1
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Plaper T, Rihtar E, Železnik Ramuta T, Forstnerič V, Jazbec V, Ivanovski F, Benčina M, Jerala R. The art of designed coiled-coils for the regulation of mammalian cells. Cell Chem Biol 2024; 31:1460-1472. [PMID: 38971158 PMCID: PMC11335187 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2024.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2024] [Revised: 05/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/08/2024]
Abstract
Synthetic biology aims to engineer complex biological systems using modular elements, with coiled-coil (CC) dimer-forming modules are emerging as highly useful building blocks in the regulation of protein assemblies and biological processes. Those small modules facilitate highly specific and orthogonal protein-protein interactions, offering versatility for the regulation of diverse biological functions. Additionally, their design rules enable precise control and tunability over these interactions, which are crucial for specific applications. Recent advancements showcase their potential for use in innovative therapeutic interventions and biomedical applications. In this review, we discuss the potential of CCs, exploring their diverse applications in mammalian cells, such as synthetic biological circuit design, transcriptional and allosteric regulation, cellular assemblies, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell regulation, and genome editing and their role in advancing the understanding and regulation of cellular processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tjaša Plaper
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Erik Rihtar
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Taja Železnik Ramuta
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Vida Forstnerič
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Vid Jazbec
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Filip Ivanovski
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Mojca Benčina
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; Centre for Technologies of Gene and Cell Therapy, Hajdrihova 19, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Roman Jerala
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; Centre for Technologies of Gene and Cell Therapy, Hajdrihova 19, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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2
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Hoque ME, Kabir ML, Shiekh S, Balci H, Basu S. Stalling of Transcription by Putative G-quadruplex Sequences and CRISPR-dCas9. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.17.585391. [PMID: 38559215 PMCID: PMC10979993 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.17.585391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Putative G-quadruplex forming sequences (PQS) have been identified in promoter sequences of prominent genes that are implicated among others in cancer and neurological disorders. We explored mechanistic aspects of CRISPR-dCas9-mediated gene expression regulation, which is transient and sequence specific unlike alternative approaches that lack such specificity or create permanent mutations, using the PQS in tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and c-Myc promoters as model systems. We performed in vitro ensemble and single molecule investigations to study whether G-quadruplex (GQ) structures or dCas9 impede T7 RNA polymerase (RNAP) elongation process and whether orientation of these factors is significant. Our results demonstrate that dCas9 is more likely to block RNAP progression when the non-template strand is targeted. While the GQ in TH promoter was effectively destabilized when the dCas9 target site partially overlapped with the PQS, the c-Myc GQ remained folded and stalled RNAP elongation. We also determined that a minimum separation between the transcription start site and the dCas9 target site is required for effective stalling of RNAP by dCas9. Our study provides significant insights about the factors that impact dCas9-mediated transcription regulation when dCas9 targets the vicinity of sequences that form secondary structures and provides practical guidelines for designing guide RNA sequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Enamul Hoque
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242, USA
| | - Mohammad Lutful Kabir
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242, USA
| | - Sajad Shiekh
- Department of Physics, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242, USA
| | - Hamza Balci
- Department of Physics, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242, USA
| | - Soumitra Basu
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242, USA
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3
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Kalkan AK, Palaz F, Sofija S, Elmousa N, Ledezma Y, Cachat E, Rios-Solis L. Improving recombinant protein production in CHO cells using the CRISPR-Cas system. Biotechnol Adv 2023; 64:108115. [PMID: 36758652 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2023.108115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells are among the most widely used mammalian cell lines in the biopharmaceutical industry. Therefore, it is not surprising that significant efforts have been made around the engineering of CHO cells using genetic engineering methods such as the CRISPR-Cas system. In this review, we summarize key recent studies that have used different CRISPR-Cas systems such as Cas9, Cas13 or dCas9 fused with effector domains to improve recombinant protein (r-protein) production in CHO cells. Here, every relevant stage of production was considered, underscoring the advantages and limitations of these systems, as well as discussing their bottlenecks and probable solutions. A special emphasis was given on how these systems could disrupt and/or regulate genes related to glycan composition, which has relevant effects over r-protein properties and in vivo activity. Furthermore, the related promising future applications of CRISPR to achieve a tunable, reversible, or highly stable editing of CHO cells are discussed. Overall, the studies covered in this review show that despite the complexity of mammalian cells, the synthetic biology community has developed many mature strategies to improve r-protein production using CHO cells. In this regard, CRISPR-Cas technology clearly provides efficient and flexible genetic manipulation and allows for the generation of more productive CHO cell lines, leading to more cost-efficient production of biopharmaceuticals, however, there is still a need for many emerging techniques in CRISPR to be reported in CHO cells; therefore, more research in these cells is needed to realize the full potential of this technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Kerem Kalkan
- Department of Bioengineering and Imperial College Centre for Synthetic Biology, Imperial College London, London, UK; Environmental Engineering Department, Gebze Technical University, Turkey
| | - Fahreddin Palaz
- Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara 06100, Turkey
| | - Semeniuk Sofija
- Centre for Engineering Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3BF, UK; Institute of Quantitative Biology, Biochemistry and Biotechnology, School of Biological Sciences University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3BF, UK
| | - Nada Elmousa
- Institute for Bioengineering, School of Engineering, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3DW, UK
| | - Yuri Ledezma
- Institute for Bioengineering, School of Engineering, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3DW, UK; Biology Department, Faculty of Pure and Natural Sciences, Universidad Mayor de San Andrés, Bolivia
| | - Elise Cachat
- Centre for Engineering Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3BF, UK; Institute of Quantitative Biology, Biochemistry and Biotechnology, School of Biological Sciences University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3BF, UK; UK Centre for Mammalian Synthetic Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9YL, UK
| | - Leonardo Rios-Solis
- Centre for Engineering Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3BF, UK; Institute for Bioengineering, School of Engineering, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3DW, UK; School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Division, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK.
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4
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Sakono M, Oya T, Aoki M. Development of a Transcriptional Activator-Like Effector Protein to Accurately Discriminate Single Nucleotide Difference. Chembiochem 2023; 24:e202200486. [PMID: 36409599 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202200486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 11/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Transcriptional activator-like effector (TALE), a DNA-binding protein, is widely used in genome editing. However, the recognition of the target sequence by the TALE is adversely affected by the number of mismatches. Therefore, the association constant of DNA-TALE complex formation can be controlled by appropriately introducing a mismatch into the TALE recognition sequence. This study aimed to construct a TALE that can distinguish a single nucleotide difference. Our results show that a single mismatch present in repeats 2 or 3 of TALE did not interfere with the complex formation with DNA, whereas continuous mismatches present in repeats 2 and 3 significantly reduced association with the target DNA. Based on these findings, we constructed a detection system of the one nucleotide difference in gene with high accuracy and constructed a TALE-nuclease (TALEN) that selectively cleaves DNA with a single mismatch.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masafumi Sakono
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering, University of Toyama, 3190 Gofuku, Toyama, Toyama, 930-855, Japan
| | - Takuma Oya
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering, University of Toyama, 3190 Gofuku, Toyama, Toyama, 930-855, Japan
| | - Mio Aoki
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering, University of Toyama, 3190 Gofuku, Toyama, Toyama, 930-855, Japan
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5
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Anderson DA, Voigt CA. Competitive dCas9 binding as a mechanism for transcriptional control. Mol Syst Biol 2021; 17:e10512. [PMID: 34747560 PMCID: PMC8574044 DOI: 10.15252/msb.202110512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 10/10/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Catalytically dead Cas9 (dCas9) is a programmable transcription factor that can be targeted to promoters through the design of small guide RNAs (sgRNAs), where it can function as an activator or repressor. Natural promoters use overlapping binding sites as a mechanism for signal integration, where the binding of one can block, displace, or augment the activity of the other. Here, we implemented this strategy in Escherichia coli using pairs of sgRNAs designed to repress and then derepress transcription through competitive binding. When designed to target a promoter, this led to 27-fold repression and complete derepression. This system was also capable of ratiometric input comparison over two orders of magnitude. Additionally, we used this mechanism for promoter sequence-independent control by adopting it for elongation control, achieving 8-fold repression and 4-fold derepression. This work demonstrates a new genetic control mechanism that could be used to build analog circuit or implement cis-regulatory logic on CRISPRi-targeted native genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel A Anderson
- Synthetic Biology CenterDepartment of Biological EngineeringMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeMAUSA
| | - Christopher A Voigt
- Synthetic Biology CenterDepartment of Biological EngineeringMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeMAUSA
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6
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Liu Y, Huang W, Cai Z. Synthesizing AND gate minigene circuits based on CRISPReader for identification of bladder cancer cells. Nat Commun 2020; 11:5486. [PMID: 33127914 PMCID: PMC7599332 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-19314-7] [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: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The logical AND gate gene circuit based on the CRISPR-Cas9 system can distinguish bladder cancer cells from normal bladder epithelial cells. However, the layered artificial gene circuits have the problems of high complexity, difficulty in accurately predicting the behavior, and excessive redundancy, which cannot be applied to clinical translation. Here, we construct minigene circuits based on the CRISPReader, a technology used to control promoter-less gene expression in a robust manner. The minigene circuits significantly induce robust gene expression output in bladder cancer cells, but have nearly undetectable gene expression in normal bladder epithelial cells. The minigene circuits show a higher capability for cancer identification and intervention when compared with traditional gene circuits, and could be used for in vivo cancer gene therapy using the all-in-one AAV vector. This approach expands the design ideas and concepts of gene circuits in medical synthetic biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuchen Liu
- National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Medical Synthetic Biology, Institute of Translational Medicine, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University Health Science Center, 518035, Shenzhen, China. .,Key Laboratory of Medical Reprogramming Technology, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University Health Science Center, 518035, Shenzhen, China. .,Guangdong Key Laboratory of Systems Biology and Synthetic Biology for Urogenital Tumors, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University Health Science Center, 518035, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Weiren Huang
- National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Medical Synthetic Biology, Institute of Translational Medicine, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University Health Science Center, 518035, Shenzhen, China.,Key Laboratory of Medical Reprogramming Technology, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University Health Science Center, 518035, Shenzhen, China.,Guangdong Key Laboratory of Systems Biology and Synthetic Biology for Urogenital Tumors, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University Health Science Center, 518035, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zhiming Cai
- National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Medical Synthetic Biology, Institute of Translational Medicine, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University Health Science Center, 518035, Shenzhen, China.,Key Laboratory of Medical Reprogramming Technology, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University Health Science Center, 518035, Shenzhen, China.,Guangdong Key Laboratory of Systems Biology and Synthetic Biology for Urogenital Tumors, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University Health Science Center, 518035, Shenzhen, China
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7
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Kirkpatrick RL, Lewis K, Langan RA, Lajoie MJ, Boyken SE, Eakman M, Baker D, Zalatan JG. Conditional Recruitment to a DNA-Bound CRISPR-Cas Complex Using a Colocalization-Dependent Protein Switch. ACS Synth Biol 2020; 9:2316-2323. [PMID: 32816470 PMCID: PMC7976376 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.0c00012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
To spatially control biochemical functions at specific sites within a genome, we have engineered a synthetic switch that activates when bound to its DNA target site. The system uses two CRISPR-Cas complexes to colocalize components of a de novo-designed protein switch (Co-LOCKR) to adjacent sites in the genome. Colocalization triggers a conformational change in the switch from an inactive closed state to an active open state with an exposed functional peptide. We prototype the system in yeast and demonstrate that DNA binding triggers activation of the switch, recruitment of a transcription factor, and expression of a downstream reporter gene. This DNA-triggered Co-LOCKR switch provides a platform to engineer sophisticated functions that should only be executed at a specific target site within the genome, with potential applications in a wide range of synthetic systems including epigenetic regulation, imaging, and genetic logic circuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin L. Kirkpatrick
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, United States
- Graduate Program in Biological Physics, Structure, and Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, United States
| | - Kieran Lewis
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, United States
| | - Robert A. Langan
- Graduate Program in Biological Physics, Structure, and Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, United States
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, United States
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, United States
| | - Marc J. Lajoie
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, United States
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, United States
| | - Scott E. Boyken
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, United States
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, United States
| | - Madeleine Eakman
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, United States
| | - David Baker
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, United States
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, United States
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, United States
| | - Jesse G. Zalatan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, United States
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8
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Doshi A, Sadeghi F, Varadarajan N, Cirino PC. Small-molecule inducible transcriptional control in mammalian cells. Crit Rev Biotechnol 2020; 40:1131-1150. [PMID: 32862714 DOI: 10.1080/07388551.2020.1808583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Tools for tuning transcription in mammalian cells have broad applications, from basic biological discovery to human gene therapy. While precise control over target gene transcription via dosing with small molecules (drugs) is highly sought, the design of such inducible systems that meets required performance metrics poses a great challenge in mammalian cell synthetic biology. Important characteristics include tight and tunable gene expression with a low background, minimal drug toxicity, and orthogonality. Here, we review small-molecule-inducible transcriptional control devices that have demonstrated success in mammalian cells and mouse models. Most of these systems employ natural or designed ligand-binding protein domains to directly or indirectly communicate with transcription machinery at a target sequence, via carefully constructed fusions. Example fusions include those to transcription activator-like effectors (TALEs), DNA-targeting proteins (e.g. dCas systems) fused to transactivating domains, and recombinases. Similar to the architecture of Type I nuclear receptors, many of the systems are designed such that the transcriptional controller is excluded from the nucleus in the absence of an inducer. Techniques that use ligand-induced proteolysis and antibody-based chemically induced dimerizers are also described. Collectively, these transcriptional control devices take advantage of a variety of recently developed molecular biology tools and cell biology insights and represent both proof of concept (e.g. targeting reporter gene expression) and disease-targeting studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aarti Doshi
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Fatemeh Sadeghi
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Navin Varadarajan
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Patrick C Cirino
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA.,Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
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9
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Meško M, Lebar T, Dekleva P, Jerala R, Benčina M. Engineering and Rewiring of a Calcium-Dependent Signaling Pathway. ACS Synth Biol 2020; 9:2055-2065. [PMID: 32643923 PMCID: PMC7467823 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.0c00133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
![]()
An important feature of synthetic
biological circuits is their
response to physicochemical signals, which enables the external control
of cellular processes. Calcium-dependent regulation is an attractive
approach for achieving such control, as diverse stimuli induce calcium
influx by activating membrane channel receptors. Most calcium-dependent
gene circuits use the endogenous nuclear factor of activated T-cells
(NFAT) signaling pathway. Here, we employed engineered NFAT transcription
factors to induce the potent and robust activation of exogenous gene
expression in HEK293T cells. Furthermore, we designed a calcium-dependent
transcription factor that does not interfere with NFAT-regulated promoters
and potently activates transcription in several mammalian cell types.
Additionally, we demonstrate that coupling the circuit to a calcium-selective
ion channel resulted in capsaicin- and temperature-controlled gene
expression. This engineered calcium-dependent signaling pathway enables
tightly controlled regulation of gene expression through different
stimuli in mammalian cells and is versatile, adaptable, and useful
for a wide range of therapeutic and diagnostic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maja Meško
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, SI-1001 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Interfaculty Doctoral Study of Biomedicine, University of Ljubljana, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Tina Lebar
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, SI-1001 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Petra Dekleva
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, SI-1001 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Roman Jerala
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, SI-1001 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- EN-FIST Centre of Excellence, Trg Osvobodilne fronte 13, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Mojca Benčina
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, SI-1001 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- EN-FIST Centre of Excellence, Trg Osvobodilne fronte 13, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
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10
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Belcher MS, Vuu KM, Zhou A, Mansoori N, Agosto Ramos A, Thompson MG, Scheller HV, Loqué D, Shih PM. Design of orthogonal regulatory systems for modulating gene expression in plants. Nat Chem Biol 2020; 16:857-865. [PMID: 32424304 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-020-0547-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2019] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Agricultural biotechnology strategies often require the precise regulation of multiple genes to effectively modify complex plant traits. However, most efforts are hindered by a lack of characterized tools that allow for reliable and targeted expression of transgenes. We have successfully engineered a library of synthetic transcriptional regulators that modulate expression strength in planta. By leveraging orthogonal regulatory systems from Saccharomyces spp., we have developed a strategy for the design of synthetic activators, synthetic repressors, and synthetic promoters and have validated their use in Nicotiana benthamiana and Arabidopsis thaliana. This characterization of contributing genetic elements that dictate gene expression represents a foundation for the rational design of refined synthetic regulators. Our findings demonstrate that these tools provide variation in transcriptional output while enabling the concerted expression of multiple genes in a tissue-specific and environmentally responsive manner, providing a basis for generating complex genetic circuits that process endogenous and environmental stimuli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael S Belcher
- Feedstocks Division, Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA, USA
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Khanh M Vuu
- Feedstocks Division, Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA, USA
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Andy Zhou
- Feedstocks Division, Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA, USA
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Department of Plant Biology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Nasim Mansoori
- Feedstocks Division, Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA, USA
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Amanda Agosto Ramos
- Feedstocks Division, Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA, USA
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Mitchell G Thompson
- Feedstocks Division, Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA, USA
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Department of Plant Biology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Henrik V Scheller
- Feedstocks Division, Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA, USA
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Dominique Loqué
- Feedstocks Division, Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA, USA
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Patrick M Shih
- Feedstocks Division, Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA, USA.
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA.
- Department of Plant Biology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA.
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11
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Naseri G, Koffas MAG. Application of combinatorial optimization strategies in synthetic biology. Nat Commun 2020; 11:2446. [PMID: 32415065 PMCID: PMC7229011 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-16175-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2019] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
In the first wave of synthetic biology, genetic elements, combined into simple circuits, are used to control individual cellular functions. In the second wave of synthetic biology, the simple circuits, combined into complex circuits, form systems-level functions. However, efforts to construct complex circuits are often impeded by our limited knowledge of the optimal combination of individual circuits. For example, a fundamental question in most metabolic engineering projects is the optimal level of enzymes for maximizing the output. To address this point, combinatorial optimization approaches have been established, allowing automatic optimization without prior knowledge of the best combination of expression levels of individual genes. This review focuses on current combinatorial optimization methods and emerging technologies facilitating their applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gita Naseri
- Institut für Chemie, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, 12489, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Mattheos A G Koffas
- Center for Biotechnology, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, USA.
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, USA.
- Department of Biological Sciences, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, USA.
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12
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Perez-Quintero AL, Szurek B. A Decade Decoded: Spies and Hackers in the History of TAL Effectors Research. ANNUAL REVIEW OF PHYTOPATHOLOGY 2019; 57:459-481. [PMID: 31387457 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-phyto-082718-100026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Transcription activator-like effectors (TALEs) from the genus Xanthomonas are proteins with the remarkable ability to directly bind the promoters of genes in the plant host to induce their expression, which often helps bacterial colonization. Metaphorically, TALEs act as spies that infiltrate the plant disguised as high-ranking civilians (transcription factors) to trick the plant into activating weak points that allow an invasion. Current knowledge of how TALEs operate allows researchers to predict their activity (counterespionage) and exploit their function, engineering them to do our bidding (a Manchurian agent). This has been possible thanks particularly to the discovery of their DNA binding mechanism, which obeys specific amino acid-DNA correspondences (the TALE code). Here, we review the history of how researchers discovered the way these proteins work and what has changed in the ten years since the discovery of the code. Recommended music for reading this review can be found in the Supplemental Material.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alvaro L Perez-Quintero
- Department of Bioagricultural Sciences and Pest Management, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523-1177, USA;
- IRD, CIRAD, Université Montpellier, IPME, 34000 Montpellier, France;
| | - Boris Szurek
- IRD, CIRAD, Université Montpellier, IPME, 34000 Montpellier, France;
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13
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Lebar T, Verbič A, Ljubetič A, Jerala R. Polarized displacement by transcription activator-like effectors for regulatory circuits. Nat Chem Biol 2019; 15:80-87. [PMID: 30455466 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-018-0163-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2018] [Accepted: 10/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
The interplay between DNA-binding proteins plays an important role in transcriptional regulation and could increase the precision and complexity of designed regulatory circuits. Here we show that a transcription activator-like effector (TALE) can displace another TALE protein from DNA in a highly polarized manner, displacing only the 3'- but not 5'-bound overlapping or adjacent TALE. We propose that the polarized displacement by TALEs is based on its multipartite nature of binding to DNA. The polarized TALE displacement provides strategies for the specific regulation of gene expression, for construction of all two-input Boolean genetic logic circuits based on the robust propagation of the displacement across multiple neighboring sites, for displacement of zinc finger-based transcription factors and for suppression of Cas9-gRNA-mediated genome cleavage, enriching the synthetic biology toolbox and contributing to the understanding of the underlying principles of the facilitated displacement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tina Lebar
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- EN-FIST Centre of Excellence, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Anže Verbič
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Ajasja Ljubetič
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Roman Jerala
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
- EN-FIST Centre of Excellence, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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Lebar T, Jerala R. Designed Transcriptional Regulation in Mammalian Cells Based on TALE- and CRISPR/dCas9. Methods Mol Biol 2018; 1772:191-203. [PMID: 29754229 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-7795-6_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Transcriptional regulation lies at the center of many cellular processes and is the result of cellular response to different external and internal signals. Control of transcription of selected genes enables an unprecedented access to shape the cellular response. While orthogonal transcription factors from bacteria, yeast, plants, or other cells have been used to introduce new cellular logic into mammalian cells, the discovery of designable modular DNA binding domains, such as Transcription Activator-Like Effectors (TALEs) and the CRISPR system, enable targeting of almost any selected DNA sequence. Fusion or conditional association of DNA targeting domain with transcriptional effector domains enables controlled regulation of almost any endogenous or ectopic gene. Moreover, the designed regulators can be linked into genetic circuits to implement complex responses, such as different types of Boolean functions and switches. In this chapter, we describe the protocols for achieving efficient transcriptional regulation with TALE- and CRISPR-based designed transcription factors in mammalian cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tina Lebar
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, Kemijski inštitut/National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Roman Jerala
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, Kemijski inštitut/National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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Machens F, Balazadeh S, Mueller-Roeber B, Messerschmidt K. Synthetic Promoters and Transcription Factors for Heterologous Protein Expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2017; 5:63. [PMID: 29098147 PMCID: PMC5653697 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2017.00063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2017] [Accepted: 09/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Orthogonal systems for heterologous protein expression as well as for the engineering of synthetic gene regulatory circuits in hosts like Saccharomyces cerevisiae depend on synthetic transcription factors (synTFs) and corresponding cis-regulatory binding sites. We have constructed and characterized a set of synTFs based on either transcription activator-like effectors or CRISPR/Cas9, and corresponding small synthetic promoters (synPs) with minimal sequence identity to the host’s endogenous promoters. The resulting collection of functional synTF/synP pairs confers very low background expression under uninduced conditions, while expression output upon induction of the various synTFs covers a wide range and reaches induction factors of up to 400. The broad spectrum of expression strengths that is achieved will be useful for various experimental setups, e.g., the transcriptional balancing of expression levels within heterologous pathways or the construction of artificial regulatory networks. Furthermore, our analyses reveal simple rules that enable the tuning of synTF expression output, thereby allowing easy modification of a given synTF/synP pair. This will make it easier for researchers to construct tailored transcriptional control systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Machens
- University of Potsdam, Cell2Fab Research Unit, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Salma Balazadeh
- Max-Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Potsdam-Golm, Germany.,Department Molecular Biology, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Bernd Mueller-Roeber
- Max-Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Potsdam-Golm, Germany.,Department Molecular Biology, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
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17
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Marchisio MA, Huang Z. CRISPR-Cas type II-based Synthetic Biology applications in eukaryotic cells. RNA Biol 2017; 14:1286-1293. [PMID: 28136159 PMCID: PMC5711462 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2017.1282024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2016] [Revised: 12/30/2016] [Accepted: 01/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The CRISPR-Cas system has rapidly reached a huge popularity as a new, powerful method for precise DNA editing and genome reengineering. In Synthetic Biology, the CRISPR-Cas type II system has inspired the construction of a novel class of RNA-based transcription factors. In their simplest form, they are made of a CRISPR RNA molecule, which targets a promoter sequence, and a deficient Cas9 (i.e. deprived of any nuclease activity) that has been fused to an activation or a repression domain. Up- and downregulation of single genes in mammalian and yeast cells have been achieved with satisfactory results. Moreover, the construction of CRISPR-based transcription factors is much simpler than the assembly of synthetic proteins such as the Transcription Activator-Like effectors. However, the feasibility of complex synthetic networks fully based on the CRISPR-dCas9 technology has still to be proved and new designs, which take into account different CRISPR types, shall be investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Andrea Marchisio
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, P.R. China
| | - Zhiwei Huang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, P.R. China
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18
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Re A. Synthetic Gene Expression Circuits for Designing Precision Tools in Oncology. Front Cell Dev Biol 2017; 5:77. [PMID: 28894736 PMCID: PMC5581392 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2017.00077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2017] [Accepted: 08/16/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Precision medicine in oncology needs to enhance its capabilities to match diagnostic and therapeutic technologies to individual patients. Synthetic biology streamlines the design and construction of functionalized devices through standardization and rational engineering of basic biological elements decoupled from their natural context. Remarkable improvements have opened the prospects for the availability of synthetic devices of enhanced mechanism clarity, robustness, sensitivity, as well as scalability and portability, which might bring new capabilities in precision cancer medicine implementations. In this review, we begin by presenting a brief overview of some of the major advances in the engineering of synthetic genetic circuits aimed to the control of gene expression and operating at the transcriptional, post-transcriptional/translational, and post-translational levels. We then focus on engineering synthetic circuits as an enabling methodology for the successful establishment of precision technologies in oncology. We describe significant advancements in our capabilities to tailor synthetic genetic circuits to specific applications in tumor diagnosis, tumor cell- and gene-based therapy, and drug delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Re
- Centre for Sustainable Future Technologies, Istituto Italiano di TecnologiaTorino, Italy
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Transcription activator-like effector-mediated regulation of gene expression based on the inducible packaging and delivery via designed extracellular vesicles. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2017; 484:15-20. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2017.01.090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2017] [Accepted: 01/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Mathur M, Xiang JS, Smolke CD. Mammalian synthetic biology for studying the cell. J Cell Biol 2016; 216:73-82. [PMID: 27932576 PMCID: PMC5223614 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.201611002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2016] [Revised: 11/16/2016] [Accepted: 11/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Synthetic biology is advancing the design of genetic devices that enable the study of cellular and molecular biology in mammalian cells. These genetic devices use diverse regulatory mechanisms to both examine cellular processes and achieve precise and dynamic control of cellular phenotype. Synthetic biology tools provide novel functionality to complement the examination of natural cell systems, including engineered molecules with specific activities and model systems that mimic complex regulatory processes. Continued development of quantitative standards and computational tools will expand capacities to probe cellular mechanisms with genetic devices to achieve a more comprehensive understanding of the cell. In this study, we review synthetic biology tools that are being applied to effectively investigate diverse cellular processes, regulatory networks, and multicellular interactions. We also discuss current challenges and future developments in the field that may transform the types of investigation possible in cell biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melina Mathur
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Joy S Xiang
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
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