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Glover CN, Veilleux HD, Misutka MD. Commentary: Environmental RNA and the assessment of organismal function in the field. Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol 2024:111036. [PMID: 39313021 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpb.2024.111036] [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: 05/27/2024] [Revised: 09/01/2024] [Accepted: 09/16/2024] [Indexed: 09/25/2024]
Abstract
Environmental RNA (eRNA) is an emerging technique with significant potential for the assessment of organismal function in field settings. It has the advantage of being non-invasive, facilitating insight into the physiological status of an organism without complications associated with processes such as capture, handling, and transportation from the field to the laboratory. It is hypothesised that eRNA approaches will be especially valuable for assessing sublethal stress of species living in environmental settings undergoing change and could therefore be integral for examining population health and for testing hypotheses regarding organismal physiology developed from laboratory studies. However, the successful application of eRNA approaches requires further data regarding the stability and persistence of eRNA in natural substrates; established and validated relationships between molecular biomarkers and the physiological processes they participate in; and an understanding of the contributions of different epithelia in direct contact with the environment (skin, gill, gut) to the eRNA transcriptome. The utility of microRNA as a component of the eRNA pool should be an area of specific future research focus. Ultimately, eRNA has the potential to provide fundamental physiological information regarding the responses of organisms in their natural settings and could increase the sensitivity and acuity of biomonitoring efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris N Glover
- Faculty of Science and Technology and Athabasca River Basin Research Institute, Athabasca University, Athabasca, Alberta, Canada; Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
| | | | - Melissa D Misutka
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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2
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Shi J, Zhang Q, Wu Y, Chang Y, Liu M. In vitro selection of N 1-methyladenosine-sensitive RNA-cleaving deoxyribozymes with 10 5-fold selectivity over unmethylated RNA. Chem Sci 2024; 15:13452-13458. [PMID: 39183917 PMCID: PMC11339963 DOI: 10.1039/d4sc02943g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2024] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 08/27/2024] Open
Abstract
RNA-cleaving DNAzymes (RCDs) are catalytically active DNA molecules that cleave a wide range of RNA targets with extremely high sequence-selectivity, but none is able to faithfully discriminate methylated from unmethylated RNA (typically <30-fold). We report the first efforts to isolate RCDs from a random-sequence DNA pool by in vitro selection that cleave RNA/DNA chimera containing N 1-methyladenosine (m1A), one of the most prevalent RNA modifications that plays important regulatory roles in gene expression and human cancers. A cis-acting deoxyribozyme, RCD1-S2m1A, exhibits an observed rate constant (k obs) of 5.3 × 10-2 min-1, resulting in up to 105-fold faster cleavage of the m1A-modified versus unmethylated RNA. Furthermore, a trans-acting fluorogenic deoxyribozyme was constructed by labeling a fluorophore and a quencher at the 5' and 3' ends of the chimeric substrate, respectively. It permits the synchronization of RNA-cleaving with real-time fluorescence signaling, thus allowing the selective monitoring of ALKBH3-mediated demethylation and inhibitor screening in living cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiarong Shi
- School of Environmental Science and Technology, Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering (Ministry of Education), Dalian University of Technology, Dalian POCT Laboratory Dalian 116024 China
| | - Qiang Zhang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bio-Intelligent Manufacturing, School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology Dalian 116024 China
| | - Yunping Wu
- School of Environmental Science and Technology, Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering (Ministry of Education), Dalian University of Technology, Dalian POCT Laboratory Dalian 116024 China
| | - Yangyang Chang
- School of Environmental Science and Technology, Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering (Ministry of Education), Dalian University of Technology, Dalian POCT Laboratory Dalian 116024 China
| | - Meng Liu
- School of Environmental Science and Technology, Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering (Ministry of Education), Dalian University of Technology, Dalian POCT Laboratory Dalian 116024 China
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3
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Nasaev SS, Mukanov AR, Mishkorez IV, Kuznetsov II, Leibin IV, Dolgusheva VA, Pavlyuk GA, Manasyan AL, Veselovsky AV. Molecular Modeling Methods in the Development of Affine and Specific Protein-Binding Agents. BIOCHEMISTRY. BIOKHIMIIA 2024; 89:1451-1473. [PMID: 39245455 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297924080066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2024] [Revised: 06/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/11/2024] [Indexed: 09/10/2024]
Abstract
High-affinity and specific agents are widely applied in various areas, including diagnostics, scientific research, and disease therapy (as drugs and drug delivery systems). It takes significant time to develop them. For this reason, development of high-affinity agents extensively utilizes computer methods at various stages for the analysis and modeling of these molecules. The review describes the main affinity and specific agents, such as monoclonal antibodies and their fragments, antibody mimetics, aptamers, and molecularly imprinted polymers. The methods of their obtaining as well as their main advantages and disadvantages are briefly described, with special attention focused on the molecular modeling methods used for their analysis and development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Artem R Mukanov
- Research & Development Department, Xelari Ltd., Moscow, 121601, Russia
| | - Ivan V Mishkorez
- Research & Development Department, Xelari Ltd., Moscow, 121601, Russia
- Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Moscow, 119121, Russia
| | - Ivan I Kuznetsov
- Research & Development Department, Xelari Ltd., Moscow, 121601, Russia
| | - Iosif V Leibin
- Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Skolkovo Innovation Center, Moscow, 121205, Russia
| | | | - Gleb A Pavlyuk
- Research & Development Department, Xelari Ltd., Moscow, 121601, Russia
| | - Artem L Manasyan
- Research & Development Department, Xelari Ltd., Moscow, 121601, Russia
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4
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Yoshioka S, Doi A, Nakano SI. Inhibition of RNA Phosphodiester Backbone Cleavage in the Presence of Organic Cations of Different Sizes. Chembiochem 2024; 25:e202400276. [PMID: 38710652 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202400276] [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: 03/25/2024] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
Living cells contain various types of organic cations that may interact with nucleic acids. In order to understand the nucleic acid-binding properties of organic cations of different sizes, we investigated the ability of simple organic cations to inhibit the RNA phosphodiester bond cleavage promoted by Mg2+, Pb2+, and RNA-cleaving serum proteins. Kinetic analysis using chimeric DNA-RNA oligonucleotides showed that the cleavage at ribonucleotide sites was inhibited in the presence of monovalent cations comprising alkyl chains or benzene rings. The comparison of the cleavage rates in the presence of quaternary ammonium and phosphonium ions indicated that the steric hindrance effect of organic cations on their binding to the RNA backbone is significant when the cation size is larger than the phosphate-phosphate distance of a single-stranded nucleic acid. The cleavage inhibition was also observed for ribonucleotides located in long loops but not in short loops of oligonucleotide structures, indicating less efficient binding of bulky cations to structurally constrained regions. These results reveal the unique nucleic acid-binding properties of bulky cations distinct from those of metal ions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Senri Yoshioka
- Department of Nanobiochemistry, Faculty of Frontiers of Innovative Research in Science and Technology (FIRST), Konan University, 7-1-20, Minatojima-minamimachi Chuo-ku, 650-0047, Kobe, Japan
| | - Asuka Doi
- Department of Nanobiochemistry, Faculty of Frontiers of Innovative Research in Science and Technology (FIRST), Konan University, 7-1-20, Minatojima-minamimachi Chuo-ku, 650-0047, Kobe, Japan
| | - Shu-Ichi Nakano
- Department of Nanobiochemistry, Faculty of Frontiers of Innovative Research in Science and Technology (FIRST), Konan University, 7-1-20, Minatojima-minamimachi Chuo-ku, 650-0047, Kobe, Japan
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5
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Sharma NK, Dwivedi P, Bhushan R, Maurya PK, Kumar A, Dakal TC. Engineering circular RNA for molecular and metabolic reprogramming. Funct Integr Genomics 2024; 24:117. [PMID: 38918231 DOI: 10.1007/s10142-024-01394-z] [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: 04/28/2024] [Revised: 06/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
The role of messenger RNA (mRNA) in biological systems is extremely versatile. However, it's extremely short half-life poses a fundamental restriction on its application. Moreover, the translation efficiency of mRNA is also limited. On the contrary, circular RNAs, also known as circRNAs, are a common and stable form of RNA found in eukaryotic cells. These molecules are synthesized via back-splicing. Both synthetic circRNAs and certain endogenous circRNAs have the potential to encode proteins, hence suggesting the potential of circRNA as a gene expression machinery. Herein, we aim to summarize all engineering aspects that allow exogenous circular RNA (circRNA) to prolong the time that proteins are expressed from full-length RNA signals. This review presents a systematic engineering approach that have been devised to efficiently assemble circRNAs and evaluate several aspects that have an impact on protein production derived from. We have also reviewed how optimization of the key components of circRNAs, including the topology of vector, 5' and 3' untranslated sections, entrance site of the internal ribosome, and engineered aptamers could be efficiently impacting the translation machinery for molecular and metabolic reprogramming. Collectively, molecular and metabolic reprogramming present a novel way of regulating distinctive cellular features, for instance growth traits to neoplastic cells, and offer new possibilities for therapeutic inventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narendra Kumar Sharma
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Banasthali Vidyapith (Deemed University), P.O. Banasthali Vidyapith Distt. Tonk, Rajasthan, 304 022, India.
| | - Pragya Dwivedi
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Banasthali Vidyapith (Deemed University), P.O. Banasthali Vidyapith Distt. Tonk, Rajasthan, 304 022, India
| | - Ravi Bhushan
- Department of Zoology, M.S. College, Motihari, Bihar, India
| | - Pawan Kumar Maurya
- Department of Biochemistry, Central University of Haryana, Mahendergarh, 123031, Haryana, India
| | - Abhishek Kumar
- Institute of Bioinformatics, International Technology Park, Bangalore, 560066, Karnataka, India
- Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, 576104, Karnataka, India
| | - Tikam Chand Dakal
- Genome and Computational Biology Lab, Department of Biotechnology, Mohanlal Sukhadia University, Udaipur, Rajasthan, 313001, India.
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6
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Sioud M, Juzeniene A, Sæbøe-Larssen S. Exploring the Impact of mRNA Modifications on Translation Efficiency and Immune Tolerance to Self-Antigens. Vaccines (Basel) 2024; 12:624. [PMID: 38932353 PMCID: PMC11209393 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12060624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2024] [Revised: 06/02/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic modified mRNAs are being developed for a broad range of human diseases. However, the impact of potential miscoding of modified mRNAs on self-tolerance remains unknown. Additionally, more studies are needed to explore the effects of nucleoside alkylation on translation. While all six tested modifications are tolerated as substrates by T7 RNA polymerase and inhibited mRNA immunogenicity, the translation efficiency varied significantly depending on the type of modification. In contrast to methylation, ethylation at the N1 position of pseudouridine (Ψ) hindered translation, suggesting that the C5-C1' glycosidic bond alone is not a critical element for high translation. Inhibition of mRNA translation was also observed with 5-methoxyuridine modification. However, this inhibition was partially alleviated through the optimization of mRNA coding sequences. BALB/c mice immunized with syngeneic ψ-modified mRNA encoding for Wilms' tumor antigen-1 (WT1) developed a low but significant level of anti-WT1 IgG antibodies compared to those immunized with either unmodified or N1-methyl ψ-modified mRNA. Overall, the data indicate that adding a simple ethyl group (-CH2CH3) at the N1 position of ψ has a major negative effect on translation despite its reduced immunogenicity. Additionally, mRNA containing Ψ may alter translation fidelity at certain codons, which could lead to a breakdown of immune tolerance to self-antigens. This concern should be taken into account during gene replacement therapies, although it could benefit mRNA-based vaccines by generating a diverse repertoire of antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mouldy Sioud
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Oslo University Hospital, Radiumhospitalet, Ullernchausseen 70, 0379 Oslo, Norway
| | - Asta Juzeniene
- Department of Radiation Biology, Oslo University Hospital, Radiumhospitalet, Ullernchausseen 70, 0379 Oslo, Norway;
| | - Stein Sæbøe-Larssen
- Department of cellular Therapy, Oslo University Hospital, Radiumhospitalet, Ullernchausseen 70, 0379 Oslo, Norway;
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7
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Hashiba K, Taguchi M, Sakamoto S, Otsu A, Maeda Y, Ebe H, Okazaki A, Harashima H, Sato Y. Overcoming thermostability challenges in mRNA-lipid nanoparticle systems with piperidine-based ionizable lipids. Commun Biol 2024; 7:556. [PMID: 38730092 PMCID: PMC11087515 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06235-0] [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: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) have emerged as promising platforms for efficient in vivo mRNA delivery owing to advancements in ionizable lipids. However, maintaining the thermostability of mRNA/LNP systems remains challenging. While the importance of only a small amount of lipid impurities on mRNA inactivation is clear, a fundamental solution has not yet been proposed. In this study, we investigate an approach to limit the generation of aldehyde impurities that react with mRNA nucleosides through the chemical engineering of lipids. We demonstrated that piperidine-based lipids improve the long-term storage stability of mRNA/LNPs at refrigeration temperature as a liquid formulation. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis and additional lipid synthesis revealed that amine moieties of ionizable lipids play a vital role in limiting reactive aldehyde generation, mRNA-lipid adduct formation, and loss of mRNA function during mRNA/LNP storage. These findings highlight the importance of lipid design and help enhance the shelf-life of mRNA/LNP systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuki Hashiba
- Nucleic Acid Medicine Business Division, Nitto Denko Corporation, 1-1-2, Shimohozumi, Ibaraki, Osaka, 567-8680, Japan.
| | - Masamitsu Taguchi
- Nucleic Acid Medicine Business Division, Nitto Denko Corporation, 1-1-2, Shimohozumi, Ibaraki, Osaka, 567-8680, Japan
| | - Sachiko Sakamoto
- Nucleic Acid Medicine Business Division, Nitto Denko Corporation, 1-1-2, Shimohozumi, Ibaraki, Osaka, 567-8680, Japan
| | - Ayaka Otsu
- Nucleic Acid Medicine Business Division, Nitto Denko Corporation, 1-1-2, Shimohozumi, Ibaraki, Osaka, 567-8680, Japan
| | - Yoshiki Maeda
- Nucleic Acid Medicine Business Division, Nitto Denko Corporation, 1-1-2, Shimohozumi, Ibaraki, Osaka, 567-8680, Japan
| | - Hirofumi Ebe
- Nucleic Acid Medicine Business Division, Nitto Denko Corporation, 1-1-2, Shimohozumi, Ibaraki, Osaka, 567-8680, Japan
| | - Arimichi Okazaki
- Nucleic Acid Medicine Business Division, Nitto Denko Corporation, 1-1-2, Shimohozumi, Ibaraki, Osaka, 567-8680, Japan
| | - Hideyoshi Harashima
- Laboratory for Molecular Design of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita-12, Nishi-6, Kita-Ku, Sapporo, 060-0812, Japan
| | - Yusuke Sato
- Laboratory for Molecular Design of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita-12, Nishi-6, Kita-Ku, Sapporo, 060-0812, Japan.
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8
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Grasso L, Fonzino A, Manzari C, Leonardi T, Picardi E, Gissi C, Lazzaro F, Pesole G, Muzi-Falconi M. Detection of ribonucleotides embedded in DNA by Nanopore sequencing. Commun Biol 2024; 7:491. [PMID: 38654143 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06077-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Ribonucleotides represent the most common non-canonical nucleotides found in eukaryotic genomes. The sources of chromosome-embedded ribonucleotides and the mechanisms by which unrepaired rNMPs trigger genome instability and human pathologies are not fully understood. The available sequencing technologies only allow to indirectly deduce the genomic location of rNMPs. Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) may overcome such limitation, revealing the sites of rNMPs incorporation in genomic DNA directly from raw sequencing signals. We synthesized two types of DNA molecules containing rNMPs at known or random positions and we developed data analysis pipelines for DNA-embedded ribonucleotides detection by ONT. We report that ONT can identify all four ribonucleotides incorporated in DNA by capturing rNMPs-specific alterations in nucleotide alignment features, current intensity, and dwell time. We propose that ONT may be successfully employed to directly map rNMPs in genomic DNA and we suggest a strategy to build an ad hoc basecaller to analyse native genomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lavinia Grasso
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Adriano Fonzino
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Biotecnologie e Ambiente, Università di Bari A. Moro, Via Orabona 4, 70126, Bari, Italy
| | - Caterina Manzari
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Biotecnologie e Ambiente, Università di Bari A. Moro, Via Orabona 4, 70126, Bari, Italy
| | - Tommaso Leonardi
- Center for Genomic Science of IIT@SEMM, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Adamello 16, 20139, Milano, Italy
| | - Ernesto Picardi
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Biotecnologie e Ambiente, Università di Bari A. Moro, Via Orabona 4, 70126, Bari, Italy
- Istituto di Biomembrane, Bioenergetica e Biotecnologie Molecolari, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via Amendola 122/O, 70126, Bari, Italy
| | - Carmela Gissi
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Biotecnologie e Ambiente, Università di Bari A. Moro, Via Orabona 4, 70126, Bari, Italy
- Istituto di Biomembrane, Bioenergetica e Biotecnologie Molecolari, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via Amendola 122/O, 70126, Bari, Italy
| | - Federico Lazzaro
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milano, Italy.
| | - Graziano Pesole
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Biotecnologie e Ambiente, Università di Bari A. Moro, Via Orabona 4, 70126, Bari, Italy.
- Istituto di Biomembrane, Bioenergetica e Biotecnologie Molecolari, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via Amendola 122/O, 70126, Bari, Italy.
| | - Marco Muzi-Falconi
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milano, Italy.
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9
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Dayeh DM, Cika J, Moon Y, Henderson S, Di Grandi D, Fu Y, Muthusamy K, Palackal N, Ihnat PM, Pyles EA. Comprehensive chromatographic assessment of forced degraded in vitro transcribed mRNA. J Chromatogr A 2024; 1722:464885. [PMID: 38631223 DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2024.464885] [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: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
Heightened interest in messenger RNA (mRNA) therapeutics has accelerated the need for analytical methodologies that facilitate the production of supplies for clinical trials. Forced degradation studies are routinely conducted to provide an understanding of potential weak spots in the molecule that are exploited by stresses encountered during bulk purification, production, shipment, and storage. Consequently, temperature fluctuations and excursions are often experienced during these unit operations and may accelerate mRNA degradation. Here, we present a concise panel of chromatography-based stability-indicating assays for evaluating thermally stressed in vitro transcribed (IVT) mRNA as part of a forced degradation study. We found that addition of EDTA to the mRNAs prior to heat exposure reduced the extent of degradation, suggesting that transcripts may be fragmenting via a divalent metal-ion mediated pathway. Trace divalent metal contamination that can accelerate RNA instability is likely carried over from upstream steps. We demonstrate the application of these methods to evaluate the critical quality attributes (CQAs) of mRNAs as well as to detect intrinsic process- and product-related impurities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel M Dayeh
- Protein Biochemistry, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 777 Old Saw Mill River Road, Tarrytown, NY 10591, United States
| | - Jaclyn Cika
- Protein Biochemistry, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 777 Old Saw Mill River Road, Tarrytown, NY 10591, United States
| | - Youmi Moon
- Protein Biochemistry, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 777 Old Saw Mill River Road, Tarrytown, NY 10591, United States
| | - Steven Henderson
- Protein Biochemistry, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 777 Old Saw Mill River Road, Tarrytown, NY 10591, United States
| | - Deanna Di Grandi
- Protein Biochemistry, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 777 Old Saw Mill River Road, Tarrytown, NY 10591, United States
| | - Yue Fu
- Protein Biochemistry, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 777 Old Saw Mill River Road, Tarrytown, NY 10591, United States.
| | - Kathir Muthusamy
- Protein Biochemistry, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 777 Old Saw Mill River Road, Tarrytown, NY 10591, United States.
| | - Nisha Palackal
- Protein Biochemistry, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 777 Old Saw Mill River Road, Tarrytown, NY 10591, United States
| | - Peter M Ihnat
- Protein Biochemistry, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 777 Old Saw Mill River Road, Tarrytown, NY 10591, United States
| | - Erica A Pyles
- Protein Biochemistry, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 777 Old Saw Mill River Road, Tarrytown, NY 10591, United States
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10
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Calaça Serrão A, Wunnava S, Dass AV, Ufer L, Schwintek P, Mast CB, Braun D. High-Fidelity RNA Copying via 2',3'-Cyclic Phosphate Ligation. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:8887-8894. [PMID: 38503430 PMCID: PMC10995993 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c10813] [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: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Templated ligation offers an efficient approach to replicate long strands in an RNA world. The 2',3'-cyclic phosphate (>P) is a prebiotically available activation that also forms during RNA hydrolysis. Using gel electrophoresis and high-performance liquid chromatography, we found that the templated ligation of RNA with >P proceeds in simple low-salt aqueous solutions with 1 mM MgCl2 under alkaline pH ranging from 9 to 11 and temperatures from -20 to 25 °C. No additional catalysts were required. In contrast to previous reports, we found an increase in the number of canonical linkages to 50%. The reaction proceeds in a sequence-specific manner, with an experimentally determined ligation fidelity of 82% at the 3' end and 91% at the 5' end of the ligation site. With splinted oligomers, five ligations created a 96-mer strand, demonstrating a pathway for the ribozyme assembly. Due to the low salt requirements, the ligation conditions will be compatible with strand separation. Templated ligation mediated by 2',3'-cyclic phosphate in alkaline conditions therefore offers a performant replication and elongation reaction for RNA on early Earth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Calaça Serrão
- Department
of Physics, Center for Nanoscience, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität
München, Amalienstraße 54, 80799 Munich, Germany
| | - Sreekar Wunnava
- Department
of Physics, Center for Nanoscience, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität
München, Amalienstraße 54, 80799 Munich, Germany
| | - Avinash V. Dass
- Department
of Physics, Center for Nanoscience, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität
München, Amalienstraße 54, 80799 Munich, Germany
- Department
of Physics and Astronomy, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario L8S4M1, Canada
| | - Lennard Ufer
- Department
of Physics, Center for Nanoscience, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität
München, Amalienstraße 54, 80799 Munich, Germany
| | - Philipp Schwintek
- Department
of Physics, Center for Nanoscience, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität
München, Amalienstraße 54, 80799 Munich, Germany
| | - Christof B. Mast
- Department
of Physics, Center for Nanoscience, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität
München, Amalienstraße 54, 80799 Munich, Germany
| | - Dieter Braun
- Department
of Physics, Center for Nanoscience, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität
München, Amalienstraße 54, 80799 Munich, Germany
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11
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Jo TS. Larger particle size distribution of environmental RNA compared to environmental DNA: a case study targeting the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene in zebrafish (Danio rerio) using experimental aquariums. THE SCIENCE OF NATURE - NATURWISSENSCHAFTEN 2024; 111:18. [PMID: 38502308 DOI: 10.1007/s00114-024-01904-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Environmental RNA (eRNA) analysis is conventionally expected to infer physiological information about organisms within their ecosystems, whereas environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis only infers their presence and abundance. Despite the promise of eRNA application, basic research on eRNA characteristics and dynamics is limited. The present study conducted aquarium experiments using zebrafish (Danio rerio) to estimate the particle size distribution (PSD) of eRNA in order to better understand the persistence state of eRNA particles. Rearing water samples were sequentially filtered using different pore-size filters, and the resulting size-fractioned mitochondrial cytochrome b (CytB) eDNA and eRNA data were modeled with the Weibull complementary cumulative distribution function (CCDF) to estimate the parameters characterizing the PSDs. It was revealed that the scale parameter (α) was significantly higher (i.e., the mean particle size was larger) for eRNA than eDNA, while the shape parameter (β) was not significantly different between them. This result supports the hypothesis that most eRNA particles are likely in a protected, intra-cellular state, which mitigates eRNA degradation in water. Moreover, these findings also imply the heterogeneous dispersion of eRNA relative to eDNA and suggest an efficient method of eRNA collection using a larger pore-size filter. Further studies on the characteristics and dynamics of eRNA particles should be pursued in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshiaki S Jo
- Research Fellow of Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, 5-3-1 Kojimachi, Chiyoda-Ku, Tokyo, 102-0083, Japan.
- Ryukoku Center for Biodiversity Science, 1-5, Yokotani, Oe-Cho, Seta, Otsu City, Shiga, 520-2194, Japan.
- Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Ryukoku University, 1-5, Yokotani, Oe-Cho, Seta, Otsu City, Shiga, 520-2194, Japan.
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12
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Cohen ZR, Ding D, Zhou L, DasGupta S, Haas S, Sinclair KP, Todd ZR, Black RA, Szostak JW, Catling DC. Natural soda lakes provide compatible conditions for RNA and membrane function that could have enabled the origin of life. PNAS NEXUS 2024; 3:pgae084. [PMID: 38505692 PMCID: PMC10949909 DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgae084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
The origin of life likely occurred within environments that concentrated cellular precursors and enabled their co-assembly into cells. Soda lakes (those dominated by Na+ ions and carbonate species) can concentrate precursors of RNA and membranes, such as phosphate, cyanide, and fatty acids. Subsequent assembly of RNA and membranes into cells is a long-standing problem because RNA function requires divalent cations, e.g. Mg2+, but Mg2+ disrupts fatty acid membranes. The low solubility of Mg-containing carbonates limits soda lakes to moderate Mg2+ concentrations (∼1 mM), so we investigated whether both RNAs and membranes function within these lakes. We collected water from Last Chance Lake and Goodenough Lake in Canada. Because we sampled after seasonal evaporation, the lake water contained ∼1 M Na+ and ∼1 mM Mg2+ near pH 10. In the laboratory, nonenzymatic, RNA-templated polymerization of 2-aminoimidazole-activated ribonucleotides occurred at comparable rates in lake water and standard laboratory conditions (50 mM MgCl2, pH 8). Additionally, we found that a ligase ribozyme that uses oligonucleotide substrates activated with 2-aminoimidazole was active in lake water after adjusting pH from ∼10 to 9. We also observed that decanoic acid and decanol assembled into vesicles in a dilute solution that resembled lake water after seasonal rains, and that those vesicles retained encapsulated solutes despite salt-induced flocculation when the external solution was replaced with dry-season lake water. By identifying compatible conditions for nonenzymatic and ribozyme-catalyzed RNA assembly, and for encapsulation by membranes, our results suggest that soda lakes could have enabled cellular life to emerge on Earth, and perhaps elsewhere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary R Cohen
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Astrobiology Program, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Dian Ding
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
- Department of Molecular Biology and Center for Computational and Integrative Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Lijun Zhou
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics and Penn Institute for RNA Innovation, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Saurja DasGupta
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Sebastian Haas
- Astrobiology Program, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Department of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Kimberly P Sinclair
- Astrobiology Program, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Department of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Zoe R Todd
- Astrobiology Program, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Department of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Department of Astronomy, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Roy A Black
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Astrobiology Program, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Jack W Szostak
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Chemistry, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - David C Catling
- Astrobiology Program, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Department of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
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13
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Metkar M, Pepin CS, Moore MJ. Tailor made: the art of therapeutic mRNA design. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2024; 23:67-83. [PMID: 38030688 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-023-00827-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
mRNA medicine is a new and rapidly developing field in which the delivery of genetic information in the form of mRNA is used to direct therapeutic protein production in humans. This approach, which allows for the quick and efficient identification and optimization of drug candidates for both large populations and individual patients, has the potential to revolutionize the way we prevent and treat disease. A key feature of mRNA medicines is their high degree of designability, although the design choices involved are complex. Maximizing the production of therapeutic proteins from mRNA medicines requires a thorough understanding of how nucleotide sequence, nucleotide modification and RNA structure interplay to affect translational efficiency and mRNA stability. In this Review, we describe the principles that underlie the physical stability and biological activity of mRNA and emphasize their relevance to the myriad considerations that factor into therapeutic mRNA design.
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14
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Yang X, Zhang D, Liu R, Wang L, Liu JY, Wang Z. Rapid Thalidomide Racemization Is Related to Proton Tunneling Reactions via Water Bridges. J Phys Chem Lett 2023; 14:10592-10598. [PMID: 37976462 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.3c02757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Quantum mechanical tunneling (QMT) can play an important role in light element-related chemical reactions; however, its influence on racemization is not fully understood. Herein, we demonstrate that the role of QMT is decisive for rapid racemization of the well-known thalidomide molecule in aqueous environments, increasing the reaction rate constants of the most likely racemization pathways by 87-149 times at approximately body temperature and achieving good agreement between theoretical calculations and experimental observations. In addition, the kinetic isotope effect values fit well with those of previous experiments. These results are attributed to enhanced tunneling probability due to the alteration of potential barriers for proton transfer reactions via water bridges. This work highlights the significance of the QMT effect in racemization and its potential impact on drug safety, providing a fundamental perspective for understanding chirality-related issues in biological systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinrui Yang
- Institute of Atomic and Molecular Physics, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
| | - Depeng Zhang
- Institute of Atomic and Molecular Physics, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
- Normal School, Shenyang University, Shenyang 110044, China
- Key Laboratory of Material Simulation Methods & Software of Ministry of Education, College of Physics, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
| | - Rui Liu
- Key Laboratory of Material Simulation Methods & Software of Ministry of Education, College of Physics, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
| | - Lu Wang
- Institute of Atomic and Molecular Physics, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
| | - Jing-Yao Liu
- Institute of Theoretical Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun 130023, China
| | - Zhigang Wang
- Institute of Atomic and Molecular Physics, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
- Key Laboratory of Material Simulation Methods & Software of Ministry of Education, College of Physics, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
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15
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Das S, Forrest J, Kuzminov A. Synthetic lethal mutants in Escherichia coli define pathways necessary for survival with RNase H deficiency. J Bacteriol 2023; 205:e0028023. [PMID: 37819120 PMCID: PMC10601623 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00280-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Ribonucleotides frequently contaminate DNA and, if not removed, cause genomic instability. Consequently, all organisms are equipped with RNase H enzymes to remove RNA-DNA hybrids (RDHs). Escherichia coli lacking RNase HI (rnhA) and RNase HII (rnhB) enzymes, the ∆rnhA ∆rnhB double mutant, accumulates RDHs in its DNA. These RDHs can convert into RNA-containing DNA lesions (R-lesions) of unclear nature that compromise genomic stability. The ∆rnhAB double mutant has severe phenotypes, like growth inhibition, replication stress, sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation, SOS induction, increased chromosomal fragmentation, and defects in nucleoid organization. In this study, we found that RNase HI deficiency also alters wild-type levels of DNA supercoiling. Despite these severe chromosomal complications, ∆rnhAB double mutant survives, suggesting that dedicated pathways operate to avoid or repair R-lesions. To identify these pathways, we systematically searched for mutants synthetic lethal (colethal) with the rnhAB defect using an unbiased color screen and a candidate gene approach. We identified both novel and previously reported rnhAB-colethal and -coinhibited mutants, characterized them, and sorted them into avoidance or repair pathways. These mutants operate in various parts of nucleic acid metabolism, including replication fork progression, R-loop prevention and removal, nucleoid organization, tRNA modification, recombinational repair, and chromosome-dimer resolution, demonstrating the pleiotropic nature of RNase H deficiency. IMPORTANCE Ribonucleotides (rNs) are structurally very similar to deoxyribonucleotides. Consequently, rN contamination of DNA is common and pervasive across all domains of life. Failure to remove rNs from DNA has severe consequences, and all organisms are equipped with RNase H enzymes to remove RNA-DNA hybrids. RNase H deficiency leads to complications in bacteria, yeast, and mouse, and diseases like progressive external ophthalmoplegia (mitochondrial defects in RNASEH1) and Aicardi-Goutières syndrome (defects in RNASEH2) in humans. Escherichia coli ∆rnhAB mutant, deficient in RNases H, has severe chromosomal complications. Despite substantial problems, nearly half of the mutant population survives. We have identified novel and previously confirmed pathways in various parts of nucleic acid metabolism that ensure survival with RNase H deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sneha Das
- Department of Microbiology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
| | - Jonathan Forrest
- Department of Microbiology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
| | - Andrei Kuzminov
- Department of Microbiology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
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16
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Zhou Q, Zhang G, Wu Y, Zhang Q, Liu Y, Chang Y, Liu M. In Vitro Selection of M 2+-Independent, Fast-Responding Acidic Deoxyribozymes for Bacterial Detection. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:21370-21377. [PMID: 37683187 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c06155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
We report on the first efforts to isolate acidic RNA-cleaving DNAzymes (aRCDs) from a random-sequence DNA pool by in vitro selection that are activated by a microbe Escherichia coli (E. coli), at pH 5.3. Importantly, these E. coli-responsive aRCDs only require monovalent metal ions as cofactors for cleaving a fluorogenic chimeric DNA/RNA substrate. Such characteristics can be used to efficiently protect RCDs from both intrinsic chemical instability and external enzymatic degradation. One remarkable DNAzyme, aRCD-EC1, is specific for E. coli, and its target is likely a protein. Furthermore, truncated aRCD-EC1 had significantly improved catalytic activity with an observed rate constant (kobs) of 1.18 min-1, making it the fastest bacteria-responding RCD reported to date. Clinical evaluation of this aRCD-based fluorescent assay using 40 patient urine samples demonstrated a diagnostic sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 100% at a total analysis time of 50 min without a bacterial culture. This work can expand the repertoire of DNAzymes that are active under nonphysiological conditions, thus facilitating the development of diverse DNAzyme-based biosensors in clinical diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinbin Zhou
- School of Environmental Science and Technology, Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering (Ministry of Education), Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
- Dalian POCT Laboratory, Dalian 116024, China
| | - Guangxiao Zhang
- School of Environmental Science and Technology, Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering (Ministry of Education), Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
- Dalian POCT Laboratory, Dalian 116024, China
| | - Yunping Wu
- School of Environmental Science and Technology, Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering (Ministry of Education), Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
- Dalian POCT Laboratory, Dalian 116024, China
| | - Qiang Zhang
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
| | - Yi Liu
- Department of Neurology, Dalian Municipal Central Hospital Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116033, China
| | - Yangyang Chang
- School of Environmental Science and Technology, Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering (Ministry of Education), Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
- Dalian POCT Laboratory, Dalian 116024, China
| | - Meng Liu
- School of Environmental Science and Technology, Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering (Ministry of Education), Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
- Dalian POCT Laboratory, Dalian 116024, China
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17
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Wink R, Majumdar S, van Benthem RATM, Heuts JPA, Sijbesma RP. RNA-inspired phosphate diester dynamic covalent networks. Polym Chem 2023; 14:4294-4302. [PMID: 38013800 PMCID: PMC10520920 DOI: 10.1039/d3py00867c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Neighboring group assisted rearrangement substantially increases relaxation rates in dynamic covalent networks, allowing easier (re)processing of these materials. In this work, we introduce a dynamic covalent network with anionic phosphate diesters as the sole dynamic group, incorporating β-hydroxy groups as a neighboring group, mimicking the self-cleaving backbone structure of RNA. The diester-based networks have slightly slower dynamics, but significantly better hydrolytic (and thermal) stability than analogous phosphate triester-based networks. Catalysis by the β-hydroxy group is vital for fast network rearrangement to occur, while the nature of the counterion has a negligible effect on the relaxation rate. Variable temperature 31P solid-state NMR demonstrated a dissociative bond rearrangement mechanism to be operative.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roy Wink
- Department of Chemical Engineering & Chemistry, and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology P.O. Box 513 5600 MB Eindhoven The Netherlands
| | - Soumabrata Majumdar
- Department of Chemical Engineering & Chemistry, and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology P.O. Box 513 5600 MB Eindhoven The Netherlands
| | - Rolf A T M van Benthem
- Department of Chemical Engineering & Chemistry, Laboratory of Physical Chemistry. Eindhoven University of Technology P.O. Box 513 5600 MB Eindhoven The Netherlands
- Shell Energy Transition Center Amsterdam Grasweg 31 1031 HW Amsterdam The Netherlands
| | - Johan P A Heuts
- Department of Chemical Engineering & Chemistry, and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology P.O. Box 513 5600 MB Eindhoven The Netherlands
| | - Rint P Sijbesma
- Department of Chemical Engineering & Chemistry, and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology P.O. Box 513 5600 MB Eindhoven The Netherlands
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18
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Miklavčič R, Megušar P, Kodermac ŠM, Bakalar B, Dolenc D, Sekirnik R, Štrancar A, Černigoj U. High Recovery Chromatographic Purification of mRNA at Room Temperature and Neutral pH. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14267. [PMID: 37762568 PMCID: PMC10532270 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241814267] [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: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Messenger RNA (mRNA) is becoming an increasingly important therapeutic modality due to its potential for fast development and platform production. New emerging RNA modalities, such as circular RNA, drive the need for the development of non-affinity purification approaches. Recently, the highly efficient chromatographic purification of mRNA was demonstrated with multimodal monolithic chromatography media (CIM® PrimaS), where efficient mRNA elution was achieved with an ascending pH gradient approach at pH 10.5. Here, we report that a newly developed chromatographic material enables the elution of mRNA at neutral pH and room temperature. This material demonstrates weak anion-exchanging properties and an isoelectric point of 5.3. It enables the baseline separation of mRNA (at least up to 10,000 nucleotides (nt) in size) from parental plasmid DNA (regardless of isoform composition) with both a NaCl gradient and ascending pH gradient approach, while mRNA elution is achieved in a pH range of 5-7. In addition, the basic structure of the novel material is a chromatographic monolith, enabling convection-assisted mass transfer of large RNA molecules to and from the active surface. This facilitates the elution of mRNA in 3-7 column volumes with more than 80% elution recovery and uncompromised integrity. This is demonstrated by the purification of a model mRNA (size 995 nt) from an in vitro transcription reaction mixture. The purified mRNA is stable for at least 34 days, stored in purified H2O at room temperature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rok Miklavčič
- Sartorius BIA Separations d.o.o., Mirce 21, 5270 Ajdovščina, Slovenia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Vrazov trg 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Polona Megušar
- Sartorius BIA Separations d.o.o., Mirce 21, 5270 Ajdovščina, Slovenia
| | | | - Blaž Bakalar
- Sartorius BIA Separations d.o.o., Mirce 21, 5270 Ajdovščina, Slovenia
| | - Darko Dolenc
- Sartorius BIA Separations d.o.o., Mirce 21, 5270 Ajdovščina, Slovenia
| | - Rok Sekirnik
- Sartorius BIA Separations d.o.o., Mirce 21, 5270 Ajdovščina, Slovenia
| | - Aleš Štrancar
- Sartorius BIA Separations d.o.o., Mirce 21, 5270 Ajdovščina, Slovenia
| | - Urh Černigoj
- Sartorius BIA Separations d.o.o., Mirce 21, 5270 Ajdovščina, Slovenia
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19
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Fang L, Xiao L, Jun YW, Onishi Y, Kool ET. Reversible 2'-OH acylation enhances RNA stability. Nat Chem 2023; 15:1296-1305. [PMID: 37365334 DOI: 10.1038/s41557-023-01246-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
The presence of a hydroxyl group at the 2'-position in its ribose makes RNA susceptible to hydrolysis. Stabilization of RNAs for storage, transport and biological application thus remains a serious challenge, particularly for larger RNAs that are not accessible by chemical synthesis. Here we present reversible 2'-OH acylation as a general strategy to preserve RNA of any length or origin. High-yield polyacylation of 2'-hydroxyls ('cloaking') by readily accessible acylimidazole reagents effectively shields RNAs from both thermal and enzymatic degradation. Subsequent treatment with water-soluble nucleophilic reagents removes acylation adducts quantitatively ('uncloaking') and recovers a remarkably broad range of RNA functions, including reverse transcription, translation and gene editing. Furthermore, we show that certain α-dimethylamino- and α-alkoxy- acyl adducts are spontaneously removed in human cells, restoring messenger RNA translation with extended functional half-lives. These findings support the potential of reversible 2'-acylation as a simple and general molecular solution for enhancing RNA stability and provide mechanistic insights for stabilizing RNA regardless of length or origin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linglan Fang
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Lu Xiao
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Yong Woong Jun
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | | | - Eric T Kool
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Sarafan ChEM-H Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
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20
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Mattioli R, Maggiore A, Di Risola D, Federico R, D'Erme M, Francioso A, Mosca L. Natural deep eutectic solvents protect RNA from thermal-induced degradation. Arch Biochem Biophys 2023; 745:109714. [PMID: 37549802 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2023.109714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
RNA is a fundamental nucleic acid for life and it plays important roles in the regulation of gene transcription, post-transcriptional regulation, and epigenetic regulation. Recently, the focus on this nucleic acid has significantly increased due to the development of mRNA vaccines and RNA-based gene therapy protocols. Unfortunately, RNA based products show constrains mainly owing to instability and easy degradability of the RNA molecules. Indeed, unlike the DNA molecule which has a great intrinsic stability, RNA is more prone to degradation and this process is accelerated under thermal treatment. Here we describe a method that involves the use of Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents (NaDES) capable of slowing down RNA degradation process. Our results show that this technology seems suitable for improving the stability of specific RNA molecules particularly susceptible to thermal-induced degradation. Therefore, this technique represents a valuable tool to stabilize RNA molecules used in gene therapy and mRNA vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Mattioli
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185, Rome, Italy.
| | - Anna Maggiore
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185, Rome, Italy; Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, W12 0NN, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel Di Risola
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Maria D'Erme
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Francioso
- Department of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, 64100, Teramo, Italy
| | - Luciana Mosca
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185, Rome, Italy
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21
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Mizuuchi R, Ichihashi N. Minimal RNA self-reproduction discovered from a random pool of oligomers. Chem Sci 2023; 14:7656-7664. [PMID: 37476714 PMCID: PMC10355099 DOI: 10.1039/d3sc01940c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The emergence of RNA self-reproduction from prebiotic components would have been crucial in developing a genetic system during the origins of life. However, all known self-reproducing RNA molecules are complex ribozymes, and how they could have arisen from abiotic materials remains unclear. Therefore, it has been proposed that the first self-reproducing RNA may have been short oligomers that assemble their components as templates. Here, we sought such minimal RNA self-reproduction in prebiotically accessible short random RNA pools that undergo spontaneous ligation and recombination. By examining enriched RNA families with common motifs, we identified a 20-nucleotide (nt) RNA variant that self-reproduces via template-directed ligation of two 10 nt oligonucleotides. The RNA oligomer contains a 2'-5' phosphodiester bond, which typically forms during prebiotically plausible RNA synthesis. This non-canonical linkage helps prevent the formation of inactive complexes between self-complementary oligomers while decreasing the ligation efficiency. The system appears to possess an autocatalytic property consistent with exponential self-reproduction despite the limitation of forming a ternary complex of the template and two substrates, similar to the behavior of a much larger ligase ribozyme. Such a minimal, ribozyme-independent RNA self-reproduction may represent the first step in the emergence of an RNA-based genetic system from primordial components. Simultaneously, our examination of random RNA pools highlights the likelihood that complex species interactions were necessary to initiate RNA reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryo Mizuuchi
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Bioscience, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Waseda University Shinjuku Tokyo 162-8480 Japan
- JST, FOREST Kawaguchi Saitama 332-0012 Japan
| | - Norikazu Ichihashi
- Komaba Institute for Science, The University of Tokyo Meguro Tokyo 153-8902 Japan
- Department of Life Science, Graduate School of Arts and Science, The University of Tokyo Meguro Tokyo 153-8902 Japan
- Universal Biology Institute, The University of Tokyo Meguro Tokyo 153-8902 Japan
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22
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Pilchová V, Prajeeth CK, Jendrny P, Twele F, Meller S, Pink I, Fathi A, Addo MM, Volk HA, Osterhaus A, von Köckritz-Blickwede M, Schulz C. β-Propiolactone (BPL)-inactivation of SARS-Co-V-2: In vitro validation with focus on saliva from COVID-19 patients for scent dog training. J Virol Methods 2023; 317:114733. [PMID: 37068591 PMCID: PMC10105625 DOI: 10.1016/j.jviromet.2023.114733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023]
Abstract
β-Propiolactone (BPL) is an organic compound widely used as an inactivating agent in vaccine development and production, for example for SARS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza viruses. Inactivation of pathogens by BPL is based on an irreversible alkylation of nucleic acids but also on acetylation and cross-linking between proteins, DNA or RNA. However, the protocols for BPL inactivation of viruses vary widely. Handling of infectious, enriched SARS-CoV-2 specimens and diagnostic samples from COVID-19 patients is recommended in biosafety level (BSL)- 3 or BSL-2 laboratories, respectively. We validated BPL inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 in saliva samples with the objective to use saliva from COVID-19 patients for training of scent dogs for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 positive individuals. Therefore, saliva samples and cell culture medium buffered with NaHCO3 (pH 8.3) were comparatively spiked with SARS-CoV-2 and inactivated with 0.1 % BPL for 1 h (h) or 71 h ( ± 1 h) at 2-8 °C, followed by hydrolysis of BPL at 37 °C for 1 or 2 h, converting BPL into non-toxic beta-hydroxy-propionic acid. SARS-CoV-2 inactivation was demonstrated by a titre reduction of up to 10^4 TCID50/ml in the spiked samples for both inactivation periods using virus titration and virus isolation, respectively. The validated method was confirmed by successful inactivation of pathogens in saliva samples from COVID-19 patients. Furthermore, we reviewed the currently available literature on SARS-CoV-2 inactivation by BPL. Accordingly, BPL-inactivated, hydrolysed samples can be handled in a non-laboratory setting. Furthermore, our BPL inactivation protocols can be adapted to validation experiments with other pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronika Pilchová
- Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hanover, Germany
| | - Chittappen Kandiyil Prajeeth
- Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hanover, Germany
| | - Paula Jendrny
- Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hanover, Germany
| | - Friederike Twele
- Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hanover, Germany
| | - Sebastian Meller
- Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hanover, Germany
| | - Isabell Pink
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, Hanover, Germany
| | - Anahita Fathi
- Institute for Infection Research and Vaccine Development (IIRVD), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany; Ist Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University Medical-Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany; Department for Clinical Immunology of Infectious Diseases, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany; German Center for Infection Research, Hamburg-Lübeck, Borstel-Riems, Germany
| | - Marylyn Martina Addo
- Institute for Infection Research and Vaccine Development (IIRVD), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany; Ist Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University Medical-Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany; Department for Clinical Immunology of Infectious Diseases, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany; German Center for Infection Research, Hamburg-Lübeck, Borstel-Riems, Germany
| | - Holger Andreas Volk
- Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hanover, Germany
| | - Albert Osterhaus
- Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hanover, Germany
| | - Maren von Köckritz-Blickwede
- Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hanover, Germany; Department of Biochemistry, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hanover, Germany
| | - Claudia Schulz
- Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hanover, Germany.
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23
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Yoon S, Ollie E, York DM, Piccirilli JA, Harris ME. Rapid Kinetics of Pistol Ribozyme: Insights into Limits to RNA Catalysis. Biochemistry 2023. [PMID: 37294744 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.3c00160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Pistol ribozyme (Psr) is a distinct class of small endonucleolytic ribozymes, which are important experimental systems for defining fundamental principles of RNA catalysis and designing valuable tools in biotechnology. High-resolution structures of Psr, extensive structure-function studies, and computation support a mechanism involving one or more catalytic guanosine nucleobases acting as a general base and divalent metal ion-bound water acting as an acid to catalyze RNA 2'-O-transphosphorylation. Yet, for a wide range of pH and metal ion concentrations, the rate of Psr catalysis is too fast to measure manually and the reaction steps that limit catalysis are not well understood. Here, we use stopped-flow fluorescence spectroscopy to evaluate Psr temperature dependence, solvent H/D isotope effects, and divalent metal ion affinity and specificity unconstrained by limitations due to fast kinetics. The results show that Psr catalysis is characterized by small apparent activation enthalpy and entropy changes and minimal transition state H/D fractionation, suggesting that one or more pre-equilibrium steps rather than chemistry is rate limiting. Quantitative analyses of divalent ion dependence confirm that metal aquo ion pKa correlates with higher rates of catalysis independent of differences in ion binding affinity. However, ambiguity regarding the rate-limiting step and similar correlation with related attributes such as ionic radius and hydration free energy complicate a definitive mechanistic interpretation. These new data provide a framework for further interrogation of Psr transition state stabilization and show how thermal instability, metal ion insolubility at optimal pH, and pre-equilibrium steps such as ion binding and folding limit the catalytic power of Psr suggesting potential strategies for further optimization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suhyun Yoon
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
| | - Edward Ollie
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
| | - Darrin M York
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States
| | - Joseph A Piccirilli
- Department of Chemistry and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States
| | - Michael E Harris
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
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24
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Xing C, Lin Q, Chen Y, Zeng S, Wang J, Lu C. A Smart Metal-Polyphenol-DNAzyme nanoplatform for Gene-Chemodynamic Synergistic Tumor therapy. Acta Biomater 2023:S1742-7061(23)00305-7. [PMID: 37253417 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2023.05.042] [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: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
DNAzyme-based gene regulation shows great potential for the therapy of many cancers. However, ineffective delivery and insufficient cofactor supply pose challenges for potent gene therapy. In this study, we constructed a smart metal-polyphenol-DNAzyme nanoplatform (TA-Mn@Dz NPs) with intrinsic stability, effective delivery, and cofactor self-supply ability for gene-chemodynamic synergistic tumor therapy. Tannic acid, a plant-derived polyphenol, acts as an intermediate structural unit to mediate the assembly of Mn2+/DNAzyme and tumor acid environment-responsive nanocarriers. Intracellularly, the acidic environment triggers the decomposition of TA-Mn@Dz NPs to release DNAzyme and Mn2+. The Mn2+ ion not only boosts the catalytic cleavage of surviving mRNA for effective gene therapy but also activates chemodynamic therapy (CDT), generating highly toxic ·OH from endogenous H2O2. When tail intravenously injected into MCF-7 tumor-bearing mice, the TA-Mn@Dz NPs display desirable synergistic gene-chemodynamic antitumor effects, paving the way for developing DNAzyme-based multifunctional theranostic platforms for biomedical applications. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: 1. A smart metal-polyphenol-DNAzyme nanoplatform was constructed for gene-chemodynamic synergistic tumor therapy. 2. Tannic acid act as intermediate structural units to mediate the assembly of Mn2+/DNAzyme and tumor acid environment-responsive nanocarriers. 3. The Mn2+-ion could not only boost the catalytic cleavage of surviving mRNA for effective gene therapy, but also catalyze endogenous H2O2 to form cytotoxic hydroxyl radicals for chemodynamic therapy. 4. Our work paves an extremely simple way to integrate gene therapy with CDT for the dual-catalytic tumor treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Xing
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Functional Marine Sensing Materials, Center for Advanced Marine Materials and Smart Sensors, College of Materials and Chemical Engineering, Minjiang University, Fuzhou 350108, People's P.R. China; MOE Key Laboratory for Analytical Science of Food Safety and Biology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Analysis and Detection Technology for Food Safety, State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350116, P.R. China.
| | - Qitian Lin
- MOE Key Laboratory for Analytical Science of Food Safety and Biology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Analysis and Detection Technology for Food Safety, State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350116, P.R. China
| | - Yiting Chen
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Functional Marine Sensing Materials, Center for Advanced Marine Materials and Smart Sensors, College of Materials and Chemical Engineering, Minjiang University, Fuzhou 350108, People's P.R. China
| | - Sijie Zeng
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Functional Marine Sensing Materials, Center for Advanced Marine Materials and Smart Sensors, College of Materials and Chemical Engineering, Minjiang University, Fuzhou 350108, People's P.R. China
| | - Jun Wang
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Functional Marine Sensing Materials, Center for Advanced Marine Materials and Smart Sensors, College of Materials and Chemical Engineering, Minjiang University, Fuzhou 350108, People's P.R. China.
| | - Chunhua Lu
- MOE Key Laboratory for Analytical Science of Food Safety and Biology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Analysis and Detection Technology for Food Safety, State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350116, P.R. China.
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25
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Zhang K, Ho KP, Chatterjee A, Park G, Li Z, Catalano JG, Parker KM. RNA Hydrolysis at Mineral-Water Interfaces. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023. [PMID: 37216349 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c01407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
As an essential biomolecule for life, RNA is ubiquitous across environmental systems where it plays a central role in biogeochemical processes and emerging technologies. The persistence of RNA in soils and sediments is thought to be limited by enzymatic or microbial degradation, which occurs on timescales that are orders of magnitude faster than known abiotic pathways. Herein, we unveil a previously unreported abiotic pathway by which RNA rapidly hydrolyzes on the timescale of hours upon adsorption to iron (oxyhydr)oxide minerals such as goethite (α-FeOOH). The hydrolysis products were consistent with iron present in the minerals acting as a Lewis acid to accelerate sequence-independent hydrolysis of phosphodiester bonds comprising the RNA backbone. In contrast to acid- or base-catalyzed RNA hydrolysis in solution, mineral-catalyzed hydrolysis was fastest at circumneutral pH, which allowed for both sufficient RNA adsorption and hydroxide concentration. In addition to goethite, we observed that RNA hydrolysis was also catalyzed by hematite (α-Fe2O3) but not by aluminum-containing minerals (e.g., montmorillonite). Given the extensive adsorption of nucleic acids to environmental surfaces, we anticipate previously overlooked mineral-catalyzed hydrolysis of RNA may be prevalent particularly in iron-rich soils and sediments, which must be considered across biogeochemical applications of nucleic acid analysis in environmental systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Zhang
- Department of Energy, Environmental & Chemical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, United States
| | - Kun-Pu Ho
- Department of Energy, Environmental & Chemical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, United States
| | - Anamika Chatterjee
- Department of Energy, Environmental & Chemical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, United States
| | - Grace Park
- Department of Energy, Environmental & Chemical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, United States
| | - Zhiyao Li
- Department of Energy, Environmental & Chemical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, United States
| | - Jeffrey G Catalano
- Department of Earth & Planetary Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, United States
| | - Kimberly M Parker
- Department of Energy, Environmental & Chemical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, United States
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26
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Wang X, Shu J, Ni T, Xu C, Xu B, Liu X, Zhang K, Jiang W. Transesterification of RNA model induced by novel dinuclear copper (II) complexes with bis-tridentate imidazole derivatives. J Biol Inorg Chem 2023:10.1007/s00775-023-02000-6. [PMID: 37140680 DOI: 10.1007/s00775-023-02000-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Two novel bis-tridentate imidazole derivatives were conveniently synthesized using a 'one-pot' method. Their dinuclear (Cu2L1Cl4, Cu2L2Cl4) and mononuclear (CuL1Cl2, CuL2Cl2∙H2O) copper (II) complexes were synthesized to comparably evaluate their reactivities in the hydrolytic cleavage of 2-hydroxypropyl p-nitrophenyl phosphate (HPNP) as a classic RNA model. Single crystals of Cu2L1Cl4 and Cu2L2Cl4 indicate that both of them are centrosymmetric, and each central copper ion is penta-coordinated. Regarding the transesterification of HPNP, both of dinuclear ones exhibited excess one order of magnitude rate enhancement in contrast with auto-hydrolysis reaction. Under comparable conditions, dinuclear complexes displayed no more than twofold increase in activity over their mononuclear analogues, which verifies the lack of binuclear cooperation effect due to long Cu-to-Cu space.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiuyang Wang
- School of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Sichuan University of Science and Engineering, Zigong, 643000, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Jun Shu
- School of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Sichuan University of Science and Engineering, Zigong, 643000, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Tong Ni
- School of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Sichuan University of Science and Engineering, Zigong, 643000, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Chengxu Xu
- School of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Sichuan University of Science and Engineering, Zigong, 643000, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Bin Xu
- School of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Sichuan University of Science and Engineering, Zigong, 643000, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Green Catalysis of Sichuan Institute of High Education, Sichuan University of Science and Engineering, Sichuan, 643000, Zigong, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoqiang Liu
- School of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Sichuan University of Science and Engineering, Zigong, 643000, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Green Catalysis of Sichuan Institute of High Education, Sichuan University of Science and Engineering, Sichuan, 643000, Zigong, People's Republic of China
| | - Kaiming Zhang
- School of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Sichuan University of Science and Engineering, Zigong, 643000, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Green Catalysis of Sichuan Institute of High Education, Sichuan University of Science and Engineering, Sichuan, 643000, Zigong, People's Republic of China
| | - Weidong Jiang
- School of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Sichuan University of Science and Engineering, Zigong, 643000, Sichuan, People's Republic of China.
- Key Laboratory of Green Catalysis of Sichuan Institute of High Education, Sichuan University of Science and Engineering, Sichuan, 643000, Zigong, People's Republic of China.
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27
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Salditt A, Karr L, Salibi E, Le Vay K, Braun D, Mutschler H. Ribozyme-mediated RNA synthesis and replication in a model Hadean microenvironment. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1495. [PMID: 36932102 PMCID: PMC10023712 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37206-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Enzyme-catalyzed replication of nucleic acid sequences is a prerequisite for the survival and evolution of biological entities. Before the advent of protein synthesis, genetic information was most likely stored in and replicated by RNA. However, experimental systems for sustained RNA-dependent RNA-replication are difficult to realise, in part due to the high thermodynamic stability of duplex products and the low chemical stability of catalytic RNAs. Using a derivative of a group I intron as a model for an RNA replicase, we show that heated air-water interfaces that are exposed to a plausible CO2-rich atmosphere enable sense and antisense RNA replication as well as template-dependent synthesis and catalysis of a functional ribozyme in a one-pot reaction. Both reactions are driven by autonomous oscillations in salt concentrations and pH, resulting from precipitation of acidified dew droplets, which transiently destabilise RNA duplexes. Our results suggest that an abundant Hadean microenvironment may have promoted both replication and synthesis of functional RNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annalena Salditt
- Systems Biophysics and Center for NanoScience (CeNS), Ludwig Maximilian University Munich, Geschwister-Scholl-Platz 1, 80539, Munich, Germany
| | - Leonie Karr
- Systems Biophysics and Center for NanoScience (CeNS), Ludwig Maximilian University Munich, Geschwister-Scholl-Platz 1, 80539, Munich, Germany
| | - Elia Salibi
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, TU Dortmund University, Otto-Hahn-Str. 4a, 44227, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Kristian Le Vay
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, TU Dortmund University, Otto-Hahn-Str. 4a, 44227, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Dieter Braun
- Systems Biophysics and Center for NanoScience (CeNS), Ludwig Maximilian University Munich, Geschwister-Scholl-Platz 1, 80539, Munich, Germany.
| | - Hannes Mutschler
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, TU Dortmund University, Otto-Hahn-Str. 4a, 44227, Dortmund, Germany.
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28
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Lakkisto P, Dalgaard LT, Belmonte T, Pinto-Sietsma SJ, Devaux Y, de Gonzalo-Calvo D. Development of circulating microRNA-based biomarkers for medical decision-making: a friendly reminder of what should NOT be done. Crit Rev Clin Lab Sci 2023; 60:141-152. [PMID: 36325621 DOI: 10.1080/10408363.2022.2128030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Circulating cell-free microRNAs (miRNAs) represent a major reservoir for biomarker discovery. Unfortunately, their implementation in clinical practice is limited due to a profound lack of reproducibility. The great technical variability linked to major pre-analytical and analytical caveats makes the interpretation of circulating cell-free miRNA data challenging and leads to inconsistent findings. Additional efforts directed to standardization are fundamental. Several well-established protocols are currently used by independent groups worldwide. Nonetheless, there are some specific aspects in specimen collection and processing, sample handling, miRNA quantification, and data analysis that should be considered to ensure reproducibility of results. Here, we have addressed this challenge using an alternative approach. We have highlighted and discussed common pitfalls that negatively impact the robustness of circulating miRNA quantification and their application for clinical decision-making. Furthermore, we provide a checklist usable by investigators to facilitate and ensure the control of the whole miRNA quantification and analytical process. We expect that these recommendations improve the reproducibility of findings, and ultimately, facilitate the incorporation of circulating miRNA profiles into clinical practice as the next generation of disease biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Päivi Lakkisto
- Minerva Foundation Institute for Medical Research, Helsinki, Finland.,Department of Clinical Chemistry, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Thalia Belmonte
- Translational Research in Respiratory Medicine, University Hospital Arnau de Vilanova and Santa Maria, IRBLleida, Lleida, Spain.,CIBER of Respiratory Diseases (CIBERES), Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sara-Joan Pinto-Sietsma
- Department of Vascular Medicine, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Bio-informatics, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Yvan Devaux
- Cardiovascular Research Unit, Department of Population Health, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Strassen, Luxembourg
| | - David de Gonzalo-Calvo
- Translational Research in Respiratory Medicine, University Hospital Arnau de Vilanova and Santa Maria, IRBLleida, Lleida, Spain.,CIBER of Respiratory Diseases (CIBERES), Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
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29
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Determination of the Ribonucleotide Content of mtDNA Using Alkaline Gels. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2615:293-314. [PMID: 36807800 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2922-2_21] [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: 02/23/2023]
Abstract
Impaired mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) maintenance, due to, e.g., defects in the replication machinery or an insufficient dNTP supply, underlies a number of mitochondrial disorders. The normal process of mtDNA replication leads to the incorporation of multiple single ribonucleotides (rNMPs) per mtDNA molecule. Given that embedded rNMPs alter the stability and properties of the DNA, they may have consequences for mtDNA maintenance and thereby for mitochondrial disease. They also serve as a readout of the intramitochondrial NTP/dNTP ratios. In this chapter, we describe a method for the determination of mtDNA rNMP content using alkaline gel electrophoresis and Southern blotting. This procedure is suited for the analysis of mtDNA in total genomic DNA preparations as well as in purified form. Moreover, it can be performed using equipment found in most biomedical laboratories, allows the simultaneous analysis of 10-20 samples depending on the gel system employed, and can be modified for the analysis of other mtDNA modifications.
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30
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Multifaceted Nature of DNA Polymerase θ. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043619. [PMID: 36835031 PMCID: PMC9962433 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA polymerase θ belongs to the A family of DNA polymerases and plays a key role in DNA repair and damage tolerance, including double-strand break repair and DNA translesion synthesis. Pol θ is often overexpressed in cancer cells and promotes their resistance to chemotherapeutic agents. In this review, we discuss unique biochemical properties and structural features of Pol θ, its multiple roles in protection of genome stability and the potential of Pol θ as a target for cancer treatment.
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31
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Single-exonuclease nanocircuits reveal the RNA degradation dynamics of PNPase and demonstrate potential for RNA sequencing. Nat Commun 2023; 14:552. [PMID: 36725855 PMCID: PMC9892577 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36278-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The degradation process of RNA is decisive in guaranteeing high-fidelity translation of genetic information in living organisms. However, visualizing the single-base degradation process in real time and deciphering the degradation mechanism at the single-enzyme level remain formidable challenges. Here, we present a reliable in-situ single-PNPase-molecule dynamic electrical detector based on silicon nanowire field-effect transistors with ultra-high temporal resolution. These devices are capable of realizing real-time and label-free monitoring of RNA analog degradation with single-base resolution, including RNA analog binding, single-nucleotide hydrolysis, and single-base movement. We discover a binding event of the enzyme (near the active site) with the nucleoside, offering a further understanding of the RNA degradation mechanism. Relying on systematic analyses of independent reads, approximately 80% accuracy in RNA nucleoside sequencing is achieved in a single testing process. This proof-of-concept sets up a Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS)-compatible playground for the development of high-throughput detection technologies toward mechanistic exploration and single-molecule sequencing.
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32
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Oude Blenke E, Örnskov E, Schöneich C, Nilsson GA, Volkin DB, Mastrobattista E, Almarsson Ö, Crommelin DJA. The Storage and In-Use Stability of mRNA Vaccines and Therapeutics: Not A Cold Case. J Pharm Sci 2023; 112:386-403. [PMID: 36351479 PMCID: PMC9637289 DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2022.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 47.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The remarkable impact of mRNA vaccines on mitigating disease and improving public health has been amply demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many new mRNA-based vaccine and therapeutic candidates are in development, yet the current reality of their stability limitations requires their frozen storage. Numerous challenges remain to improve formulated mRNA stability and enable refrigerator storage, and this review provides an update on developments to tackle this multi-faceted stability challenge. We describe the chemistry underlying mRNA degradation during storage and highlight how lipid nanoparticle (LNP) formulations are a double-edged sword: while LNPs protect mRNA against enzymatic degradation, interactions with and between LNP excipients introduce additional risks for mRNA degradation. We also discuss strategies to improve mRNA stability both as a drug substance (DS) and a drug product (DP) including the (1) design of the mRNA molecule (nucleotide selection, primary and secondary structures), (2) physical state of the mRNA-LNP complexes, (3) formulation composition and purity of the components, and (4) DS and DP manufacturing processes. Finally, we summarize analytical control strategies to monitor and assure the stability of mRNA-based candidates, and advocate for an integrated analytical and formulation development approach to further improve their storage, transport, and in-use stability profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik Oude Blenke
- Advanced Drug Delivery, Pharmaceutical Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, 43183 Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Eivor Örnskov
- Advanced Drug Delivery, Pharmaceutical Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, 43183 Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Christian Schöneich
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66047 United States.
| | - Gunilla A Nilsson
- Advanced Drug Delivery, Pharmaceutical Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, 43183 Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - David B Volkin
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66047 United States; Vaccine Analytics and Formulation Center, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66047 United States.
| | - Enrico Mastrobattista
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Utrecht University, the Netherlands.
| | - Örn Almarsson
- AfiRx LLC, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467 United States; Visiting Fellow, UNSW RNA Institute and the School of Chemistry, UNSW, Sydney, Australia.
| | - Daan J A Crommelin
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Utrecht University, the Netherlands.
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33
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Tekin E, Salditt A, Schwintek P, Wunnava S, Langlais J, Saenz J, Tang D, Schwille P, Mast C, Braun D. Prebiotic Foam Environments to Oligomerize and Accumulate RNA. Chembiochem 2022; 23:e202200423. [PMID: 36354762 PMCID: PMC10100173 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202200423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
When water interacts with porous rocks, its wetting and surface tension properties create air bubbles in large number. To probe their relevance as a setting for the emergence of life, we microfluidically created foams that were stabilized with lipids. A persistent non-equilibrium setting was provided by a thermal gradient. The foam's large surface area triggers capillary flows and wet-dry reactions that accumulate, aggregate and oligomerize RNA, offering a compelling habitat for RNA-based early life as it offers both wet and dry conditions in direct neighborhood. Lipids were screened to stabilize the foams. The prebiotically more probable myristic acid stabilized foams over many hours. The capillary flow created by the evaporation at the water-air interface provided an attractive force for molecule localization and selection for molecule size. For example, self-binding oligonucleotide sequences accumulated and formed micrometer-sized aggregates which were shuttled between gas bubbles. The wet-dry cycles at the foam bubble interfaces triggered a non-enzymatic RNA oligomerization from 2',3'-cyclic CMP and GMP which despite the small dry reaction volume was superior to the corresponding dry reaction. The found characteristics make heated foams an interesting, localized setting for early molecular evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emre Tekin
- Systems BiophysicsCenter for Nano-Science and Origins Cluster Initiative Department of PhysicsLudwig-Maximilians-Universität MünchenAmalienstrasse 5480799MünchenGermany
| | - Annalena Salditt
- Systems BiophysicsCenter for Nano-Science and Origins Cluster Initiative Department of PhysicsLudwig-Maximilians-Universität MünchenAmalienstrasse 5480799MünchenGermany
| | - Philipp Schwintek
- Systems BiophysicsCenter for Nano-Science and Origins Cluster Initiative Department of PhysicsLudwig-Maximilians-Universität MünchenAmalienstrasse 5480799MünchenGermany
| | - Sreekar Wunnava
- Systems BiophysicsCenter for Nano-Science and Origins Cluster Initiative Department of PhysicsLudwig-Maximilians-Universität MünchenAmalienstrasse 5480799MünchenGermany
| | - Juliette Langlais
- Systems BiophysicsCenter for Nano-Science and Origins Cluster Initiative Department of PhysicsLudwig-Maximilians-Universität MünchenAmalienstrasse 5480799MünchenGermany
| | - James Saenz
- Center for Molecular BioengineeringTechnische Universität DresdenHelmholtzstrasse 1001069DresdenGermany
| | - Dora Tang
- Dynamic Protocellular SystemsMax-Planck Institute for Molecular Cell Biology and GeneticsPfotenhauerstrasse 10801307DresdenGermany
| | - Petra Schwille
- Cellular and Molecular BiophysicsMax-Planck Institute of BiochemistryAm Klopferspitz 1882152MartinsriedGermany
| | - Christof Mast
- Systems BiophysicsCenter for Nano-Science and Origins Cluster Initiative Department of PhysicsLudwig-Maximilians-Universität MünchenAmalienstrasse 5480799MünchenGermany
| | - Dieter Braun
- Systems BiophysicsCenter for Nano-Science and Origins Cluster Initiative Department of PhysicsLudwig-Maximilians-Universität MünchenAmalienstrasse 5480799MünchenGermany
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34
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Wang Q, Wang Z, He Y, Xiong B, Li Y, Wang F. Chemical and structural modification of RNA-cleaving DNAzymes for efficient biosensing and biomedical applications. Trends Analyt Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trac.2022.116910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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35
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Cohen ZR, Todd ZR, Catling DC, Black RA, Keller SL. Prebiotic Vesicles Retain Solutes and Grow by Micelle Addition after Brief Cooling below the Membrane Melting Temperature. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2022; 38:13407-13413. [PMID: 36278967 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.2c01842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Replication of RNA genomes within membrane vesicles may have been a critical step in the development of protocells on the early Earth. Cold temperatures near 0 °C improve the stability of RNA and allow efficient copying, while some climate models suggest a cold early Earth, so the first protocells may have arisen in cold-temperature environments. However, at cold temperatures, saturated fatty acids, which would have been available on the early Earth, form gel-phase membranes that are rigid and restrict mobility within the bilayer. Two primary roles of protocell membranes are to encapsulate solutes and to grow by incorporating additional fatty acids from the environment. We test here whether fatty acid membranes in the gel phase accomplish these roles. We find that gel-phase membranes of 10-carbon amphiphiles near 0 °C encapsulate aqueous dye molecules as efficiently as fluid-phase membranes do, but the contents are released if the aqueous solution is frozen at -20 °C. Gel-phase membranes do not grow measurably by micelle addition, but growth resumes when membranes are warmed above the gel-liquid transition temperature. We find that longer, 12-carbon amphiphiles do not retain encapsulated contents near 0 °C. Together, our results suggest that protocells could have developed within environments that experience temporary cooling below the membrane melting temperature, and that membranes composed of relatively short-chain fatty acids would encapsulate solutes more efficiently as temperatures approached 0 °C.
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To probe the binding of TMPyP4 to c-MYC G-quadruplex with in water and in imidazolium-based ionic liquids using spectroscopy coupled with molecular dynamics simulations. J Mol Liq 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2022.120097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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37
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Littlefair JE, Rennie MD, Cristescu ME. Environmental nucleic acids: A field-based comparison for monitoring freshwater habitats using eDNA and eRNA. Mol Ecol Resour 2022; 22:2928-2940. [PMID: 35730338 PMCID: PMC9796649 DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.13671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Revised: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Nucleic acids released by organisms and isolated from environmental substrates are increasingly being used for molecular biomonitoring. While environmental DNA (eDNA) has received much attention, the potential of environmental RNA as a biomonitoring tool remains under-explored. Several recent studies using paired DNA and RNA metabarcoding of bulk samples suggest that RNA might better reflect "metabolically active" parts of the community. However, such studies mainly capture organismal eDNA and eRNA. For larger eukaryotes, isolation of extra-organismal RNA will be important, but viability needs to be examined in a field-based setting. In this study we evaluate (a) whether extra-organismal eRNA release from macroeukaryotes can be detected given its supposedly rapid degradation, and (b) if the same field collection methods for eDNA can be applied to eRNA. We collected eDNA and eRNA from water in lakes where fish community composition is well documented, enabling a comparison between the two nucleic acids in two different seasons with monitoring using conventional methods. We found that eRNA is released from macroeukaryotes and can be filtered from water and metabarcoded in a similar manner as eDNA to reliably provide species composition information. eRNA had a small but significantly greater true positive rate than eDNA, indicating that it correctly detects more species known to exist in the lakes. Given relatively small differences between the two molecules in describing fish community composition, we conclude that if eRNA provides significant advantages in terms of lability, it is a strong candidate to add to the suite of molecular monitoring tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanne E. Littlefair
- Department of BiologyMcGill UniversityMontréalQuebecCanada,Queen Mary University of LondonLondonUK
| | - Michael D. Rennie
- IISD Experimental Lakes AreaWinnipegManitobaCanada,Department of BiologyLakehead UniversityThunder BayOntarioCanada
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38
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Xu Y, Zhu TF. Mirror-image T7 transcription of chirally inverted ribosomal and functional RNAs. Science 2022; 378:405-412. [DOI: 10.1126/science.abm0646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
To synthesize a chirally inverted ribosome with the goal of building mirror-image biology systems requires the preparation of kilobase-long mirror-image ribosomal RNAs that make up the structural and catalytic core and about two-thirds of the molecular mass of the mirror-image ribosome. Here, we chemically synthesized a 100-kilodalton mirror-image T7 RNA polymerase, which enabled efficient and faithful transcription of the full-length mirror-image 5
S
, 16
S
, and 23
S
ribosomal RNAs from enzymatically assembled long mirror-image genes. We further exploited the versatile mirror-image T7 transcription system for practical applications such as biostable mirror-image riboswitch sensor, long-term storage of unprotected kilobase-long
l
-RNA in water, and
l
-ribozyme–catalyzed
l
-RNA polymerization to serve as a model system for basic RNA research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Xu
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing Frontier Research Center for Biological Structure, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- School of Life Sciences, Research Center for Industries of the Future, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ting F. Zhu
- School of Life Sciences, Research Center for Industries of the Future, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
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Kairuz D, Samudh N, Ely A, Arbuthnot P, Bloom K. Advancing mRNA technologies for therapies and vaccines: An African context. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1018961. [PMID: 36353641 PMCID: PMC9637871 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1018961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Synthetic mRNA technologies represent a versatile platform that can be used to develop advanced drug products. The remarkable speed with which vaccine development programs designed and manufactured safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines has rekindled interest in mRNA technology, particularly for future pandemic preparedness. Although recent R&D has focused largely on advancing mRNA vaccines and large-scale manufacturing capabilities, the technology has been used to develop various immunotherapies, gene editing strategies, and protein replacement therapies. Within the mRNA technologies toolbox lie several platforms, design principles, and components that can be adapted to modulate immunogenicity, stability, in situ expression, and delivery. For example, incorporating modified nucleotides into conventional mRNA transcripts can reduce innate immune responses and improve in situ translation. Alternatively, self-amplifying RNA may enhance vaccine-mediated immunity by increasing antigen expression. This review will highlight recent advances in the field of synthetic mRNA therapies and vaccines, and discuss the ongoing global efforts aimed at reducing vaccine inequity by establishing mRNA manufacturing capacity within Africa and other low- and middle-income countries.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Kristie Bloom
- Wits/SAMRC Antiviral Gene Therapy Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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40
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Lu C, Xu Y, Huang PJJ, Zandieh M, Wang Y, Zheng J, Liu J. Protection of DNA by metal ions at 95 °C: from lower critical solution temperature (LCST) behavior to coordination-driven self-assembly. NANOSCALE 2022; 14:14613-14622. [PMID: 36156621 DOI: 10.1039/d2nr03461a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
While polyvalent metal ions and heating can both degrade nucleic acids, we herein report that a combination of them leads to stabilization. After incubating 4 mM various metal ions and DNA oligonucleotides at 95 °C for 3 h at pH 6 or 8, metal ions were divided into four groups based on gel electrophoresis results. Mg2+ can stabilize DNA at pH 6 without forming stable nanoparticles at room temperature. Co2+, Cu2+, Cd2+, Mn2+ and Zn2+ all protected the DNA and formed nanoparticles, whereas the nanoparticles formed with Fe2+ and Ni2+ were so stable that they remained even in the presence of EDTA. At pH 8, Ce3+ and Pb2+ showed degraded DNA bands. For Mg2+, better protection was achieved with higher metal and DNA concentrations. By monitoring temperature-programmed fluorescence change, a sudden drop in fluorescence intensity attributable to the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) transition of DNA was found to be around 80 °C for Mg2+, while this transition temperature decreased with increasing Mn2+ concentration. The unexpected thermal stability of DNA enabled by metal ions is useful for extending the application of DNA at high temperatures, forming coordination-driven nanomaterials, and it might offer insights into the origin of life on the early Earth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang Lu
- Institute of Food Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, P. R. China
- Department of Chemistry, Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Yuancong Xu
- Department of Chemistry, Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Food Nutrition and Human Health, College of Food Science & Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Po-Jung Jimmy Huang
- Department of Chemistry, Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Mohamad Zandieh
- Department of Chemistry, Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Yihao Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Jinkai Zheng
- Institute of Food Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, P. R. China
| | - Juewen Liu
- Department of Chemistry, Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
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41
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Molecular basis for processing of topoisomerase 1-triggered DNA damage by Apn2/APE2. Cell Rep 2022; 41:111448. [DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
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42
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Recent advance of RNA aptamers and DNAzymes for MicroRNA detection. Biosens Bioelectron 2022; 212:114423. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2022.114423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
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43
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White N, Sadeeshkumar H, Sun A, Sudarsan N, Breaker RR. Na + riboswitches regulate genes for diverse physiological processes in bacteria. Nat Chem Biol 2022; 18:878-885. [PMID: 35879547 PMCID: PMC9337991 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-022-01086-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Organisms presumably have mechanisms to monitor and physiologically adapt to changes in cellular Na+ concentrations. Only a single bacterial protein has previously been demonstrated to selectively sense Na+ and regulate gene expression. Here we report a riboswitch class, previously called the 'DUF1646 motif', whose members selectively sense Na+ and regulate the expression of genes relevant to sodium biology. Many proteins encoded by Na+-riboswitch-regulated genes are annotated as metal ion transporters, whereas others are involved in mitigating osmotic stress or harnessing Na+ gradients for ATP production. Na+ riboswitches exhibit dissociation constants in the low mM range, and strongly reject all other alkali and alkaline earth ions. Likewise, only Na+ triggers riboswitch-mediated transcription and gene expression changes. These findings reveal that some bacteria use Na+ riboswitches to monitor, adjust and exploit Na+ concentrations and gradients, and in some instances collaborate with c-di-AMP riboswitches to coordinate gene expression during osmotic stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neil White
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Harini Sadeeshkumar
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Anna Sun
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | | | - Ronald R Breaker
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
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44
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Wang X, Li C, Wang Y, Chen H, Zhang X, Luo C, Zhou W, Li L, Teng L, Yu H, Wang J. Smart drug delivery systems for precise cancer therapy. Acta Pharm Sin B 2022; 12:4098-4121. [DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2022.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
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45
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Yue J, Chen Y, Wang X, Xu B, Xu Z, Liu X, Chen Z, Zhang K, Jiang W. Artificial phosphatase upon premicellar nanoarchitectonics of lanthanum complexes with long-chained imidazole derivatives. J Colloid Interface Sci 2022; 627:459-468. [PMID: 35868041 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2022.07.023] [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: 02/02/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Four novel long chain-containing tridentate imidazole derivatives (Ln, n = 1, 2, 3, 4) were synthesized for in situ formation of mononuclear lanthanum(III) complexes as artificial phosphodiesterases. These in-situ formed La(III) complexes (named LaLn) were used to catalyze the transesterification of 2-hydroxypropyl p-nitrophenyl phosphate (HPNP), a classic RNA model. Critical aggregation concentrations (CAC) were determined for the as-prepared tridentate imidazole derivatives as ligands and corresponding mixtures of equivalent ligand and La3+ ion with a mole rate of 1:1. It denotes that the introduction of La3+ ion increases the CAC values of imidazole derivatives by about 2 to 3 folds. Foaming test shows that the foam height is positively correlated with the length of hydrophobic chain. Transesterification of HPNP mediated by LaLn nanoarchitectonics indicates that the introducing of hydrophobic chain benefits rate enhancement, showing excess three orders of magnitude acceleration under physiological conditions (pH 7.0, 25 °C). Moreover, catalytic reactivities of these La(III) complexes increased along with the increase in chain length: LaL1 < LaL2 < LaL3 < LaL4, suggesting a positive correlation to hydrophobic chain length.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Yue
- School of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Sichuan University of Science & Engineering, Sichuan, Zigong 643000, PR China
| | - Yu Chen
- School of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Sichuan University of Science & Engineering, Sichuan, Zigong 643000, PR China
| | - Xiuyang Wang
- School of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Sichuan University of Science & Engineering, Sichuan, Zigong 643000, PR China
| | - Bin Xu
- School of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Sichuan University of Science & Engineering, Sichuan, Zigong 643000, PR China.
| | - Zhigang Xu
- School of Pharmacy, Chongqing University of Arts and Sciences, Chongqing, Yongchuan 402160, PR China
| | - Xiaoqiang Liu
- School of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Sichuan University of Science & Engineering, Sichuan, Zigong 643000, PR China
| | - Zhongzhu Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Chongqing University of Arts and Sciences, Chongqing, Yongchuan 402160, PR China
| | - Kaiming Zhang
- School of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Sichuan University of Science & Engineering, Sichuan, Zigong 643000, PR China
| | - Weidong Jiang
- School of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Sichuan University of Science & Engineering, Sichuan, Zigong 643000, PR China.
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46
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Greco M, Lejzerowicz F, Reo E, Caruso A, Maccotta A, Coccioni R, Pawlowski J, Frontalini F. Environmental RNA outperforms eDNA metabarcoding in assessing impact of marine pollution: A chromium-spiked mesocosm test. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 298:134239. [PMID: 35292278 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.134239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Revised: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Environmental (e)DNA metabarcoding holds great promise for biomonitoring and ecotoxicological applications. However, few studies have compared the performance of eDNA versus eRNA metabarcoding in assessing organismal response to marine pollution, in experimental conditions. Here, we performed a chromium (Cr)-spiked mesocosm experimental test on benthic foraminiferal community to investigate the effects on species diversity by analysing both eDNA and eRNA metabarcoding data across different Cr concentrations in the sediment. Foraminiferal diversity in the eRNA data showed a significant negative correlation with the Cr concentration in the sediment, while a positive response was observed in the eDNA data. The foraminiferal OTUs exhibited a higher turnover rate in eRNA than in the eDNA-derived community. Furthermore, in the eRNA samples, OTUs abundance was significantly affected by the Cr gradient in the sediment (Pseudo-R2 = 0.28, p = 0.05), while no significant trend was observed in the eDNA samples. The correlation between Cr concentration and foraminiferal diversity in eRNA datasets was stronger when the less abundant OTUs (<100 reads) were removed and the analyses were conducted exclusively on OTUs shared between eRNA and eDNA datasets. This indicates the importance of metabarcoding data filtering to capture ecological impacts, in addition to using the putatively active organisms in the eRNA dataset. The comparative analyses on foraminiferal diversity revealed that eRNA-based metabarcoding can better assess the response to heavy metal exposure in presence of subtle concentrations of the pollutant. Furthermore, our results suggest that to unlock the full potential for ecosystem assessment, eDNA and eRNA should be studied in parallel to control for potential sequence artifacts in routine ecosystem surveys.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mattia Greco
- Institute of Oceanology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 81-712, Sopot, Poland.
| | - Franck Lejzerowicz
- Jacobs School of Engineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
| | - Emanuela Reo
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, University of Geneva, Genève, Switzerland.
| | - Antonio Caruso
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e del Mare (DiSTeM), Università di Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
| | - Antonella Maccotta
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Università di Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
| | | | - Jan Pawlowski
- Institute of Oceanology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 81-712, Sopot, Poland; Department of Genetics and Evolution, University of Geneva, Genève, Switzerland; ID-Gene Ecodiagnostics, Chemin du Pont-du-Centenaire 109, CH-1228, Plan-les-Ouates, Switzerland.
| | - Fabrizio Frontalini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Pure e Applicate, University of Urbino, Urbino, Italy.
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Ripoll M, Bernard MC, Vaure C, Bazin E, Commandeur S, Perkov V, Lemdani K, Nicolaï MC, Bonifassi P, Kichler A, Frisch B, Haensler J. An imidazole modified lipid confers enhanced mRNA-LNP stability and strong immunization properties in mice and non-human primates. Biomaterials 2022; 286:121570. [PMID: 35576809 PMCID: PMC9078044 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2022.121570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The mRNA vaccine technology has promising applications to fight infectious diseases as demonstrated by the licensing of two mRNA-based vaccines, Comirnaty® (Pfizer/BioNtech) and Spikevax® (Moderna), in the context of the Covid-19 crisis. Safe and effective delivery systems are essential to the performance of these vaccines and lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) able to entrap, protect and deliver the mRNA in vivo are considered by many as the current "best in class". Nevertheless, current mRNA/LNP vaccine technology has still some limitations, one of them being thermostability, as evidenced by the ultracold distribution chain required for the licensed vaccines. We found that the thermostability of mRNA/LNP, could be improved by a novel imidazole modified lipid, DOG-IM4, in combination with standard helper lipids. DOG-IM4 comprises an ionizable head group consisting of imidazole, a dioleoyl lipid tail and a short flexible polyoxyethylene spacer between the head and tail. Here we describe the synthesis of DOG-IM4 and show that DOG-IM4 LNPs confer strong immunization properties to influenza HA mRNA in mice and macaques and a remarkable stability to the encapsulated mRNA when stored liquid in phosphate buffered saline at 4 °C. We speculate the increased stability to result from some specific attributes of the lipid's imidazole head group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manon Ripoll
- Sanofi R&D, Campus Mérieux, 1541 avenue Marcel Mérieux, 69280, Marcy l'Etoile, France; Laboratoire de Conception et Application de Molécules Bioactives, Equipe 3Bio (Biovectorisation, Bioconjugaison, Biomatériaux), UMR 7199 - CNRS/Université de Strasbourg, Faculté de Pharmacie, 74 route du Rhin, BP 60024, 67401, Illkirch Cedex, France.
| | | | - Céline Vaure
- Sanofi R&D, Campus Mérieux, 1541 avenue Marcel Mérieux, 69280, Marcy l'Etoile, France.
| | - Emilie Bazin
- Sanofi R&D, Campus Mérieux, 1541 avenue Marcel Mérieux, 69280, Marcy l'Etoile, France.
| | - Sylvie Commandeur
- Sanofi R&D, Campus Mérieux, 1541 avenue Marcel Mérieux, 69280, Marcy l'Etoile, France.
| | - Vladimir Perkov
- Sanofi R&D, Campus Mérieux, 1541 avenue Marcel Mérieux, 69280, Marcy l'Etoile, France.
| | - Katia Lemdani
- Sanofi R&D, Campus Mérieux, 1541 avenue Marcel Mérieux, 69280, Marcy l'Etoile, France; Neovacs, 3 impasse Reille, 75014 Paris, France.
| | - Marie-Claire Nicolaï
- Sanofi R&D, Campus Mérieux, 1541 avenue Marcel Mérieux, 69280, Marcy l'Etoile, France.
| | - Patrick Bonifassi
- Sanofi R&D, Campus Mérieux, 1541 avenue Marcel Mérieux, 69280, Marcy l'Etoile, France.
| | - Antoine Kichler
- Laboratoire de Conception et Application de Molécules Bioactives, Equipe 3Bio (Biovectorisation, Bioconjugaison, Biomatériaux), UMR 7199 - CNRS/Université de Strasbourg, Faculté de Pharmacie, 74 route du Rhin, BP 60024, 67401, Illkirch Cedex, France.
| | - Benoit Frisch
- Laboratoire de Conception et Application de Molécules Bioactives, Equipe 3Bio (Biovectorisation, Bioconjugaison, Biomatériaux), UMR 7199 - CNRS/Université de Strasbourg, Faculté de Pharmacie, 74 route du Rhin, BP 60024, 67401, Illkirch Cedex, France.
| | - Jean Haensler
- Sanofi R&D, Campus Mérieux, 1541 avenue Marcel Mérieux, 69280, Marcy l'Etoile, France.
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Zhang Q, Liang Y, Xing H. Caging-Decaging Strategies to Realize Spatiotemporal Control of DNAzyme Activity for Biosensing and Bioimaging. Chem Res Chin Univ 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s40242-022-2137-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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49
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50
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Carvalho G, Repolês BM, Mendes I, Wanrooij PH. Mitochondrial DNA Instability in Mammalian Cells. Antioxid Redox Signal 2022; 36:885-905. [PMID: 34015960 PMCID: PMC9127837 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2021.0091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Significance: The small, multicopy mitochondrial genome (mitochondrial DNA [mtDNA]) is essential for efficient energy production, as alterations in its coding information or a decrease in its copy number disrupt mitochondrial ATP synthesis. However, the mitochondrial replication machinery encounters numerous challenges that may limit its ability to duplicate this important genome and that jeopardize mtDNA stability, including various lesions in the DNA template, topological stress, and an insufficient nucleotide supply. Recent Advances: An ever-growing array of DNA repair or maintenance factors are being reported to localize to the mitochondria. We review current knowledge regarding the mitochondrial factors that may contribute to the tolerance or repair of various types of changes in the mitochondrial genome, such as base damage, incorporated ribonucleotides, and strand breaks. We also discuss the newly discovered link between mtDNA instability and activation of the innate immune response. Critical Issues: By which mechanisms do mitochondria respond to challenges that threaten mtDNA maintenance? What types of mtDNA damage are repaired, and when are the affected molecules degraded instead? And, finally, which forms of mtDNA instability trigger an immune response, and how? Future Directions: Further work is required to understand the contribution of the DNA repair and damage-tolerance factors present in the mitochondrial compartment, as well as the balance between mtDNA repair and degradation. Finally, efforts to understand the events underlying mtDNA release into the cytosol are warranted. Pursuing these and many related avenues can improve our understanding of what goes wrong in mitochondrial disease. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 36, 885-905.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo Carvalho
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Bruno Marçal Repolês
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Isabela Mendes
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Paulina H. Wanrooij
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
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