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Yao Y, Lou X, Jin L, Sun W, Liu J, Chen Y, Cheng S, Zhao T, Ke S, Zhang L, Xu Y, He L, Li H. Optogenetic Strategies for Optimizing the Performance of Phospholipids Biosensors. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024:e2403026. [PMID: 39073033 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202403026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2024] [Revised: 07/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
High-performance biosensors play a crucial role in elucidating the intricate spatiotemporal regulatory roles and dynamics of membrane phospholipids. However, enhancing the sensitivity and imaging performance remains a significant challenge. Here, optogenetic-based strategies are presented to optimize phospholipid biosensors. These strategies involves presequestering unbound biosensors in the cell nucleus and regulating their cytosolic levels with blue light to minimize background signal interference in phospholipid detection, particularly under conditions of high expression levels of biosensor. Furthermore, optically controlled phase separation and the SunTag system are employed to generate punctate probes for substrate detection, thereby amplifying biosensor signals and enhancing visualization of the detection process. These improved phospholipid biosensors hold great potential for enhancing the understanding of the spatiotemporal dynamics and regulatory roles of membrane lipids in live cells and the methodological insights in this study might be valuable for developing other high-performance biosensors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanfa Yao
- Institute of Pharmacology, College of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310014, China
| | - Xiayan Lou
- Institute of Pharmacology, College of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310014, China
| | - Luhong Jin
- School of Information Science and Technology, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 311121, China
| | - Weiyun Sun
- Institute of Pharmacology, College of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310014, China
| | - Jingfang Liu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering of Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Extreme Photonics and Instrumentation, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Cardio-Cerebral Vascular Detection Technology and Medicinal Effectiveness Appraisal, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Yunyue Chen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering of Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Extreme Photonics and Instrumentation, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Cardio-Cerebral Vascular Detection Technology and Medicinal Effectiveness Appraisal, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Sunying Cheng
- Institute of Pharmacology, College of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310014, China
| | - Tengjiao Zhao
- Institute of Pharmacology, College of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310014, China
| | - Shuwei Ke
- Institute of Pharmacology, College of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310014, China
| | - Luhao Zhang
- School of Information Science and Technology, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 311121, China
| | - Yingke Xu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering of Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Extreme Photonics and Instrumentation, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Cardio-Cerebral Vascular Detection Technology and Medicinal Effectiveness Appraisal, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
- Department of Endocrinology, Children's Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Children's Health, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310051, China
| | - Lian He
- Department of Pharmacology, Joint Laboratory of Guangdong-Hong Kong Universities for Vascular Homeostasis and Diseases, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Hanbing Li
- Institute of Pharmacology, College of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310014, China
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2
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Zhang J, Xu X, Deng H, Liu L, Xiang Y, Feng J. Overcoming cancer drug-resistance calls for novel strategies targeting abnormal alternative splicing. Pharmacol Ther 2024; 261:108697. [PMID: 39025436 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2024.108697] [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: 03/02/2024] [Revised: 05/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
Abnormal gene alternative splicing (AS) events are strongly associated with cancer progression. Here, we summarize AS events that contribute to the development of drug resistance and classify them into three categories: alternative cis-splicing (ACS), alternative trans-splicing (ATS), and alternative back-splicing (ABS). The regulatory mechanisms underlying AS processes through cis-acting regulatory elements and trans-acting factors are comprehensively described, and the distinct functions of spliced variants, including linear spliced variants derived from ACS, chimeric spliced variants arising from ATS, and circRNAs generated through ABS, are discussed. The identification of dysregulated spliced variants, which contribute to drug resistance and hinder effective cancer treatment, suggests that abnormal AS processes may together serve as a precise regulatory mechanism enabling drug-resistant cancer cell survival or, alternatively, represent an evolutionary pathway for cancer cells to adapt to changes in the external environment. Moreover, this review summarizes recent advancements in treatment approaches targeting AS-associated drug resistance, focusing on cis-acting regulatory elements, trans-acting factors, and specific spliced variants. Collectively, gaining an in-depth understanding of the mechanisms underlying aberrant alternative splicing events and developing strategies to target this process hold great promise for overcoming cancer drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Affiliated Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan Province 646000, China; Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine Key Laboratory of Luzhou, The Affiliated Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan Province 646000, China
| | - Xinyu Xu
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Affiliated Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan Province 646000, China; Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine Key Laboratory of Luzhou, The Affiliated Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan Province 646000, China
| | - Hongwei Deng
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Affiliated Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan Province 646000, China; Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine Key Laboratory of Luzhou, The Affiliated Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan Province 646000, China
| | - Li Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Affiliated Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan Province 646000, China; Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine Key Laboratory of Luzhou, The Affiliated Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan Province 646000, China
| | - Yuancai Xiang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou city, Sichuan 646000, China.
| | - Jianguo Feng
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Affiliated Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan Province 646000, China; Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine Key Laboratory of Luzhou, The Affiliated Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan Province 646000, China; Nucleic Acid Medicine of Luzhou Key Laboratory, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan Province 646000, China.
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3
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Zhang T, Tian E, Xiong Y, Shen X, Li Z, Yan X, Yang Y, Zhou Z, Wang Y, Wang P. Development of a RNA-protein complex based smart drug delivery system for 9-hydroxycamptothecin. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 276:133871. [PMID: 39009257 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.133871] [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: 05/03/2024] [Revised: 07/01/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024]
Abstract
Camptothecin (CPT) is a monoterpenoid indole alkaloid with a wide spectrum of anticancer activity. However, its application is hindered by poor solubility, lack of targeting specificity, and severe side effects. Structural derivatization of CPT and the development of suitable drug delivery systems are potential strategies for addressing these issues. In this study, we discovered that the protein Cytochrome P450 Family 1 Subfamily A Member 1 (CYP1A1) from Homo sapiens catalyzes CPT to yield 9-hydroxycamptothecin (9-HCPT), which exhibits increased water solubility and cytotoxicity. We then created a RNA-protein complex based drug delivery system with enzyme and pH responsiveness and improved the targeting and stability of the nanomedicine through protein module assembly. The subcellular localization of nanoparticles can be visualized using fluorescent RNA probes. Our results not only identified the protein CYP1A1 responsible for the structural derivatization of CPT to synthesize 9-HCPT but also offered potential strategies for enhancing the utilization of silk-based drug delivery systems in tumor therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tong Zhang
- CAS-Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Ernuo Tian
- CAS-Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200037, China
| | - Ying Xiong
- CAS-Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xiao Shen
- CAS-Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Zhenhua Li
- CAS-Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xing Yan
- CAS-Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yi Yang
- School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200037, China
| | - Zhihua Zhou
- CAS-Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yan Wang
- CAS-Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China.
| | - Pingping Wang
- CAS-Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China.
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4
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Li Y, Liu M, Yang C, Fu H, Wang J. Engineering microbial metabolic homeostasis for chemicals production. Crit Rev Biotechnol 2024:1-20. [PMID: 39004513 DOI: 10.1080/07388551.2024.2371465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
Microbial-based bio-refining promotes the development of a biotechnology revolution to encounter and tackle the enormous challenges in petroleum-based chemical production by biomanufacturing, biocomputing, and biosensing. Nevertheless, microbial metabolic homeostasis is often incompatible with the efficient synthesis of bioproducts mainly due to: inefficient metabolic flow, robust central metabolism, sophisticated metabolic network, and inevitable environmental perturbation. Therefore, this review systematically summarizes how to optimize microbial metabolic homeostasis by strengthening metabolic flux for improving biotransformation turnover, redirecting metabolic direction for rewiring bypass pathway, and reprogramming metabolic network for boosting substrate utilization. Future directions are also proposed for providing constructive guidance on the development of industrial biotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Li
- School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Mingxiong Liu
- School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Changyang Yang
- School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hongxin Fu
- School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Fermentation and Enzyme Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jufang Wang
- School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Fermentation and Enzyme Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
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5
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Hosseini SY, Mallick R, Mäkinen P, Ylä-Herttuala S. Insights into Prime Editing Technology: A Deep Dive into Fundamentals, Potentials, and Challenges. Hum Gene Ther 2024. [PMID: 38832869 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2024.043] [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: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
As the most versatile and precise gene editing technology, prime editing (PE) can establish a durable cure for most human genetic disorders. Several generations of PE have been developed based on an editor machine or prime editing guide RNA (pegRNA) to achieve any kind of genetic correction. However, due to the early stage of development, PE complex elements need to be optimized for more efficient editing. Smart optimization of editor proteins as well as pegRNA has been contemplated by many researchers, but the universal PE machine's current shortcomings remain to be solved. The modification of PE elements, fine-tuning of the host genes, manipulation of epigenetics, and blockage of immune responses could be used to reach more efficient PE. Moreover, the host factors involved in the PE process, such as repair and innate immune system genes, have not been determined, and PE cell context dependency is still poorly understood. Regarding the large size of the PE elements, delivery is a significant challenge and the development of a universal viral or nonviral platform is still far from complete. PE versions with shortened variants of reverse transcriptase are still too large to fit in common viral vectors. Overall, PE faces challenges in optimization for efficiency, high context dependency during the cell cycling, and delivery due to the large size of elements. In addition, immune responses, unpredictability of outcomes, and off-target effects further limit its application, making it essential to address these issues for broader use in nonpersonalized gene editing. Besides, due to the limited number of suitable animal models and computational modeling, the prediction of the PE process remains challenging. In this review, the fundamentals of PE, including generations, potential, optimization, delivery, in vivo barriers, and the future landscape of the technology are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyed Younes Hosseini
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
- Bacteriology and Virology Department, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Rahul Mallick
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Petri Mäkinen
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Seppo Ylä-Herttuala
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
- Heart Center and Gene Therapy Unit, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
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6
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Joshi SHN, Jenkins C, Ulaeto D, Gorochowski TE. Accelerating Genetic Sensor Development, Scale-up, and Deployment Using Synthetic Biology. BIODESIGN RESEARCH 2024; 6:0037. [PMID: 38919711 PMCID: PMC11197468 DOI: 10.34133/bdr.0037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Living cells are exquisitely tuned to sense and respond to changes in their environment. Repurposing these systems to create engineered biosensors has seen growing interest in the field of synthetic biology and provides a foundation for many innovative applications spanning environmental monitoring to improved biobased production. In this review, we present a detailed overview of currently available biosensors and the methods that have supported their development, scale-up, and deployment. We focus on genetic sensors in living cells whose outputs affect gene expression. We find that emerging high-throughput experimental assays and evolutionary approaches combined with advanced bioinformatics and machine learning are establishing pipelines to produce genetic sensors for virtually any small molecule, protein, or nucleic acid. However, more complex sensing tasks based on classifying compositions of many stimuli and the reliable deployment of these systems into real-world settings remain challenges. We suggest that recent advances in our ability to precisely modify nonmodel organisms and the integration of proven control engineering principles (e.g., feedback) into the broader design of genetic sensing systems will be necessary to overcome these hurdles and realize the immense potential of the field.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Christopher Jenkins
- CBR Division, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Porton Down, Wiltshire SP4 0JQ, UK
| | - David Ulaeto
- CBR Division, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Porton Down, Wiltshire SP4 0JQ, UK
| | - Thomas E. Gorochowski
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TQ, UK
- BrisEngBio,
School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TS, UK
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7
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Su K, Vázquez O. Enlightening epigenetics: optochemical tools illuminate the path. Trends Biochem Sci 2024; 49:290-304. [PMID: 38350805 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2024.01.003] [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: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024]
Abstract
Optochemical tools have become potent instruments for understanding biological processes at the molecular level, and the past decade has witnessed their use in epigenetics and epitranscriptomics (also known as RNA epigenetics) for deciphering gene expression regulation. By using photoresponsive molecules such as photoswitches and photocages, researchers can achieve precise control over when and where specific events occur. Therefore, these are invaluable for studying both histone and nucleotide modifications and exploring disease-related mechanisms. We systematically report and assess current examples in the field, and identify open challenges and future directions. These outstanding proof-of-concept investigations will inspire other chemical biologists to participate in these emerging fields given the potential of photochromic molecules in research and biomedicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaijun Su
- Department of Chemistry, University of Marburg, Marburg D-35043, Germany
| | - Olalla Vázquez
- Department of Chemistry, University of Marburg, Marburg D-35043, Germany; Center for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO), University of Marburg, Marburg D-35043, Germany.
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8
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Blake LA, Watkins L, Liu Y, Inoue T, Wu B. A rapid inducible RNA decay system reveals fast mRNA decay in P-bodies. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2720. [PMID: 38548718 PMCID: PMC10979015 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46943-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/01/2024] Open
Abstract
RNA decay is vital for regulating mRNA abundance and gene expression. Existing technologies lack the spatiotemporal precision or transcript specificity to capture the stochastic and transient decay process. We devise a general strategy to inducibly recruit protein factors to modulate target RNA metabolism. Specifically, we introduce a Rapid Inducible Decay of RNA (RIDR) technology to degrade target mRNAs within minutes. The fast and synchronous induction enables direct visualization of mRNA decay dynamics in cells. Applying RIDR to endogenous ACTB mRNA reveals rapid formation and dissolution of RNA granules in pre-existing P-bodies. Time-resolved RNA distribution measurements demonstrate rapid RNA decay inside P-bodies, which is further supported by knocking down P-body constituent proteins. Light and oxidative stress modulate P-body behavior, potentially reconciling the contradictory literature about P-body function. This study reveals compartmentalized RNA decay kinetics, establishing RIDR as a pivotal tool for exploring the spatiotemporal RNA metabolism in cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren A Blake
- Department of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- The Center for Cell Dynamics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Leslie Watkins
- Department of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- The Center for Cell Dynamics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- The Center for Cell Dynamics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA
| | - Takanari Inoue
- The Center for Cell Dynamics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Cell Biology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Bin Wu
- Department of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
- The Center for Cell Dynamics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
- The Solomon H Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
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9
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Pietruschka G, Ranzani AT, Weber A, Patwari T, Pilsl S, Renzl C, Otte DM, Pyka D, Möglich A, Mayer G. An RNA Motif That Enables Optozyme Control and Light-Dependent Gene Expression in Bacteria and Mammalian Cells. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2304519. [PMID: 38227373 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202304519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024]
Abstract
The regulation of gene expression by light enables the versatile, spatiotemporal manipulation of biological function in bacterial and mammalian cells. Optoribogenetics extends this principle by molecular RNA devices acting on the RNA level whose functions are controlled by the photoinduced interaction of a light-oxygen-voltage photoreceptor with cognate RNA aptamers. Here light-responsive ribozymes, denoted optozymes, which undergo light-dependent self-cleavage and thereby control gene expression are described. This approach transcends existing aptamer-ribozyme chimera strategies that predominantly rely on aptamers binding to small molecules. The optozyme method thus stands to enable the graded, non-invasive, and spatiotemporally resolved control of gene expression. Optozymes are found efficient in bacteria and mammalian cells and usher in hitherto inaccessible optoribogenetic modalities with broad applicability in synthetic and systems biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georg Pietruschka
- Life and Medical Sciences (LIMES), University of Bonn, Gerhard-Domagk-Str.1, 53121, Bonn, Germany
| | - Américo T Ranzani
- Lehrstuhl für Biochemie, Photobiochemie, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstraße 30, 95440, Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Anna Weber
- Life and Medical Sciences (LIMES), University of Bonn, Gerhard-Domagk-Str.1, 53121, Bonn, Germany
- Center of Aptamer Research & Development, University of Bonn, Gerhard-Domagk-Str. 1, 53121, Bonn, Germany
| | - Tejal Patwari
- Life and Medical Sciences (LIMES), University of Bonn, Gerhard-Domagk-Str.1, 53121, Bonn, Germany
| | - Sebastian Pilsl
- Life and Medical Sciences (LIMES), University of Bonn, Gerhard-Domagk-Str.1, 53121, Bonn, Germany
| | - Christian Renzl
- Life and Medical Sciences (LIMES), University of Bonn, Gerhard-Domagk-Str.1, 53121, Bonn, Germany
- Center of Aptamer Research & Development, University of Bonn, Gerhard-Domagk-Str. 1, 53121, Bonn, Germany
| | - David M Otte
- Life and Medical Sciences (LIMES), University of Bonn, Gerhard-Domagk-Str.1, 53121, Bonn, Germany
| | - Daniel Pyka
- Life and Medical Sciences (LIMES), University of Bonn, Gerhard-Domagk-Str.1, 53121, Bonn, Germany
| | - Andreas Möglich
- Lehrstuhl für Biochemie, Photobiochemie, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstraße 30, 95440, Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Günter Mayer
- Life and Medical Sciences (LIMES), University of Bonn, Gerhard-Domagk-Str.1, 53121, Bonn, Germany
- Center of Aptamer Research & Development, University of Bonn, Gerhard-Domagk-Str. 1, 53121, Bonn, Germany
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10
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Zheng J, Li N, Li X, Han Y, Lv X, Zhang H, Ren L. The Nuclear Localization Signal of Porcine Circovirus Type 4 Affects the Subcellular Localization of the Virus Capsid and the Production of Virus-like Particles. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2459. [PMID: 38473709 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25052459] [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: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Porcine circovirus 4 (PCV4) is a newly identified virus belonging to PCV of the Circoviridae family, the Circovirus genus. We previously found that PCV4 is pathogenic in vitro, while the virus's replication in cells is still unknown. In this study, we evaluated the N-terminal of the PCV4 capsid (Cap) and identified an NLS at amino acid residues 4-37 of the N-terminus of the PCV4 Cap, 4RSRYSRRRRNRRNQRRRGLWPRASRRRYRWRRKN37. The NLS was further divided into two fragments (NLS-A and NLS-B) based on the predicted structure, including two α-helixes, which were located at 4RSRYSRRRRNRRNQRR19 and 24PRASRRRYRWRRK36, respectively. Further studies showed that the NLS, especially the first α-helixes formed by the NLS-A fragment, determined the nuclear localization of the Cap protein, and the amino acid 4RSRY7 in the NLS of the PCV4 Cap was the critical motif affecting the VLP packaging. These results will provide a theoretical basis for elucidating the infection mechanism of PCV4 and developing subunit vaccines based on VLPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiawei Zheng
- College of Animal Sciences, Key Lab for Zoonoses Research, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, 5333 Xi'an Road, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Nan Li
- Changchun Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 666 Liuying West Road, Changchun 130122, China
| | - Xue Li
- College of Animal Sciences, Key Lab for Zoonoses Research, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, 5333 Xi'an Road, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Yaqi Han
- College of Animal Sciences, Key Lab for Zoonoses Research, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, 5333 Xi'an Road, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Xinru Lv
- College of Animal Sciences, Key Lab for Zoonoses Research, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, 5333 Xi'an Road, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Huimin Zhang
- College of Animal Sciences, Key Lab for Zoonoses Research, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, 5333 Xi'an Road, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Linzhu Ren
- College of Animal Sciences, Key Lab for Zoonoses Research, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, 5333 Xi'an Road, Changchun 130062, China
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China
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11
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Zhang J, Li F, Liu D, Liu Q, Song H. Engineering extracellular electron transfer pathways of electroactive microorganisms by synthetic biology for energy and chemicals production. Chem Soc Rev 2024; 53:1375-1446. [PMID: 38117181 DOI: 10.1039/d3cs00537b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
The excessive consumption of fossil fuels causes massive emission of CO2, leading to climate deterioration and environmental pollution. The development of substitutes and sustainable energy sources to replace fossil fuels has become a worldwide priority. Bio-electrochemical systems (BESs), employing redox reactions of electroactive microorganisms (EAMs) on electrodes to achieve a meritorious combination of biocatalysis and electrocatalysis, provide a green and sustainable alternative approach for bioremediation, CO2 fixation, and energy and chemicals production. EAMs, including exoelectrogens and electrotrophs, perform extracellular electron transfer (EET) (i.e., outward and inward EET), respectively, to exchange energy with the environment, whose rate determines the efficiency and performance of BESs. Therefore, we review the synthetic biology strategies developed in the last decade for engineering EAMs to enhance the EET rate in cell-electrode interfaces for facilitating the production of electricity energy and value-added chemicals, which include (1) progress in genetic manipulation and editing tools to achieve the efficient regulation of gene expression, knockout, and knockdown of EAMs; (2) synthetic biological engineering strategies to enhance the outward EET of exoelectrogens to anodes for electricity power production and anodic electro-fermentation (AEF) for chemicals production, including (i) broadening and strengthening substrate utilization, (ii) increasing the intracellular releasable reducing equivalents, (iii) optimizing c-type cytochrome (c-Cyts) expression and maturation, (iv) enhancing conductive nanowire biosynthesis and modification, (v) promoting electron shuttle biosynthesis, secretion, and immobilization, (vi) engineering global regulators to promote EET rate, (vii) facilitating biofilm formation, and (viii) constructing cell-material hybrids; (3) the mechanisms of inward EET, CO2 fixation pathway, and engineering strategies for improving the inward EET of electrotrophic cells for CO2 reduction and chemical production, including (i) programming metabolic pathways of electrotrophs, (ii) rewiring bioelectrical circuits for enhancing inward EET, and (iii) constructing microbial (photo)electrosynthesis by cell-material hybridization; (4) perspectives on future challenges and opportunities for engineering EET to develop highly efficient BESs for sustainable energy and chemical production. We expect that this review will provide a theoretical basis for the future development of BESs in energy harvesting, CO2 fixation, and chemical synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junqi Zhang
- Frontier Science Center for Synthetic Biology (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering, and School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China.
| | - Feng Li
- Frontier Science Center for Synthetic Biology (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering, and School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China.
| | - Dingyuan Liu
- Frontier Science Center for Synthetic Biology (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering, and School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China.
| | - Qijing Liu
- Frontier Science Center for Synthetic Biology (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering, and School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China.
| | - Hao Song
- Frontier Science Center for Synthetic Biology (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering, and School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China.
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12
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Teixeira AP, Fussenegger M. Synthetic Gene Circuits for Regulation of Next-Generation Cell-Based Therapeutics. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2309088. [PMID: 38126677 PMCID: PMC10885662 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202309088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Arming human cells with synthetic gene circuits enables to expand their capacity to execute superior sensing and response actions, offering tremendous potential for innovative cellular therapeutics. This can be achieved by assembling components from an ever-expanding molecular toolkit, incorporating switches based on transcriptional, translational, or post-translational control mechanisms. This review provides examples from the three classes of switches, and discusses their advantages and limitations to regulate the activity of therapeutic cells in vivo. Genetic switches designed to recognize internal disease-associated signals often encode intricate actuation programs that orchestrate a reduction in the sensed signal, establishing a closed-loop architecture. Conversely, switches engineered to detect external molecular or physical cues operate in an open-loop fashion, switching on or off upon signal exposure. The integration of such synthetic gene circuits into the next generation of chimeric antigen receptor T-cells is already enabling precise calibration of immune responses in terms of magnitude and timing, thereby improving the potency and safety of therapeutic cells. Furthermore, pre-clinical engineered cells targeting other chronic diseases are gathering increasing attention, and this review discusses the path forward for achieving clinical success. With synthetic biology at the forefront, cellular therapeutics holds great promise for groundbreaking treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana P. Teixeira
- Department of Biosystems Science and EngineeringETH ZurichKlingelbergstrasse 48BaselCH‐4056Switzerland
| | - Martin Fussenegger
- Department of Biosystems Science and EngineeringETH ZurichKlingelbergstrasse 48BaselCH‐4056Switzerland
- Faculty of ScienceUniversity of BaselKlingelbergstrasse 48BaselCH‐4056Switzerland
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13
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Liu R, Yao J, Zhou S, Yang J, Zhang Y, Yang X, Li L, Zhang Y, Zhuang Y, Yang Y, Chen X. Spatiotemporal control of RNA metabolism and CRISPR-Cas functions using engineered photoswitchable RNA-binding proteins. Nat Protoc 2024; 19:374-405. [PMID: 38036926 DOI: 10.1038/s41596-023-00920-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
RNA molecules perform various crucial roles in diverse cellular processes, from translating genetic information to decoding the genome, regulating gene expression and catalyzing chemical reactions. RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) play an essential role in regulating the diverse behaviors and functions of RNA in live cells, but techniques for the spatiotemporal control of RBP activities and RNA functions are rarely reported yet highly desirable. We recently reported the development of LicV, a synthetic photoswitchable RBP that can bind to a specific RNA sequence in response to blue light irradiation. LicV has been used successfully for the optogenetic control of RNA localization, splicing, translation and stability, as well as for the photoswitchable regulation of transcription and genomic locus labeling. Compared to classical genetic or pharmacologic perturbations, LicV-based light-switchable effectors have the advantages of large dynamic range between dark and light conditions and submicron and millisecond spatiotemporal resolutions. In this protocol, we provide an easy, efficient and generalizable strategy for engineering photoswitchable RBPs for the spatiotemporal control of RNA metabolism. We also provide a detailed protocol for the conversion of a CRISPR-Cas system to optogenetic control. The protocols typically take 2-3 d, including transfection and results analysis. Most of this protocol is applicable to the development of novel LicV-based photoswitchable effectors for the optogenetic control of other RNA metabolisms and CRISPR-Cas functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renmei Liu
- Optogenetics & Synthetic Biology Interdisciplinary Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
- School of Bioengineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Yao
- Optogenetics & Synthetic Biology Interdisciplinary Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Siyu Zhou
- Optogenetics & Synthetic Biology Interdisciplinary Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Yang
- Optogenetics & Synthetic Biology Interdisciplinary Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Yaqiang Zhang
- Optogenetics & Synthetic Biology Interdisciplinary Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoyan Yang
- Optogenetics & Synthetic Biology Interdisciplinary Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Leshi Li
- Optogenetics & Synthetic Biology Interdisciplinary Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Yunbin Zhang
- CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Yingping Zhuang
- School of Bioengineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi Yang
- Optogenetics & Synthetic Biology Interdisciplinary Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China.
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China.
| | - Xianjun Chen
- Optogenetics & Synthetic Biology Interdisciplinary Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China.
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China.
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14
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Wang H, Zhang X, Liu Y, Zhou S. A nicking enzyme-assisted allosteric strategy for self-resetting DNA switching circuits. Analyst 2023; 149:169-179. [PMID: 37999719 DOI: 10.1039/d3an01677c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
The self-regulation of biochemical reaction networks is crucial for maintaining balance, stability, and adaptability within biological systems. DNA switching circuits, serving as basic units, play essential roles in regulating pathways, facilitating signal transduction, and processing biochemical reaction networks. However, the non-reusability of DNA switching circuits hinders its application in current complex information processing. Herein, we proposed a nicking enzyme-assisted allosteric strategy for constructing self-resetting DNA switching circuits to realize complex information processing. This strategy utilizes the unique cleavage ability of the nicking enzyme to achieve the automatic restoration of states. Based on this strategy, we implemented a self-resetting DNA switch. By leveraging the reusability of the DNA switch, we constructed a DNA switching circuit with selective activation characteristics and further extended its functionality to include fan-out and fan-in processes by expanding the number of functional modules and connection modes. Furthermore, we demonstrated the complex information processing capabilities of these switching circuits by integrating recognition, translation, and decision functional modules, which could analyze and transmit multiple input signals and realize parallel logic operations. This strategy simplifies the design of switching circuits and promotes the future development of biosensing, molecular computing, and nanomachines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoliang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Design and Intelligent Computing, Ministry of Education, School of Software Engineering, Dalian University, Dalian 116622, China.
| | - Xiaokang Zhang
- School of Computer Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China.
| | - Yuan Liu
- School of Computer Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China.
| | - Shihua Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Design and Intelligent Computing, Ministry of Education, School of Software Engineering, Dalian University, Dalian 116622, China.
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15
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Gao Y, Wang L, Wang B. Customizing cellular signal processing by synthetic multi-level regulatory circuits. Nat Commun 2023; 14:8415. [PMID: 38110405 PMCID: PMC10728147 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44256-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023] Open
Abstract
As synthetic biology permeates society, the signal processing circuits in engineered living systems must be customized to meet practical demands. Towards this mission, novel regulatory mechanisms and genetic circuits with unprecedented complexity have been implemented over the past decade. These regulatory mechanisms, such as transcription and translation control, could be integrated into hybrid circuits termed "multi-level circuits". The multi-level circuit design will tremendously benefit the current genetic circuit design paradigm, from modifying basic circuit dynamics to facilitating real-world applications, unleashing our capabilities to customize cellular signal processing and address global challenges through synthetic biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanli Gao
- College of Chemical and Biological Engineering & ZJU-Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH9 3FF, UK
| | - Lei Wang
- Center of Synthetic Biology and Integrated Bioengineering & School of Engineering, Westlake University, Hangzhou, 310030, China.
| | - Baojun Wang
- College of Chemical and Biological Engineering & ZJU-Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
- Research Center for Biological Computation, Zhejiang Lab, Hangzhou, 311100, China.
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16
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Zhai H, Zhong S, Wu R, Mo Z, Zheng S, Xue J, Meng H, Liu M, Chen X, Zhang G, Zheng X, Du F, Li R, Zhou B. Suppressing circIDE/miR-19b-3p/RBMS1 axis exhibits promoting-tumour activity through upregulating GPX4 to diminish ferroptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma. Epigenetics 2023; 18:2192438. [PMID: 36989117 PMCID: PMC10064926 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2023.2192438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Ferroptosis is a newly characterized form of iron-dependent non-apoptotic cell death, which is closely associated with cancer progression. However, the functions and mechanisms in regulation of escaping from ferroptosis during hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression remain unknown. In this study, we reported that the RNA binding motif single stranded interacting protein 1 (RBMS1) participated in HCC development,and functioned as a regulator of ferroptosis. Clinically, the downregulation of RBMS1 occurred in HCC tissues, and low RBMS1 expression was associated with worse HCC patients survival. Mechanistically, RBMS1 overexpression inhibited HCC cell growth by attenuating the expression of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4)and further facilitated ferroptosis in vitro and in vivo. More importantly, a novel circIDE (hsa_circ_0000251) was identified to elevate RBMS1 expression via sponging miR-19b-3p in HCC cells. Collectively, our findings established circIDE/miR-19b-3p/RBMS1 axis as a regulator of ferroptosis, which could be a promising therapeutic target and prognostic factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hang Zhai
- Department of Quality and Safety Management, The First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Sisi Zhong
- Department of Quality and Safety Management, The First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
| | - Runxin Wu
- Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhaohong Mo
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shiyang Zheng
- Department of Head and Neck surgery, Cancer Center of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jinhua Xue
- Department of Physiology, the School of Basic Medical Sciences of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
| | - Hongyu Meng
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Maosheng Liu
- Department of Gastroentrology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
| | - Xianyu Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guangquan Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Eighth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiyan Zheng
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Eighth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Fei Du
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Eighth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Ruixi Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Eighth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Boxuan Zhou
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
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17
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Chen K, Luo M, Lv Y, Luo Z, Yang H. Undervalued and novel roles of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins in autoimmune diseases: Resurgence as potential biomarkers and targets. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. RNA 2023; 14:e1806. [PMID: 37365887 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Autoimmune diseases are mainly characterized by the abnormal autoreactivity due to the loss of tolerance to specific autoantigens, though multiple pathways associated with the homeostasis of immune responses are involved in initiating or aggravating the conditions. The heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins (hnRNPs) are a major category of RNA-binding proteins ubiquitously expressed in a multitude of cells and have attracted great attentions especially with their distinctive roles in nucleic acid metabolisms and the pathogenesis in diseases like neurodegenerative disorders and cancers. Nevertheless, the interplay between hnRNPs and autoimmune disorders has not been fully elucidated. Virtually various family members of hnRNPs are increasingly identified as immune players and are pertinent to all kinds of immune-related processes including immune system development and innate or adaptive immune responses. Specifically, hnRNPs have been extensively recognized as autoantigens within and even beyond a myriad of autoimmune diseases, yet their diagnostic and prognostic values are seemingly underestimated. Molecular mimicry, epitope spreading and bystander activation may represent major putative mechanisms underlying the presence of autoantibodies to hnRNPs. Besides, hnRNPs play critical parts in regulating linchpin genes expressions that control genetic susceptibility, disease-linked functional pathways, or immune responses by interacting with other components particularly like microRNAs and long non-coding RNAs, thereby contributing to inflammation and autoimmunity as well as specific disease phenotypes. Therefore, comprehensive unraveling of the roles of hnRNPs is conducive to establishing potential biomarkers and developing better intervention strategies by targeting these hnRNPs in the corresponding disorders. This article is categorized under: RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Disease RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > Protein-RNA Interactions: Functional Implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kangzhi Chen
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Mengchuan Luo
- Department of Geriatrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yuanzhi Lv
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Zhaohui Luo
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Clinical Research Center for Epileptic Disease of Hunan Province, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Huan Yang
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
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18
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Zou Q, Lu Y, Qing B, Li N, Zhou T, Pan J, Zhang X, Zhang X, Chen Y, Sun SK. Photoactivatable base editors for spatiotemporally controlled genome editing in vivo. Biomaterials 2023; 302:122328. [PMID: 37722184 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2023.122328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 08/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023]
Abstract
CRISPR-based base editors (BEs) are powerful tools for precise nucleotide substitution in a wide range of organisms, but spatiotemporal control of base editing remains a daunting challenge. Herein, we develop a photoactivatable base editor (Mag-ABE) for spatiotemporally controlled genome editing in vivo for the first time. The base editing activity of Mag-ABE can be activated by blue light for spatiotemporal regulation of both EGFP reporter gene and various endogenous genes editing. Meanwhile, the Mag-ABE prefers to edit A4 and A5 positions rather than to edit A6 position, showing the potential to decrease bystander editing of traditional adenine base editors. After integration with upconversion nanoparticles as a light transducer, the Mag-ABE is further applied for near-infrared (NIR) light-activated base editing of liver in transgenic reporter mice successfully. This study opens a promising way to improve the operability, safety, and precision of base editing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quan Zou
- Department of Radiology, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300211, China
| | - Yi Lu
- School of Medical Imaging, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300203, China
| | - Bo Qing
- Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), The Province and Ministry Co-sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Na Li
- Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), The Province and Ministry Co-sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Ting Zhou
- School of Medical Imaging, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300203, China
| | - Jinbin Pan
- Department of Radiology, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Functional Imaging, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, 300052, China
| | - Xuejun Zhang
- School of Medical Imaging, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300203, China
| | - Xuening Zhang
- Department of Radiology, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300211, China
| | - Yupeng Chen
- Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), The Province and Ministry Co-sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China; Tianjin Institute of Urology, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300211, China.
| | - Shao-Kai Sun
- School of Medical Imaging, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300203, China.
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19
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Jiang L, Xie X, Su N, Zhang D, Chen X, Xu X, Zhang B, Huang K, Yu J, Fang M, Bao B, Zuo F, Yang L, Zhang R, Li H, Huang X, Chen Z, Zeng Q, Liu R, Lin Q, Zhao Y, Ren A, Zhu L, Yang Y. Large Stokes shift fluorescent RNAs for dual-emission fluorescence and bioluminescence imaging in live cells. Nat Methods 2023; 20:1563-1572. [PMID: 37723244 DOI: 10.1038/s41592-023-01997-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023]
Abstract
Fluorescent RNAs, aptamers that bind and activate small fluorogenic dyes, have provided a particularly attractive approach to visualizing RNAs in live cells. However, the simultaneous imaging of multiple RNAs remains challenging due to a lack of bright and stable fluorescent RNAs with bio-orthogonality and suitable spectral properties. Here, we develop the Clivias, a series of small, monomeric and stable orange-to-red fluorescent RNAs with large Stokes shifts of up to 108 nm, enabling the simple and robust imaging of RNA with minimal perturbation of the target RNA's localization and functionality. In combination with Pepper fluorescent RNAs, the Clivias enable the single-excitation two-emission dual-color imaging of cellular RNAs and genomic loci. Clivias can also be used to detect RNA-protein interactions by bioluminescent imaging both in live cells and in vivo. We believe that these large Stokes shift fluorescent RNAs will be useful tools for the tracking and quantification of multiple RNAs in diverse biological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Jiang
- Optogenetics and Synthetic Biology Interdisciplinary Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xin Xie
- Optogenetics and Synthetic Biology Interdisciplinary Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Ni Su
- Optogenetics and Synthetic Biology Interdisciplinary Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Dasheng Zhang
- Optogenetics and Synthetic Biology Interdisciplinary Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
- Fluorescence Diagnosis (Shanghai) Biotech Company Ltd, Shanghai, China
| | - Xianjun Chen
- Optogenetics and Synthetic Biology Interdisciplinary Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China.
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China.
| | - Xiaochen Xu
- Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Bibi Zhang
- Optogenetics and Synthetic Biology Interdisciplinary Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Kaiyi Huang
- Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Department of Orthopedics Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jingwei Yu
- Optogenetics and Synthetic Biology Interdisciplinary Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Mengyue Fang
- Optogenetics and Synthetic Biology Interdisciplinary Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Bingkun Bao
- Optogenetics and Synthetic Biology Interdisciplinary Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Fangting Zuo
- Optogenetics and Synthetic Biology Interdisciplinary Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Lipeng Yang
- Optogenetics and Synthetic Biology Interdisciplinary Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Rui Zhang
- Optogenetics and Synthetic Biology Interdisciplinary Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Huiwen Li
- Optogenetics and Synthetic Biology Interdisciplinary Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Xinyi Huang
- Optogenetics and Synthetic Biology Interdisciplinary Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhengda Chen
- Optogenetics and Synthetic Biology Interdisciplinary Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Qingmei Zeng
- Optogenetics and Synthetic Biology Interdisciplinary Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Renmei Liu
- Optogenetics and Synthetic Biology Interdisciplinary Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiuning Lin
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuzheng Zhao
- Optogenetics and Synthetic Biology Interdisciplinary Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Aiming Ren
- Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
- Department of Orthopedics Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Linyong Zhu
- Optogenetics and Synthetic Biology Interdisciplinary Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China.
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China.
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Yi Yang
- Optogenetics and Synthetic Biology Interdisciplinary Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China.
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China.
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20
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Choudhary N, Tandi D, Verma RK, Yadav VK, Dhingra N, Ghosh T, Choudhary M, Gaur RK, Abdellatif MH, Gacem A, Eltayeb LB, Alqahtani MS, Yadav KK, Jeon BH. A comprehensive appraisal of mechanism of anti-CRISPR proteins: an advanced genome editor to amend the CRISPR gene editing. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1164461. [PMID: 37426982 PMCID: PMC10328345 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1164461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
The development of precise and controlled CRISPR-Cas tools has been made possible by the discovery of protein inhibitors of CRISPR-Cas systems, called anti-CRISPRs (Acrs). The Acr protein has the ability to control off-targeted mutations and impede Cas protein-editing operations. Acr can help with selective breeding, which could help plants and animals improve their valuable features. In this review, the Acr protein-based inhibitory mechanisms that have been adopted by several Acrs, such as (a) the interruption of CRISPR-Cas complex assembly, (b) interference with target DNA binding, (c) blocking of target DNA/RNA cleavage, and (d) enzymatic modification or degradation of signalling molecules, were discussed. In addition, this review emphasizes the applications of Acr proteins in the plant research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nisha Choudhary
- Department of Biosciences, School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Mody University of Science and Technology, Lakshmangarh, Rajasthan, India
| | - Dipty Tandi
- Department of Biosciences, School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Mody University of Science and Technology, Lakshmangarh, Rajasthan, India
| | - Rakesh Kumar Verma
- Department of Biosciences, School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Mody University of Science and Technology, Lakshmangarh, Rajasthan, India
| | - Virendra Kumar Yadav
- Department of Biosciences, School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Mody University of Science and Technology, Lakshmangarh, Rajasthan, India
| | - Naveen Dhingra
- Department of Agriculture, Medi-Caps University, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Tathagata Ghosh
- Department of Arts, School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Mody University of Science and Technology, Lakshmangarh, Rajasthan, India
| | - Mahima Choudhary
- Department of Biosciences, School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Mody University of Science and Technology, Lakshmangarh, Rajasthan, India
| | - Rajarshi K. Gaur
- Department of Biotechnology, Deen Dayal Upadhyaya (D.D.U.) Gorakhpur University, Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Magda H. Abdellatif
- Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences, Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia
| | - Amel Gacem
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Sciences, University 20 Août 1955, Skikda, Algeria
| | - Lienda Bashier Eltayeb
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam Bin AbdulAziz University-Al-Kharj, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed S. Alqahtani
- Radiological Sciences Department, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
- Research Center for Advanced Materials Sciences (RCAMS), King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
| | - Krishna Kumar Yadav
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Madhyanchal Professional University, Ratibad, India
- Environmental and Atmospheric Sciences Research Group, Scientific Research Center, Al-Ayen University, Thi-Qar, Nasiriyah, Iraq
| | - Byong-Hun Jeon
- Department of Earth Resources and Environmental Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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21
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Nagasawa Y, Ueda HH, Kawabata H, Murakoshi H. LOV2-based photoactivatable CaMKII and its application to single synapses: Local Optogenetics. Biophys Physicobiol 2023; 20:e200027. [PMID: 38496236 PMCID: PMC10941968 DOI: 10.2142/biophysico.bppb-v20.0027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Optogenetic techniques offer a high spatiotemporal resolution to manipulate cellular activity. For instance, Channelrhodopsin-2 with global light illumination is the most widely used to control neuronal activity at the cellular level. However, the cellular scale is much larger than the diffraction limit of light (<1 μm) and does not fully exploit the features of the "high spatial resolution" of optogenetics. For instance, until recently, there were no optogenetic methods to induce synaptic plasticity at the level of single synapses. To address this, we developed an optogenetic tool named photoactivatable CaMKII (paCaMKII) by fusing a light-sensitive domain (LOV2) to CaMKIIα, which is a protein abundantly expressed in neurons of the cerebrum and hippocampus and essential for synaptic plasticity. Combining photoactivatable CaMKII with two-photon excitation, we successfully activated it in single spines, inducing synaptic plasticity (long-term potentiation) in hippocampal neurons. We refer to this method as "Local Optogenetics", which involves the local activation of molecules and measurement of cellular responses. In this review, we will discuss the characteristics of LOV2, the recent development of its derivatives, and the development and application of paCaMKII.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yutaro Nagasawa
- Supportive Center for Brain Research, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Okazaki, Aichi 444-8585, Japan
- Department of Physiological Sciences, SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Okazaki, Aichi 444-8585, Japan
| | - Hiromi H Ueda
- Supportive Center for Brain Research, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Okazaki, Aichi 444-8585, Japan
- Department of Physiological Sciences, SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Okazaki, Aichi 444-8585, Japan
| | - Haruka Kawabata
- Supportive Center for Brain Research, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Okazaki, Aichi 444-8585, Japan
- Department of Physiological Sciences, SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Okazaki, Aichi 444-8585, Japan
| | - Hideji Murakoshi
- Supportive Center for Brain Research, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Okazaki, Aichi 444-8585, Japan
- Department of Physiological Sciences, SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Okazaki, Aichi 444-8585, Japan
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22
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Zhang L, Xie X, Djokovic N, Nikolic K, Kosenkov D, Abendroth F, Vázquez O. Reversible Control of RNA Splicing by Photoswitchable Small Molecules. J Am Chem Soc 2023. [PMID: 37276581 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c03275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Dynamics are intrinsic to both RNA function and structure. Yet, the available means to precisely provide RNA-based processes with spatiotemporal resolution are scarce. Here, our work pioneers a reversible approach to regulate RNA splicing within primary patient-derived cells by synthetic photoswitches. Our small molecule enables conditional real-time control at mRNA and protein levels. NMR experiments, together with theoretical calculations, photochemical characterization, fluorescence polarization measurements, and living cell-based assays, confirmed light-dependent exon inclusion as well as an increase in the target functional protein. Therefore, we first demonstrated the potential of photopharmacology modulation in splicing, tweaking the current optochemical toolkit. The timeliness on the consolidation of RNA research as the driving force toward therapeutical innovation holds the promise that our approach will contribute to redrawing the vision of RNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Marburg, Marburg, D-35043, Germany
| | - Xiulan Xie
- Department of Chemistry, University of Marburg, Marburg, D-35043, Germany
| | - Nemanja Djokovic
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, 11000, Serbia
| | - Katarina Nikolic
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, 11000, Serbia
| | - Dmitri Kosenkov
- Department of Chemistry and Physics, Monmouth University, West Long Branch, New Jersey 07764, United States
| | - Frank Abendroth
- Department of Chemistry, University of Marburg, Marburg, D-35043, Germany
| | - Olalla Vázquez
- Department of Chemistry, University of Marburg, Marburg, D-35043, Germany
- Center for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO), University of Marburg, Marburg, D-35043, Germany
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23
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Blake LA, Liu Y, Inoue T, Wu B. A Rapid Inducible RNA Decay system reveals fast mRNA decay in P-bodies. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.26.538452. [PMID: 37162943 PMCID: PMC10168379 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.26.538452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
RNA decay plays a crucial role in regulating mRNA abundance and gene expression. Modulation of RNA degradation is imperative to investigate an RNA's function. However, information regarding where and how RNA decay occurs remains scarce, partially because existing technologies fail to initiate RNA decay with the spatiotemporal precision or transcript specificity required to capture this stochastic and transient process. Here, we devised a general method that employs inducible tethering of regulatory protein factors to target RNAs and modulate their metabolism. Specifically, we established a Rapid Inducible Decay of RNA (RIDR) technology to degrade target mRNA within minutes. The fast and synchronous induction enabled direct visualization of mRNA decay dynamics in cells with spatiotemporal precision previously unattainable. When applying RIDR to endogenous ACTB mRNA, we observed rapid formation and disappearance of RNA granules, which coincided with pre-existing processing bodies (P-bodies). We measured the time-resolved RNA distribution in P-bodies and cytoplasm after induction, and compared different models of P-body function. We determined that mRNAs rapidly decayed in P-bodies upon induction. Additionally, we validated the functional role of P-bodies by knocking down specific a P-body constituent protein and RNA degradation enzyme. This study determined compartmentalized RNA decay kinetics for the first time. Together, RIDR provides a valuable and generalizable tool to study the spatial and temporal RNA metabolism in cells.
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24
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Mao M, Qian Y, Zhang W, Zhou S, Wang Z, Chen X, Yang Y. Controlling protein stability with SULI, a highly sensitive tag for stabilization upon light induction. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2172. [PMID: 37061509 PMCID: PMC10105765 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37830-0] [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: 10/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Optogenetics tools for precise temporal and spatial control of protein abundance are valuable in studying diverse complex biological processes. In the present study, we engineer a monomeric tag of stabilization upon light induction (SULI) for yeast and zebrafish based on a single light-oxygen-voltage domain from Neurospora crassa. Proteins of interest fused with SULI are stable upon light illumination but are readily degraded after transfer to dark conditions. SULI shows a high dynamic range and a high tolerance to fusion at different positions of the target protein. Further studies reveal that SULI-mediated degradation occurs through a lysine ubiquitination-independent proteasome pathway. We demonstrate the usefulness of SULI in controlling the cell cycle in yeast and regulating protein stability in zebrafish, respectively. Overall, our data indicate that SULI is a simple and robust tool to quantitatively and spatiotemporally modulate protein levels for biotechnological or biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miaowei Mao
- Optogenetics & Synthetic Biology Interdisciplinary Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center for Biomanufacturing Technology, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Mei Long Road, Shanghai, 200237, China
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Mei Long Road, Shanghai, 200237, China
- Bio-Med Big Data Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Yajie Qian
- Optogenetics & Synthetic Biology Interdisciplinary Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center for Biomanufacturing Technology, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Mei Long Road, Shanghai, 200237, China
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Mei Long Road, Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Wenyao Zhang
- Optogenetics & Synthetic Biology Interdisciplinary Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center for Biomanufacturing Technology, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Mei Long Road, Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Siyu Zhou
- Optogenetics & Synthetic Biology Interdisciplinary Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center for Biomanufacturing Technology, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Mei Long Road, Shanghai, 200237, China
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Mei Long Road, Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Zefeng Wang
- Bio-Med Big Data Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Xianjun Chen
- Optogenetics & Synthetic Biology Interdisciplinary Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center for Biomanufacturing Technology, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Mei Long Road, Shanghai, 200237, China.
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Mei Long Road, Shanghai, 200237, China.
| | - Yi Yang
- Optogenetics & Synthetic Biology Interdisciplinary Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center for Biomanufacturing Technology, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Mei Long Road, Shanghai, 200237, China.
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Mei Long Road, Shanghai, 200237, China.
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25
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Qian Y, Li T, Zhou S, Chen X, Yang Y. A Single-Component Optogenetic Gal4-UAS System Allows Stringent Control of Gene Expression in Zebrafish and Drosophila. ACS Synth Biol 2023; 12:664-671. [PMID: 36891673 PMCID: PMC10029753 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.2c00410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2022] [Indexed: 03/10/2023]
Abstract
The light-regulated Gal4-UAS system has offered new ways to control cellular activities with precise spatial and temporal resolution in zebrafish and Drosophila. However, the existing optogenetic Gal4-UAS systems suffer from having multiple protein components and a dependence on extraneous light-sensitive cofactors, which increase the technical complexity and limit the portability of these systems. To overcome these limitations, we herein describe the development of a novel optogenetic Gal4-UAS system (ltLightOn) for both zebrafish and Drosophila based on a single light-switchable transactivator, termed GAVPOLT, which dimerizes and binds to gene promoters to activate transgene expression upon blue light illumination. The ltLightOn system is independent of exogenous cofactors and exhibits a more than 2400-fold ON/OFF gene expression ratio, allowing quantitative, spatial, and temporal control of gene expression. We further demonstrate the usefulness of the ltLightOn system in regulating zebrafish embryonic development by controlling the expression of lefty1 by light. We believe that this single-component optogenetic system will be immensely useful in understanding the gene function and behavioral circuits in zebrafish and Drosophila.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yajie Qian
- Optogenetics
& Synthetic Biology Interdisciplinary Research Center, State Key
Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East
China University of Science and Technology, 130 Mei Long Road, Shanghai 200237, China
- Shanghai
Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism,
School of Pharmacy, East China University
of Science and Technology, 130 Mei Long Road, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Ting Li
- Optogenetics
& Synthetic Biology Interdisciplinary Research Center, State Key
Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East
China University of Science and Technology, 130 Mei Long Road, Shanghai 200237, China
- Shanghai
Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism,
School of Pharmacy, East China University
of Science and Technology, 130 Mei Long Road, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Siyu Zhou
- Optogenetics
& Synthetic Biology Interdisciplinary Research Center, State Key
Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East
China University of Science and Technology, 130 Mei Long Road, Shanghai 200237, China
- Shanghai
Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism,
School of Pharmacy, East China University
of Science and Technology, 130 Mei Long Road, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Xianjun Chen
- Optogenetics
& Synthetic Biology Interdisciplinary Research Center, State Key
Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East
China University of Science and Technology, 130 Mei Long Road, Shanghai 200237, China
- Shanghai
Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism,
School of Pharmacy, East China University
of Science and Technology, 130 Mei Long Road, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Yi Yang
- Optogenetics
& Synthetic Biology Interdisciplinary Research Center, State Key
Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East
China University of Science and Technology, 130 Mei Long Road, Shanghai 200237, China
- Shanghai
Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism,
School of Pharmacy, East China University
of Science and Technology, 130 Mei Long Road, Shanghai 200237, China
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26
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Grünewald J, Miller BR, Szalay RN, Cabeceiras PK, Woodilla CJ, Holtz EJB, Petri K, Joung JK. Engineered CRISPR prime editors with compact, untethered reverse transcriptases. Nat Biotechnol 2023; 41:337-343. [PMID: 36163548 PMCID: PMC10023297 DOI: 10.1038/s41587-022-01473-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The CRISPR prime editor PE2 consists of a Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9 nickase (nSpCas9) fused at its C-terminus to a Moloney murine leukemia virus reverse transcriptase (MMLV-RT). Here we show that separated nSpCas9 and MMLV-RT proteins function as efficiently as intact PE2 in human cells. We use this Split-PE system to rapidly identify and engineer more compact prime editor architectures that also broaden the types of RTs used for prime editing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian Grünewald
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA.
- Center for Cancer Research and Center for Computational and Integrative Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA.
- Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- First Department of Medicine, Cardiology, Angiology, Pneumology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Munich, Germany.
- Center for Organoid Systems and Tissue Engineering (COS), Garching, Germany.
- TranslaTUM - Organoid Hub, Munich, Germany.
- DZHK (German Center of Cardiovascular Research), Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany.
| | - Bret R Miller
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Center for Cancer Research and Center for Computational and Integrative Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Regan N Szalay
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Center for Cancer Research and Center for Computational and Integrative Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Peter K Cabeceiras
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Center for Cancer Research and Center for Computational and Integrative Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Christopher J Woodilla
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Center for Cancer Research and Center for Computational and Integrative Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Eliza Jane B Holtz
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Center for Cancer Research and Center for Computational and Integrative Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Karl Petri
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Center for Cancer Research and Center for Computational and Integrative Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - J Keith Joung
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA.
- Center for Cancer Research and Center for Computational and Integrative Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA.
- Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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27
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Wang M, Liu Y, Wang Z, Qiao L, Ma X, Hu L, Kong D, Wang Y, Ye H. An Optogenetic-Controlled Cell Reprogramming System for Driving Cell Fate and Light-Responsive Chimeric Mice. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2202858. [PMID: 36507552 PMCID: PMC9896073 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202202858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2022] [Revised: 11/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) hold great promise for cell-based therapies, disease modeling, and drug discovery. Classic somatic cell reprogramming to generate induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) is often achieved based on overexpression of transcription factors (TFs). However, this process is limited by side effect of overexpressed TFs and unpredicted targeting of TFs. Pinpoint control over endogenous TFs expression can provide the ability to reprogram cell fate and tissue function. Here, a light-inducible cell reprogramming (LIRE) system is developed based on a photoreceptor protein cryptochrome system and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/nuclease-deficient CRISPR-associated protein 9 for induced PSCs reprogramming. This system enables remote, non-invasive optogenetical regulation of endogenous Sox2 and Oct4 loci to reprogram mouse embryonic fibroblasts into iPSCs (iPSCLIRE ) under light-emitting diode-based illumination. iPSCLIRE cells can be efficiently differentiated into different cells by upregulating a corresponding TF. iPSCLIRE cells are used for blastocyst injection and optogenetic chimeric mice are successfully generated, which enables non-invasive control of user-defined endogenous genes in vivo, providing a valuable tool for facile and traceless controlled gene expression studies and genetic screens in mice. This LIRE system offers a remote, traceless, and non-invasive approach for cellular reprogramming and modeling of complex human diseases in basic biological research and regenerative medicine applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meiyan Wang
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Genome Editing and Cell TherapyBiomedical Synthetic Biology Research CenterShanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory BiologyInstitute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life SciencesEast China Normal UniversityDongchuan Road 500Shanghai200241China
| | - Yuanxiao Liu
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Genome Editing and Cell TherapyBiomedical Synthetic Biology Research CenterShanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory BiologyInstitute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life SciencesEast China Normal UniversityDongchuan Road 500Shanghai200241China
| | - Ziwei Wang
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Genome Editing and Cell TherapyBiomedical Synthetic Biology Research CenterShanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory BiologyInstitute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life SciencesEast China Normal UniversityDongchuan Road 500Shanghai200241China
| | - Longliang Qiao
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Genome Editing and Cell TherapyBiomedical Synthetic Biology Research CenterShanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory BiologyInstitute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life SciencesEast China Normal UniversityDongchuan Road 500Shanghai200241China
| | - Xiaoding Ma
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Genome Editing and Cell TherapyBiomedical Synthetic Biology Research CenterShanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory BiologyInstitute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life SciencesEast China Normal UniversityDongchuan Road 500Shanghai200241China
| | - Lingfeng Hu
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Genome Editing and Cell TherapyBiomedical Synthetic Biology Research CenterShanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory BiologyInstitute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life SciencesEast China Normal UniversityDongchuan Road 500Shanghai200241China
| | - Deqiang Kong
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Genome Editing and Cell TherapyBiomedical Synthetic Biology Research CenterShanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory BiologyInstitute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life SciencesEast China Normal UniversityDongchuan Road 500Shanghai200241China
| | - Yuan Wang
- Department of Animal Sciences, College of Agriculture and Natural ResourcesMichigan State UniversityEast LansingMI48824USA
| | - Haifeng Ye
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Genome Editing and Cell TherapyBiomedical Synthetic Biology Research CenterShanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory BiologyInstitute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life SciencesEast China Normal UniversityDongchuan Road 500Shanghai200241China
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28
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Roles of RNA-binding proteins in neurological disorders, COVID-19, and cancer. Hum Cell 2023; 36:493-514. [PMID: 36528839 PMCID: PMC9760055 DOI: 10.1007/s13577-022-00843-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) have emerged as important players in multiple biological processes including transcription regulation, splicing, R-loop homeostasis, DNA rearrangement, miRNA function, biogenesis, and ribosome biogenesis. A large number of RBPs had already been identified by different approaches in various organisms and exhibited regulatory functions on RNAs' fate. RBPs can either directly or indirectly interact with their target RNAs or mRNAs to assume a key biological function whose outcome may trigger disease or normal biological events. They also exert distinct functions related to their canonical and non-canonical forms. This review summarizes the current understanding of a wide range of RBPs' functions and highlights their emerging roles in the regulation of diverse pathways, different physiological processes, and their molecular links with diseases. Various types of diseases, encompassing colorectal carcinoma, non-small cell lung carcinoma, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, aberrantly express RBPs. We also highlight some recent advances in the field that could prompt the development of RBPs-based therapeutic interventions.
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29
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Lan TH, He L, Huang Y, Zhou Y. Optogenetics for transcriptional programming and genetic engineering. Trends Genet 2022; 38:1253-1270. [PMID: 35738948 PMCID: PMC10484296 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2022.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Revised: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Optogenetics combines genetics and biophotonics to enable noninvasive control of biological processes with high spatiotemporal precision. When engineered into protein machineries that govern the cellular information flow as depicted in the central dogma, multiple genetically encoded non-opsin photosensory modules have been harnessed to modulate gene transcription, DNA or RNA modifications, DNA recombination, and genome engineering by utilizing photons emitting in the wide range of 200-1000 nm. We present herein generally applicable modular strategies for optogenetic engineering and highlight latest advances in the broad applications of opsin-free optogenetics to program transcriptional outputs and precisely manipulate the mammalian genome, epigenome, and epitranscriptome. We also discuss current challenges and future trends in opsin-free optogenetics, which has been rapidly evolving to meet the growing needs in synthetic biology and genetics research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tien-Hung Lan
- Center for Translational Cancer Research, Institute of Biosciences and Technology, Texas A&M University, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Lian He
- Center for Translational Cancer Research, Institute of Biosciences and Technology, Texas A&M University, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Yun Huang
- Center for Epigenetics and Disease Prevention, Institute of Biosciences and Technology, Texas A&M University, Houston, TX, USA.
| | - Yubin Zhou
- Center for Translational Cancer Research, Institute of Biosciences and Technology, Texas A&M University, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Translational Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Texas A&M University, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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Ranzani AT, Wehrmann M, Kaiser J, Juraschitz M, Weber AM, Pietruschka G, Gerken U, Mayer G, Möglich A. Light-Dependent Control of Bacterial Expression at the mRNA Level. ACS Synth Biol 2022; 11:3482-3492. [PMID: 36129831 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.2c00365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Sensory photoreceptors mediate numerous light-dependent adaptations across organisms. In optogenetics, photoreceptors achieve the reversible, non-invasive, and spatiotemporally precise control by light of gene expression and other cellular processes. The light-oxygen-voltage receptor PAL binds to small RNA aptamers with sequence specificity upon blue-light illumination. By embedding the responsive aptamer in the ribosome-binding sequence of genes of interest, their expression can be downregulated by light. We developed the pCrepusculo and pAurora optogenetic systems that are based on PAL and allow to down- and upregulate, respectively, bacterial gene expression using blue light. Both systems are realized as compact, single plasmids that exhibit stringent blue-light responses with low basal activity and up to several 10-fold dynamic range. As PAL exerts light-dependent control at the RNA level, it can be combined with other optogenetic circuits that control transcription initiation. By integrating regulatory mechanisms operating at the DNA and mRNA levels, optogenetic circuits with emergent properties can thus be devised. As a case in point, the pEnumbra setup permits to upregulate gene expression under moderate blue light whereas strong blue light shuts off expression again. Beyond providing novel signal-responsive expression systems for diverse applications in biotechnology and synthetic biology, our work also illustrates how the light-dependent PAL-aptamer interaction can be harnessed for the control and interrogation of RNA-based processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Américo T Ranzani
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Bayreuth, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Markus Wehrmann
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Bayreuth, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Jennifer Kaiser
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Bayreuth, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Marc Juraschitz
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Bayreuth, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Anna M Weber
- Life and Medical Sciences (LIMES), University of Bonn, 53121 Bonn, Germany
| | - Georg Pietruschka
- Life and Medical Sciences (LIMES), University of Bonn, 53121 Bonn, Germany
| | - Uwe Gerken
- Lehrstuhl für Spektroskopie weicher Materie, University of Bayreuth, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Günter Mayer
- Life and Medical Sciences (LIMES), University of Bonn, 53121 Bonn, Germany.,Center of Aptamer Research & Development, University of Bonn, 53121 Bonn, Germany
| | - Andreas Möglich
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Bayreuth, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany.,Bayreuth Center for Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Universität Bayreuth, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany.,North-Bavarian NMR Center, Universität Bayreuth, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany
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Liu R, Fang M, Chen X, Yang Y. The status and challenges of optogenetic tools for precise spatiotemporal control of RNA metabolism and function. Clin Transl Med 2022; 12:e1078. [PMID: 36245329 PMCID: PMC9574486 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.1078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Renmei Liu
- Optogenetics & Synthetic Biology Interdisciplinary Research CenterState Key Laboratory of Bioreactor EngineeringShanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell MetabolismEast China University of Science and TechnologyShanghaiChina
| | - Mengyue Fang
- Optogenetics & Synthetic Biology Interdisciplinary Research CenterState Key Laboratory of Bioreactor EngineeringShanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell MetabolismEast China University of Science and TechnologyShanghaiChina,School of PharmacyEast China University of Science and TechnologyShanghaiChina
| | - Xianjun Chen
- Optogenetics & Synthetic Biology Interdisciplinary Research CenterState Key Laboratory of Bioreactor EngineeringShanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell MetabolismEast China University of Science and TechnologyShanghaiChina,School of PharmacyEast China University of Science and TechnologyShanghaiChina
| | - Yi Yang
- Optogenetics & Synthetic Biology Interdisciplinary Research CenterState Key Laboratory of Bioreactor EngineeringShanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell MetabolismEast China University of Science and TechnologyShanghaiChina,School of PharmacyEast China University of Science and TechnologyShanghaiChina
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Li J, Zhang X, Ren P, Wu Y, Wang Y, Zhou W, Wang Z, Chao P. Landscape of RNA-binding proteins in diagnostic utility, immune cell infiltration and PANoptosis features of heart failure. Front Genet 2022; 13:1004163. [PMID: 36313471 PMCID: PMC9614340 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.1004163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: Heart failure remains a global public health problem linked to rising morbidity and mortality. RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are crucial regulators in post-transcriptionally determining gene expression. Our study aimed to comprehensively elucidate the diagnostic utility and biological roles of RBPs in heart failure. Methods: Genomic data of human failing and nonfailing left ventricular myocardium specimens were retrieved from the GEO datasets. Heart failure-specific RBPs were screened with differential expression analyses, and RBP-based subtypes were clustered with consensus clustering approach. GSEA was implemented for comparing KEGG pathways across subtypes. RBP-based subtype-related genes were screened with WGCNA. Afterwards, characteristic genes were selected through integrating LASSO and SVM-RFE approaches. A nomogram based on characteristic genes was established and verified through calibration curve, decision curve and clinical impact curve analyses. The abundance of immune cell types was estimated with CIBERSORT approach. Results: Heart failure-specific RBPs were determined, which were remarkably linked to RNA metabolism process. Three RBP-based subtypes (namely C1, C2, C3) were established, characterized by distinct pathway activities and PANoptosis gene levels. C2 subtype presented the highest abundance of immune cells, followed by C1 and C3. Afterwards, ten characteristic genes were selected, which enabled to reliably diagnose heart failure risk. The characteristic gene-based nomogram enabled to accurately predict risk of heart failure, with the excellent clinical utility. Additionally, characteristic genes correlated to immune cell infiltration and PANoptosis genes. Conclusion: Our findings comprehensively described the roles of RBPs in heart failure. Further research is required for verifying the effectiveness of RBP-based subtypes and characteristic genes in heart failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Li
- Department of Cardiology, People’s Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Urumqi, China
| | - Xueqin Zhang
- Department of Nephrology, People’s Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Urumqi, China
| | - Peng Ren
- Department of Cardiology, People’s Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Urumqi, China
| | - Yu Wu
- Department of Medical Administration, People’s Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Urumqi, China
| | - Yaoguo Wang
- Department of Information Center, People’s Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Urumqi, China
| | - Wenzheng Zhou
- Department of Orthopaedics, People’s Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Urumqi, China
- *Correspondence: Wenzheng Zhou, ; Zhao Wang, ; Peng Chao,
| | - Zhao Wang
- Department of Cardiology, People’s Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Urumqi, China
- *Correspondence: Wenzheng Zhou, ; Zhao Wang, ; Peng Chao,
| | - Peng Chao
- Department of Cardiology, People’s Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Urumqi, China
- *Correspondence: Wenzheng Zhou, ; Zhao Wang, ; Peng Chao,
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Ohlendorf R, Möglich A. Light-regulated gene expression in Bacteria: Fundamentals, advances, and perspectives. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:1029403. [PMID: 36312534 PMCID: PMC9614035 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.1029403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Numerous photoreceptors and genetic circuits emerged over the past two decades and now enable the light-dependent i.e., optogenetic, regulation of gene expression in bacteria. Prompted by light cues in the near-ultraviolet to near-infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum, gene expression can be up- or downregulated stringently, reversibly, non-invasively, and with precision in space and time. Here, we survey the underlying principles, available options, and prominent examples of optogenetically regulated gene expression in bacteria. While transcription initiation and elongation remain most important for optogenetic intervention, other processes e.g., translation and downstream events, were also rendered light-dependent. The optogenetic control of bacterial expression predominantly employs but three fundamental strategies: light-sensitive two-component systems, oligomerization reactions, and second-messenger signaling. Certain optogenetic circuits moved beyond the proof-of-principle and stood the test of practice. They enable unprecedented applications in three major areas. First, light-dependent expression underpins novel concepts and strategies for enhanced yields in microbial production processes. Second, light-responsive bacteria can be optogenetically stimulated while residing within the bodies of animals, thus prompting the secretion of compounds that grant health benefits to the animal host. Third, optogenetics allows the generation of precisely structured, novel biomaterials. These applications jointly testify to the maturity of the optogenetic approach and serve as blueprints bound to inspire and template innovative use cases of light-regulated gene expression in bacteria. Researchers pursuing these lines can choose from an ever-growing, versatile, and efficient toolkit of optogenetic circuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Ohlendorf
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Andreas Möglich
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
- Bayreuth Center for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universität Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
- North-Bavarian NMR Center, Universität Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
- *Correspondence: Andreas Möglich,
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Zhang H, Fang H, Liu D, Zhang Y, Adu-Amankwaah J, Yuan J, Tan R, Zhu J. Applications and challenges of rhodopsin-based optogenetics in biomedicine. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:966772. [PMID: 36213746 PMCID: PMC9537737 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.966772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Optogenetics is an emerging bioengineering technology that has been rapidly developed in recent years by cross-integrating optics, genetic engineering, electrophysiology, software control, and other disciplines. Since the first demonstration of the millisecond neuromodulation ability of the channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2), the application of optogenetic technology in basic life science research has been rapidly progressed, especially in neurobiology, which has driven the development of the discipline. As the optogenetic tool protein, microbial rhodopsins have been continuously explored, modified, and optimized, with many variants becoming available, with structural characteristics and functions that are highly diversified. Their applicability has been broadened, encouraging more researchers and clinicians to utilize optogenetics technology in research. In this review, we summarize the species and variant types of the most important class of tool proteins in optogenetic techniques, the microbial rhodopsins, and review the current applications of optogenetics based on rhodopsin qualitative light in biology and other fields. We also review the challenges facing this technology, to ultimately provide an in-depth technical reference to support the application of optogenetics in translational and clinical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanci Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, China
| | - Hui Fang
- College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, China
| | - Deqiang Liu
- College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, China
| | - Yiming Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, China
| | - Joseph Adu-Amankwaah
- Department of Physiology, Basic Medical School, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Jinxiang Yuan
- College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Birth Defect Research and Transformation of Shandong Province, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
- Lin He’s Academician Workstation of New Medicine and Clinical Translation, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
- *Correspondence: Jinxiang Yuan,
| | - Rubin Tan
- Department of Physiology, Basic Medical School, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
- Rubin Tan,
| | - Jianping Zhu
- College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, China
- Jianping Zhu,
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Fischer AAM, Kramer MM, Radziwill G, Weber W. Shedding light on current trends in molecular optogenetics. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2022; 70:102196. [PMID: 35988347 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2022.102196] [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] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Molecular optogenetics is a highly dynamic research field. In the past two years, the field was characterized by the development of new allosteric switches as well as the forward integration of optogenetics research towards application. Further, two areas of research have significantly gathered momentum, the use of optogenetics to control liquid-liquid phase separation as well as the application of optogenetic tools in the extracellular space. Here, we review these areas and discuss future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra A M Fischer
- Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS, University of Freiburg, Schänzlestraße 18, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Schänzlestraße 18, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; Spemann Graduate School of Biology and Medicine (SGBM), University of Freiburg, Albertstrasse 21a, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Markus M Kramer
- Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS, University of Freiburg, Schänzlestraße 18, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Schänzlestraße 18, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; Spemann Graduate School of Biology and Medicine (SGBM), University of Freiburg, Albertstrasse 21a, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Gerald Radziwill
- Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS, University of Freiburg, Schänzlestraße 18, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Schänzlestraße 18, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; Spemann Graduate School of Biology and Medicine (SGBM), University of Freiburg, Albertstrasse 21a, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Wilfried Weber
- Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS, University of Freiburg, Schänzlestraße 18, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Schänzlestraße 18, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; Spemann Graduate School of Biology and Medicine (SGBM), University of Freiburg, Albertstrasse 21a, 79104 Freiburg, Germany.
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McCue AC, Kuhlman B. Design and engineering of light-sensitive protein switches. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2022; 74:102377. [PMID: 35461160 PMCID: PMC9968517 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2022.102377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Engineered, light-sensitive protein switches are used to interrogate a broad variety of biological processes. These switches are typically constructed by genetically fusing naturally occurring light-responsive protein domains with functional domains from other proteins. Protein activity can be controlled using a variety of mechanisms including light-induced colocalization, caging, and allosteric regulation. Protein design efforts have focused on reducing background signaling, maximizing the change in activity upon light stimulation, and perturbing the kinetics of switching. It is common to combine structure-based modeling with experimental screening to identify ideal fusion points between domains and discover point mutations that optimize switching. Here, we introduce commonly used light-sensitive domains and summarize recent progress in using them to regulate protein activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amelia C McCue
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Brian Kuhlman
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA; Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514, USA.
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