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Pascuan C, Bottero E, Kapros T, Ayub N, Soto G. pBAR-H3.2, a native-optimized binary vector to bypass transgene silencing in alfalfa. PLANT CELL REPORTS 2020; 39:683-685. [PMID: 32222784 DOI: 10.1007/s00299-020-02521-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2019] [Accepted: 02/14/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
KEY MESSAGE A novel genetic tool to bypass transgene silencing in alfalfa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Pascuan
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología Y Biología Molecular (IABIMO-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Instituto de Genética (IGEAF-INTA), De Los Reseros S/N, Castelar C25 (1712), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Emilia Bottero
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología Y Biología Molecular (IABIMO-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Instituto de Genética (IGEAF-INTA), De Los Reseros S/N, Castelar C25 (1712), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Tamas Kapros
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, USA
| | - Nicolás Ayub
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología Y Biología Molecular (IABIMO-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Instituto de Genética (IGEAF-INTA), De Los Reseros S/N, Castelar C25 (1712), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Gabriela Soto
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología Y Biología Molecular (IABIMO-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
- Instituto de Genética (IGEAF-INTA), De Los Reseros S/N, Castelar C25 (1712), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Vogl T, Kickenweiz T, Pitzer J, Sturmberger L, Weninger A, Biggs BW, Köhler EM, Baumschlager A, Fischer JE, Hyden P, Wagner M, Baumann M, Borth N, Geier M, Ajikumar PK, Glieder A. Engineered bidirectional promoters enable rapid multi-gene co-expression optimization. Nat Commun 2018; 9:3589. [PMID: 30181586 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-0591-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2018] [Accepted: 07/25/2018] [Indexed: 05/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Numerous synthetic biology endeavors require well-tuned co-expression of functional components for success. Classically, monodirectional promoters (MDPs) have been used for such applications, but MDPs are limited in terms of multi-gene co-expression capabilities. Consequently, there is a pressing need for new tools with improved flexibility in terms of genetic circuit design, metabolic pathway assembly, and optimization. Here, motivated by nature's use of bidirectional promoters (BDPs) as a solution for efficient gene co-expression, we generate a library of 168 synthetic BDPs in the yeast Komagataella phaffii (syn. Pichia pastoris), leveraging naturally occurring BDPs as a parts repository. This library of synthetic BDPs allows for rapid screening of diverse expression profiles and ratios to optimize gene co-expression, including for metabolic pathways (taxadiene, β-carotene). The modular design strategies applied for creating the BDP library could be relevant in other eukaryotic hosts, enabling a myriad of metabolic engineering and synthetic biology applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Vogl
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology, NAWI Graz, Graz University of Technology, Petersgasse 14, 8010, Graz, Austria
- Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics, Weizmann Institute of Science, 76100, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Thomas Kickenweiz
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology, NAWI Graz, Graz University of Technology, Petersgasse 14, 8010, Graz, Austria
| | - Julia Pitzer
- Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology (ACIB GmbH), Petersgasse 14, 8010, Graz, Austria
| | - Lukas Sturmberger
- Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology (ACIB GmbH), Petersgasse 14, 8010, Graz, Austria
| | - Astrid Weninger
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology, NAWI Graz, Graz University of Technology, Petersgasse 14, 8010, Graz, Austria
| | - Bradley W Biggs
- Manus Biosynthesis, 1030 Massachusetts Avenue, Suite 300, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
| | - Eva-Maria Köhler
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology, NAWI Graz, Graz University of Technology, Petersgasse 14, 8010, Graz, Austria
| | - Armin Baumschlager
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology, NAWI Graz, Graz University of Technology, Petersgasse 14, 8010, Graz, Austria
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Mattenstrasse 26, 4058, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jasmin Elgin Fischer
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology, NAWI Graz, Graz University of Technology, Petersgasse 14, 8010, Graz, Austria
| | - Patrick Hyden
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology, NAWI Graz, Graz University of Technology, Petersgasse 14, 8010, Graz, Austria
| | - Marlies Wagner
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology, NAWI Graz, Graz University of Technology, Petersgasse 14, 8010, Graz, Austria
| | - Martina Baumann
- Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology (ACIB GmbH), Muthgasse 11, 1190, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Muthgasse 18, 1190, Vienna, Austria
| | - Nicole Borth
- Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology (ACIB GmbH), Muthgasse 11, 1190, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Muthgasse 18, 1190, Vienna, Austria
| | - Martina Geier
- Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology (ACIB GmbH), Petersgasse 14, 8010, Graz, Austria
| | | | - Anton Glieder
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology, NAWI Graz, Graz University of Technology, Petersgasse 14, 8010, Graz, Austria.
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Engineered bidirectional promoters enable rapid multi-gene co-expression optimization. Nat Commun 2018; 9:3589. [PMID: 30181586 PMCID: PMC6123417 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-05915-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2018] [Accepted: 07/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Numerous synthetic biology endeavors require well-tuned co-expression of functional components for success. Classically, monodirectional promoters (MDPs) have been used for such applications, but MDPs are limited in terms of multi-gene co-expression capabilities. Consequently, there is a pressing need for new tools with improved flexibility in terms of genetic circuit design, metabolic pathway assembly, and optimization. Here, motivated by nature’s use of bidirectional promoters (BDPs) as a solution for efficient gene co-expression, we generate a library of 168 synthetic BDPs in the yeast Komagataella phaffii (syn. Pichia pastoris), leveraging naturally occurring BDPs as a parts repository. This library of synthetic BDPs allows for rapid screening of diverse expression profiles and ratios to optimize gene co-expression, including for metabolic pathways (taxadiene, β-carotene). The modular design strategies applied for creating the BDP library could be relevant in other eukaryotic hosts, enabling a myriad of metabolic engineering and synthetic biology applications. Classic monodirectional promoters are of limited use for multiple gene co-expression. Here the authors generate a library of 168 bidirectional promoters for the yeast K. phaffii (syn. P. pastoris) with diverse expression profiles to optimize metabolic pathway design.
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Kanoria S, Burma PK. A 28 nt long synthetic 5'UTR (synJ) as an enhancer of transgene expression in dicotyledonous plants. BMC Biotechnol 2012; 12:85. [PMID: 23140609 PMCID: PMC3536603 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6750-12-85] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2012] [Accepted: 11/04/2012] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A high level of transgene expression is required, in several applications of transgenic technology. While use of strong promoters has been the main focus in such instances, 5'UTRs have also been shown to enhance transgene expression. Here, we present a 28 nt long synthetic 5'UTR (synJ), which enhances gene expression in tobacco and cotton. RESULTS The influence of synJ on transgene expression was studied in callus cultures of cotton and different tissues of transgenic tobacco plants. The study was based on comparing the expression of reporter gene gus and gfp, with and without synJ as its 5'UTR. Mutations in synJ were also analyzed to identify the region important for enhancement. synJ, enhances gene expression by 10 to 50 fold in tobacco and cotton depending upon the tissue studied. This finding is based on the experiments comparing the expression of gus gene, encoding the synJ as 5'UTR under the control of 35S promoter with expression cassettes based on vectors like pBI121 or pRT100. Further, the enhancement was in most cases equivalent to that observed with the viral leader sequences known to enhance translation like Ω and AMV. In case of transformed cotton callus as well as in the roots of tobacco transgenic plants, the up-regulation mediated by synJ was much higher than that observed in the presence of both Ω as well as AMV. The enhancement mediated by synJ was found to be at the post-transcriptional level. The study also demonstrates the importance of a 5'UTR in realizing the full potential of the promoter strength. synJ has been utilized to design four cloning vectors: pGEN01, pBGEN02, pBGEN02-hpt and pBGEN02-ALSdm each of which can be used for cloning the desired transgene and achieving high level of expression in the resulting transgenic plants. CONCLUSIONS synJ, a synthetic 5'UTR, can enhance transgene expression under a strong promoter like 35S as well as under a weak promoter like nos in dicotyledonous plants. synJ can be incorporated as the 5'UTR of transgenes, especially in cases where high levels of expression is required. A set of vectors has also been designed to facilitate this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaveta Kanoria
- Department of Genetics, University of Delhi South Campus, Benito Juarez Road, New Delhi, 110021, India
| | - Pradeep Kumar Burma
- Department of Genetics, University of Delhi South Campus, Benito Juarez Road, New Delhi, 110021, India
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Egelkrout E, Rajan V, Howard JA. Overproduction of recombinant proteins in plants. PLANT SCIENCE : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PLANT BIOLOGY 2012; 184:83-101. [PMID: 22284713 DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2011.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2011] [Revised: 12/06/2011] [Accepted: 12/09/2011] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Recombinant protein production in microbial hosts and animal cell cultures has revolutionized the pharmaceutical and industrial enzyme industries. Plants as alternative hosts for the production of recombinant proteins are being actively pursued, taking advantage of their unique characteristics. The key to cost-efficient production in any system is the level of protein accumulation, which is inversely proportional to the cost. Levels of up to 5 g/kg biomass have been obtained in plants, making this production system competitive with microbial hosts. Increasing protein accumulation at the cellular level by varying host, germplasm, location of protein accumulation, and transformation procedure is reviewed. At the molecular level increased expression by improving transcription, translation and accumulation of the protein is critically evaluated. The greatest increases in protein accumulation will occur when various optimized parameters are more fully integrated with each other. Because of the complex nature of plants, this will take more time and effort to accomplish than has been the case for the simpler unicellular systems. However the potential for plants to become one of the major avenues for protein production appears very promising.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin Egelkrout
- Applied Biotechnology Institute, Cal Poly Technology Park, Building 83, San Luis Obispo, CA 93407, USA
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Waterborg JH. Plant histone acetylation: in the beginning ... BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2011; 1809:353-9. [PMID: 21371578 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2011.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2011] [Revised: 02/21/2011] [Accepted: 02/23/2011] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
The study of histone acetylation in plants started with protein purification and sequencing, with gel analysis and the use of radioactive tracers. In alfalfa, acid urea Triton gel electrophoresis and in vivo labeling with tritated acetate and lysine quantified dynamic acetylation of core histones and identified the replication-coupled and -independent expression patterns of the histone H3.1 and H3.2 variants. Pulse-chase analyses demonstrated protein turnover of newly synthesized histone H3.2 and thereby identified the replacement H3 histones of plants which maintain the nucleosome density of transcribed chromatin. Sequence analysis of histone H4 revealed acetylation of lysine 20, a site typically methylated in animals and yeasts. Histone deacetylase inhibitors butyrate and trichostatin A are metabolized in alfalfa, but loss of TSA is slow, allowing its use to induce transient hyperacetylation of histones H2B, H4 and H3. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Epigenetic Control of cellular and developmental processes in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakob H Waterborg
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA.
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Govindarajulu M, Elmore JM, Fester T, Taylor CG. Evaluation of constitutive viral promoters in transgenic soybean roots and nodules. MOLECULAR PLANT-MICROBE INTERACTIONS : MPMI 2008; 21:1027-35. [PMID: 18616399 DOI: 10.1094/mpmi-21-8-1027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
The efficiency of beta-glucuronidase (GUS) expression was evaluated with five viral promoters to identify the most suitable promoter or promoters for use in soybean hairy roots, including applications to study the symbiotic interaction with Bradyrhizobium japonicum. Levels of GUS activity were fluorimetrically and histochemically assayed when the GUS (uidA) gene was driven by the Cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) 35S promoter and enhanced 35S (E35S) promoter, the Cassava vein mosaic virus (CsVMV) promoter, the Figwort mosaic virus (FMV) promoter, and the Strawberry vein banding virus (SVBV2) promoter. We demonstrate that GUS activity was highest when driven by the FMV promoter and that the promoter activity of 35S and SVBV2 was significantly lower than that of the CsVMV and E35S promoters when tested in soybean hairy roots. In mature soybean root nodules, strong GUS activity was evident when the FMV, 35S, and CsVMV promoters were used. These results indicate that the FMV promoter facilitates the strong expression of target genes in soybean hairy roots and root nodules.
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Takahashi W, Oishi H, Ikeda S, Takamizo T, Komatsu T. Molecular cloning and expression analysis of the replacement histone H3 gene of Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum). JOURNAL OF PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2006; 163:58-68. [PMID: 16360804 DOI: 10.1016/j.jplph.2005.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2005] [Accepted: 05/09/2005] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
The replacement histone H3 gene and its 5'-flanking sequence were isolated from Italian ryegrass by polymerase chain reaction and inverse polymerase chain reaction, respectively. Expression analysis showed that this gene is constitutively expressed in the entire plant. The expression level in leaves was found to be significantly low when compared with that in other tissues. However, the gene expression level in leaves was increased by the treatment with abscisic acid and abiotic stresses such as cold, heat and high-salinity (NaCl). The motif search of the 5'-flanking sequence of the replacement histone H3 gene revealed the presence of several potential cis-acting elements that could respond to the above-mentioned abiotic stresses. In addition to defence-related elements, we also found type I and II-/III-like elements, which are highly conserved motifs in the 5'-regulatory sequence of plant histone genes that are expressed specifically during the S-phase. Experiments using transgenic Italian ryegrass plants proved that the isolated 5'-flanking sequence of the replacement histone H3 gene, which was fused to a beta-glucuronidase reporter gene, was fully functional for inducing gene expression under various abiotic stress conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wataru Takahashi
- Forage Crop Research Institute, Japan Grassland Agriculture and Forage Seed Association, Nasu-Shiobara, Tochigi.
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Samac DA, Tesfaye M, Dornbusch M, Saruul P, Temple SJ. A comparison of constitutive promoters for expression of transgenes in alfalfa (Medicago sativa). Transgenic Res 2005; 13:349-61. [PMID: 15517994 DOI: 10.1023/b:trag.0000040022.84253.12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
The activity of constitutive promoters was compared in transgenic alfalfa plants using two marker genes. Three promoters, the 35S promoter from cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV), the cassava vein mosaic virus (CsVMV) promoter, and the sugarcane bacilliform badnavirus (ScBV) promoter were each fused to the beta-glucuronidase (gusA) gene. The highest GUS enzyme activity was obtained using the CsVMV promoter and all alfalfa cells assayed by in situ staining had high levels of enzyme activity. The 35S promoter was expressed in leaves, roots, and stems at moderate levels, but the promoter was not active in stem pith cells, root cortical cells, or in the symbiotic zones of nodules. The ScBV promoter was active primarily in vascular tissues throughout the plant. In leaves, GUS activity driven by the CsVMV promoter was approximately 24-fold greater than the activity from the 35S promoter and 38-fold greater than the activity from the ScBV promoter. Five promoters, the double 35S promoter, figwort mosaic virus (FMV) promoter, CsVMV promoter, ScBV promoter, and alfalfa small subunit Rubisco (RbcS) promoter were used to control expression of a cDNA from Trichoderma atroviride encoding an endochitinase (ech42). Highest chitinase activity in leaves, roots, and root nodules was obtained in plants containing the CsVMV:ech42 transgene. Plants expressing the endochitinase were challenged with Phoma medicaginis var. medicaginis, the causal agent of spring black stem and leaf spot of alfalfa. Although endochitinase activity in leaves of transgenic plants was 50- to 2650-fold greater than activity in control plants, none of the transgenic plants showed a consistent increase in disease resistance compared to controls. The high constitutive levels of both GUS and endochitinase activity obtained demonstrate that the CsVMV promoter is useful for high-level transgene expression in alfalfa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah A Samac
- USDA-ARS-Plant Science Research Unit, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108, USA.
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