subunit complex with an atypical Cas3 enzyme. We demonstrate that Cas3 helicase activity is not essential for immunity against MGE in vivo and explore applications of the Thioalkalivibrio sulfidiphilus Cascade effector for genome engineering in Escherichia coli. Long-range, bidirectional deletions were observed when the lacZ gene was targeted. Deactivation of the Cas3 helicase activity dramatically altered the types of deletions observed, with small deletions flanked by direct repeats that are suggestive of microhomology mediated end joining. When donor DNA templates were present, both the wild-type and helicase-deficient systems promoted homology-directed repair (HDR), with the latter system providing improvements in editing efficiency, suggesting that a single nick in the target site may promote HDR in E. coli using the type I-G system. These findings open the way for further application of the type I-G CRISPR systems in genome engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qilin Shangguan
- School of Biology, Biomedical Sciences Research Complex, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK
| | - Malcolm F. White
- School of Biology, Biomedical Sciences Research Complex, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK
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11
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Seo PW, Gu DH, Kim JW, Kim JH, Park SY, Kim JS. Structural characterization of the type I-B CRISPR Cas7 from Thermobaculum terrenum. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2023; 1871:140900. [PMID: 36682394 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2023.140900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) in many prokaryotes functions as an adaptive immune system against mobile genetic elements. A heterologous ribonucleoprotein silencing complex composed of CRISPR-associated (Cas) proteins and a CRISPR RNA (crRNA) neutralizes the incoming mobile genetic elements. The type I and III silencing complexes commonly include a protein-helical backbone of several copies of identical subunits, for example, Cas7 in the type I silencing complex. In this study, we structurally characterized type I-B Cas7 (Csh2 from Thermobaculum terrenum; TterCsh2). The revealed crystal structure of TterCsh2 shows a typical glove-like architecture of Cas7, which consists of a palm, a thumb, and a finger domain. Csh2 proteins have 5 conserved sequence motifs that are arranged to form a presumable crRNA-binding site in the TterCsh2 structure. This crRNA binding site of TterCsh2 is structurally and potentially comparable to those observed in helix-forming Cas7 structures in other sub-types. Analysis of the reported Cas7 structures and their sequences suggests that Cas7s can be divided into at least two sub-classes. These data will broaden our understanding on the Cascade complex of CRISPR/Cas systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pil-Won Seo
- Department of Chemistry, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, South Korea
| | - Do-Heon Gu
- Pohang Accelerator Laboratory, Pohang, South Korea
| | - Ji-Won Kim
- Department of Chemistry, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, South Korea
| | - Jun-Hong Kim
- Department of Chemistry, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, South Korea
| | | | - Jeong-Sun Kim
- Department of Chemistry, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, South Korea.
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12
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Gu S, Zhang J, Li L, Zhong J. Repurposing the Endogenous CRISPR-Cas9 System for High-Efficiency Genome Editing in Lacticaseibacillus paracasei. ACS Synth Biol 2022; 11:4031-4042. [PMID: 36414383 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.2c00374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Lactobacilli such as Lacticaseibacillus (Lcb) paracasei are generally regarded as safe and health-promoting microbes, and have been widely applied in food and pharmaceutical industries. However, the genetic bases of their beneficial properties were mostly uncertain because of the lack of effective genetic manipulation tools. The type II CRISPR-Cas9 system is the largest family present in lactobacilli, but none of them yet have been developed for genetic modifications. Here, we establish the first endogenous CRISPR-Cas9 genome-editing system in lactobacilli. With a validated protospacer adjacent motif (PAM) and customized single guide RNA (sgRNA) expression cassette, the native CRISPR-Cas9 system was reprogrammed to achieve gene deletion and chromosomal insertion at over 90% efficiency, as well as nucleotide substitution at ≥50% efficiency. We also effectively accomplished deletions of large genomic fragments (5-10 kb) and simultaneous deletion of multiple genes at distal loci, both of which are the first cases in lactobacilli when either endogenous or exogenous CRISPR-Cas systems were employed. In addition, we designed a controllable plasmid-targeting sgRNA expression module and integrated it into the editing plasmid. The all-in-one vector realized gene deletion and plasmid curing at high efficiency (>90%). Collectively, the present study develops a convenient and precise genetic tool in Lcb. paracasei and contributes to the genetics and engineering of lactobacilli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shujie Gu
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100039, China.,State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Lili Li
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100039, China.,State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Jin Zhong
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100039, China.,State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
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13
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Khan FS, Goher F, Zhang D, Shi P, Li Z, Htwe YM, Wang Y. Is CRISPR/Cas9 a way forward to fast-track genetic improvement in commercial palms? Prospects and limits. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:1042828. [PMID: 36578341 PMCID: PMC9791139 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.1042828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Commercially important palms (oil palm, coconut, and date palm) are widely grown perennial trees with tremendous commercial significance due to food, edible oil, and industrial applications. The mounting pressure on the human population further reinforces palms' importance, as they are essential crops to meet vegetable oil needs around the globe. Various conventional breeding methods are used for the genetic improvement of palms. However, adopting new technologies is crucial to accelerate breeding and satisfy the expanding population's demands. CRISPR/Cas9 is an efficient genome editing tool that can incorporate desired traits into the existing DNA of the plant without losing common traits. Recent progress in genome editing in oil palm, coconut and date palm are preliminarily introduced to potential readers. Furthermore, detailed information on available CRISPR-based genome editing and genetic transformation methods are summarized for researchers. We shed light on the possibilities of genome editing in palm crops, especially on the modification of fatty acid biosynthesis in oil palm. Moreover, the limitations in genome editing, including inadequate target gene screening due to genome complexities and low efficiency of genetic transformation, are also highlighted. The prospects of CRISPR/Cas9-based gene editing in commercial palms to improve sustainable production are also addressed in this review paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faiza Shafique Khan
- Hainan Key Laboratory for Biosafety Monitoring and Molecular Breeding in Off-Season Reproduction Regions/Sanya Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Sanya, Hainan, China
- Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory, Sanya, Hainan, China
- Hainan Key Laboratory of Tropical Oil Crops Biology, Coconut Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Wenchang, Hainan, China
| | - Farhan Goher
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Dapeng Zhang
- Hainan Key Laboratory for Biosafety Monitoring and Molecular Breeding in Off-Season Reproduction Regions/Sanya Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Sanya, Hainan, China
- Hainan Key Laboratory of Tropical Oil Crops Biology, Coconut Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Wenchang, Hainan, China
| | - Peng Shi
- Hainan Key Laboratory for Biosafety Monitoring and Molecular Breeding in Off-Season Reproduction Regions/Sanya Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Sanya, Hainan, China
- Hainan Key Laboratory of Tropical Oil Crops Biology, Coconut Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Wenchang, Hainan, China
| | - Zhiying Li
- Hainan Key Laboratory for Biosafety Monitoring and Molecular Breeding in Off-Season Reproduction Regions/Sanya Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Sanya, Hainan, China
- Hainan Key Laboratory of Tropical Oil Crops Biology, Coconut Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Wenchang, Hainan, China
| | - Yin Min Htwe
- Hainan Key Laboratory for Biosafety Monitoring and Molecular Breeding in Off-Season Reproduction Regions/Sanya Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Sanya, Hainan, China
- Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory, Sanya, Hainan, China
- Hainan Key Laboratory of Tropical Oil Crops Biology, Coconut Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Wenchang, Hainan, China
| | - Yong Wang
- Hainan Key Laboratory for Biosafety Monitoring and Molecular Breeding in Off-Season Reproduction Regions/Sanya Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Sanya, Hainan, China
- Hainan Key Laboratory of Tropical Oil Crops Biology, Coconut Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Wenchang, Hainan, China
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14
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Wang J, Wei J, Li H, Li Y. High-efficiency genome editing of an extreme thermophile Thermus thermophilus using endogenous type I and type III CRISPR-Cas systems. MLIFE 2022; 1:412-427. [PMID: 38818488 PMCID: PMC10989782 DOI: 10.1002/mlf2.12045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
Thermus thermophilus is an attractive species in the bioindustry due to its valuable natural products, abundant thermophilic enzymes, and promising fermentation capacities. However, efficient and versatile genome editing tools are not available for this species. In this study, we developed an efficient genome editing tool for T. thermophilus HB27 based on its endogenous type I-B, I-C, and III-A/B CRISPR-Cas systems. First, we systematically characterized the DNA interference capabilities of the different types of the native CRISPR-Cas systems in T. thermophilus HB27. We found that genomic manipulations such as gene deletion, mutation, and in situ tagging could be easily implemented by a series of genome-editing plasmids carrying an artificial self-targeting mini-CRISPR and a donor DNA responsible for the recombinant recovery. We also compared the genome editing efficiency of different CRISPR-Cas systems and the editing plasmids with donor DNAs of different lengths. Additionally, we developed a reporter gene system for T. thermophilus based on a heat-stable β-galactosidase gene TTP0042, and constructed an engineered strain with a high production capacity of superoxide dismutases by genome modification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinting Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology and College of Life Science and TechnologyHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanChina
- Shenzhen Institute of Nutrition and HealthHuazhong Agricultural UniversityShenzhenChina
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at ShenzhenChinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesShenzhenChina
| | - Junwei Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology and College of Life Science and TechnologyHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanChina
- Shenzhen Institute of Nutrition and HealthHuazhong Agricultural UniversityShenzhenChina
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at ShenzhenChinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesShenzhenChina
| | - Haijuan Li
- College of Biological and Environmental EngineeringXi'an UniversityXi'anChina
| | - Yingjun Li
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology and College of Life Science and TechnologyHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanChina
- Shenzhen Institute of Nutrition and HealthHuazhong Agricultural UniversityShenzhenChina
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at ShenzhenChinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesShenzhenChina
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15
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Chen J, Liu Y, Diep P, Mahadevan R. Genetic engineering of extremely acidophilic Acidithiobacillus species for biomining: Progress and perspectives. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 438:129456. [PMID: 35777147 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.129456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 06/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
With global demands for mineral resources increasing and ore grades decreasing, microorganisms have been increasingly deployed in biomining applications to recover valuable metals particularly from normally considered waste, such as low-grade ores and used consumer electronics. Acidithiobacillus are a genus of chemolithoautotrophic extreme acidophiles that are commonly found in mining process waters and acid mine drainage, which have been reported in several studies to aid in metal recovery from bioremediation of metal-contaminated sites. Compared to conventional mineral processing technologies, biomining is often cited as a more sustainable and environmentally friendly process, but long leaching cycles and low extraction efficiency are main disadvantages that have hampered its industrial applications. Genetic engineering is a powerful technology that can be used to enhance the performance of microorganisms, such as Acidithiobacillus species. In this review, we compile existing data on Acidithiobacillus species' physiological traits and genomic characteristics, progresses in developing genetic tools to engineer them: plasmids, shutter vectors, transformation methods, selection markers, promoters and reporter systems developed, and genome editing techniques. We further propose genetic engineering strategies for enhancing biomining efficiency of Acidithiobacillus species and provide our perspectives on their future applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinjin Chen
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Yilan Liu
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Patrick Diep
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Radhakrishnan Mahadevan
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
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16
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Cheng F, Wu A, Liu C, Cao X, Wang R, Shu X, Wang L, Zhang Y, Xiang H, Li M. The toxin-antitoxin RNA guards of CRISPR-Cas evolved high specificity through repeat degeneration. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:9442-9452. [PMID: 36018812 PMCID: PMC9458426 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 07/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent discovery of ectopic repeats (outside CRISPR arrays) provided unprecedented insights into the nondefense roles of CRISPR-Cas. A striking example is the addiction module CreTA (CRISPR-regulated toxin-antitoxins), where one or two (in most cases) ectopic repeats produce CRISPR-resembling antitoxic (CreA) RNAs that direct the CRISPR effector Cascade to transcriptionally repress a toxic RNA (CreT). Here, we demonstrated that CreTA repeats are extensively degenerated in sequence, with the first repeat (ψR1) being more diverged than the second one (ψR2). As a result, such addiction modules become highly specific to their physically-linked CRISPR-Cas loci, and in most cases, CreA could not harness a heterologous CRISPR-Cas to suppress its cognate toxin. We further disclosed that this specificity primarily derives from the degeneration of ψR1, and could generally be altered by modifying this repeat element. We also showed that the degenerated repeats of CreTA were insusceptible to recombination and thus more stable compared to a typical CRISPR array, which could be exploited to develop highly stable CRISPR-based tools. These data illustrated that repeat degeneration (a common feature of ectopic repeats) improves the stability and specificity of CreTA in protecting CRISPR-Cas, which could have contributed to the widespread occurrence and deep diversification of CRISPR systems.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Xifeng Cao
- School of life Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding, Hebei, China
| | - Rui Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Microbial Physiological and Metabolic Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xian Shu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Microbial Physiological and Metabolic Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China,College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lingyun Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Microbial Physiological and Metabolic Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China,College of Plant Protection, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong, China
| | - Yihan Zhang
- School of life Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding, Hebei, China,CAS Key Laboratory of Microbial Physiological and Metabolic Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hua Xiang
- Correspondence may also be addressed to Hua Xiang.
| | - Ming Li
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +86 10 64807064; Fax: +86 10 64807064;
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17
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Prakash A, Kumar M. Transcriptional analysis of CRISPR I-B arrays of Leptospira interrogans serovar Lai and its processing by Cas6. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:960559. [PMID: 35966677 PMCID: PMC9372919 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.960559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In the genome of various Leptospira interrogans serovars, the subtype I-B locus of CRISPR-Cas possesses either one or multiple CRISPR arrays. In silico database (CRISPRCasdb) for predicting CRISPR-Cas reveals seven CRISPR arrays in L. interrogans serovar Lai positioned between the two independent cas-operons. Here, we present the redefined repeat-spacer boundaries of the CRISPR subtype I-B locus of serovar Lai. Such refinement of boundaries of arrays in serovar Lai was done after comparison with the characterized array of another serovar Copenhageni and the manual analysis of CRISPR flanking sequences. Using the reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR), we account that the seven CRISPR are transcriptionally active in serovar Lai. Our RT-PCR and quantitative real-time PCR analysis of transcripts in serovar Lai indicated that seven CRISPR of subtype I-B transcribe together as a single precursor unit. Moreover, the cleavage of the two miniature pre-crRNA of the subtype I-B by Cas6 demonstrates the biogenesis of the expected size of mature crRNA essential for the guided interference of foreign DNA. This study features insight into transcription direction and the crRNA biogenesis in serovar Lai essential for RNA-mediated interference of invading nucleic acids.
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18
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Hussain MS, Kumar M. Assembly of Cas7 subunits of Leptospira on the mature crRNA of CRISPR-Cas I-B is modulated by divalent ions. Gene X 2022; 818:146244. [PMID: 35074418 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2022.146244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The spirochete Leptospira interrogans serovar Copenhageni harbors the genetic elements of the CRISPR-Cas type I-B system in its genome. CRISPR-Cas is a CRISPR RNA (crRNA) mediated adaptive immune system in most prokaryotes against mobile genetic elements (MGEs). To eliminate the intruding MGEs, CRISPR-Cas type I systems utilize a Cascade (CRISPR-associated complex for antiviral defense) complex composed of Cas5, Cas6, Cas7, and Cas8 bound with a crRNA. The Cas7 is essentially known to constitute the major component of the Cascade complex. The present study reports the biochemical characterization of the Cas7 (LinCas7) from the CRISPR-Cas type I-B system of L. interrogans serovar Copenhageni. The pure recombinant LinCas7 (rLinCas7) exists as a monomer in the solution by size exclusion chromatography. The rLinCas7 demonstrates an endoDNase activity dependent upon divalent Mg2+ ions, monovalent ions, pH, temperature, and substrate size. Analysis of ribonucleoprotein composite (rLinCas7-crRNA) by electron microscopy and native-PAGE demonstrated that rLinCas7 could oligomerize on the mature CRISPR RNA (crRNA) framework in the presence of Mg2+ ions. The ribonucleoprotein composite attains a helical shape similar to the backbone of the Cascade complex. However, in the absence of Mg2+ ions, rLinCas7 acts as an RNase. The fluorescence spectroscopy disclosed a weak interaction (Kd = 26.81 mM) between rLinCas7 and Mg2+ ions, leading to an overall conformational change in rLinCas7 that modulates the rLinCas7's activity on DNA and RNA substrates. The nuclease activity of LinCas7 characterized in this study aids to the functional divergences among proteins of the Cas7 family from different CRISPR-Cas systems in various organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Saddam Hussain
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati 7810 39, Assam, India
| | - Manish Kumar
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati 7810 39, Assam, India.
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19
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Jiang D, Zhang D, Li S, Liang Y, Zhang Q, Qin X, Gao J, Qiu J. Highly efficient genome editing in Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae through repurposing the endogenous type I-C CRISPR-Cas system. MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY 2022; 23:583-594. [PMID: 34954876 PMCID: PMC8916207 DOI: 10.1111/mpp.13178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Revised: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Efficient and modular genome editing technologies that manipulate the genome of bacterial pathogens will facilitate the study of pathogenesis mechanisms. However, such methods are yet to be established for Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo), the causal agent of rice bacterial blight. We identified a single type I-C CRISPR-Cas system in the Xoo genome and leveraged this endogenous defence system for high-efficiency genome editing in Xoo. Specifically, we developed plasmid components carrying a mini-CRISPR array, donor DNA, and a phage-derived recombination system to enable the efficient and programmable genome editing of precise deletions, insertions, base substitutions, and gene replacements. Furthermore, the type I-C CRISPR-Cas system of Xoo cleaves target DNA unidirectionally, and this can be harnessed to generate large genomic deletions up to 212 kb efficiently. Therefore, the genome-editing strategy we have developed can serve as an excellent tool for functional genomics of Xoo, and should also be applicable to other CRISPR-harbouring bacterial plant pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dandan Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant GenomicsInstitute of MicrobiologyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic InteractionsUniversity of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Dandan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant GenomicsInstitute of MicrobiologyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Shengnan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Plant GenomicsInstitute of MicrobiologyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Yueting Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant GenomicsInstitute of MicrobiologyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic InteractionsUniversity of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Qianwei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant GenomicsInstitute of MicrobiologyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic InteractionsUniversity of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Xu Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Plant GenomicsInstitute of MicrobiologyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic InteractionsUniversity of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Jinlan Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Plant GenomicsInstitute of MicrobiologyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Jin‐Long Qiu
- State Key Laboratory of Plant GenomicsInstitute of MicrobiologyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic InteractionsUniversity of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
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20
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Du K, Gong L, Li M, Yu H, Xiang H. Reprogramming the endogenous type I CRISPR-Cas system for simultaneous gene regulation and editing in Haloarcula hispanica. MLIFE 2022; 1:40-50. [PMID: 38818324 PMCID: PMC10989794 DOI: 10.1002/mlf2.12010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
The type I system is the most widely distributed CRISPR-Cas system identified so far. Recently, we have revealed the natural reprogramming of the type I CRISPR effector for gene regulation with a crRNA-resembling RNA in halophilic archaea. Here, we conducted a comprehensive study of the impact of redesigned crRNAs with different spacer lengths on gene regulation with the native type I-B CRISPR system in Haloarcula hispanica. When the spacer targeting the chromosomal gene was shortened from 36 to 28 bp, transformation efficiencies of the spacer-encoding plasmids were improved by over three orders of magnitude, indicating a significant loss of interference. However, by conducting whole-genome sequencing and measuring the growth curves of the hosts, we still detected DNA cleavage and its influence on cell growth. Intriguingly, when the spacer was shortened to 24 bp, the transcription of the target gene was downregulated to 10.80%, while both interference and primed adaptation disappeared. By modifying the lengths of the spacers, the expression of the target gene could be suppressed to varying degrees. Significantly, by designing crRNAs with different spacer lengths and targeting different genes, we achieved simultaneous gene editing (cdc6E) and gene regulation (crtB) for the first time with the endogenous type I CRISPR-Cas system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaixin Du
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of MicrobiologyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Luyao Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of MicrobiologyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Ming Li
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of MicrobiologyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
- CAS Key Laboratory of Microbial Physiological and Metabolic Engineering, Institute of MicrobiologyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Haiying Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of MicrobiologyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Hua Xiang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of MicrobiologyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
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21
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Hao Y, Wang Q, Li J, Yang S, Zheng Y, Peng W. Double nicking by RNA-directed Cascade-nCas3 for high-efficiency large-scale genome engineering. Open Biol 2022; 12:210241. [PMID: 35016549 PMCID: PMC8753164 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.210241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
New CRISPR-based genome editing technologies are developed to continually drive advances in life sciences, which, however, are predominantly derived from systems of Type II CRISPR-Cas9 and Type V CRISPR-Cas12a for eukaryotes. Here we report a novel CRISPR-n(nickase)Cas3 genome editing tool established upon a Type I-F system. We demonstrate that nCas3 variants can be created by alanine-substituting any catalytic residue of the Cas3 helicase domain. While nCas3 overproduction via plasmid shows severe cytotoxicity, an in situ nCas3 introduces targeted double-strand breaks, facilitating genome editing without visible cell killing. By harnessing this CRISPR-nCas3 in situ gene insertion, nucleotide substitution and deletion of genes or genomic DNA stretches can be consistently accomplished with near-100% efficiencies, including simultaneous removal of two large genomic fragments. Our work describes the first establishment of a CRISPR-nCas3-based genome editing technology, thereby offering a simple, yet useful approach to convert the naturally most abundantly occurring Type I systems into advanced genome editing tools to facilitate high-throughput prokaryotic engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yile Hao
- College of Life Science and Technology, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan 430023, People's Republic of China,State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, Hubei Engineering Research Center for Bio-enzyme Catalysis, Environmental Microbial Technology Center of Hubei Province, Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-resources, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, People's Republic of China
| | - Qinhua Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, Hubei Engineering Research Center for Bio-enzyme Catalysis, Environmental Microbial Technology Center of Hubei Province, Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-resources, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, People's Republic of China
| | - Jie Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, Hubei Engineering Research Center for Bio-enzyme Catalysis, Environmental Microbial Technology Center of Hubei Province, Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-resources, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, People's Republic of China
| | - Shihui Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, Hubei Engineering Research Center for Bio-enzyme Catalysis, Environmental Microbial Technology Center of Hubei Province, Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-resources, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanli Zheng
- College of Life Science and Technology, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan 430023, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenfang Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, Hubei Engineering Research Center for Bio-enzyme Catalysis, Environmental Microbial Technology Center of Hubei Province, Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-resources, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, People's Republic of China
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22
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Wimmer F, Englert F, Beisel CL. A TXTL-Based Assay to Rapidly Identify PAMs for CRISPR-Cas Systems with Multi-Protein Effector Complexes. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2433:391-411. [PMID: 34985758 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1998-8_24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Type I CRISPR-Cas systems represent the most common and diverse type of these prokaryotic defense systems and are being harnessed for a growing set of applications. As these systems rely on multi-protein effector complexes, their characterization remains challenging. Here, we report a rapid and straightforward method to characterize these systems in a cell-free transcription-translation (TXTL) system. A ribonucleoprotein complex is produced and binds to its target next to a recognized PAM, thereby preventing the targeted sequence from being cleaved by a restriction enzyme. Selection for uncleaved targeted plasmids leads to an enrichment of recognized sequences within a PAM library. This assay will aid the exploration of CRISPR-Cas diversity and evolution and help contribute new systems for CRISPR technologies and applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franziska Wimmer
- Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research (HIRI), Helmholtz-Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Würzburg, Germany
| | - Frank Englert
- Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research (HIRI), Helmholtz-Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Würzburg, Germany
| | - Chase L Beisel
- Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research (HIRI), Helmholtz-Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Würzburg, Germany.
- Medical Faculty, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.
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23
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Singha DL, Das D, Sarki YN, Chowdhury N, Sharma M, Maharana J, Chikkaputtaiah C. Harnessing tissue-specific genome editing in plants through CRISPR/Cas system: current state and future prospects. PLANTA 2021; 255:28. [PMID: 34962611 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-021-03811-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
In a nutshell, tissue-specific CRISPR/Cas genome editing is the most promising approach for crop improvement which can bypass the hurdle associated with constitutive GE such as off target and pleotropic effects for targeted crop improvement. CRISPR/Cas is a powerful genome-editing tool with a wide range of applications for the genetic improvement of crops. However, the constitutive genome editing of vital genes is often associated with pleiotropic effects on other genes, needless metabolic burden, or interference in the cellular machinery. Tissue-specific genome editing (TSGE), on the other hand, enables researchers to study those genes in specific cells, tissues, or organs without disturbing neighboring groups of cells. Until recently, there was only limited proof of the TSGE concept, where the CRISPR-TSKO tool was successfully used in Arabidopsis, tomato, and cotton, laying a solid foundation for crop improvement. In this review, we have laid out valuable insights into the concept and application of TSGE on relatively unexplored areas such as grain trait improvement under favorable or unfavorable conditions. We also enlisted some of the prominent tissue-specific promoters and described the procedure of their isolation with several TSGE promoter expression systems in detail. Moreover, we highlighted potential negative regulatory genes that could be targeted through TSGE using tissue-specific promoters. In a nutshell, tissue-specific CRISPR/Cas genome editing is the most promising approach for crop improvement which can bypass the hurdle associated with constitutive GE such as off target and pleotropic effects for targeted crop improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dhanawantari L Singha
- Biological Sciences and Technology Division, CSIR-North East Institute of Science and Technology (CSIR-NEIST), Jorhat, Assam, 785006, India.
| | - Debajit Das
- Biological Sciences and Technology Division, CSIR-North East Institute of Science and Technology (CSIR-NEIST), Jorhat, Assam, 785006, India
| | - Yogita N Sarki
- Biological Sciences and Technology Division, CSIR-North East Institute of Science and Technology (CSIR-NEIST), Jorhat, Assam, 785006, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India
| | - Naimisha Chowdhury
- Biological Sciences and Technology Division, CSIR-North East Institute of Science and Technology (CSIR-NEIST), Jorhat, Assam, 785006, India
| | - Monica Sharma
- Biological Sciences and Technology Division, CSIR-North East Institute of Science and Technology (CSIR-NEIST), Jorhat, Assam, 785006, India
| | - Jitendra Maharana
- Distributed Information Centre (DIC), Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, Assam, India
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
| | - Channakeshavaiah Chikkaputtaiah
- Biological Sciences and Technology Division, CSIR-North East Institute of Science and Technology (CSIR-NEIST), Jorhat, Assam, 785006, India.
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India.
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24
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Dong H, Cui Y, Zhang D. CRISPR/Cas Technologies and Their Applications in Escherichia coli. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2021; 9:762676. [PMID: 34858961 PMCID: PMC8632213 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2021.762676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein (Cas) systems have revolutionized genome editing and greatly promoted the development of biotechnology. However, these systems unfortunately have not been developed and applied in bacteria as extensively as in eukaryotic organism. Here, the research progress on the most widely used CRISPR/Cas tools and their applications in Escherichia coli is summarized. Genome editing based on homologous recombination, non-homologous DNA end-joining, transposons, and base editors are discussed. Finally, the state of the art of transcriptional regulation using CRISPRi is briefly reviewed. This review provides a useful reference for the application of CRISPR/Cas systems in other bacterial species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huina Dong
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
- Key Laboratory of Systems Microbial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
| | - Yali Cui
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
- Key Laboratory of Systems Microbial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
| | - Dawei Zhang
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
- Key Laboratory of Systems Microbial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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25
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Optimising PHBV biopolymer production in haloarchaea via CRISPRi-mediated redirection of carbon flux. Commun Biol 2021; 4:1007. [PMID: 34433872 PMCID: PMC8387396 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02541-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The haloarchaeon Haloferax mediterranei is a potential strain for poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) production, yet the production yield and cost are the major obstacles hindering the use of this archaeal strain. Leveraging the endogenous type I-B CRISPR-Cas system in H. mediterranei, we develop a CRISPR-based interference (CRISPRi) approach that allows to regulate the metabolic pathways related to PHBV synthesis, thereby enhancing PHBV production. Our CRISPRi approach can downregulate the gene expression in a range of 25% to 98% depending upon the target region. Importantly, plasmid-mediated CRISPRi downregulation on the citrate synthase genes (citZ and gltA) improves the PHBV accumulation by 76.4% (from 1.78 to 3.14 g/L). When crRNA cassette integrated into chromosome, this further shortens the PHBV fermentation period and enhances PHA productivity by 165%. Our transcriptome analysis shows that repression of citrate synthase genes redirects metabolic flux from the central metabolic pathways to PHBV synthesis pathway. These findings demonstrate that the CRISPRi-based gene regulation is a transformative toolkit for fine-tuning the endogenous metabolic pathways in the archaeal system, which can be applied to not only the biopolymer production but also many other applications. Lin et al. investigate the use of CRISPRi technology in haloarchaea to regulate the metabolic pathways related to PHBV synthesis to increase PHBV production in H. mediterranei. The authors report that repression of citrate synthase genes redirects metabolic flux and increases production of this degradable bioplastic, which could be used as an alternative to chemical synthetic plastic.
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26
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Efficient genome editing of an extreme thermophile, Thermus thermophilus, using a thermostable Cas9 variant. Sci Rep 2021; 11:9586. [PMID: 33953310 PMCID: PMC8100143 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-89029-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Thermophilic organisms are extensively studied in industrial biotechnology, for exploration of the limits of life, and in other contexts. Their optimal growth at high temperatures presents a challenge for the development of genetic tools for their genome editing, since genetic markers and selection substrates are often thermolabile. We sought to develop a thermostable CRISPR-Cas9 based system for genome editing of thermophiles. We identified CaldoCas9 and designed an associated guide RNA and showed that the pair have targetable nuclease activity in vitro at temperatures up to 65 °C. We performed a detailed characterization of the protospacer adjacent motif specificity of CaldoCas9, which revealed a preference for 5'-NNNNGNMA. We constructed a plasmid vector for the delivery and use of the CaldoCas9 based genome editing system in the extreme thermophile Thermus thermophilus at 65 °C. Using the vector, we generated gene knock-out mutants of T. thermophilus, targeting genes on the bacterial chromosome and megaplasmid. Mutants were obtained at a frequency of about 90%. We demonstrated that the vector can be cured from mutants for a subsequent round of genome editing. CRISPR-Cas9 based genome editing has not been reported previously in the extreme thermophile T. thermophilus. These results may facilitate development of genome editing tools for other extreme thermophiles and to that end, the vector has been made available via the plasmid repository Addgene.
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27
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Tittes C, Schwarzer S, Pfeiffer F, Dyall-Smith M, Rodriguez-Franco M, Oksanen HM, Quax TEF. Cellular and Genomic Properties of Haloferax gibbonsii LR2-5, the Host of Euryarchaeal Virus HFTV1. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:625599. [PMID: 33664716 PMCID: PMC7921747 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.625599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Hypersaline environments are the source of many viruses infecting different species of halophilic euryarchaea. Information on infection mechanisms of archaeal viruses is scarce, due to the lack of genetically accessible virus–host models. Recently, a new archaeal siphovirus, Haloferax tailed virus 1 (HFTV1), was isolated together with its host belonging to the genus Haloferax, but it is not infectious on the widely used model euryarcheon Haloferax volcanii. To gain more insight into the biology of HFTV1 host strain LR2-5, we studied characteristics that might play a role in its virus susceptibility: growth-dependent motility, surface layer, filamentous surface structures, and cell shape. Its genome sequence showed that LR2-5 is a new strain of Haloferax gibbonsii. LR2-5 lacks obvious viral defense systems, such as CRISPR-Cas, and the composition of its cell surface is different from Hfx. volcanii, which might explain the different viral host range. This work provides first deep insights into the relationship between the host of halovirus HFTV1 and other members of the genus Haloferax. Given the close relationship to the genetically accessible Hfx. volcanii, LR2-5 has high potential as a new model for virus–host studies in euryarchaea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colin Tittes
- Archaeal Virus-Host Interactions, Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Sabine Schwarzer
- Archaeal Virus-Host Interactions, Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Friedhelm Pfeiffer
- Computational Biology Group, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Mike Dyall-Smith
- Computational Biology Group, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Martinsried, Germany.,Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | | | - Hanna M Oksanen
- Molecular and Integrative Biosciences Research Programme, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tessa E F Quax
- Archaeal Virus-Host Interactions, Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
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28
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Xue Q, Zuo Z, Zhou H, Zhou J, Zhang S, Han J, Zhao D, Xiang H. Salinadaptatus halalkaliphilus gen. nov., sp. nov., a haloalkaliphilic archaeon isolated from salt pond in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2020; 71. [PMID: 33275091 DOI: 10.1099/ijsem.0.004584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
A haloalkaliphilic strain XQ-INN 246T was isolated from the sediment of a salt pond in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China. Cells of the strain were rods, motile and strictly aerobic. The strain was able to grow in the presence of 2.6-5.3 M NaCl (optimum concentration is 4.4 M) at 30-50 °C (optimum temperature is 42 °C) and pH 7.0-10.0 (optimum pH is 8.0-8.5). The whole genome sequencing of strain XQ-INN 246T revealed a genome size of 4.52 Mbp and a DNA G+C content of 62.06 mol%. Phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and concatenated amino acid sequences of 122 single-copy conserved proteins revealed a robust lineage of the strain XQ-INN 246T with members of related genera of the family Natrialbaceae. The strain possessed the polar lipids of phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol phosphate methyl ester. No glycolipids were detected. Based on phylogenetic analysis, phenotypic characteristics, chemotaxonomic properties and genome relatedness, the isolate was proposed as the type strain of a novel species of a new genus within the family Natrialbaceae, for which the name Salinadaptatus halalkaliphilus gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is XQ-INN 246T (=CGMCC 1.16692T=JCM 33751T).
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiong Xue
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, PR China.,State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101, Beijing, PR China
| | - Zhenqiang Zuo
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, PR China.,State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101, Beijing, PR China
| | - Heng Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101, Beijing, PR China
| | - Jian Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101, Beijing, PR China
| | - Shengjie Zhang
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, PR China.,State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101, Beijing, PR China
| | - Jing Han
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101, Beijing, PR China
| | - Dahe Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101, Beijing, PR China
| | - Hua Xiang
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, PR China.,State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101, Beijing, PR China
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29
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Zink IA, Wimmer E, Schleper C. Heavily Armed Ancestors: CRISPR Immunity and Applications in Archaea with a Comparative Analysis of CRISPR Types in Sulfolobales. Biomolecules 2020; 10:E1523. [PMID: 33172134 PMCID: PMC7694759 DOI: 10.3390/biom10111523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [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: 10/02/2020] [Revised: 10/31/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Prokaryotes are constantly coping with attacks by viruses in their natural environments and therefore have evolved an impressive array of defense systems. Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) is an adaptive immune system found in the majority of archaea and about half of bacteria which stores pieces of infecting viral DNA as spacers in genomic CRISPR arrays to reuse them for specific virus destruction upon a second wave of infection. In detail, small CRISPR RNAs (crRNAs) are transcribed from CRISPR arrays and incorporated into type-specific CRISPR effector complexes which further degrade foreign nucleic acids complementary to the crRNA. This review gives an overview of CRISPR immunity to newcomers in the field and an update on CRISPR literature in archaea by comparing the functional mechanisms and abundances of the diverse CRISPR types. A bigger fraction is dedicated to the versatile and prevalent CRISPR type III systems, as tremendous progress has been made recently using archaeal models in discerning the controlled molecular mechanisms of their unique tripartite mode of action including RNA interference, DNA interference and the unique cyclic-oligoadenylate signaling that induces promiscuous RNA shredding by CARF-domain ribonucleases. The second half of the review spotlights CRISPR in archaea outlining seminal in vivo and in vitro studies in model organisms of the euryarchaeal and crenarchaeal phyla, including the application of CRISPR-Cas for genome editing and gene silencing. In the last section, a special focus is laid on members of the crenarchaeal hyperthermophilic order Sulfolobales by presenting a thorough comparative analysis about the distribution and abundance of CRISPR-Cas systems, including arrays and spacers as well as CRISPR-accessory proteins in all 53 genomes available to date. Interestingly, we find that CRISPR type III and the DNA-degrading CRISPR type I complexes co-exist in more than two thirds of these genomes. Furthermore, we identified ring nuclease candidates in all but two genomes and found that they generally co-exist with the above-mentioned CARF domain ribonucleases Csx1/Csm6. These observations, together with published literature allowed us to draft a working model of how CRISPR-Cas systems and accessory proteins cross talk to establish native CRISPR anti-virus immunity in a Sulfolobales cell.
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30
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CRISPR-Cas adaptive immune systems in Sulfolobales: genetic studies and molecular mechanisms. SCIENCE CHINA-LIFE SCIENCES 2020; 64:678-696. [DOI: 10.1007/s11427-020-1745-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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31
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Csörgő B, León LM, Chau-Ly IJ, Vasquez-Rifo A, Berry JD, Mahendra C, Crawford ED, Lewis JD, Bondy-Denomy J. A compact Cascade–Cas3 system for targeted genome engineering. Nat Methods 2020; 17:1183-1190. [DOI: 10.1038/s41592-020-00980-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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32
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Liu Z, Dong H, Cui Y, Cong L, Zhang D. Application of different types of CRISPR/Cas-based systems in bacteria. Microb Cell Fact 2020; 19:172. [PMID: 32883277 PMCID: PMC7470686 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-020-01431-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
As important genome editing tools, CRISPR/Cas systems, especially those based on type II Cas9 and type V Cas12a, are widely used in genetic and metabolic engineering of bacteria. However, the intrinsic toxicity of Cas9 and Cas12a-mediated CRISPR/Cas tools can lead to cell death in some strains, which led to the development of endogenous type I and III CRISPR/Cas systems. However, these systems are hindered by complicated development and limited applications. Thus, further development and optimization of CRISPR/Cas systems is needed. Here, we briefly summarize the mechanisms of different types of CRISPR/Cas systems as genetic manipulation tools and compare their features to provide a reference for selecting different CRISPR/Cas tools. Then, we show the use of CRISPR/Cas technology for bacterial strain evolution and metabolic engineering, including genome editing, gene expression regulation and the base editor tool. Finally, we offer a view of future directions for bacterial CRISPR/Cas technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenquan Liu
- School of Biological Engineering, Dalian Polytechnic University, Dalian, 116034, People's Republic of China
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, 300308, China
- Key Laboratory of Systems Microbial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, 300308, People's Republic of China
| | - Huina Dong
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, 300308, China
- Key Laboratory of Systems Microbial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, 300308, People's Republic of China
| | - Yali Cui
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, 300308, China
- Key Laboratory of Systems Microbial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, 300308, People's Republic of China
| | - Lina Cong
- School of Biological Engineering, Dalian Polytechnic University, Dalian, 116034, People's Republic of China.
| | - Dawei Zhang
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, 300308, China.
- Key Laboratory of Systems Microbial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, 300308, People's Republic of China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
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33
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Xu Z, Li Y, Li M, Xiang H, Yan A. Harnessing the type I CRISPR-Cas systems for genome editing in prokaryotes. Environ Microbiol 2020; 23:542-558. [PMID: 32510745 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.15116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2020] [Revised: 05/31/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Genetic analysis is crucial to the understanding, exploitation, and control of microorganisms. The advent of CRISPR-Cas-based genome-editing techniques, particularly those mediated by the single-effector (Cas9 and Cas12a) class 2 CRISPR-Cas systems, has revolutionized the genetics in model eukaryotic organisms. However, their applications in prokaryotes are rather limited, largely owing to the exceptional diversity of DNA homeostasis in microorganisms and severe cytotoxicity of overexpressing these nuclease proteins in certain genotypes. Remarkably, CRISPR-Cas systems belonging to different classes and types are continuously identified in prokaryotic genomes and serve as a deep reservoir for expansion of the CRISPR-based genetic toolkits. ~90% of the CRISPR-Cas systems identified so far belong to the class 1 system which hinges on multi-protein effector complexes for DNA interference. Harnessing these widespread native CRISPR-Cas systems for 'built-in' genome editing represents an emerging and powerful genetic tool in prokaryotes, especially in the genetically recalcitrant non-model species and strains. In this progress review, we introduce the general workflow of this emerging editing platform and summarize its establishment in a growing number of prokaryotes by harnessing the most widespread, diverse type I CRISPR-Cas systems present in their genomes. We also discuss the various factors affecting the success and efficiency of this editing platform and the corresponding solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeling Xu
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yanran Li
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ming Li
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hua Xiang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Aixin Yan
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong SAR, China
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34
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Repurposing type I-F CRISPR-Cas system as a transcriptional activation tool in human cells. Nat Commun 2020; 11:3136. [PMID: 32561716 PMCID: PMC7305327 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-16880-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2019] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Class 2 CRISPR–Cas proteins have been widely developed as genome editing and transcriptional regulating tools. Class 1 type I CRISPR–Cas constitutes ~60% of all the CRISPR–Cas systems. However, only type I–B and I–E systems have been used to control mammalian gene expression and for genome editing. Here we demonstrate the feasibility of using type I–F system to regulate human gene expression. By fusing transcription activation domain to Pseudomonas aeruginosa type I–F Cas proteins, we activate gene transcription in human cells. In most cases, type I–F system is more efficient than other CRISPR-based systems. Transcription activation is enhanced by elongating the crRNA. In addition, we achieve multiplexed gene activation with a crRNA array. Furthermore, type I–F system activates target genes specifically without off-target transcription activation. These data demonstrate the robustness and programmability of type I–F CRISPR–Cas in human cells. Class 1 type I CRISPR–Cas systems have not been as extensively developed for genome engineering as Class 2 systems. Here the authors modify the Type I–F CRISPR–Cas system for transcriptional activation of gene expression.
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Zheng Y, Han J, Wang B, Hu X, Li R, Shen W, Ma X, Ma L, Yi L, Yang S, Peng W. Characterization and repurposing of the endogenous Type I-F CRISPR-Cas system of Zymomonas mobilis for genome engineering. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 47:11461-11475. [PMID: 31647102 PMCID: PMC6868425 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkz940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2019] [Revised: 10/05/2019] [Accepted: 10/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Application of CRISPR-based technologies in non-model microorganisms is currently very limited. Here, we reported efficient genome engineering of an important industrial microorganism, Zymomonas mobilis, by repurposing the endogenous Type I-F CRISPR–Cas system upon its functional characterization. This toolkit included a series of genome engineering plasmids, each carrying an artificial self-targeting CRISPR and a donor DNA for the recovery of recombinants. Through this toolkit, various genome engineering purposes were efficiently achieved, including knockout of ZMO0038 (100% efficiency), cas2/3 (100%), and a genomic fragment of >10 kb (50%), replacement of cas2/3 with mCherry gene (100%), in situ nucleotide substitution (100%) and His-tagging of ZMO0038 (100%), and multiplex gene deletion (18.75%) upon optimal donor size determination. Additionally, the Type I-F system was further applied for CRISPRi upon Cas2/3 depletion, which has been demonstrated to successfully silence the chromosomally integrated mCherry gene with its fluorescence intensity reduced by up to 88%. Moreover, we demonstrated that genome engineering efficiency could be improved under a restriction–modification (R–M) deficient background, suggesting the perturbance of genome editing by other co-existing DNA targeting modules such as the R–M system. This study might shed light on exploiting and improving CRISPR–Cas systems in other microorganisms for genome editing and metabolic engineering practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanli Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, Hubei Engineering Research Center for Bio-enzyme Catalysis, Environmental Microbial Technology Center of Hubei Province, Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-resources, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, P.R. China
| | - Jiamei Han
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, Hubei Engineering Research Center for Bio-enzyme Catalysis, Environmental Microbial Technology Center of Hubei Province, Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-resources, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, P.R. China
| | - Baiyang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, Hubei Engineering Research Center for Bio-enzyme Catalysis, Environmental Microbial Technology Center of Hubei Province, Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-resources, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoyun Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, Hubei Engineering Research Center for Bio-enzyme Catalysis, Environmental Microbial Technology Center of Hubei Province, Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-resources, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, P.R. China
| | - Runxia Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, Hubei Engineering Research Center for Bio-enzyme Catalysis, Environmental Microbial Technology Center of Hubei Province, Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-resources, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, P.R. China
| | - Wei Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, Hubei Engineering Research Center for Bio-enzyme Catalysis, Environmental Microbial Technology Center of Hubei Province, Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-resources, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, P.R. China
| | - Xiangdong Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, Hubei Engineering Research Center for Bio-enzyme Catalysis, Environmental Microbial Technology Center of Hubei Province, Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-resources, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, P.R. China
| | - Lixin Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, Hubei Engineering Research Center for Bio-enzyme Catalysis, Environmental Microbial Technology Center of Hubei Province, Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-resources, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, P.R. China
| | - Li Yi
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, Hubei Engineering Research Center for Bio-enzyme Catalysis, Environmental Microbial Technology Center of Hubei Province, Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-resources, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, P.R. China
| | - Shihui Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, Hubei Engineering Research Center for Bio-enzyme Catalysis, Environmental Microbial Technology Center of Hubei Province, Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-resources, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, P.R. China
| | - Wenfang Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, Hubei Engineering Research Center for Bio-enzyme Catalysis, Environmental Microbial Technology Center of Hubei Province, Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-resources, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, P.R. China
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Walker JE, Lanahan AA, Zheng T, Toruno C, Lynd LR, Cameron JC, Olson DG, Eckert CA. Development of both type I-B and type II CRISPR/Cas genome editing systems in the cellulolytic bacterium Clostridium thermocellum. Metab Eng Commun 2020; 10:e00116. [PMID: 31890588 PMCID: PMC6926293 DOI: 10.1016/j.mec.2019.e00116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2019] [Revised: 11/13/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The robust lignocellulose-solubilizing activity of C. thermocellum makes it a top candidate for consolidated bioprocessing for biofuel production. Genetic techniques for C. thermocellum have lagged behind model organisms thus limiting attempts to improve biofuel production. To improve our ability to engineer C. thermocellum, we characterized a native Type I-B and heterologous Type II Clustered Regularly-Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeat (CRISPR)/cas (CRISPR associated) systems. We repurposed the native Type I-B system for genome editing. We tested three thermophilic Cas9 variants (Type II) and found that GeoCas9, isolated from Geobacillus stearothermophilus, is active in C. thermocellum. We employed CRISPR-mediated homology directed repair to introduce a nonsense mutation into pyrF. For both editing systems, homologous recombination between the repair template and the genome appeared to be the limiting step. To overcome this limitation, we tested three novel thermophilic recombinases and demonstrated that exo/beta homologs, isolated from Acidithiobacillus caldus, are functional in C. thermocellum. For the Type I-B system an engineered strain, termed LL1586, yielded 40% genome editing efficiency at the pyrF locus and when recombineering machinery was expressed this increased to 71%. For the Type II GeoCas9 system, 12.5% genome editing efficiency was observed and when recombineering machinery was expressed, this increased to 94%. By combining the thermophilic CRISPR system (either Type I-B or Type II) with the recombinases, we developed a new tool that allows for efficient CRISPR editing. We are now poised to enable CRISPR technologies to better engineer C. thermocellum for both increased lignocellulose degradation and biofuel production.
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Key Words
- 5-FOA, 5-fluoroorotic acid
- CFU, colony forming unit
- CRISPR
- CRISPR/Cas, Clustered Regularly-Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeat/CRISPR associated
- Cas9
- Cas9n, nickase Cas9
- Clostridium thermocellum
- HDR, homology-directed repair
- HR, homologous recombination
- PAM, protospacer adjacent motif
- RNP, Cas9-sgRNA ribonucleoprotein
- Thermophilic recombineering
- Tm, thiamphenicol
- Type I–B
- sgRNA, single guide RNA
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie E. Walker
- Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, 80303, USA
- Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, 37830, USA
| | - Anthony A. Lanahan
- Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, 37830, USA
- Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, 03755, USA
| | - Tianyong Zheng
- Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, 37830, USA
- Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, 03755, USA
| | - Camilo Toruno
- Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, 37830, USA
- Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, 03755, USA
| | - Lee R. Lynd
- Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, 37830, USA
- Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, 03755, USA
| | - Jeffrey C. Cameron
- Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, 80303, USA
- Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, 37830, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, 80303, USA
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Biosciences Center, Golden, USA
| | - Daniel G. Olson
- Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, 37830, USA
- Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, 03755, USA
| | - Carrie A. Eckert
- Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, 80303, USA
- Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, 37830, USA
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Biosciences Center, Golden, USA
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Zheng Y, Li J, Wang B, Han J, Hao Y, Wang S, Ma X, Yang S, Ma L, Yi L, Peng W. Endogenous Type I CRISPR-Cas: From Foreign DNA Defense to Prokaryotic Engineering. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2020; 8:62. [PMID: 32195227 PMCID: PMC7064716 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.00062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Accepted: 01/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Establishment of production platforms through prokaryotic engineering in microbial organisms would be one of the most efficient means for chemicals, protein, and biofuels production. Despite the fact that CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats)–based technologies have readily emerged as powerful and versatile tools for genetic manipulations, their applications are generally limited in prokaryotes, possibly owing to the large size and severe cytotoxicity of the heterogeneous Cas (CRISPR-associated) effector. Nevertheless, the rich natural occurrence of CRISPR-Cas systems in many bacteria and most archaea holds great potential for endogenous CRISPR-based prokaryotic engineering. The endogenous CRISPR-Cas systems, with type I systems that constitute the most abundant and diverse group, would be repurposed as genetic manipulation tools once they are identified and characterized as functional in their native hosts. This article reviews the major progress made in understanding the mechanisms of invading DNA immunity by type I CRISPR-Cas and summarizes the practical applications of endogenous type I CRISPR-based toolkits for prokaryotic engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanli Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-resources, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jie Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-resources, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, China
| | - Baiyang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-resources, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jiamei Han
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-resources, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yile Hao
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-resources, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, China
| | - Shengchen Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-resources, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiangdong Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-resources, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, China
| | - Shihui Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-resources, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, China
| | - Lixin Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-resources, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, China
| | - Li Yi
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-resources, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, China
| | - Wenfang Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-resources, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, China
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Characterization and applications of Type I CRISPR-Cas systems. Biochem Soc Trans 2020; 48:15-23. [DOI: 10.1042/bst20190119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2019] [Revised: 12/13/2019] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas constitutes the adaptive immune system of bacteria and archaea. This RNA-mediated sequence-specific recognition and targeting machinery has been used broadly for diverse applications in a wide range of organisms across the tree of life. The compact class 2 systems, that hinge on a single Cas effector nuclease have been harnessed for genome editing, transcriptional regulation, detection, imaging and other applications, in different research areas. However, most of the CRISPR-Cas systems belong to class 1, and the molecular machinery of the most widespread and diverse Type I systems afford tremendous opportunities for a broad range of applications. These highly abundant systems rely on a multi-protein effector complex, the CRISPR associated complex for antiviral defense (Cascade), which drives DNA targeting and cleavage. The complexity of these systems has somewhat hindered their widespread usage, but the pool of thousands of diverse Type I CRISPR-Cas systems opens new avenues for CRISPR-based applications in bacteria, archaea and eukaryotes. Here, we describe the features and mechanism of action of Type I CRISPR-Cas systems, illustrate how endogenous systems can be reprogrammed to target the host genome and perform genome editing and transcriptional regulation by co-delivering a minimal CRISPR array together with a repair template. Moreover, we discuss how these systems can also be used in eukaryotes. This review provides a framework for expanding the CRISPR toolbox, and repurposing the most abundant CRISPR-Cas systems for a wide range of applications.
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Li Y, Peng N. Endogenous CRISPR-Cas System-Based Genome Editing and Antimicrobials: Review and Prospects. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:2471. [PMID: 31708910 PMCID: PMC6824031 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.02471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2019] [Accepted: 10/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas systems adapt “memories” via spacers from viruses and plasmids to develop adaptive immunity against mobile genetic elements. Mature CRISPR RNAs guide CRISPR-associated nucleases to site-specifically cleave target DNA or RNA, providing an efficient genome engineering tool for organisms of all three kingdoms. Cas9, Cas12, and Cas13 are single proteins with multiple domains that are the most widely used CRISPR nucleases of the Class 2 system. However, these CRISPR endonucleases are large in size, leading to difficulty for manipulation and toxicity for cells. Most archaeal genomes and half of the bacterial genomes encode different types of CRISPR-Cas systems. Therefore, developing endogenous CRISPR-Cas systems-based genome editing will simplify manipulations and increase editing efficiency in prokaryotic cells. Here, we review the current applications and discuss the prospects of using endogenous CRISPR nucleases for genome engineering and CRISPR-based antimicrobials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingjun Li
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Nan Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
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Using an Endogenous CRISPR-Cas System for Genome Editing in the Human Pathogen Clostridium difficile. Appl Environ Microbiol 2019; 85:AEM.01416-19. [PMID: 31399410 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01416-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2019] [Accepted: 08/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The human enteropathogen Clostridium difficile constitutes a key public health issue in industrialized countries. Many aspects of C. difficile pathophysiology and adaptation inside the host remain poorly understood. We have recently reported that this bacterium possesses an active CRISPR-Cas system of subtype I-B for defense against phages and other mobile genetic elements that could contribute to its success during infection. In this paper, we demonstrate that redirecting this endogenous CRISPR-Cas system toward autoimmunity allows efficient genome editing in C. difficile We provide a detailed description of this newly developed approach and show, as a proof of principle, its efficient application for deletion of a specific gene in reference strain 630Δerm and in epidemic C. difficile strain R20291. The new method expands the arsenal of the currently limiting set of gene engineering tools available for investigation of C. difficile and may serve as the basis for new strategies to control C. difficile infections.IMPORTANCE Clostridium difficile represents today a real danger for human and animal health. It is the leading cause of diarrhea associated with health care in adults in industrialized countries. The incidence of these infections continues to increase, and this trend is accentuated by the general aging of the population. Many questions about the mechanisms contributing to C. difficile's success inside the host remain unanswered. The set of genetic tools available for this pathogen is limited, and new developments are badly needed. C. difficile has developed efficient defense systems that are directed against foreign DNA and that could contribute to its survival in phage-rich gut communities. We show how one such defense system, named CRISPR-Cas, can be hijacked for C. difficile genome editing. Our results also show a great potential for the use of the CRISPR-Cas system for the development of new therapeutic strategies against C. difficile infections.
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Hidalgo-Cantabrana C, Goh YJ, Pan M, Sanozky-Dawes R, Barrangou R. Genome editing using the endogenous type I CRISPR-Cas system in Lactobacillus crispatus. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:15774-15783. [PMID: 31341082 PMCID: PMC6690032 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1905421116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas systems are now widely used for genome editing and transcriptional regulation in diverse organisms. The compact and portable nature of class 2 single effector nucleases, such as Cas9 or Cas12, has facilitated directed genome modifications in plants, animals, and microbes. However, most CRISPR-Cas systems belong to the more prevalent class 1 category, which hinges on multiprotein effector complexes. In the present study, we detail how the native type I-E CRISPR-Cas system, with a 5'-AAA-3' protospacer adjacent motif (PAM) and a 61-nucleotide guide CRISPR RNA (crRNA) can be repurposed for efficient chromosomal targeting and genome editing in Lactobacillus crispatus, an important commensal and beneficial microbe in the vaginal and intestinal tracts. Specifically, we generated diverse mutations encompassing a 643-base pair (bp) deletion (100% efficiency), a stop codon insertion (36%), and a single nucleotide substitution (19%) in the exopolysaccharide priming-glycosyl transferase (p-gtf). Additional genetic targets included a 308-bp deletion (20%) in the prophage DNA packaging Nu1 and a 730-bp insertion of the green fluorescent protein gene downstream of enolase (23%). This approach enables flexible alteration of the formerly genetically recalcitrant species L. crispatus, with potential for probiotic enhancement, biotherapeutic engineering, and mucosal vaccine delivery. These results also provide a framework for repurposing endogenous CRISPR-Cas systems for flexible genome targeting and editing, while expanding the toolbox to include one of the most abundant and diverse systems found in nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Hidalgo-Cantabrana
- Department of Food, Bioprocessing and Nutrition Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695
| | - Yong Jun Goh
- Department of Food, Bioprocessing and Nutrition Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695
| | - Meichen Pan
- Department of Food, Bioprocessing and Nutrition Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695
| | - Rosemary Sanozky-Dawes
- Department of Food, Bioprocessing and Nutrition Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695
| | - Rodolphe Barrangou
- Department of Food, Bioprocessing and Nutrition Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695
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Hidalgo-Cantabrana C, Goh YJ, Barrangou R. Characterization and Repurposing of Type I and Type II CRISPR-Cas Systems in Bacteria. J Mol Biol 2019; 431:21-33. [PMID: 30261168 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2018.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2018] [Revised: 09/19/2018] [Accepted: 09/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas systems constitute the adaptive immune system of bacteria and archaea, as a sequence-specific nucleic acid targeting defense mechanism. The sequence-specific recognition and cleavage of Cas effector complexes has been harnessed to developed CRISPR-based technologies and drive the genome editing revolution underway, due to their efficacy, efficiency, and ease of implementation in a broad range of organisms. CRISPR-based technologies offer a wide variety of opportunities in genome remodeling and transcriptional regulation, opening new avenues for therapeutic and biotechnological applications. To repurpose CRISPR-Cas systems for these applications, the various elements of the system need to be first identified and functionally characterized in their native host. Bioinformatic tools are first used to identify putative CRISPR arrays and their associated genes, followed by a comprehensive characterization of the CRISPR-Cas system, encompassing predictions for guide and target sequences. Subsequently, interference assays and transcriptomic analyses should be performed to probe the functionality of the CRISPR-Cas system. Once an endogenous CRISPR-Cas system is characterized as functional, they can be readily repurposed by delivering an engineered synthetic CRISPR array or a small RNA guide for targeted gene manipulation. Alternatively, developing a plasmid-based system for heterologous expression of the necessary CRISPR components can enable exploitation in other organisms. Altogether, there is a wide diversity of native CRISPR-Cas systems in many bacteria and most archaea that await functional characterization and repurposing for genome editing applications in prokaryotes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Hidalgo-Cantabrana
- Department of Food, Processing and Nutrition Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Yong Jun Goh
- Department of Food, Processing and Nutrition Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Rodolphe Barrangou
- Department of Food, Processing and Nutrition Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA.
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Zhu Y, Huang Z. Recent advances in structural studies of the CRISPR-Cas-mediated genome editing tools. Natl Sci Rev 2018; 6:438-451. [PMID: 34691893 PMCID: PMC8291651 DOI: 10.1093/nsr/nwy150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2018] [Revised: 11/21/2018] [Accepted: 11/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) and accompanying CRISPR-associated (Cas) proteins provide RNA-guided adaptive immunity for prokaryotes to defend themselves against viruses. The CRISPR-Cas systems have attracted much attention in recent years for their power in aiding the development of genome editing tools. Based on the composition of the CRISPR RNA-effector complex, the CRISPR-Cas systems can be divided into two classes and six types. In this review, we summarize recent advances in the structural biology of the CRISPR-Cas-mediated genome editing tools, which helps us to understand the mechanism of how the guide RNAs assemble with diverse Cas proteins to cleave target nucleic acids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuwei Zhu
- HIT Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150080, China
| | - Zhiwei Huang
- HIT Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150080, China
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Klotz C, Barrangou R. Engineering Components of the Lactobacillus S-Layer for Biotherapeutic Applications. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:2264. [PMID: 30333802 PMCID: PMC6176008 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.02264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2018] [Accepted: 09/05/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are frequently harnessed for the delivery of biomolecules to mucosal tissues. Several species of Lactobacillus are commonly employed for this task, of which a subset are known to possess surface-layers (S-layers). S-layers are two-dimensional crystalline arrays of repeating proteinaceous subunits that form the outermost coating of many prokaryotic cell envelopes. Their periodicity and abundance have made them a target for numerous biotechnological applications. In the following review, we examine the multi-faceted S-layer protein (Slp), and its use in both heterologous protein expression systems and mucosal vaccine delivery frameworks, through its diverse genetic components: the strong native promoter, capable of synthesizing as many as 500 Slp subunits per second; the signal peptide that stimulates robust secretion of recombinant proteins; and the structural domains, which can be harnessed for both cell surface display of foreign peptides or adhesion enhancement of a host bacterium. Although numerous studies have established vaccine platforms based on one or more components of the Lactobacillus S-layer, this area of research still remains largely in its infancy, thus this review is meant to not only highlight past works, but also advocate for the future usage of Slps in biotherapeutic research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney Klotz
- Genomic Sciences Graduate Program, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
- Department of Food, Bioprocessing and Nutrition Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Rodolphe Barrangou
- Genomic Sciences Graduate Program, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
- Department of Food, Bioprocessing and Nutrition Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
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Maikova A, Severinov K, Soutourina O. New Insights Into Functions and Possible Applications of Clostridium difficile CRISPR-Cas System. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:1740. [PMID: 30108577 PMCID: PMC6079278 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.01740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2018] [Accepted: 07/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the last decades the enteric bacterium Clostridium difficile (novel name Clostridioides difficile) - has emerged as an important human nosocomial pathogen. It is a leading cause of hospital-acquired diarrhea and represents a major challenge for healthcare providers. Many aspects of C. difficile pathogenesis and its evolution remain poorly understood. Efficient defense systems against phages and other genetic elements could have contributed to the success of this enteropathogen in the phage-rich gut communities. Recent studies demonstrated the presence of an active CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats)-Cas (CRISPR-associated) subtype I-B system in C. difficile. In this mini-review, we will discuss the recent advances in characterization of original features of the C. difficile CRISPR-Cas system in laboratory and clinical strains, as well as interesting perspectives for our understanding of this defense system function and regulation in this important enteropathogen. This knowledge will pave the way for the development of promising biotechnological and therapeutic tools in the future. Possible applications for the C. difficile strain monitoring and genotyping, as well as for CRISPR-based genome editing and antimicrobials are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Maikova
- Center for Life Sciences, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow, Russia.,Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France.,Microbiology, Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell, Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France.,Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Konstantin Severinov
- Center for Life Sciences, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow, Russia.,Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, Saint Petersburg, Russia.,Waksman Institute for Microbiology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, United States
| | - Olga Soutourina
- Microbiology, Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell, Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France.,Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
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Freed E, Fenster J, Smolinski SL, Walker J, Henard CA, Gill R, Eckert CA. Building a genome engineering toolbox in nonmodel prokaryotic microbes. Biotechnol Bioeng 2018; 115:2120-2138. [PMID: 29750332 DOI: 10.1002/bit.26727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2017] [Revised: 04/02/2018] [Accepted: 03/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The realization of a sustainable bioeconomy requires our ability to understand and engineer complex design principles for the development of platform organisms capable of efficient conversion of cheap and sustainable feedstocks (e.g., sunlight, CO2 , and nonfood biomass) into biofuels and bioproducts at sufficient titers and costs. For model microbes, such as Escherichia coli, advances in DNA reading and writing technologies are driving the adoption of new paradigms for engineering biological systems. Unfortunately, microbes with properties of interest for the utilization of cheap and renewable feedstocks, such as photosynthesis, autotrophic growth, and cellulose degradation, have very few, if any, genetic tools for metabolic engineering. Therefore, it is important to develop "design rules" for building a genetic toolbox for novel microbes. Here, we present an overview of our current understanding of these rules for the genetic manipulation of prokaryotic microbes and the available genetic tools to expand our ability to genetically engineer nonmodel systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Freed
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Biosciences Center, Golden, CO.,Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO
| | - Jacob Fenster
- Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO.,Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO
| | | | - Julie Walker
- Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO
| | - Calvin A Henard
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory, National Bioenergy Center, Golden, CO
| | - Ryan Gill
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Biosciences Center, Golden, CO.,Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO.,Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO
| | - Carrie A Eckert
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Biosciences Center, Golden, CO.,Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO
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