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Penchovsky R, Georgieva AV, Dyakova V, Traykovska M, Pavlova N. Antisense and Functional Nucleic Acids in Rational Drug Development. Antibiotics (Basel) 2024; 13:221. [PMID: 38534656 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics13030221] [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: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 02/25/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
This review is focused on antisense and functional nucleic acid used for completely rational drug design and drug target assessment, aiming to reduce the time and money spent and increase the successful rate of drug development. Nucleic acids have unique properties that play two essential roles in drug development as drug targets and as drugs. Drug targets can be messenger, ribosomal, non-coding RNAs, ribozymes, riboswitches, and other RNAs. Furthermore, various antisense and functional nucleic acids can be valuable tools in drug discovery. Many mechanisms for RNA-based control of gene expression in both pro-and-eukaryotes and engineering approaches open new avenues for drug discovery with a critical role. This review discusses the design principles, applications, and prospects of antisense and functional nucleic acids in drug delivery and design. Such nucleic acids include antisense oligonucleotides, synthetic ribozymes, and siRNAs, which can be employed for rational antibacterial drug development that can be very efficient. An important feature of antisense and functional nucleic acids is the possibility of using rational design methods for drug development. This review aims to popularize these novel approaches to benefit the drug industry and patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Penchovsky
- Laboratory of Synthetic Biology and Bioinformatics, Faculty of Biology, Sofia University, "St. Kliment Ohridski", 8 Dragan Tzankov Blvd., 1164 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Antoniya V Georgieva
- Laboratory of Synthetic Biology and Bioinformatics, Faculty of Biology, Sofia University, "St. Kliment Ohridski", 8 Dragan Tzankov Blvd., 1164 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Vanya Dyakova
- Laboratory of Synthetic Biology and Bioinformatics, Faculty of Biology, Sofia University, "St. Kliment Ohridski", 8 Dragan Tzankov Blvd., 1164 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Martina Traykovska
- Laboratory of Synthetic Biology and Bioinformatics, Faculty of Biology, Sofia University, "St. Kliment Ohridski", 8 Dragan Tzankov Blvd., 1164 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Nikolet Pavlova
- Laboratory of Synthetic Biology and Bioinformatics, Faculty of Biology, Sofia University, "St. Kliment Ohridski", 8 Dragan Tzankov Blvd., 1164 Sofia, Bulgaria
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2
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Kaloudas D, Pavlova N, Penchovsky R. Computational Design of Allosteric Ribozymes via Genetic Algorithms. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2822:443-469. [PMID: 38907934 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3918-4_28] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/24/2024]
Abstract
In vitro selection of allosteric ribozymes has many challenges, such as complex and time-consuming experimental procedures, uncertain results, and the unwanted functionality of the enriched sequences. The precise computational design of allosteric ribozymes is achievable using RNA secondary structure folding principles. The computational design of allosteric ribozymes is based on experimentally validated EAs, random search algorithms, and a partition function for RNA folding. The in silico design achieves an accuracy exceeding 90%. Various algorithms with different logic gates have been automated via computer programs that can quickly create many allosteric sequences. This can eliminate the need for in vitro selection of allosteric ribozymes, thus vastly reducing the time and cost required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitrios Kaloudas
- Laboratory of Synthetic Biology and Bioinformatics, Faculty of Biology, Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski", Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Nikolet Pavlova
- Laboratory of Synthetic Biology and Bioinformatics, Faculty of Biology, Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski", Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Robert Penchovsky
- Laboratory of Synthetic Biology and Bioinformatics, Faculty of Biology, Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski", Sofia, Bulgaria.
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3
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Cardador CM, Muehlmann LA, Coelho CM, Silva LP, Garay AV, Carvalho AMDS, Bastos IMD, Longo JPF. Nucleotides Entrapped in Liposome Nanovesicles as Tools for Therapeutic and Diagnostic Use in Biomedical Applications. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:873. [PMID: 36986734 PMCID: PMC10056227 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15030873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The use of nucleotides for biomedical applications is an old desire in the scientific community. As we will present here, there are references published over the past 40 years with this intended use. The main problem is that, as unstable molecules, nucleotides require some additional protection to extend their shelf life in the biological environment. Among the different nucleotide carriers, the nano-sized liposomes proved to be an effective strategic tool to overcome all these drawbacks related to the nucleotide high instability. Moreover, due to their low immunogenicity and easy preparation, the liposomes were selected as the main strategy for delivery of the mRNA developed for COVID-19 immunization. For sure this is the most important and relevant example of nucleotide application for human biomedical conditions. In addition, the use of mRNA vaccines for COVID-19 has increased interest in the application of this type of technology to other health conditions. For this review article, we will present some of these examples, especially focused on the use of liposomes to protect and deliver nucleotides for cancer therapy, immunostimulatory activities, enzymatic diagnostic applications, some examples for veterinarian use, and the treatment of neglected tropical disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila Magalhães Cardador
- Department of Genetics and Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasília (UnB), Brasilia 70910-900, DF, Brazil
| | | | - Cíntia Marques Coelho
- Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Department of Genetics and Morphology, Institute of Biological Science, University of Brasília (UnB), Brasilia 70910-900, DF, Brazil
| | - Luciano Paulino Silva
- Laboratório de Nanobiotecnologia (LNANO), Embrapa Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia, Brasilia 70770-917, DF, Brazil
| | - Aisel Valle Garay
- Molecular Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biological Science, University of Brasília (UnB), Brasília 70910-900, DF, Brazil
| | | | - Izabela Marques Dourado Bastos
- Pathogen-Host Interface Laboratory, Department of Cell Biology, University of Brasilia (UnB), Brasilia 70910-900, DF, Brazil
| | - João Paulo Figueiró Longo
- Department of Genetics and Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasília (UnB), Brasilia 70910-900, DF, Brazil
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4
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Kieffer C, Genot AJ, Rondelez Y, Gines G. Molecular Computation for Molecular Classification. Adv Biol (Weinh) 2023; 7:e2200203. [PMID: 36709492 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202200203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
DNA as an informational polymer has, for the past 30 years, progressively become an essential molecule to rationally build chemical reaction networks endowed with powerful signal-processing capabilities. Whether influenced by the silicon world or inspired by natural computation, molecular programming has gained attention for diagnosis applications. Of particular interest for this review, molecular classifiers have shown promising results for disease pattern recognition and sample classification. Because both input integration and computation are performed in a single tube, at the molecular level, this low-cost approach may come as a complementary tool to molecular profiling strategies, where all biomarkers are quantified independently using high-tech instrumentation. After introducing the elementary components of molecular classifiers, some of their experimental implementations are discussed either using digital Boolean logic or analog neural network architectures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Coline Kieffer
- Laboratoire Gulliver, UMR 7083, CNRS, ESPCI Paris, PSL Research University, 10 rue Vauquelin, Paris, 75005, France
| | - Anthony J Genot
- LIMMS, CNRS-Institute of Industrial Science, IRL 2820, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 153-8505, Japan
| | - Yannick Rondelez
- Laboratoire Gulliver, UMR 7083, CNRS, ESPCI Paris, PSL Research University, 10 rue Vauquelin, Paris, 75005, France
| | - Guillaume Gines
- Laboratoire Gulliver, UMR 7083, CNRS, ESPCI Paris, PSL Research University, 10 rue Vauquelin, Paris, 75005, France
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5
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Versatile tools of synthetic biology applied to drug discovery and production. Future Med Chem 2022; 14:1325-1340. [PMID: 35975897 DOI: 10.4155/fmc-2022-0063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Although synthetic biology is an emerging research field, which has come to prominence within the last decade, it already has many practical applications. Its applications cover the areas of pharmaceutical biotechnology and drug discovery, bringing essential novel methods and strategies such as metabolic engineering, reprogramming the cell fate, drug production in genetically modified organisms, molecular glues, functional nucleic acids and genome editing. This review discusses the main avenues for synthetic biology application in pharmaceutical biotechnology. The authors believe that synthetic biology will reshape drug development and drug production to a similar extent as the advances in organic chemical synthesis in the 20th century. Therefore, synthetic biology already plays an essential role in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, which is the main focus of this review.
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Abstract
Regulatory processes in biology can be re-conceptualized in terms of logic gates, analogous to those in computer science. Frequently, biological systems need to respond to multiple, sometimes conflicting, inputs to provide the correct output. The language of logic gates can then be used to model complex signal transduction and metabolic processes. Advances in synthetic biology in turn can be used to construct new logic gates, which find a variety of biotechnology applications including in the production of high value chemicals, biosensing, and drug delivery. In this review, we focus on advances in the construction of logic gates that take advantage of biological catalysts, including both protein-based and nucleic acid-based enzymes. These catalyst-based biomolecular logic gates can read a variety of molecular inputs and provide chemical, optical, and electrical outputs, allowing them to interface with other types of biomolecular logic gates or even extend to inorganic systems. Continued advances in molecular modeling and engineering will facilitate the construction of new logic gates, further expanding the utility of biomolecular computing.
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7
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An allosteric ribozyme generator and an inverse folding ribozyme generator: Two computer programs for automated computational design of oligonucleotide-sensing allosteric hammerhead ribozymes with YES Boolean logic function based on experimentally validated algorithms. Comput Biol Med 2022; 145:105469. [DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2022.105469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2021] [Revised: 03/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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8
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Traykovska M, Penchovsky R. Engineering Antisense Oligonucleotides as Antibacterial Agents That Target FMN Riboswitches and Inhibit the Growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, and Escherichia coli. ACS Synth Biol 2022; 11:1845-1855. [PMID: 35440139 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.2c00013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
In the past several decades, antibiotic drug resistance has emerged as a significant challenge in modern medicine due to the rise of many bacterial pathogenic strains resistant to all known antibiotics. At the same time, riboswitches have emerged as novel targets for antibacterial drug discovery. Here for the first time, we describe the design and applications of antisense oligonucleotides as antibacterial agents that target a riboswitch. The antisense oligonucleotides are covalently coupled with two different cell-penetrating peptides, penetrating Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial cells. We specifically target Flavin MonoNucleotide (FMN) riboswitches in Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, and Escherichia coli that control both synthesis and import of FMN precursors. We have established an average antibiotic dosage by antisense oligonucleotides that inhibit 80% of bacterial growth at 700 nM (4.5 μg/mL). Furthermore, the antisense oligonucleotides do not exhibit toxicity in human cell lines at this concentration. The results demonstrate that riboswitches are suitable targets in antisense technology for antibacterial drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Traykovska
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Biology, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, 8 Dragan Tzankov Blvd., 1164 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Robert Penchovsky
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Biology, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, 8 Dragan Tzankov Blvd., 1164 Sofia, Bulgaria
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9
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Abstract
Inspired by allosteric regulation of natural molecules, we present a rational design scheme to build synthetic nucleic acid allosteric nanodevices. The clearly specified conformational states of switches obtained from systematic screening and analyses make the ON-OFF transition clear-cut and quantification ready. Under the rational design scheme, we have developed a series of DNA switches with triplex-forming oligos as allosteric modulators and implemented designated allosteric transitions, allosteric coregulation, and reaction pathway control. In conjunction with toehold-mediated strand displacement, our design scheme has also been applied to synthetic nucleic acid computing including a set of logic operations and complex algorithm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianqing Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University-Peking University Center for Life Sciences, Center for Synthetic and Systems Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Bryan Wei
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University-Peking University Center for Life Sciences, Center for Synthetic and Systems Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
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10
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Davis AN, Samlali K, Kapadia JB, Perreault J, Shih SCC, Kharma N. Digital Microfluidics Chips for the Execution and Real-Time Monitoring of Multiple Ribozymatic Cleavage Reactions. ACS OMEGA 2021; 6:22514-22524. [PMID: 34514224 PMCID: PMC8427639 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.1c00239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
In this paper, we describe the design and performance of two digital microfluidics (DMF) chips capable of executing multiple ribozymatic reactions, with proper controls, in response to short single-stranded DNA inducers. Since the fluorescence output of a reaction is measurable directly from the chip, without the need for gel electrophoresis, a complete experiment involving up to eight reactions (per chip) can be carried out reliably, relatively quickly, and efficiently. The ribozymes can also be used as biosensors of the concentration of oligonucleotide inputs, with high sensitivity, low limits of quantification and of detection, and excellent signal-to-noise ratio. The presented chips are readily usable devices that can be used to automate, speed up, and reduce the costs of ribozymatic reaction experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alen N. Davis
- Department
of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Concordia University, Montreal, Québec H3G 1M8, Canada
| | - Kenza Samlali
- Department
of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Concordia University, Montreal, Québec H3G 1M8, Canada
- Centre
for Applied Synthetic Biology, Concordia
University, Montréal, Québec H4B 1R6, Canada
| | - Jay B. Kapadia
- Department
of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Concordia University, Montreal, Québec H3G 1M8, Canada
| | - Jonathan Perreault
- Centre
for Applied Synthetic Biology, Concordia
University, Montréal, Québec H4B 1R6, Canada
- Armand-Frappier
Health Biotechnology Center, Institut national
de la recherche scientifique, Laval, Québec H7V 1B7, Canada
| | - Steve C. C. Shih
- Department
of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Concordia University, Montreal, Québec H3G 1M8, Canada
- Centre
for Applied Synthetic Biology, Concordia
University, Montréal, Québec H4B 1R6, Canada
- Department
of Biology, Concordia University, Montréal, Québec H4B 1R6, Canada
| | - Nawwaf Kharma
- Department
of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Concordia University, Montreal, Québec H3G 1M8, Canada
- Centre
for Applied Synthetic Biology, Concordia
University, Montréal, Québec H4B 1R6, Canada
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11
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Yoon J, Shin M, Lim J, Kim DY, Lee T, Choi J. Nanobiohybrid Material‐Based Bioelectronic Devices. Biotechnol J 2020; 15:e1900347. [DOI: 10.1002/biot.201900347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Revised: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jinho Yoon
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular EngineeringSogang University 35 Baekbeom‐Ro Mapo‐Gu Seoul 04107 Republic of Korea
| | - Minkyu Shin
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular EngineeringSogang University 35 Baekbeom‐Ro Mapo‐Gu Seoul 04107 Republic of Korea
| | - Joungpyo Lim
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular EngineeringSogang University 35 Baekbeom‐Ro Mapo‐Gu Seoul 04107 Republic of Korea
| | - Dong Yeon Kim
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular EngineeringSogang University 35 Baekbeom‐Ro Mapo‐Gu Seoul 04107 Republic of Korea
| | - Taek Lee
- Department of Chemical EngineeringKwangwoon University Wolgye‐dong Nowon‐gu Seoul 01899 Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong‐Woo Choi
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular EngineeringSogang University 35 Baekbeom‐Ro Mapo‐Gu Seoul 04107 Republic of Korea
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12
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Catalytic RNA, ribozyme, and its applications in synthetic biology. Biotechnol Adv 2019; 37:107452. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2019.107452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2019] [Revised: 09/16/2019] [Accepted: 09/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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13
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Wu MJ, Andreasson JOL, Kladwang W, Greenleaf W, Das R. Automated Design of Diverse Stand-Alone Riboswitches. ACS Synth Biol 2019; 8:1838-1846. [PMID: 31298841 PMCID: PMC6703183 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.9b00142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
![]()
Riboswitches that couple binding
of ligands to conformational changes
offer sensors and control elements for RNA synthetic biology and medical
biotechnology. However, design of these riboswitches has required
expert intuition or software specialized to transcription or translation
outputs; design has been particularly challenging for applications
in which the riboswitch output cannot be amplified by other molecular
machinery. We present a fully automated design method called RiboLogic
for such “stand-alone” riboswitches and test it via high-throughput experiments on 2875 molecules using
RNA-MaP (RNA on a massively parallel array) technology. These molecules
consistently modulate their affinity to the MS2 bacteriophage coat
protein upon binding of flavin mononucleotide, tryptophan, theophylline,
and microRNA miR-208a, achieving activation ratios of up to 20 and
significantly better performance than control designs. By encompassing
a wide diversity of stand-alone switches and highly quantitative data,
the resulting ribologic-solves experimental data
set provides a rich resource for further improvement of riboswitch
models and design methods.
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14
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Penchovsky R. Automated DNA hybridization transfer with movable super-paramagnetic microbeads in a microflow reactor. Biosens Bioelectron 2019; 135:30-35. [PMID: 30991269 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2019.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2018] [Revised: 03/24/2019] [Accepted: 04/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
An automated DNA hybridization transfer in a microflow reactor is demonstrated by moving paramagnetic beads between two spatially separate solutions with different pH values. The microbeads-based microfluidic platform is fully automated and programmable. It employs a robust chemical procedure for specific DNA hybridization transfer in microfluidic devices under isothermal conditions based on reversible pH alterations. The method takes advantage of high-speed DNA hybridization and denaturation on beads under flow conditions, high fidelity of DNA hybridization, and small sample volumes. The microfluidic platform presented is saleable and applicable to many areas of modern biotechnology such as DNA hybridization chip microarrays, molecular computation, on-chip selection of functional nucleic acids, high-throughput screening of chemical libraries for drug discovery, and DNA amplification and sequencing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Penchovsky
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Biology, Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski", 8 Dragan Tzankov Blvd., 1164, Sofia, Bulgaria.
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15
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Kaloudas D, Pavlova N, Penchovsky R. EBWS: Essential Bioinformatics Web Services for Sequence Analyses. IEEE/ACM TRANSACTIONS ON COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY AND BIOINFORMATICS 2018; 16:942-953. [PMID: 29993817 DOI: 10.1109/tcbb.2018.2816645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The Essential Bioinformatics Web Services (EBWS) are implemented on a new PHP-based server that provides useful tools for analyses of DNA, RNA, and protein sequences applying a user-friendly interface. Nine Web-based applets are currently available on the Web server. They include reverse complementary DNA and random DNA/RNA/peptide oligomer generators, a pattern sequence searcher, a DNA restriction cutter, a prokaryotic ORF finder, a random DNA/RNA mutation generator. It also includes calculators of melting temperature (TM) of DNA/DNA, RNA/RNA, and DNA/RNA hybrids, a guide RNA (gRNA) generator for the CRISPR/Cas9 system and an annealing temperature calculator for multiplex PCR. The pattern-searching applet has no limitations in the number of motif inputs and applies a toolbox of Regex quantifiers that can be used for defining complex sequence queries of RNA, DNA, and protein sequences. The DNA enzyme digestion program utilizes a large database of 1502 restriction enzymes. The gRNA generator has a database of 25 bacterial genomes searchable for gRNA target sequences and has an option for searching in any genome sequence given by the user. All programs are permanently available online at http://penchovsky.atwebpages.com/applications.php without any restrictions.
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16
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Computational Biosensors: Molecules, Algorithms, and Detection Platforms. MODELING, METHODOLOGIES AND TOOLS FOR MOLECULAR AND NANO-SCALE COMMUNICATIONS 2017. [PMCID: PMC7123247 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-50688-3_23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Advanced nucleic acid-based sensor-applications require computationally intelligent biosensors that are able to concurrently perform complex detection and classification of samples within an in vitro platform. Realization of these cutting-edge computational biosensor systems necessitates innovation and integration of three key technologies: molecular probes with computational capabilities, algorithmic methods to enable in vitro computational post processing and classification, and immobilization and detection approaches that enable the realization of deployable computational biosensor platforms. We provide an overview of current technologies, including our contributions towards the development of computational biosensor systems.
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17
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Felletti M, Hartig JS. Ligand-dependent ribozymes. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-RNA 2016; 8. [PMID: 27687155 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2016] [Revised: 08/12/2016] [Accepted: 08/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The discovery of catalytic RNA (ribozymes) more than 30 years ago significantly widened the horizon of RNA-based functions in natural systems. Similarly to the activity of protein enzymes that are often modulated by the presence of an interaction partner, some examples of naturally occurring ribozymes are influenced by ligands that can either act as cofactors or allosteric modulators. Recent discoveries of new and widespread ribozyme motifs in many different genetic contexts point toward the existence of further ligand-dependent RNA catalysts. In addition to the presence of ligand-dependent ribozymes in nature, researchers have engineered ligand dependency into natural and artificial ribozymes. Because RNA functions can often be assembled in a truly modular way, many different systems have been obtained utilizing different ligand-sensing domains and ribozyme activities in diverse applications. We summarize the occurrence of ligand-dependent ribozymes in nature and the many examples realized by researchers that engineered ligand-dependent catalytic RNA motifs. We will also highlight methods for obtaining ligand dependency as well as discuss the many interesting applications of ligand-controlled catalytic RNAs. WIREs RNA 2017, 8:e1395. doi: 10.1002/wrna.1395 For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Felletti
- Department of Chemistry and Konstanz Research School of Chemical Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Jörg S Hartig
- Department of Chemistry and Konstanz Research School of Chemical Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
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18
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Wu C, Wang K, Fan D, Zhou C, Liu Y, Wang E. Enzyme-free and DNA-based multiplexer and demultiplexer. Chem Commun (Camb) 2015; 51:15940-3. [DOI: 10.1039/c5cc05565b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
A DNA-based 2:1 multiplexer and 1:2 demultiplexer have been conceptually realized in enzyme-free conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changtong Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Electroanalytical Chemistry
- Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry
- Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Changchun
- P. R. China
| | - Kun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Electroanalytical Chemistry
- Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry
- Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Changchun
- P. R. China
| | - Daoqing Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Electroanalytical Chemistry
- Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry
- Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Changchun
- P. R. China
| | - Chunyang Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Electroanalytical Chemistry
- Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry
- Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Changchun
- P. R. China
| | - Yaqing Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Electroanalytical Chemistry
- Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry
- Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Changchun
- P. R. China
| | - Erkang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Electroanalytical Chemistry
- Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry
- Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Changchun
- P. R. China
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19
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Frommer J, Appel B, Müller S. Ribozymes that can be regulated by external stimuli. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2014; 31:35-41. [PMID: 25146171 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2014.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2014] [Accepted: 07/30/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Ribozymes have been known for about 30 years, and nowadays are understood well enough to be turned into useful tools for a number of applications in vitro and in vivo. Allosteric ribozymes switch on and off their activity in response to a specific chemical (ligand) or physical (temperature, light) signal. The possibility of controlling ribozyme activity by external stimuli is of particular relevance for applications in different fields, such as environmental and medicinal diagnostics, molecular computing, control of gene expression and others. Herein, we review recent advances and describe selected examples of addressable ribozymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Frommer
- Ernst Moritz Arndt University Greifswald, Institute for Biochemistry, Felix Hausdorff Str. 4, D-17487 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Bettina Appel
- Ernst Moritz Arndt University Greifswald, Institute for Biochemistry, Felix Hausdorff Str. 4, D-17487 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Sabine Müller
- Ernst Moritz Arndt University Greifswald, Institute for Biochemistry, Felix Hausdorff Str. 4, D-17487 Greifswald, Germany.
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Brown CW, Lakin MR, Horwitz EK, Fanning ML, West HE, Stefanovic D, Graves SW. Signal propagation in multi-layer DNAzyme cascades using structured chimeric substrates. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2014; 53:7183-7. [PMID: 24890874 PMCID: PMC4134131 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201402691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2014] [Revised: 04/20/2014] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Signal propagation through enzyme cascades is a critical component of information processing in cellular systems. Although such systems have potential as biomolecular computing tools, rational design of synthetic protein networks remains infeasible. DNA strands with catalytic activity (DNAzymes) are an attractive alternative, enabling rational cascade design through predictable base-pair hybridization principles. Multi-layered DNAzyme signaling and logic cascades are now reported. Signaling between DNAzymes was achieved using a structured chimeric substrate (SCS) that releases a downstream activator after cleavage by an upstream DNAzyme. The SCS can be activated by various upstream DNAzymes, can be coupled to DNA strand-displacement devices, and is highly resistant to interference from background DNA. This work enables the rational design of synthetic DNAzyme regulatory networks, with potential applications in biomolecular computing, biodetection, and autonomous theranostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carl W. Brown
- Center for Biomedical Engineering, Department of Chemical and Nuclear Engineering, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131 (USA)
| | - Matthew R. Lakin
- Department of Computer Science, Center for Biomedical Engineering, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131 (USA)
| | - Eli K. Horwitz
- Center for Biomedical Engineering, Department of Chemical and Nuclear Engineering, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131 (USA)
| | - M. Leigh Fanning
- Department of Computer Science, Center for Biomedical Engineering, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131 (USA)
| | - Hannah E. West
- Center for Biomedical Engineering, Department of Chemical and Nuclear Engineering, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131 (USA)
| | - Darko Stefanovic
- Department of Computer Science, Center for Biomedical Engineering, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131 (USA)
| | - Steven W. Graves
- Center for Biomedical Engineering, Department of Chemical and Nuclear Engineering, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131 (USA)
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Brown CW, Lakin MR, Horwitz EK, Fanning ML, West HE, Stefanovic D, Graves SW. Signal Propagation in Multi‐Layer DNAzyme Cascades Using Structured Chimeric Substrates. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2014. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201402691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Carl W. Brown
- Center for Biomedical Engineering, Department of Chemical and Nuclear Engineering, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131 (USA)
| | - Matthew R. Lakin
- Department of Computer Science, Center for Biomedical Engineering, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131 (USA)
| | - Eli K. Horwitz
- Center for Biomedical Engineering, Department of Chemical and Nuclear Engineering, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131 (USA)
| | - M. Leigh Fanning
- Department of Computer Science, Center for Biomedical Engineering, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131 (USA)
| | - Hannah E. West
- Center for Biomedical Engineering, Department of Chemical and Nuclear Engineering, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131 (USA)
| | - Darko Stefanovic
- Department of Computer Science, Center for Biomedical Engineering, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131 (USA)
| | - Steven W. Graves
- Center for Biomedical Engineering, Department of Chemical and Nuclear Engineering, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131 (USA)
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22
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Brown CW, Lakin MR, Stefanovic D, Graves SW. Catalytic molecular logic devices by DNAzyme displacement. Chembiochem 2014; 15:950-4. [PMID: 24692254 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201400047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2014] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Chemical reactions catalyzed by DNAzymes offer a route to programmable modification of biomolecules for therapeutic purposes. To this end, we have developed a new type of catalytic DNA-based logic gates in which DNAzyme catalysis is controlled via toehold-mediated strand displacement reactions. We refer to these as DNAzyme displacement gates. The use of toeholds to guide input binding provides a favorable pathway for input recognition, and the innate catalytic activity of DNAzymes allows amplification of nanomolar input concentrations. We demonstrate detection of arbitrary input sequences by rational introduction of mismatched bases into inhibitor strands. Furthermore, we illustrate the applicability of DNAzyme displacement to compute logic functions involving multiple logic gates. This work will enable sophisticated logical control of a range of biochemical modifications, with applications in pathogen detection and autonomous theranostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carl W Brown
- Center for Biomedical Engineering, MSC01 1141, 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131 (USA)
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23
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Penchovsky R. Nucleic Acids-Based Nanotechnology. HANDBOOK OF RESEARCH ON NANOSCIENCE, NANOTECHNOLOGY, AND ADVANCED MATERIALS 2014. [DOI: 10.4018/978-1-4666-5824-0.ch016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Nanobiotechnology is emerging as a valuable field that integrates research from science and technology to create novel nanodevices and nanostructures with various applications in modern nanotechnology. Applications of nanobiotechnology are employed in biomedical and pharmaceutical research, biosensoring, nanofluidics, self-assembly of nanostructures, nanopharmaceutics, molecular computing, and others. It has been proven that nucleic acids are a very suitable medium for self-assembly of diverse nanostructures and catalytic nanodevices for various applications. In this chapter, the authors discuss various applications of nucleic-based nanotechnology. The areas discussed here include building nanostructures using DNA oligonucleodite, self-assembly of integrated RNA-based nanodevices for molecular computing and diagnostics, antibacterial drug discovery, exogenous control of gene expression, and gene silencing.
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Penchovsky R, Kostova GT. Computational selection and experimental validation of allosteric ribozymes that sense a specific sequence of human telomerase reverse transcriptase mRNAs as universal anticancer therapy agents. Nucleic Acid Ther 2013; 23:408-17. [PMID: 24206267 PMCID: PMC3868306 DOI: 10.1089/nat.2013.0446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2013] [Accepted: 10/07/2013] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
High expression levels of telomerase reverse transcriptase messenger RNAs in differentiated cells can be used as a common marker for cancer development. In this paper, we describe a novel computational method for selection of allosteric ribozymes that sense a specific sequence of human telomerase reverse transcriptase mRNAs. The in silico selection employed is based on computing secondary structures of RNA using the partition function in combination with a random search algorithm. We selected one of the ribozymes for experimental validation. The obtained results demonstrate that the tested ribozyme has a high-speed (∼1.8 per minute) of self-cleavage and is very selective. It can distinguish well between perfectly matching effector and the closest expressed RNA sequence in the human cell with 10 mismatches, with a ∼300-fold difference under physiologically relevant conditions. The presented algorithm is universal since the allosteric ribozymes can be designed to sense any specific RNA or DNA sequence of interest. Such designer ribozymes may be used for monitoring the expression of mRNAs in the cell and for developing novel anticancer gene therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Penchovsky
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Biology, Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski , Sofia, Bulgaria
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25
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Moe-Behrens GH. The biological microprocessor, or how to build a computer with biological parts. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2013; 7:e201304003. [PMID: 24688733 PMCID: PMC3962179 DOI: 10.5936/csbj.201304003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2013] [Revised: 06/17/2013] [Accepted: 06/20/2013] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Systemics, a revolutionary paradigm shift in scientific thinking, with applications in systems biology, and synthetic biology, have led to the idea of using silicon computers and their engineering principles as a blueprint for the engineering of a similar machine made from biological parts. Here we describe these building blocks and how they can be assembled to a general purpose computer system, a biological microprocessor. Such a system consists of biological parts building an input / output device, an arithmetic logic unit, a control unit, memory, and wires (busses) to interconnect these components. A biocomputer can be used to monitor and control a biological system.
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Penchovsky R. Programmable and automated bead-based microfluidics for versatile DNA microarrays under isothermal conditions. LAB ON A CHIP 2013; 13:2370-2380. [PMID: 23645132 DOI: 10.1039/c3lc50208b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Advances in modern genomic research depend heavily on applications of various devices for automated high- or ultra-throughput arrays. Micro- and nanofluidics offer possibilities for miniaturization and integration of many different arrays onto a single device. Therefore, such devices are becoming a platform of choice for developing analytical instruments for modern biotechnology. This paper presents an implementation of a bead-based microfluidic platform for fully automated and programmable DNA microarrays. The devices are designed to work under isothermal conditions as DNA immobilization and hybridization transfer are performed under steady temperature using reversible pH alterations of reaction solutions. This offers the possibility for integration of more selection modules onto a single chip compared to maintaining a temperature gradient. This novel technology allows integration of many modules on a single reusable chip reducing the application cost. The method takes advantage of demonstrated high-speed DNA hybridization kinetics and denaturation on beads under flow conditions, high-fidelity of DNA hybridization, and small sample volumes are needed. The microfluidic devices are applied for a single nucleotide polymorphism analysis and DNA sequencing by synthesis without the need for fluorescent removal step. Apart from that, the microfluidic platform presented is applicable to many areas of modern biotechnology, including biosensor devices, DNA hybridization microarrays, molecular computation, on-chip nucleic acid selection, high-throughput screening of chemical libraries for drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Penchovsky
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Biology, Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski, Sofia, Bulgaria.
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Penchovsky R. Computational Design and Biosensor Applications of Small Molecule-Sensing Allosteric Ribozymes. Biomacromolecules 2013; 14:1240-9. [DOI: 10.1021/bm400299a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Robert Penchovsky
- Department of Genetics, Faculty
of Biology, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, 8 Dragan Tzankov Boulevard, 1164 Sofia, Bulgaria
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28
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Penchovsky R, Stoilova CC. Riboswitch-based antibacterial drug discovery using high-throughput screening methods. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2012; 8:65-82. [DOI: 10.1517/17460441.2013.740455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Robert Penchovsky
- Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, Department of Genetics, Faculty of Biology,
8 Dragan Tzankov Blvd, 1164 Sofia, Bulgaria ;
| | - Cvetelina C Stoilova
- Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, Department of Genetics, Faculty of Biology,
8 Dragan Tzankov Blvd, 1164 Sofia, Bulgaria ;
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