1
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Wagner A, Mutschler H. Design of Novel Synthetic RNA Replicons Based on Emesvirus zinderi. ACS Synth Biol 2024; 13:1773-1780. [PMID: 38806167 PMCID: PMC11197098 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.4c00097] [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: 02/13/2024] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
Self-replicating RNAs (srRNAs) are synthetic molecules designed to mimic the self-replicating ability of viral RNAs. srRNAs hold significant promise for a range of applications, including enhancing protein expression, reprogramming cells into pluripotent stem cells, and creating cell-free systems for experimental evolution. However, the development of srRNAs for use in bacterial systems remains limited. Here, we demonstrate how a srRNA scaffold from Emesvirus zinderi can be engineered into a self-encoding srRNA by incorporating the coding region of the catalytically active replicase subunit. With the help of in vitro replication assays, including an in vitro translation-coupled replication approach, we show that the resulting system enables complete replication cycles of RNA both in cis and trans, including long cargo RNAs such as tethered 5S, 16S, and 23S rRNAs. In summary, our findings suggest that these srRNAs have significant potential for fundamental research, synthetic biology, and general in vitro evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Wagner
- Biomimetic Chemistry, Department of
Chemistry and Chemical Biology, TU Dortmund
University, Dortmund 44227, Germany
| | - Hannes Mutschler
- Biomimetic Chemistry, Department of
Chemistry and Chemical Biology, TU Dortmund
University, Dortmund 44227, Germany
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2
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Rothschild LJ, Averesch NJH, Strychalski EA, Moser F, Glass JI, Cruz Perez R, Yekinni IO, Rothschild-Mancinelli B, Roberts Kingman GA, Wu F, Waeterschoot J, Ioannou IA, Jewett MC, Liu AP, Noireaux V, Sorenson C, Adamala KP. Building Synthetic Cells─From the Technology Infrastructure to Cellular Entities. ACS Synth Biol 2024; 13:974-997. [PMID: 38530077 PMCID: PMC11037263 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.3c00724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
The de novo construction of a living organism is a compelling vision. Despite the astonishing technologies developed to modify living cells, building a functioning cell "from scratch" has yet to be accomplished. The pursuit of this goal alone has─and will─yield scientific insights affecting fields as diverse as cell biology, biotechnology, medicine, and astrobiology. Multiple approaches have aimed to create biochemical systems manifesting common characteristics of life, such as compartmentalization, metabolism, and replication and the derived features, evolution, responsiveness to stimuli, and directed movement. Significant achievements in synthesizing each of these criteria have been made, individually and in limited combinations. Here, we review these efforts, distinguish different approaches, and highlight bottlenecks in the current research. We look ahead at what work remains to be accomplished and propose a "roadmap" with key milestones to achieve the vision of building cells from molecular parts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lynn J. Rothschild
- Space Science
& Astrobiology Division, NASA Ames Research
Center, Moffett
Field, California 94035-1000, United States
- Department
of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, United States
| | - Nils J. H. Averesch
- Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | | | - Felix Moser
- Synlife, One Kendall Square, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139-1661, United States
| | - John I. Glass
- J.
Craig
Venter Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Rolando Cruz Perez
- Department
of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
- Blue
Marble
Space Institute of Science at NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California 94035-1000, United
States
| | - Ibrahim O. Yekinni
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, University of
Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Brooke Rothschild-Mancinelli
- School
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute
of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332-0150, United States
| | | | - Feilun Wu
- J. Craig
Venter Institute, Rockville, Maryland 20850, United States
| | - Jorik Waeterschoot
- Mechatronics,
Biostatistics and Sensors (MeBioS), KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven Belgium
| | - Ion A. Ioannou
- Department
of Chemistry, MSRH, Imperial College London, London W12 0BZ, U.K.
| | - Michael C. Jewett
- Department
of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Allen P. Liu
- Mechanical
Engineering & Biomedical Engineering, Cellular and Molecular Biology,
Biophysics, Applied Physics, University
of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Vincent Noireaux
- Physics
and Nanotechnology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Carlise Sorenson
- Department
of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Katarzyna P. Adamala
- Department
of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
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3
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Harrison K, Mackay AS, Kambanis L, Maxwell JWC, Payne RJ. Synthesis and applications of mirror-image proteins. Nat Rev Chem 2023; 7:383-404. [PMID: 37173596 DOI: 10.1038/s41570-023-00493-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
The homochirality of biomolecules in nature, such as DNA, RNA, peptides and proteins, has played a critical role in establishing and sustaining life on Earth. This chiral bias has also given synthetic chemists the opportunity to generate molecules with inverted chirality, unlocking valuable new properties and applications. Advances in the field of chemical protein synthesis have underpinned the generation of numerous 'mirror-image' proteins (those comprised entirely of D-amino acids instead of canonical L-amino acids), which cannot be accessed using recombinant expression technologies. This Review seeks to highlight recent work on synthetic mirror-image proteins, with a focus on modern synthetic strategies that have been leveraged to access these complex biomolecules as well as their applications in protein crystallography, drug discovery and the creation of mirror-image life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katriona Harrison
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Angus S Mackay
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Lucas Kambanis
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Joshua W C Maxwell
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Richard J Payne
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
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4
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Seo K, Hagino K, Ichihashi N. Progresses in Cell-Free In Vitro Evolution. ADVANCES IN BIOCHEMICAL ENGINEERING/BIOTECHNOLOGY 2023; 186:121-140. [PMID: 37306699 DOI: 10.1007/10_2023_219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Biopolymers, such as proteins and RNA, are integral components of living organisms and have evolved through a process of repeated mutation and selection. The technique of "cell-free in vitro evolution" is a powerful experimental approach for developing biopolymers with desired functions and structural properties. Since Spiegelman's pioneering work over 50 years ago, biopolymers with a wide range of functions have been developed using in vitro evolution in cell-free systems. The use of cell-free systems offers several advantages, including the ability to synthesize a wider range of proteins without the limitations imposed by cytotoxicity, and the capacity for higher throughput and larger library sizes than cell-based evolutionary experiments. In this chapter, we provide a comprehensive overview of the progress made in the field of cell-free in vitro evolution by categorizing evolution into directed and undirected. The biopolymers produced by these methods are valuable assets in medicine and industry, and as a means of exploring the potential of biopolymers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaito Seo
- Department of Life Science, Graduate School of Arts and Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Katsumi Hagino
- Department of Life Science, Graduate School of Arts and Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Norikazu Ichihashi
- Department of Life Science, Graduate School of Arts and Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
- Komaba Institute for Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
- Universal Biology Institute, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
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5
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Kajii K, Shimomura A, T Higashide M, Oki M, Tsuji G. Effects of Sugars on Giant Unilamellar Vesicle Preparation, Fusion, PCR in Liposomes, and Pore Formation. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2022; 38:8871-8880. [PMID: 35836326 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.2c00989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The water-in-oil emulsion transfer method was developed for preparing giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) and is useful for studying cellular functions under conditions that mimic cellular environments. A shortcoming of this method for encapsulating biochemical reactions is that it requires high sugar concentrations to enable the density effect to transverse the oil-water interface. In this study, we investigated the effects of sugars on GUV preparation and several biochemical reactions. We found that changing the sugar in the inner solution from sucrose to maltose or trehalose improved GUV formation. The fusion ratio of the freeze-thaw method was better in the traditional glucose-sucrose condition compared with the other examined conditions. For the inner biochemical reaction, we performed PCR in liposomes. The presence of maltose in the inner solution improved the stability of GUVs against damage caused by thermal cycles. Finally, fructose in the outer solution reduced leakage of the inner solution via pores on the membranes of GUVs. Our findings provide new insight for optimizing sugar conditions for preparing GUVs and inner GUV reactions. This could increase the utilization of GUVs as artificial cell compartment models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyoka Kajii
- Department of Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Fukui, 3-9-1 Bunkyo, Fukui City 910-8507, Fukui, Japan
| | - Ayu Shimomura
- Department of Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Fukui, 3-9-1 Bunkyo, Fukui City 910-8507, Fukui, Japan
| | - Mika T Higashide
- Department of Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Fukui, 3-9-1 Bunkyo, Fukui City 910-8507, Fukui, Japan
| | - Masaya Oki
- Department of Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Fukui, 3-9-1 Bunkyo, Fukui City 910-8507, Fukui, Japan
- Life Science Innovation Center, University of Fukui, 3-9-1 Bunkyo, Fukui City 910-8507, Fukui, Japan
| | - Gakushi Tsuji
- Department of Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Fukui, 3-9-1 Bunkyo, Fukui City 910-8507, Fukui, Japan
- Life Science Innovation Center, University of Fukui, 3-9-1 Bunkyo, Fukui City 910-8507, Fukui, Japan
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6
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Aoyama R, Masuda K, Shimojo M, Kanamori T, Ueda T, Shimizu Y. In vitro reconstitution of the Escherichia coli 70S ribosome with a full set of recombinant ribosomal proteins. J Biochem 2021; 171:227-237. [PMID: 34750629 PMCID: PMC8863084 DOI: 10.1093/jb/mvab121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Many studies of the reconstitution of the Escherichia coli small ribosomal subunit from its individual molecular parts have been reported, but contrastingly, similar studies of the large ribosomal subunit have not been well performed to date. Here, we describe protocols for preparing the 33 ribosomal proteins of the E. coli 50S subunit and demonstrate successful reconstitution of a functionally active 50S particle that can perform protein synthesis in vitro. We also successfully reconstituted both ribosomal subunits (30S and 50S) and 70S ribosomes using a full set of recombinant ribosomal proteins by integrating our developed method with the previously developed fully recombinant-based integrated synthesis, assembly and translation. The approach described here makes a major contribution to the field of ribosome engineering and could be fundamental to the future studies of ribosome assembly processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryo Aoyama
- Laboratory for Cell-Free Protein Synthesis, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research (BDR), Suita, Osaka 565-0874, Japan.,Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8562, Japan
| | - Keiko Masuda
- Laboratory for Cell-Free Protein Synthesis, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research (BDR), Suita, Osaka 565-0874, Japan
| | - Masaru Shimojo
- Laboratory for Cell-Free Protein Synthesis, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research (BDR), Suita, Osaka 565-0874, Japan.,Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8562, Japan
| | | | - Takuya Ueda
- Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8562, Japan.,Department of Integrative Bioscience and Biomedical Engineering, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Waseda University, Shinjuku, Tokyo 162-8480, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Shimizu
- Laboratory for Cell-Free Protein Synthesis, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research (BDR), Suita, Osaka 565-0874, Japan
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7
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Kofman C, Lee J, Jewett MC. Engineering molecular translation systems. Cell Syst 2021; 12:593-607. [PMID: 34139167 DOI: 10.1016/j.cels.2021.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Molecular translation systems provide a genetically encoded framework for protein synthesis, which is essential for all life. Engineering these systems to incorporate non-canonical amino acids (ncAAs) into peptides and proteins has opened many exciting opportunities in chemical and synthetic biology. Here, we review recent advances that are transforming our ability to engineer molecular translation systems. In cell-based systems, new processes to synthesize recoded genomes, tether ribosomal subunits, and engineer orthogonality with high-throughput workflows have emerged. In cell-free systems, adoption of flexizyme technology and cell-free ribosome synthesis and evolution platforms are expanding the limits of chemistry at the ribosome's RNA-based active site. Looking forward, innovations will deepen understanding of molecular translation and provide a path to polymers with previously unimaginable structures and functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila Kofman
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Joongoo Lee
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL 60208, USA; Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Michael C Jewett
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL 60208, USA; Interdisplinary Biological Sciences Graduate Program, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA; Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA; Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA; Simpson Querrey Institute, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA; Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL 60208, USA.
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8
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Gaut NJ, Adamala KP. Reconstituting Natural Cell Elements in Synthetic Cells. Adv Biol (Weinh) 2021; 5:e2000188. [DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202000188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Nathaniel J. Gaut
- Department of Genetics Cell Biology and Development University of Minnesota 420 Washington Ave SE Minneapolis MN 55455 USA
| | - Katarzyna P. Adamala
- Department of Genetics Cell Biology and Development University of Minnesota 420 Washington Ave SE Minneapolis MN 55455 USA
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9
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In vitro synthesis of 32 translation-factor proteins from a single template reveals impaired ribosomal processivity. Sci Rep 2021; 11:1898. [PMID: 33479285 PMCID: PMC7820420 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-80827-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 12/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The Protein synthesis Using Recombinant Elements (PURE) system enables transcription and translation of a DNA template from purified components. Therefore, the PURE system-catalyzed generation of RNAs and proteins constituting the PURE system itself represents a major challenge toward a self-replicating minimal cell. In this work, we show that all translation factors (except elongation factor Tu) and 20 aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases can be expressed in the PURE system from a single plasmid encoding 32 proteins in 30 cistrons. Cell-free synthesis of all 32 proteins is confirmed by quantitative mass spectrometry-based proteomic analysis using isotopically labeled amino acids. We find that a significant fraction of the gene products consists of proteins missing their C-terminal ends. The per-codon processivity loss that we measure lies between 1.3 × 10-3 and 13.2 × 10-3, depending on the expression conditions, the version of the PURE system, and the coding sequence. These values are 5 to 50 times higher than those measured in vivo in E. coli. With such an impaired processivity, a considerable fraction of the biosynthesis capacity of the PURE system is wasted, posing an unforeseen challenge toward the development of a self-regenerating PURE system.
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10
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Liu Y, Davis RG, Thomas PM, Kelleher NL, Jewett MC. In vitro-Constructed Ribosomes Enable Multi-site Incorporation of Noncanonical Amino Acids into Proteins. Biochemistry 2021; 60:161-169. [PMID: 33426883 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.0c00829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Efforts to expand the scope of ribosome-mediated polymerization to incorporate noncanonical amino acids (ncAAs) into peptides and proteins hold promise for creating new classes of enzymes, therapeutics, and materials. Recently, the integrated synthesis, assembly, and translation (iSAT) system was established to construct functional ribosomes in cell-free systems. However, the iSAT system has not been shown to be compatible with genetic code expansion. Here, to address this gap, we develop an iSAT platform capable of manufacturing pure proteins with site-specifically incorporated ncAAs. We first establish an iSAT platform based on extracts from genomically recoded Escherichia coli lacking release factor 1 (RF-1). This permits complete reassignment of the amber codon translation function. Next, we optimize orthogonal translation system components to demonstrate the benefits of genomic RF-1 deletion on incorporation of ncAAs into proteins. Using our optimized platform, we demonstrate high-level, multi-site incorporation of p-acetyl-phenylalanine (pAcF) and p-azido-phenylalanine into superfolder green fluorescent protein (sfGFP). Mass spectrometry analysis confirms the high accuracy of incorporation for pAcF at one, two, and five amber sites in sfGFP. The iSAT system updated for ncAA incorporation sets the stage for investigating ribosomal mutations to better understand the fundamental basis of protein synthesis, manufacturing proteins with new properties, and engineering ribosomes for novel polymerization chemistries.
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11
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Kosaka Y, Aoki W, Mori M, Aburaya S, Ohtani Y, Minakuchi H, Ueda M. Selected reaction monitoring for the quantification of Escherichia coli ribosomal proteins. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0236850. [PMID: 33315868 PMCID: PMC7735604 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0236850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Ribosomes are the sophisticated machinery that is responsible for protein synthesis in a cell. Recently, quantitative mass spectrometry (qMS) have been successfully applied for understanding the dynamics of protein complexes. Here, we developed a highly specific and reproducible method to quantify all ribosomal proteins (r-proteins) by combining selected reaction monitoring (SRM) and isotope labeling. We optimized the SRM methods using purified ribosomes and Escherichia coli lysates and verified this approach as detecting 41 of the 54 r-proteins separately synthesized in E. coli S30 extracts. The SRM methods will enable us to utilize qMS as a highly specific analytical tool in the research of E. coli ribosomes, and this methodology have potential to accelerate the understanding of ribosome biogenesis, function, and the development of engineered ribosomes with additional functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuishin Kosaka
- Division of Applied Life Sciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Wataru Aoki
- Division of Applied Life Sciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- Kyoto Integrated Science & Technology Bio-Analysis Center, Kyoto, Japan
- * E-mail:
| | - Megumi Mori
- Division of Applied Life Sciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Shunsuke Aburaya
- Division of Applied Life Sciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yuta Ohtani
- Division of Applied Life Sciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | | | - Mitsuyoshi Ueda
- Division of Applied Life Sciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- Kyoto Integrated Science & Technology Bio-Analysis Center, Kyoto, Japan
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12
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Okauchi H, Sakatani Y, Otsuka K, Ichihashi N. Minimization of Elements for Isothermal DNA Replication by an Evolutionary Approach. ACS Synth Biol 2020; 9:1771-1780. [PMID: 32674580 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.0c00137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
DNA replication is one of the central functions of the cell. The complexity of modern DNA replication systems raises a question: is it possible to achieve a simpler continuous isothermal DNA replication using fewer proteins? Here, we searched such replication using an evolutionary approach. Through a long-term serial dilution experiment with phi29 DNA polymerase, we found that large repetitive DNAs spontaneously appear and continuously replicate. The repetitive sequence is critical for replication. Arbitrary sequences can replicate if they contain many repeats. We also demonstrated continuous DNA replication using expressed polymerase from the DNA for 10 rounds. This study revealed that continuous isothermal DNA replication can be achieved in a scheme simpler than that employed by modern organisms, providing an alternative strategy for simpler artificial cell synthesis and a clue to possible primitive forms of DNA replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroki Okauchi
- Department of Life Science, Graduate School of Arts and Science, The University of Tokyo, 3-8-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Sakatani
- Department of Bioinformatic Engineering, Graduate School of Information Science and Technology, Osaka University, 1-5 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Kensuke Otsuka
- Department of Bioinformatic Engineering, Graduate School of Information Science and Technology, Osaka University, 1-5 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Norikazu Ichihashi
- Department of Life Science, Graduate School of Arts and Science, The University of Tokyo, 3-8-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan
- Komaba Institute for Science, The University of Tokyo, 3-8-1 Komaba, Meguro, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan
- Research Center for Complex Systems Biology, Universal Biology Institute, The University of Tokyo, 3-8-1 Komaba, Meguro, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan
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13
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Shimojo M, Amikura K, Masuda K, Kanamori T, Ueda T, Shimizu Y. In vitro reconstitution of functional small ribosomal subunit assembly for comprehensive analysis of ribosomal elements in E. coli. Commun Biol 2020; 3:142. [PMID: 32214223 PMCID: PMC7096426 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-020-0874-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2019] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
In vitro reconstitution is a powerful tool for investigating ribosome functions and biogenesis, as well as discovering new ribosomal features. In this study, we integrated all of the processes required for Escherichia coli small ribosomal subunit assembly. In our method, termed fully Recombinant-based integrated Synthesis, Assembly, and Translation (R-iSAT), assembly and evaluation of the small ribosomal subunits are coupled with ribosomal RNA (rRNA) synthesis in a reconstituted cell-free protein synthesis system. By changing the components of R-iSAT, including recombinant ribosomal protein composition, we coupled ribosomal assembly with ribosomal protein synthesis, enabling functional synthesis of ribosomal proteins and subsequent subunit assembly. In addition, we assembled and evaluated subunits with mutations in both rRNA and ribosomal proteins. The study demonstrated that our scheme provides new ways to comprehensively analyze any elements of the small ribosomal subunit, with the goal of improving our understanding of ribosomal biogenesis, function, and engineering. Shimojo et al. demonstrate the use of individually purified ribosomal proteins added into iSAT (integrated ribosomal synthesis, assembly, and translation) system to enable assembly of functional 30S subunits. They further show that while some 30S r-proteins must be full synthesized before transcription, others may be co-transcriptionally produced, to enable the assembly of 30S particles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaru Shimojo
- Laboratory for Cell-Free Protein Synthesis, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research (BDR), Suita, Osaka, 565-0874, Japan.,Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-8562, Japan
| | - Kazuaki Amikura
- Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-8562, Japan.,Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
| | - Keiko Masuda
- Laboratory for Cell-Free Protein Synthesis, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research (BDR), Suita, Osaka, 565-0874, Japan
| | | | - Takuya Ueda
- Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-8562, Japan.,Department of Integrative Bioscience and Biomedical Engineering, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Waseda University, Shinjuku, Tokyo, 162-8480, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Shimizu
- Laboratory for Cell-Free Protein Synthesis, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research (BDR), Suita, Osaka, 565-0874, Japan.
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14
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Ling J, Fan C, Qin H, Wang M, Chen J, Wittung‐Stafshede P, Zhu TF. Mirror‐Image 5S Ribonucleoprotein Complexes. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201914799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jun‐Jie Ling
- School of Life SciencesTsinghua-Peking Center for Life SciencesBeijing Frontier Research Center for Biological StructureCenter for Synthetic and Systems BiologyMinistry of Education Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical BiologyMinistry of Education Key Laboratory of BioinformaticsTsinghua University Beijing 100084 China
| | - Chuyao Fan
- School of Life SciencesTsinghua-Peking Center for Life SciencesBeijing Frontier Research Center for Biological StructureCenter for Synthetic and Systems BiologyMinistry of Education Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical BiologyMinistry of Education Key Laboratory of BioinformaticsTsinghua University Beijing 100084 China
| | - Hong Qin
- School of Life SciencesTsinghua-Peking Center for Life SciencesBeijing Frontier Research Center for Biological StructureCenter for Synthetic and Systems BiologyMinistry of Education Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical BiologyMinistry of Education Key Laboratory of BioinformaticsTsinghua University Beijing 100084 China
| | - Min Wang
- School of Life SciencesTsinghua-Peking Center for Life SciencesBeijing Frontier Research Center for Biological StructureCenter for Synthetic and Systems BiologyMinistry of Education Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical BiologyMinistry of Education Key Laboratory of BioinformaticsTsinghua University Beijing 100084 China
| | - Ji Chen
- School of Life SciencesTsinghua-Peking Center for Life SciencesBeijing Frontier Research Center for Biological StructureCenter for Synthetic and Systems BiologyMinistry of Education Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical BiologyMinistry of Education Key Laboratory of BioinformaticsTsinghua University Beijing 100084 China
| | - Pernilla Wittung‐Stafshede
- Chemical Biology DivisionDepartment of Biology and Biological EngineeringChalmers University of Technology 41296 Gothenburg Sweden
| | - Ting F. Zhu
- School of Life SciencesTsinghua-Peking Center for Life SciencesBeijing Frontier Research Center for Biological StructureCenter for Synthetic and Systems BiologyMinistry of Education Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical BiologyMinistry of Education Key Laboratory of BioinformaticsTsinghua University Beijing 100084 China
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15
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Ling J, Fan C, Qin H, Wang M, Chen J, Wittung‐Stafshede P, Zhu TF. Mirror-Image 5S Ribonucleoprotein Complexes. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2020; 59:3724-3731. [PMID: 31841243 PMCID: PMC7217020 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201914799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
After realizing mirror-image genetic replication, transcription, and reverse transcription, the biggest challenge in establishing a mirror-image version of the central dogma is to build a mirror-image ribosome-based translation machine. Here, we chemically synthesized the natural and mirror-image versions of three ribosomal proteins (L5, L18, and L25) in the large subunit of the Escherichia coli ribosome with post-translational modifications. We show that the synthetic mirror-image proteins can fold in vitro despite limited efficiency and assemble with enzymatically transcribed mirror-image 5S ribosomal RNA into ribonucleoprotein complexes. In addition, the RNA-protein interactions are chiral-specific in that the mirror-image ribosomal proteins do not bind with natural 5S ribosomal RNA and vice versa. The synthesis and assembly of mirror-image 5S ribonucleoprotein complexes are important steps towards building a functional mirror-image ribosome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun‐Jie Ling
- School of Life SciencesTsinghua-Peking Center for Life SciencesBeijing Frontier Research Center for Biological StructureCenter for Synthetic and Systems BiologyMinistry of Education Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical BiologyMinistry of Education Key Laboratory of BioinformaticsTsinghua UniversityBeijing100084China
| | - Chuyao Fan
- School of Life SciencesTsinghua-Peking Center for Life SciencesBeijing Frontier Research Center for Biological StructureCenter for Synthetic and Systems BiologyMinistry of Education Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical BiologyMinistry of Education Key Laboratory of BioinformaticsTsinghua UniversityBeijing100084China
| | - Hong Qin
- School of Life SciencesTsinghua-Peking Center for Life SciencesBeijing Frontier Research Center for Biological StructureCenter for Synthetic and Systems BiologyMinistry of Education Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical BiologyMinistry of Education Key Laboratory of BioinformaticsTsinghua UniversityBeijing100084China
| | - Min Wang
- School of Life SciencesTsinghua-Peking Center for Life SciencesBeijing Frontier Research Center for Biological StructureCenter for Synthetic and Systems BiologyMinistry of Education Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical BiologyMinistry of Education Key Laboratory of BioinformaticsTsinghua UniversityBeijing100084China
| | - Ji Chen
- School of Life SciencesTsinghua-Peking Center for Life SciencesBeijing Frontier Research Center for Biological StructureCenter for Synthetic and Systems BiologyMinistry of Education Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical BiologyMinistry of Education Key Laboratory of BioinformaticsTsinghua UniversityBeijing100084China
| | - Pernilla Wittung‐Stafshede
- Chemical Biology DivisionDepartment of Biology and Biological EngineeringChalmers University of Technology41296GothenburgSweden
| | - Ting F. Zhu
- School of Life SciencesTsinghua-Peking Center for Life SciencesBeijing Frontier Research Center for Biological StructureCenter for Synthetic and Systems BiologyMinistry of Education Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical BiologyMinistry of Education Key Laboratory of BioinformaticsTsinghua UniversityBeijing100084China
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16
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Ichihashi N. What can we learn from the construction of in vitro replication systems? Ann N Y Acad Sci 2019; 1447:144-156. [PMID: 30957237 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.14042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2018] [Revised: 01/25/2019] [Accepted: 02/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Replication is a central function of living organisms. Several types of replication systems have been constructed in vitro from various molecules, including peptides, DNA, RNA, and proteins. In this review, I summarize the progress in the construction of replication systems over the past few decades and discuss what we can learn from their construction. I introduce various types of replication systems, supporting the feasibility of the spontaneous appearance of replication early in Earth's history. In the latter part of the review, I focus on parasitic replicators, one of the largest obstacles for sustainable replication. Compartmentalization is discussed as a possible solution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norikazu Ichihashi
- Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and Komaba Institute for Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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17
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Le Vay K, Weise LI, Libicher K, Mascarenhas J, Mutschler H. Templated Self‐Replication in Biomimetic Systems. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 3:e1800313. [DOI: 10.1002/adbi.201800313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2018] [Revised: 02/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kristian Le Vay
- Biomimetic SystemsMax Planck Institute of Biochemistry Martinsried Germany
| | - Laura Isabel Weise
- Biomimetic SystemsMax Planck Institute of Biochemistry Martinsried Germany
| | - Kai Libicher
- Biomimetic SystemsMax Planck Institute of Biochemistry Martinsried Germany
| | - Judita Mascarenhas
- Department of Systems and Synthetic MicrobiologyMax Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology Marburg Germany
| | - Hannes Mutschler
- Biomimetic SystemsMax Planck Institute of Biochemistry Martinsried Germany
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18
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Tsuji G, Sunami T, Ichihashi N. Production of giant unilamellar vesicles by the water-in-oil emulsion-transfer method without high internal concentrations of sugars. J Biosci Bioeng 2018; 126:540-545. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiosc.2018.04.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2018] [Revised: 04/24/2018] [Accepted: 04/26/2018] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
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Abstract
The general notion of an "RNA world" is that, in the early development of life on the Earth, genetic continuity was assured by the replication of RNA, and RNA molecules were the chief agents of catalytic function. Assuming that all of the components of RNA were available in some prebiotic locale, these components could have assembled into activated nucleotides that condensed to form RNA polymers, setting the stage for the chemical replication of polynucleotides through RNA-templated RNA polymerization. If a sufficient diversity of RNAs could be copied with reasonable rate and fidelity, then Darwinian evolution would begin with RNAs that facilitated their own reproduction enjoying a selective advantage. The concept of a "protocell" refers to a compartment where replication of the primitive genetic material took place and where primitive catalysts gave rise to products that accumulated locally for the benefit of the replicating cellular entity. Replication of both the protocell and its encapsulated genetic material would have enabled natural selection to operate based on the differential fitness of competing cellular entities, ultimately giving rise to modern cellular life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerald F Joyce
- The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, California 92037
| | - Jack W Szostak
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Department of Molecular Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02114
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20
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d'Aquino AE, Kim DS, Jewett MC. Engineered Ribosomes for Basic Science and Synthetic Biology. Annu Rev Chem Biomol Eng 2018; 9:311-340. [DOI: 10.1146/annurev-chembioeng-060817-084129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The ribosome is the cell's factory for protein synthesis. With protein synthesis rates of up to 20 amino acids per second and at an accuracy of 99.99%, the extraordinary catalytic capacity of the bacterial translation machinery has attracted extensive efforts to engineer, reconstruct, and repurpose it for biochemical studies and novel functions. Despite these efforts, the potential for harnessing the translation apparatus to manufacture bio-based products beyond natural limits remains underexploited, and fundamental constraints on the chemistry that the ribosome's RNA-based active site can carry out are unknown. This review aims to cover the past and present advances in ribosome design and engineering to understand the fundamental biology of the ribosome to facilitate the construction of synthetic manufacturing machines. The prospects for the development of engineered, or designer, ribosomes for novel polymer synthesis are reviewed, future challenges are considered, and promising advances in a variety of applications are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne E. d'Aquino
- Interdisciplinary Biological Sciences Graduate Program, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, USA
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, USA
| | - Do Soon Kim
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, USA
| | - Michael C. Jewett
- Interdisciplinary Biological Sciences Graduate Program, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, USA
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, USA
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