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Joshi SHN, Jenkins C, Ulaeto D, Gorochowski TE. Accelerating Genetic Sensor Development, Scale-up, and Deployment Using Synthetic Biology. BIODESIGN RESEARCH 2024; 6:0037. [PMID: 38919711 PMCID: PMC11197468 DOI: 10.34133/bdr.0037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Living cells are exquisitely tuned to sense and respond to changes in their environment. Repurposing these systems to create engineered biosensors has seen growing interest in the field of synthetic biology and provides a foundation for many innovative applications spanning environmental monitoring to improved biobased production. In this review, we present a detailed overview of currently available biosensors and the methods that have supported their development, scale-up, and deployment. We focus on genetic sensors in living cells whose outputs affect gene expression. We find that emerging high-throughput experimental assays and evolutionary approaches combined with advanced bioinformatics and machine learning are establishing pipelines to produce genetic sensors for virtually any small molecule, protein, or nucleic acid. However, more complex sensing tasks based on classifying compositions of many stimuli and the reliable deployment of these systems into real-world settings remain challenges. We suggest that recent advances in our ability to precisely modify nonmodel organisms and the integration of proven control engineering principles (e.g., feedback) into the broader design of genetic sensing systems will be necessary to overcome these hurdles and realize the immense potential of the field.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Christopher Jenkins
- CBR Division, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Porton Down, Wiltshire SP4 0JQ, UK
| | - David Ulaeto
- CBR Division, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Porton Down, Wiltshire SP4 0JQ, UK
| | - Thomas E. Gorochowski
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TQ, UK
- BrisEngBio,
School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TS, UK
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2
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Watanabe T, Kimura Y, Umeno D. MetJ-Based Mutually Interfering SAM-ON/SAM-OFF Biosensors. ACS Synth Biol 2024; 13:624-633. [PMID: 38286030 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.3c00621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2024]
Abstract
SAM (S-adenosylmethionine) is an important metabolite that operates as a major donor of methyl groups and is a controller of various physiological processes. Its availability is also believed to be a major bottleneck in the biological production of numerous high-value metabolites. Here, we constructed SAM-sensing systems using MetJ, an SAM-dependent transcriptional regulator, as a core component. SAM is a corepressor of MetJ, which suppresses the MetJ promoter with an increasing cellular concentration of SAM (SAM-OFF sensor). The application of transcriptional interference and evolutionary tuning effectively inverted its response, yielding a SAM-ON sensor (signal increases with increasing SAM concentration). By linking two genes encoding fluorescent protein reporters in such a way that their transcription events interfere with each other's and by placing one of them under the control of MetJ, we could increase the effective signal-to-noise ratio of the SAM sensor while decreasing the batch-to-batch deviation in signal output, likely by canceling out the growth-associated fluctuation in translational resources. By taking the ratio of SAM-ON/SAM-OFF signals and by resetting the default pool size of SAM, we could rapidly identify SAM synthetase (MetK) mutants with increased cellular activity from a random library. The strategy described herein should be widely applicable for identifying activity mutants, which would be otherwise overlooked because of the strong homeostasis of metabolic networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taro Watanabe
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Waseda University, 3-4-1 Ohkubo, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 169-8555, Japan
- Kirin Central Research Institute, Kirin Holdings Company, Limited, 2-26-1, Muraoka-Higashi, Fujisawa 251-8555, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Yuki Kimura
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Waseda University, 3-4-1 Ohkubo, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 169-8555, Japan
| | - Daisuke Umeno
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Waseda University, 3-4-1 Ohkubo, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 169-8555, Japan
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3
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Yoshida K, Tsunekawa Y, Kurihara K, Watanabe K, Makino-Manabe Y, Wada M, Tanaka T, Ide T, Okada T. Engineering a highly durable adeno-associated virus receptor for analytical applications. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2023; 31:101157. [PMID: 38152699 PMCID: PMC10751509 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2023.101157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
Adeno-associated virus (AAV) is a major viral vector used in gene therapy. There are multiple AAV serotypes, and many engineered AAV serotypes are developed to alter their tissue tropisms with capsid modification. The universal AAV receptor (AAVR) is an essential receptor for multiple AAV serotypes. Since most AAV serotypes used in gene therapy infect cells via interaction with AAVR, the quantification of the vector-binding ability of AAV to AAVR could be an important quality check for therapeutic AAV vectors. To enable a steady evaluation of the AAV-AAVR interaction, we created an engineered AAVR through mutagenesis. Engineered AAVR showed high durability against acid while retaining its AAV-binding activity. An affinity chromatography column with the engineered AAVR was also developed. This column enabled repeated binding and acid dissociation measurements of AAVR with various AAV serotypes. Our data showed that the binding affinities of AAV2 to AAVR were diverse among serotypes, providing insight into the relationship with the infection efficiency of AAV vectors. Thus, this affinity column can be used in process development for quality checks, quantitating capsid titers, and affinity purification of AAV vectors. Furthermore, this column may serve as a useful tool in novel AAV vector capsid engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kouhei Yoshida
- Division of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Center for Gene and Cell Therapy, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1, Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
- Tosoh Corporation, Life Science Research Laboratory, 2743-1, Hayakawa, Ayase, Kanagawa 252-1123, Japan
| | - Yuji Tsunekawa
- Division of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Center for Gene and Cell Therapy, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1, Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Kento Kurihara
- Tosoh Corporation, Life Science Research Laboratory, 2743-1, Hayakawa, Ayase, Kanagawa 252-1123, Japan
| | - Kazuya Watanabe
- Tosoh Corporation, Life Science Research Laboratory, 2743-1, Hayakawa, Ayase, Kanagawa 252-1123, Japan
| | - Yuriko Makino-Manabe
- Tosoh Corporation, Life Science Research Laboratory, 2743-1, Hayakawa, Ayase, Kanagawa 252-1123, Japan
| | - Mikako Wada
- Division of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Center for Gene and Cell Therapy, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1, Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Toru Tanaka
- Tosoh Corporation, Life Science Research Laboratory, 2743-1, Hayakawa, Ayase, Kanagawa 252-1123, Japan
| | - Teruhiko Ide
- Tosoh Corporation, Life Science Research Laboratory, 2743-1, Hayakawa, Ayase, Kanagawa 252-1123, Japan
| | - Takashi Okada
- Division of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Center for Gene and Cell Therapy, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1, Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
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4
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Smith JM, Hartmann D, Booth MJ. Engineering cellular communication between light-activated synthetic cells and bacteria. Nat Chem Biol 2023; 19:1138-1146. [PMID: 37414974 PMCID: PMC10449621 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-023-01374-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
Gene-expressing compartments assembled from simple, modular parts, are a versatile platform for creating minimal synthetic cells with life-like functions. By incorporating gene regulatory motifs into their encapsulated DNA templates, in situ gene expression and, thereby, synthetic cell function can be controlled according to specific stimuli. In this work, cell-free protein synthesis within synthetic cells was controlled using light by encoding genes of interest on light-activated DNA templates. Light-activated DNA contained a photocleavable blockade within the T7 promoter region that tightly repressed transcription until the blocking groups were removed with ultraviolet light. In this way, synthetic cells were activated remotely, in a spatiotemporally controlled manner. By applying this strategy to the expression of an acyl homoserine lactone synthase, BjaI, quorum-sensing-based communication between synthetic cells and bacteria was controlled with light. This work provides a framework for the remote-controlled production and delivery of small molecules from nonliving matter to living matter, with applications in biology and medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Denis Hartmann
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Michael J Booth
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
- Department of Chemistry, University College London, London, UK.
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5
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Liu Y, Chen J, Raj K, Baerg L, Nathan N, Philpott DJ, Mahadevan R. A Universal Strategy to Promote Secretion of G+/G- Bacterial Extracellular Vesicles and Its Application in Host Innate Immune Responses. ACS Synth Biol 2023; 12:319-328. [PMID: 36592614 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.2c00583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria release nanosized extracellular vesicles called membrane vesicles (MVs, 20-400 nm), which have great potential in various biomedical applications due to their abilities to deliver effector molecules and induce therapeutic responses. To fully utilize bacterial MVs for therapeutic purposes, regulated and enhanced production of MVs would be highly advantageous. In this study, we developed a universal method to enhance MV yields in both G+/G- bacteria through an autonomous controlled peptidoglycan hydrolase (PGase) expression system. A significant increase (9.37-fold) of MV concentration was observed in engineered E. coli Nissle 1917 compared to the wild-type. With the help of this autonomous system, for the first time we experimentally confirmed horizontal gene transfer and nutrient acquisition in a cocultured bacterial consortium. Furthermore, the engineered probiotic E. coli strains with high yield of MVs showed higher activation of the innate immune responses in human embryonic kidney 293T (HEK293T) and human colorectal carcinoma cells (HCT116), thereby demonstrating the great potential of engineering probiotics in immunology and further living therapeutics in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yilan Liu
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3E5, Canada
| | - Jinjin Chen
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3E5, Canada
| | - Kaushik Raj
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3E5, Canada
| | - Lauren Baerg
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G9, Canada
| | - Nayanan Nathan
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Dana J Philpott
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Radhakrishnan Mahadevan
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3E5, Canada.,Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G9, Canada
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6
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Juhas M. Communication Between Microorganisms. BRIEF LESSONS IN MICROBIOLOGY 2023:27-41. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-29544-7_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
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7
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OFF-switching property of quorum sensor LuxR via As(III)-induced insoluble form. J Biosci Bioeng 2022; 133:335-339. [PMID: 35120813 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiosc.2021.12.013] [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: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Whole-cell sensors for arsenite detection have been developed exclusively based on the natural arsenite (As(III)) sensory protein ArsR for arsenic metabolism. This study reports that the quorum-sensing LuxR/Plux system from Vibrio fischeri, which is completely unrelated to arsenic metabolism, responds to As(III) in a dose-dependent manner. Due to as many as 9 cysteine residues, which has a high binding affinity with As(III), LuxR underwent As(III)-induced insoluble form, thereby reducing its effective cellular concentration. Accordingly, the expression level of green fluorescent protein under the control of Plux gradually decreased with increasing As(III) concentration in the medium. This is a novel As(III)-detection system that has never been proposed before, with a unique ON-to-OFF transfer function.
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Wang Y, Xue P, Cao M, Yu T, Lane ST, Zhao H. Directed Evolution: Methodologies and Applications. Chem Rev 2021; 121:12384-12444. [PMID: 34297541 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.1c00260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 184] [Impact Index Per Article: 61.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Directed evolution aims to expedite the natural evolution process of biological molecules and systems in a test tube through iterative rounds of gene diversifications and library screening/selection. It has become one of the most powerful and widespread tools for engineering improved or novel functions in proteins, metabolic pathways, and even whole genomes. This review describes the commonly used gene diversification strategies, screening/selection methods, and recently developed continuous evolution strategies for directed evolution. Moreover, we highlight some representative applications of directed evolution in engineering nucleic acids, proteins, pathways, genetic circuits, viruses, and whole cells. Finally, we discuss the challenges and future perspectives in directed evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yajie Wang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States.,Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States.,DOE Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Pu Xue
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States.,Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States.,DOE Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Mingfeng Cao
- DOE Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Tianhao Yu
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States.,Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States.,DOE Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Stephan T Lane
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States.,DOE Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Huimin Zhao
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States.,Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States.,DOE Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States.,Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
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Abstract
One of the most prominent features of genetically encoded biosensors (GEBs) is their evolvability-the ability to invent new sensory functions using mutations. Among the GEBs, the transcription factor-based biosensors (TF-biosensors) is the focus of this review. We also discuss how this class of sensors can be highly evolvable and how we can exploit it. With an established platform for directed evolution, researchers can create, or evolve, new TF-biosensors. Directed evolution experiments have revealed the TF-biosensors' evolvability, which is based partially on their characteristic physicochemical properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisuke Umeno
- Department of Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Chiba University
| | - Yuki Kimura
- Department of Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Chiba University
| | - Shigeko Kawai-Noma
- Department of Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Chiba University
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Tominaga M, Nozaki K, Umeno D, Ishii J, Kondo A. Robust and flexible platform for directed evolution of yeast genetic switches. Nat Commun 2021; 12:1846. [PMID: 33758180 PMCID: PMC7988172 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-22134-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2019] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
A wide repertoire of genetic switches has accelerated prokaryotic synthetic biology, while eukaryotic synthetic biology has lagged in the model organism Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Eukaryotic genetic switches are larger and more complex than prokaryotic ones, complicating the rational design and evolution of them. Here, we present a robust workflow for the creation and evolution of yeast genetic switches. The selector system was designed so that both ON- and OFF-state selection of genetic switches is completed solely by liquid handling, and it enabled parallel screen/selection of different motifs with different selection conditions. Because selection threshold of both ON- and OFF-state selection can be flexibly tuned, the desired selection conditions can be rapidly pinned down for individual directed evolution experiments without a prior knowledge either on the library population. The system's utility was demonstrated using 20 independent directed evolution experiments, yielding genetic switches with elevated inducer sensitivities, inverted switching behaviours, sensory functions, and improved signal-to-noise ratio (>100-fold induction). The resulting yeast genetic switches were readily integrated, in a plug-and-play manner, into an AND-gated carotenoid biosynthesis pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masahiro Tominaga
- grid.31432.370000 0001 1092 3077Graduate School of Science, Technology and Innovation, Kobe University, Kobe, Japan
| | - Kenta Nozaki
- grid.31432.370000 0001 1092 3077Graduate School of Science, Technology and Innovation, Kobe University, Kobe, Japan
| | - Daisuke Umeno
- grid.136304.30000 0004 0370 1101Department of Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology, Faculty of Engineering, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Jun Ishii
- grid.31432.370000 0001 1092 3077Graduate School of Science, Technology and Innovation, Kobe University, Kobe, Japan ,grid.31432.370000 0001 1092 3077Engineering Biology Research Center, Kobe University, Kobe, Japan
| | - Akihiko Kondo
- grid.31432.370000 0001 1092 3077Graduate School of Science, Technology and Innovation, Kobe University, Kobe, Japan ,grid.31432.370000 0001 1092 3077Engineering Biology Research Center, Kobe University, Kobe, Japan ,grid.31432.370000 0001 1092 3077Department of Chemical Science and Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Kobe University, Kobe, Japan ,grid.7597.c0000000094465255Center for Sustainable Resource Science, RIKEN, Yokohama, Japan
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Kimura Y, Umeno D. Directed evolution of transcriptional switches using dual-selector systems. Methods Enzymol 2020; 644:191-207. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2020.04.067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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