1
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Xu B, Liu LH, Lai S, Chen J, Wu S, Lei W, Lin H, Zhang Y, Hu Y, He J, Chen X, He Q, Yang M, Wang H, Zhao X, Wang M, Luo H, Ge Q, Gao H, Xia J, Cao Z, Zhang B, Jiang A, Wu YR. Directed Evolution of Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 to Utilize Allulose as Sole Carbon Source. SMALL METHODS 2024; 8:e2301385. [PMID: 38415955 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202301385] [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: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
Sugar substitutes are popular due to their akin taste and low calories. However, excessive use of aspartame and erythritol can have varying effects. While D-allulose is presently deemed a secure alternative to sugar, its excessive consumption is not devoid of cellular stress implications. In this study, the evolution of Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 (EcN) is directed to utilize allulose as sole carbon source through a combination of adaptive laboratory evolution (ALE) and fluorescence-activated droplet sorting (FADS) techniques. Employing whole genome sequencing (WGS) and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats interference (CRISPRi) in conjunction with compensatory expression displayed those genetic mutations in sugar and amino acid metabolic pathways, including glnP, glpF, gmpA, nagE, pgmB, ybaN, etc., increased allulose assimilation. Enzyme-substrate dynamics simulations and deep learning predict enhanced substrate specificity and catalytic efficiency in nagE A247E and pgmB G12R mutants. The findings evince that these mutations hold considerable promise in enhancing allulose uptake and facilitating its conversion into glycolysis, thus signifying the emergence of a novel metabolic pathway for allulose utilization. These revelations bear immense potential for the sustainable utilization of D-allulose in promoting health and well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Xu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, 437100, P. R. China
| | - Li-Hua Liu
- Tidetron Bioworks Technology (Guangzhou) Co., Ltd., Guangzhou Qianxiang Bioworks Co., Ltd, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510000, P. R. China
- Biology Department and Institute of Marine Sciences, College of Science, Shantou University, Shantou, 515063, P. R. China
| | - Shijing Lai
- Tidetron Bioworks Technology (Guangzhou) Co., Ltd., Guangzhou Qianxiang Bioworks Co., Ltd, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510000, P. R. China
| | - Jingjing Chen
- Yeasen Biotechnology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd, Shanghai, 200000, P. R. China
| | - Song Wu
- Tidetron Bioworks Technology (Guangzhou) Co., Ltd., Guangzhou Qianxiang Bioworks Co., Ltd, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510000, P. R. China
| | - Wei Lei
- Tidetron Bioworks Technology (Guangzhou) Co., Ltd., Guangzhou Qianxiang Bioworks Co., Ltd, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510000, P. R. China
| | - Houliang Lin
- Tidetron Bioworks Technology (Guangzhou) Co., Ltd., Guangzhou Qianxiang Bioworks Co., Ltd, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510000, P. R. China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Tidetron Bioworks Technology (Guangzhou) Co., Ltd., Guangzhou Qianxiang Bioworks Co., Ltd, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510000, P. R. China
| | - Yucheng Hu
- Tidetron Bioworks Technology (Guangzhou) Co., Ltd., Guangzhou Qianxiang Bioworks Co., Ltd, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510000, P. R. China
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, P. R. China
| | - Jingtao He
- Tidetron Bioworks Technology (Guangzhou) Co., Ltd., Guangzhou Qianxiang Bioworks Co., Ltd, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510000, P. R. China
| | - Xipeng Chen
- Tidetron Bioworks Technology (Guangzhou) Co., Ltd., Guangzhou Qianxiang Bioworks Co., Ltd, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510000, P. R. China
| | - Qian He
- Tidetron Bioworks Technology (Guangzhou) Co., Ltd., Guangzhou Qianxiang Bioworks Co., Ltd, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510000, P. R. China
| | - Min Yang
- Tidetron Bioworks Technology (Guangzhou) Co., Ltd., Guangzhou Qianxiang Bioworks Co., Ltd, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510000, P. R. China
| | - Haimei Wang
- Tidetron Bioworks Technology (Guangzhou) Co., Ltd., Guangzhou Qianxiang Bioworks Co., Ltd, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510000, P. R. China
| | - Xuemei Zhao
- Tidetron Bioworks Technology (Guangzhou) Co., Ltd., Guangzhou Qianxiang Bioworks Co., Ltd, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510000, P. R. China
| | - Man Wang
- Yeasen Biotechnology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd, Shanghai, 200000, P. R. China
| | - Haodong Luo
- Tidetron Bioworks Technology (Guangzhou) Co., Ltd., Guangzhou Qianxiang Bioworks Co., Ltd, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510000, P. R. China
- Biology Department and Institute of Marine Sciences, College of Science, Shantou University, Shantou, 515063, P. R. China
| | - Qijun Ge
- Tidetron Bioworks Technology (Guangzhou) Co., Ltd., Guangzhou Qianxiang Bioworks Co., Ltd, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510000, P. R. China
| | - Huamei Gao
- Tidetron Bioworks Technology (Guangzhou) Co., Ltd., Guangzhou Qianxiang Bioworks Co., Ltd, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510000, P. R. China
| | - Jiaqi Xia
- School of Basic Medicine, Jiamusi University, Jiamusi, 154000, P. R. China
| | - Zhen Cao
- Yeasen Biotechnology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd, Shanghai, 200000, P. R. China
| | - Baoxun Zhang
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, P. R. China
| | - Ao Jiang
- Tidetron Bioworks Technology (Guangzhou) Co., Ltd., Guangzhou Qianxiang Bioworks Co., Ltd, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510000, P. R. China
| | - Yi-Rui Wu
- Tidetron Bioworks Technology (Guangzhou) Co., Ltd., Guangzhou Qianxiang Bioworks Co., Ltd, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510000, P. R. China
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2
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Kumar S, Lezia A, Hasty J. Engineering plasmid copy number heterogeneity for dynamic microbial adaptation. Nat Microbiol 2024; 9:2173-2184. [PMID: 38890490 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-024-01706-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: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
Natural microbial populations exploit phenotypic heterogeneity for survival and adaptation. However, in engineering biology, limiting the sources of variability is a major focus. Here we show that intentionally coupling distinct plasmids via shared replication mechanisms enables bacterial populations to adapt to their environment. We demonstrate that plasmid coupling of carbon-metabolizing operons facilitates copy number tuning of an essential but burdensome construct through the action of a stably maintained, non-essential plasmid. For specific cost-benefit situations, incompatible two-plasmid systems can stably persist longer than compatible ones. We also show using microfluidics that plasmid coupling of synthetic constructs generates population-state memory of previous environmental adaptation without additional regulatory control. This work should help to improve the design of synthetic populations by enabling adaptive engineered strains to function under changing growth conditions without strict fine-tuning of the genetic circuitry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shalni Kumar
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
| | - Andrew Lezia
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Jeff Hasty
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Molecular Biology Section, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Synthetic Biology Institute, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
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3
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Povolotsky TL, Levy Barazany H, Shacham Y, Kolodkin-Gal I. Bacterial epigenetics and its implication for agriculture, probiotics development, and biotechnology design. Biotechnol Adv 2024; 75:108414. [PMID: 39019123 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2024.108414] [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: 05/04/2024] [Revised: 07/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/19/2024]
Abstract
In their natural habitats, organisms encounter numerous external stimuli and must be able to sense and adapt to those stimuli to survive. Unlike mutations, epigenetic changes do not alter the underlying DNA sequence. Instead, they create modifications that promote or silence gene expression. Bacillus subtilis has long been a model organism in studying genetics and development. It is beneficial for numerous biotechnological applications where it is included as a probiotic, in fermentation, or in bio-concrete design. This bacterium has also emerged recently as a model organism for studying bacterial epigenetic adaptation. In this review, we examine the evolving knowledge of epigenetic regulation (restriction-modification systems (RM), orphan methyltransferases, and chromosome condensation) in B. subtilis and related bacteria, and utilize it as a case study to test their potential roles and future applications in genetic engineering and microbial biotechnology. Finally, we suggest how the implementation of these fundamental findings promotes the design of synthetic epigenetic memory circuits and their future applications in agriculture, medicine, and biotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatyana L Povolotsky
- Institute for Chemistry and Biochemistry, Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, Altensteinstraße 23A, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Hilit Levy Barazany
- Scojen Institute for Synthetic Biology, Reichman University, Hauniversita 8, Herzeliya, Israel
| | - Yosi Shacham
- Scojen Institute for Synthetic Biology, Reichman University, Hauniversita 8, Herzeliya, Israel
| | - Ilana Kolodkin-Gal
- Scojen Institute for Synthetic Biology, Reichman University, Hauniversita 8, Herzeliya, Israel.
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4
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Won C, Yim SS. Emerging methylation-based approaches in microbiome engineering. BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS 2024; 17:96. [PMID: 38987811 PMCID: PMC11238421 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-024-02529-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024]
Abstract
Bacterial epigenetics, particularly through DNA methylation, exerts significant influence over various biological processes such as DNA replication, uptake, and gene regulation in bacteria. In this review, we explore recent advances in characterizing bacterial epigenomes, accompanied by emerging strategies that harness bacterial epigenetics to elucidate and engineer diverse bacterial species with precision and effectiveness. Furthermore, we delve into the potential of epigenetic modifications to steer microbial functions and influence community dynamics, offering promising opportunities for understanding and modulating microbiomes. Additionally, we investigate the extensive diversity of DNA methyltransferases and emphasize their potential utility in the context of the human microbiome. In summary, this review highlights the potential of DNA methylation as a powerful toolkit for engineering microbiomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changhee Won
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung Sun Yim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
- Graduate School of Engineering Biology, KAIST, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
- KAIST Institute for BioCentury, KAIST, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
- Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
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5
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Komera I, Chen X, Liu L, Gao C. Microbial Synthetic Epigenetic Tools Design and Applications. ACS Synth Biol 2024; 13:1621-1632. [PMID: 38758631 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.4c00125] [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: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
Microbial synthetic epigenetics offers significant opportunities for the design of synthetic biology tools by leveraging reversible gene control mechanisms without altering DNA sequences. However, limited understanding and a lack of technologies for thorough analysis of the mechanisms behind epigenetic modifications have hampered their utilization in biotechnological applications. In this review, we explore advancements in developing epigenetic-based synthetic gene regulatory tools at both transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. Furthermore, we examine strategies developed to construct epigenetic-based circuits that provide controllable and stable gene regulation, aiming to boost the performance of microbial chassis cells. Finally, we discuss the current challenges and perspectives in the development of synthetic epigenetic tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Komera
- School of Biotechnology and Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology of Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Xiulai Chen
- School of Biotechnology and Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology of Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Liming Liu
- School of Biotechnology and Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology of Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Cong Gao
- School of Biotechnology and Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology of Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
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6
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Arboleda-García A, Alarcon-Ruiz I, Boada-Acosta L, Boada Y, Vignoni A, Jantus-Lewintre E. Advancements in synthetic biology-based bacterial cancer therapy: A modular design approach. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2023; 190:104088. [PMID: 37541537 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2023.104088] [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: 06/10/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Synthetic biology aims to program living bacteria cells with artificial genetic circuits for user-defined functions, transforming them into powerful tools with numerous applications in various fields, including oncology. Cancer treatments have serious side effects on patients due to the systemic action of the drugs involved. To address this, new systems that provide localized antitumoral action while minimizing damage to healthy tissues are required. Bacteria, often considered pathogenic agents, have been used as cancer treatments since the early 20th century. Advances in genetic engineering, synthetic biology, microbiology, and oncology have improved bacterial therapies, making them safer and more effective. Here we propose six modules for a successful synthetic biology-based bacterial cancer therapy, the modules include Payload, Release, Tumor-targeting, Biocontainment, Memory, and Genetic Circuit Stability Module. These will ensure antitumor activity, safety for the environment and patient, prevent bacterial colonization, maintain cell stability, and prevent loss or defunctionalization of the genetic circuit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrés Arboleda-García
- Systems Biology and Biosystems Control Lab, Instituto de Automática e Informática Industrial, Universitat Politècnica de València, Spain
| | - Ivan Alarcon-Ruiz
- Gene Regulation in Cardiovascular Remodeling and Inflammation Group, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Madrid, Spain; Departamento de Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Lissette Boada-Acosta
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cáncer, CIBERONC, Madrid, Spain; TRIAL Mixed Unit, Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe-Fundación Investigación del Hospital General Universitario de Valencia, Valencia, Spain; Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Fundación Investigación del Hospital General Universitario de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Yadira Boada
- Systems Biology and Biosystems Control Lab, Instituto de Automática e Informática Industrial, Universitat Politècnica de València, Spain
| | - Alejandro Vignoni
- Systems Biology and Biosystems Control Lab, Instituto de Automática e Informática Industrial, Universitat Politècnica de València, Spain.
| | - Eloisa Jantus-Lewintre
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cáncer, CIBERONC, Madrid, Spain; TRIAL Mixed Unit, Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe-Fundación Investigación del Hospital General Universitario de Valencia, Valencia, Spain; Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Fundación Investigación del Hospital General Universitario de Valencia, Valencia, Spain; Department of Biotechnology, Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, Spain
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7
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Komera I, Gao C, Chen X, Chen W, Liu L. Synthetic epigenetics-assisted microbial chassis engineering. Trends Microbiol 2023; 31:889-893. [PMID: 37400289 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2023.06.001] [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: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023]
Abstract
Microbial chassis engineering is the milestone of efficient biotechnological applications. However, microbial chassis cell engineering is adversely affected by (i) regulatory tool orthogonality, (ii) host metabolic fitness, and (iii) cell population heterogeneity. Herein, we explore how synthetic epigenetics can potentially address these limitations and offer insights into prospects in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Komera
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; International Joint Laboratory on Food Safety, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Cong Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; International Joint Laboratory on Food Safety, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Xiulai Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; International Joint Laboratory on Food Safety, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Wei Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Liming Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; International Joint Laboratory on Food Safety, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China.
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8
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Gao Q, Lu S, Wang Y, He L, Wang M, Jia R, Chen S, Zhu D, Liu M, Zhao X, Yang Q, Wu Y, Zhang S, Huang J, Mao S, Ou X, Sun D, Tian B, Cheng A. Bacterial DNA methyltransferase: A key to the epigenetic world with lessons learned from proteobacteria. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1129437. [PMID: 37032876 PMCID: PMC10073500 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1129437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Epigenetics modulates expression levels of various important genes in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. These epigenetic traits are heritable without any change in genetic DNA sequences. DNA methylation is a universal mechanism of epigenetic regulation in all kingdoms of life. In bacteria, DNA methylation is the main form of epigenetic regulation and plays important roles in affecting clinically relevant phenotypes, such as virulence, host colonization, sporulation, biofilm formation et al. In this review, we survey bacterial epigenomic studies and focus on the recent developments in the structure, function, and mechanism of several highly conserved bacterial DNA methylases. These methyltransferases are relatively common in bacteria and participate in the regulation of gene expression and chromosomal DNA replication and repair control. Recent advances in sequencing techniques capable of detecting methylation signals have enabled the characterization of genome-wide epigenetic regulation. With their involvement in critical cellular processes, these highly conserved DNA methyltransferases may emerge as promising targets for developing novel epigenetic inhibitors for biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qun Gao
- Research Center of Avian Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Shuwei Lu
- Research Center of Avian Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yuwei Wang
- Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Provenance Disease Research in Mianyang, Sichuan, China
| | - Longgui He
- Research Center of Avian Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Mingshu Wang
- Research Center of Avian Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Renyong Jia
- Research Center of Avian Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Shun Chen
- Research Center of Avian Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Dekang Zhu
- Research Center of Avian Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Mafeng Liu
- Research Center of Avian Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xinxin Zhao
- Research Center of Avian Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Qiao Yang
- Research Center of Avian Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Ying Wu
- Research Center of Avian Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Shaqiu Zhang
- Research Center of Avian Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Juan Huang
- Research Center of Avian Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Sai Mao
- Research Center of Avian Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xumin Ou
- Research Center of Avian Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Di Sun
- Research Center of Avian Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Bin Tian
- Research Center of Avian Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Anchun Cheng
- Research Center of Avian Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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9
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Li P, Kim S, Tian B. Nanoenabled Trainable Systems: From Biointerfaces to Biomimetics. ACS NANO 2022; 16:19651-19664. [PMID: 36516872 PMCID: PMC9798864 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.2c08042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
In the dynamic biological system, cells and tissues adapt to diverse environmental conditions and form memories, an essential aspect of training for survival and evolution. An understanding of the biological training principles will inform the design of biomimetic materials whose properties evolve with the environment and offer routes to programmable soft materials, neuromorphic computing, living materials, and biohybrid robotics. In this perspective, we examine the mechanisms by which cells are trained by environmental cues. We outline the artificial platforms that enable biological training and examine the relationship between biological training and biomimetic materials design. We place emphasis on nanoscale material platforms which, given their applicability to chemical, mechanical and electrical stimulation, are critical to bridging natural and synthetic systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengju Li
- Pritzker
School of Molecular Engineering, The University
of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States
| | - Saehyun Kim
- Department
of Chemistry, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States
| | - Bozhi Tian
- Department
of Chemistry, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States
- The
James Franck Institute, The University of
Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States
- The
Institute for Biophysical Dynamics, University
of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States
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10
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Jadhav P, Chen Y, Butzin N, Buceta J, Urchueguía A. Bacterial degrons in synthetic circuits. Open Biol 2022; 12:220180. [PMID: 35975648 PMCID: PMC9382460 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.220180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial proteases are a promising post-translational regulation strategy in synthetic circuits because they recognize specific amino acid degradation tags (degrons) that can be fine-tuned to modulate the degradation levels of tagged proteins. For this reason, recent efforts have been made in the search for new degrons. Here we review the up-to-date applications of degradation tags for circuit engineering in bacteria. In particular, we pay special attention to the effects of degradation bottlenecks in synthetic oscillators and introduce mathematical approaches to study queueing that enable the quantitative modelling of proteolytic queues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prajakta Jadhav
- Department of Biology and Microbiology, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD, USA
| | - Yanyan Chen
- Program for Computational and Systems Biology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Nicholas Butzin
- Department of Biology and Microbiology, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD, USA
| | - Javier Buceta
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology (I2SysBio, CSIC-UV), Paterna, Valencia 46980, Spain
| | - Arantxa Urchueguía
- Department of Biology and Microbiology, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD, USA.,Institute for Integrative Systems Biology (I2SysBio, CSIC-UV), Paterna, Valencia 46980, Spain
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11
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Dynamic Mechanism of Phase Variations in Bacteria Based on Multistable Gene Regulatory Networks. J Theor Biol 2022; 549:111212. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2022.111212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Revised: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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12
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Klingel V, Graf D, Weirich S, Jeltsch A, Radde NE. Model-Based Design of a Synthetic Oscillator Based on an Epigenetic Methylation Memory System. ACS Synth Biol 2022; 11:2445-2455. [PMID: 35749318 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.2c00118] [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: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Oscillations are an important component in biological systems; grasping their mechanisms and regulation, however, is difficult. Here, we use the theory of dynamical systems to support the design of oscillatory systems based on epigenetic control elements. Specifically, we use results that extend the Poincaré-Bendixson theorem for monotone control systems that are coupled to a negative feedback circuit. The methodology is applied to a synthetic epigenetic memory system based on DNA methylation that serves as a monotone control system, which is coupled to a negative feedback. This system is generally able to show sustained oscillations according to its structure; however, a first experimental implementation showed that fine-tuning of several parameters is required. We provide design support by exploring the experimental design space using systems-theoretic analysis of a computational model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viviane Klingel
- Institute for Systems Theory and Automatic Control, University of Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 9, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Dimitri Graf
- Institute of Biochemistry and Technical Biochemistry, University of Stuttgart, Allmandring 31, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Sara Weirich
- Institute of Biochemistry and Technical Biochemistry, University of Stuttgart, Allmandring 31, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Albert Jeltsch
- Institute of Biochemistry and Technical Biochemistry, University of Stuttgart, Allmandring 31, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Nicole E Radde
- Institute for Systems Theory and Automatic Control, University of Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 9, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
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13
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Yao Y, Wen Q, Zhang T, Yu C, Chan KM, Gan H. Advances in Approaches to Study Chromatin-Mediated Epigenetic Memory. ACS Synth Biol 2022; 11:16-25. [PMID: 34965084 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.1c00394] [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: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Chromatin structure contains critical epigenetic information in various forms, such as histone post-translational modifications (PTMs). The deposition of certain histone PTMs can remodel the chromatin structure, resulting in gene expression alteration. The epigenetic information carried by histone PTMs could be inherited by daughter cells to maintain the gene expression status. Recently, studies revealed that several conserved replisome proteins regulate the recycling of parental histones carrying epigenetic information in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Hence, the proper recycling and deposition of parental histones onto newly synthesized DNA strands is presumed to be essential for epigenetic inheritance. Here, we first reviewed the fundamental mechanisms of epigenetic modification establishment and maintenance discovered within fungal models. Next, we discussed the functions of parental histone chaperones and the potential impacts of the parental histone recycling process on heterochromatin-mediated transcriptional silencing inheritance. Subsequently, we summarized novel synthetic biology approaches developed to analyze individual epigenetic components during epigenetic inheritance in fungal and mammalian systems. These newly emerged research paradigms enable us to dissect epigenetic systems in a bottom-up manner. Furthermore, we highlighted the approaches developed in this emerging field and discussed the potential applications of these engineered regulators to building synthetic epigenetic systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Yao
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Qing Wen
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Tianjun Zhang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Department of Molecular and Biomedical Science, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Chuanhe Yu
- The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, Minnesota 55912, United States
| | - Kui Ming Chan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
- Key Laboratory of Biochip Technology, Biotech and Health Centre, Shenzhen Research Institute of City University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen 518172, China
| | - Haiyun Gan
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
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14
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Mechanisms and Biological Roles of DNA Methyltransferases and DNA Methylation: From Past Achievements to Future Challenges. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2022; 1389:1-19. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-11454-0_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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15
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DNA Methylation in Prokaryotes. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2022; 1389:21-43. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-11454-0_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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16
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Melero-Jiménez IJ, Bañares-España E, Reul A, Flores-Moya A, García-Sánchez MJ. Detection of the maximum resistance to the herbicides diuron and glyphosate, and evaluation of its phenotypic cost, in freshwater phytoplankton. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2021; 240:105973. [PMID: 34600397 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2021.105973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Revised: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
One of the most important anthropogenic impacts on freshwater aquatic ecosystems close to intensive agriculture areas is the cumulative increase in herbicide concentrations. The threat is especially relevant for phytoplankton organisms because they have the same physiological targets as the plants for which herbicides have been designed. This led us to explore the evolutionary response of three phytoplanktonic species to increasing concentrations of two herbicides and its consequences in terms of growth and photosynthesis performance. Specifically, we used an experimental ratchet protocol to investigate the differential evolution and the limit of resistance of a cyanobacterium (Microcystis aeruginosa) and two chlorophyceans (Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and Dictyosphaerium chlorelloides) to two herbicides in worldwide use: glyphosate and diuron. Initially, the growth rate of M. aeruginosa and D. chlorelloides was completely inhibited when they were exposed to a dose of 0.23 ppm diuron or 40 ppm glyphosate, whereas a higher concentration of both herbicides (0.46 ppm diuron or 90 ppm glyphosate) was necessary to abolish C. reinhardtii growth. However, after running a ratchet protocol, the resistance of the three species to both herbicides increased by an adaptation process. M. aeruginosa and D. chlorelloides were able to grow at 1.84 ppm diuron and 80 ppm glyphosate and C. reinhardtii proliferated at twice these concentrations. Herbicide-resistant strains showed lower growth rates than their wild-type counterparts in the absence of herbicides, as well as changes on morphology and differences on photosynthetic pigment content. Besides, herbicide-resistant cells generally showed a lower photosynthetic performance than wild-type strains in the three species. These results indicate that the introduction of both herbicides in freshwater ecosystems could produce a diminution of primary production due to the selection of herbicide-resistant mutants, that would exhibit lower photosynthetic performance than wild-type populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ignacio J Melero-Jiménez
- Departamento de Botánica y Fisiología Vegetal, Universidad de Málaga, Campus de Teatinos s/n, 29071 Málaga, Spain.
| | - Elena Bañares-España
- Departamento de Botánica y Fisiología Vegetal, Universidad de Málaga, Campus de Teatinos s/n, 29071 Málaga, Spain
| | - Andreas Reul
- Departamento de Ecología y Geología, Universidad de Málaga, Campus de Teatinos s/n, 29071 Málaga, Spain
| | - Antonio Flores-Moya
- Departamento de Botánica y Fisiología Vegetal, Universidad de Málaga, Campus de Teatinos s/n, 29071 Málaga, Spain
| | - María J García-Sánchez
- Departamento de Botánica y Fisiología Vegetal, Universidad de Málaga, Campus de Teatinos s/n, 29071 Málaga, Spain
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17
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Worst EG, Finkler M, Schenkelberger M, Kurt Ö, Helms V, Noireaux V, Ott A. A Methylation-Directed, Synthetic Pap Switch Based on Self-Complementary Regulatory DNA Reconstituted in an All E. coli Cell-Free Expression System. ACS Synth Biol 2021; 10:2725-2739. [PMID: 34550672 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.1c00326] [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: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Pyelonephritis-associated pili (pap) enable migration of the uropathogenic Escherichia coli strain (UPEC) through the urinary tract. UPEC can switch between a stable 'ON phase' where the corresponding pap genes are expressed and a stable 'OFF phase' where their transcription is repressed. Hereditary DNA methylation of either one of two GATC motives within the regulatory region stabilizes the respective phase over many generations. The underlying molecular mechanism is only partly understood. Previous investigations suggest that in vivo phase-variation stability results from cooperative action of the transcriptional regulators Lrp and PapI. Here, we use an E. coli cell-free expression system to study molecular functions of the pap regulatory region based on a specially designed, synthetic construct flanked by two reporter genes encoding fluorescent proteins for simple readout. On the basis of our observations we suggest that besides Lrp, the conformation of the self-complementary regulatory DNA plays a strong role in the regulation of phase-variation. Our work not only contributes to better understand the phase variation mechanism, but it represents a successful start for mimicking stable, hereditary, and strong expression control based on methylation. The conformation of the regulatory DNA corresponds to a Holliday junction. Gene expression must be expected to respond if opposite arms of the junction are drawn outward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuel G. Worst
- Universität des Saarlandes, Center for Biophysics, Saarbrücken, 66123, Germany
| | - Marc Finkler
- Universität des Saarlandes, Center for Biophysics, Saarbrücken, 66123, Germany
| | - Marc Schenkelberger
- Universität des Saarlandes, Center for Biophysics, Saarbrücken, 66123, Germany
| | - Ömer Kurt
- Universität des Saarlandes, Center for Biophysics, Saarbrücken, 66123, Germany
| | - Volkhard Helms
- Universität des Saarlandes, Center for Bioinformatics, Saarbrücken, 66041, Germany
| | - Vincent Noireaux
- University of Minnesota, School of Physics and Astronomy, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Albrecht Ott
- Universität des Saarlandes, Center for Biophysics, Saarbrücken, 66123, Germany
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18
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English MA, Gayet RV, Collins JJ. Designing Biological Circuits: Synthetic Biology Within the Operon Model and Beyond. Annu Rev Biochem 2021; 90:221-244. [PMID: 33784178 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-biochem-013118-111914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
In 1961, Jacob and Monod proposed the operon model of gene regulation. At the model's core was the modular assembly of regulators, operators, and structural genes. To illustrate the composability of these elements, Jacob and Monod linked phenotypic diversity to the architectures of regulatory circuits. In this review, we examine how the circuit blueprints imagined by Jacob and Monod laid the foundation for the first synthetic gene networks that launched the field of synthetic biology in 2000. We discuss the influences of the operon model and its broader theoretical framework on the first generation of synthetic biological circuits, which were predominantly transcriptional and posttranscriptional circuits. We also describe how recent advances in molecular biology beyond the operon model-namely, programmable DNA- and RNA-binding molecules as well as models of epigenetic and posttranslational regulation-are expanding the synthetic biology toolkit and enabling the design of more complex biological circuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Max A English
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA; .,Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA.,Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - Raphaël V Gayet
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA; .,Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA.,Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.,Microbiology Graduate Program, MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
| | - James J Collins
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA; .,Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA.,Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.,Synthetic Biology Center, MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA.,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA.,Harvard-MIT Program in Health Sciences and Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
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19
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Klingel V, Kirch J, Ullrich T, Weirich S, Jeltsch A, Radde NE. Model-based robustness and bistability analysis for methylation-based, epigenetic memory systems. FEBS J 2021; 288:5692-5707. [PMID: 33774905 DOI: 10.1111/febs.15838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, epigenetic memory systems have been developed based on DNA methylation and positive feedback systems. Achieving a robust design for these systems is generally a challenging and multifactorial task. We developed and validated a novel mathematical model to describe methylation-based epigenetic memory systems that capture switching dynamics of methylation levels and methyltransferase amounts induced by different inputs. A bifurcation analysis shows that the system operates in the bistable range, but in its current setup is not robust to changes in parameters. An expansion of the model captures heterogeneity of cell populations by accounting for distributed cell division rates. Simulations predict that the system is highly sensitive to variations in temperature, which affects cell division and the efficiency of the zinc finger repressor. A moderate decrease in temperature leads to a highly heterogeneous response to input signals and bistability on a single-cell level. The predictions of our model were confirmed by flow cytometry experiments conducted in this study. Overall, the results of our study give insights into the functional mechanisms of methylation-based memory systems and demonstrate that the switching dynamics can be highly sensitive to experimental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viviane Klingel
- Institute for Systems Theory and Automatic Control, University of Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Jakob Kirch
- Institute for Systems Theory and Automatic Control, University of Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Timo Ullrich
- Institute of Biochemistry and Technical Biochemistry, University of Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Sara Weirich
- Institute of Biochemistry and Technical Biochemistry, University of Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Albert Jeltsch
- Institute of Biochemistry and Technical Biochemistry, University of Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Nicole E Radde
- Institute for Systems Theory and Automatic Control, University of Stuttgart, Germany
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20
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Ullrich T, Weirich S, Jeltsch A. Development of an epigenetic tetracycline sensor system based on DNA methylation. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0232701. [PMID: 32379807 PMCID: PMC7205209 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0232701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial live cell sensors are potentially powerful tools for the detection of environmental toxins. In this work, we have established and validated a flow cytometry readout for an existing bacterial arabinose sensor system with DNA methylation based memory function (Maier et al., 2017, Nat. Comm., 8:15336). Flow cytometry readout is convenient and enables a multiparameter analysis providing information about single-cell variability, which is beneficial for further development of sensor systems of this type in the future. We then designed a tetracycline sensor system, because of the importance of antibiotics pollution in the light of multi-resistant pathogens. To this end, a tetracycline trigger plasmid was constructed by replacing the araC repressor gene and the ara operator of the arabinose trigger plasmid with the tetR gene coding for the tetracycline repressor and the tet operon. After combination with the memory plasmid, the tetracycline sensor system was shown to be functional in E. coli allowing to detect and memorize the presence of tetracycline. Due to a positive feedback between the trigger and memory systems, the combined whole-cell biosensor showed a very high sensitivity for tetracycline with a detection threshold at 0.1 ng/ml tetracycline, which may be a general property of sensors of this type. Moreover, acute presence of tetracycline and past exposure can be detected by this sensor using the dual readout of two reporter fluorophores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timo Ullrich
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Biochemistry and Technical Biochemistry, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Sara Weirich
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Biochemistry and Technical Biochemistry, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Albert Jeltsch
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Biochemistry and Technical Biochemistry, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
- * E-mail:
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21
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Olivenza DR, Nicoloff H, Sánchez-Romero MA, Cota I, Andersson DI, Casadesús J. A portable epigenetic switch for bistable gene expression in bacteria. Sci Rep 2019; 9:11261. [PMID: 31375711 PMCID: PMC6677893 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-47650-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2019] [Accepted: 07/22/2019] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
We describe a portable epigenetic switch based on opvAB, a Salmonella enterica operon that undergoes bistable expression under DNA methylation control. A DNA fragment containing the opvAB promoter and the opvAB upstream regulatory region confers bistability to heterologous genes, yielding OFF and ON subpopulations. Bistable expression under opvAB control is reproducible in Escherichia coli, showing that the opvAB switch can be functional in a heterologous host. Subpopulations of different sizes can be produced at will using engineered opvAB variants. Controlled formation of antibiotic-resistant and antibiotic-susceptible subpopulations may allow use of the opvAB switch in the study of bacterial heteroresistance to antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- David R Olivenza
- Departamento de Genética, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, Apartado 1095, 41080, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Hervé Nicoloff
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, 751 23, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | - Ignacio Cota
- Departamento de Genética, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, Apartado 1095, 41080, Sevilla, Spain.,Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics, CSIC-IRTA-UAB-UB, Campus UAB, Bellaterra, 08193, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Dan I Andersson
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, 751 23, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Josep Casadesús
- Departamento de Genética, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, Apartado 1095, 41080, Sevilla, Spain.
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22
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Xia PF, Ling H, Foo JL, Chang MW. Synthetic genetic circuits for programmable biological functionalities. Biotechnol Adv 2019; 37:107393. [PMID: 31051208 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2019.04.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2018] [Revised: 04/09/2019] [Accepted: 04/28/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Living organisms evolve complex genetic networks to interact with the environment. Due to the rapid development of synthetic biology, various modularized genetic parts and units have been identified from these networks. They have been employed to construct synthetic genetic circuits, including toggle switches, oscillators, feedback loops and Boolean logic gates. Building on these circuits, complex genetic machines with capabilities in programmable decision-making could be created. Consequently, these accomplishments have led to novel applications, such as dynamic and autonomous modulation of metabolic networks, directed evolution of biological units, remote and targeted diagnostics and therapies, as well as biological containment methods to prevent release of engineered microorganisms and genetic materials. Herein, we outline the principles in genetic circuit design that have initiated a new chapter in transforming concepts to realistic applications. The features of modularized building blocks and circuit architecture that facilitate realization of circuits for a variety of novel applications are discussed. Furthermore, recent advances and challenges in employing genetic circuits to impart microorganisms with distinct and programmable functionalities are highlighted. We envision that this review gives new insights into the design of synthetic genetic circuits and offers a guideline for the implementation of different circuits in various aspects of biotechnology and bioengineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng-Fei Xia
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 8 Medical Drive, Singapore 117597, Singapore; NUS Synthetic Biology for Clinical and Technological Innovation (SynCTI), National University of Singapore, 28 Medical Drive, Singapore 117456, Singapore
| | - Hua Ling
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 8 Medical Drive, Singapore 117597, Singapore; NUS Synthetic Biology for Clinical and Technological Innovation (SynCTI), National University of Singapore, 28 Medical Drive, Singapore 117456, Singapore
| | - Jee Loon Foo
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 8 Medical Drive, Singapore 117597, Singapore; NUS Synthetic Biology for Clinical and Technological Innovation (SynCTI), National University of Singapore, 28 Medical Drive, Singapore 117456, Singapore.
| | - Matthew Wook Chang
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 8 Medical Drive, Singapore 117597, Singapore; NUS Synthetic Biology for Clinical and Technological Innovation (SynCTI), National University of Singapore, 28 Medical Drive, Singapore 117456, Singapore.
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23
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Improvement in the Orthogonal Protein Degradation in Escherichia coli by Truncated mf-ssrA Tag. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s12209-019-00193-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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24
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Abstract
Park et al. (2019) create a synthetic self-propagating adenine methylation system for epigenetic control in human cells. Targeting adenine allows their modular system to act orthogonally to most epigenetic processes, thereby opening the door for novel methods of controlling gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy Z Chang
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - James Kuo
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Pamela A Silver
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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25
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Xiang Y, Dalchau N, Wang B. Scaling up genetic circuit design for cellular computing: advances and prospects. NATURAL COMPUTING 2018; 17:833-853. [PMID: 30524216 PMCID: PMC6244767 DOI: 10.1007/s11047-018-9715-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic biology aims to engineer and redesign biological systems for useful real-world applications in biomanufacturing, biosensing and biotherapy following a typical design-build-test cycle. Inspired from computer science and electronics, synthetic gene circuits have been designed to exhibit control over the flow of information in biological systems. Two types are Boolean logic inspired TRUE or FALSE digital logic and graded analog computation. Key principles for gene circuit engineering include modularity, orthogonality, predictability and reliability. Initial circuits in the field were small and hampered by a lack of modular and orthogonal components, however in recent years the library of available parts has increased vastly. New tools for high throughput DNA assembly and characterization have been developed enabling rapid prototyping, systematic in situ characterization, as well as automated design and assembly of circuits. Recently implemented computing paradigms in circuit memory and distributed computing using cell consortia will also be discussed. Finally, we will examine existing challenges in building predictable large-scale circuits including modularity, context dependency and metabolic burden as well as tools and methods used to resolve them. These new trends and techniques have the potential to accelerate design of larger gene circuits and result in an increase in our basic understanding of circuit and host behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiyu Xiang
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH9 3FF UK
- Centre for Synthetic and Systems Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH9 3JR UK
| | | | - Baojun Wang
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH9 3FF UK
- Centre for Synthetic and Systems Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH9 3JR UK
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26
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Bittihn P, Din MO, Tsimring LS, Hasty J. Rational engineering of synthetic microbial systems: from single cells to consortia. Curr Opin Microbiol 2018; 45:92-99. [PMID: 29574330 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2018.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2017] [Revised: 02/06/2018] [Accepted: 02/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
One promise of synthetic biology is to provide solutions for biomedical and industrial problems by rational design of added functionality in living systems. Microbes are at the forefront of this biological engineering endeavor due to their general ease of handling and their relevance in many potential applications from fermentation to therapeutics. In recent years, the field has witnessed an explosion of novel regulatory tools, from synthetic orthogonal transcription factors to posttranslational mechanisms for increased control over the behavior of synthetic circuits. Tool development has been paralleled by the discovery of principles that enable increased modularity and the management of host-circuit interactions. Engineered cell-to-cell communication bridges the scales from intracellular to population-level coordination. These developments facilitate the translation of more than a decade of circuit design into applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip Bittihn
- BioCircuits Institute, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - M Omar Din
- BioCircuits Institute, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Lev S Tsimring
- BioCircuits Institute, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Jeff Hasty
- BioCircuits Institute, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Molecular Biology Section, Division of Biological Science, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
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27
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Maier JAH, Jeltsch A. Design and Application of 6mA-Specific Zinc-Finger Proteins for the Readout of DNA Methylation. Methods Mol Biol 2018; 1867:29-41. [PMID: 30155813 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-8799-3_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Designed zinc-finger (ZnF) proteins can recognize AT base pairs by H-bonds in the major groove, which are disrupted, if the adenine base is methylated at the N6 position. Based on this principle, we have recently designed a ZnF protein, which does not bind to DNA, if its recognition site is methylated. In this review, we summarize the principles of the recognition of methylated DNA by proteins and describe the design steps starting with the initial bacterial two-hybrid screening of three-domain ZnF proteins that do not bind to CcrM methylated target sites, followed by their di- and tetramerization to improve binding affinity and specificity. One of the 6mA-specific ZnF proteins was used as repressor to generate a methylation-sensitive promoter/repressor system. This artificial promoter/repressor system was employed to regulate the expression of a CcrM DNA methyltransferase gene, thereby generating an epigenetic system with positive feedback, which can exist in two stable states, an off-state with unmethylated promoter, bound ZnF and repressed gene expression, and an on-state with methylated promoter and active gene expression. This system can memorize transient signals approaching bacterial cells and store the input in the form of DNA methylation patterns. More generally, the ability to bind to DNA in a methylation-dependent manner gives ZnF and TAL proteins an advantage over CRISPR/Cas as DNA-targeting device by allowing methylation-dependent genome or epigenome editing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes A H Maier
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Biochemistry and Technical Biochemistry, University Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Albert Jeltsch
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Biochemistry and Technical Biochemistry, University Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany.
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Synthetic epigenetic memory. Nat Methods 2017. [DOI: 10.1038/nmeth.4382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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