1
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Mathis N, Allam A, Tálas A, Kissling L, Benvenuto E, Schmidheini L, Schep R, Damodharan T, Balázs Z, Janjuha S, Ioannidi EI, Böck D, van Steensel B, Krauthammer M, Schwank G. Machine learning prediction of prime editing efficiency across diverse chromatin contexts. Nat Biotechnol 2024:10.1038/s41587-024-02268-2. [PMID: 38907037 DOI: 10.1038/s41587-024-02268-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024]
Abstract
The success of prime editing depends on the prime editing guide RNA (pegRNA) design and target locus. Here, we developed machine learning models that reliably predict prime editing efficiency. PRIDICT2.0 assesses the performance of pegRNAs for all edit types up to 15 bp in length in mismatch repair-deficient and mismatch repair-proficient cell lines and in vivo in primary cells. With ePRIDICT, we further developed a model that quantifies how local chromatin environments impact prime editing rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Mathis
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ahmed Allam
- Department of Quantitative Biomedicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - András Tálas
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Lucas Kissling
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Elena Benvenuto
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Lukas Schmidheini
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ruben Schep
- Oncode Institute, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Division of Gene Regulation, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Tanav Damodharan
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Zsolt Balázs
- Department of Quantitative Biomedicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Sharan Janjuha
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Eleonora I Ioannidi
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Desirée Böck
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Bas van Steensel
- Oncode Institute, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Division of Gene Regulation, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Michael Krauthammer
- Department of Quantitative Biomedicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Gerald Schwank
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
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2
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Kleinboehl EW, Laoharawee K, Lahr WS, Jensen JD, Peterson JJ, Bell JB, Webber BR, Moriarity BS. Development and testing of a versatile genome editing application reporter (V-GEAR) system. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2024; 32:101253. [PMID: 38764780 PMCID: PMC11101715 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2024.101253] [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: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas9 and novel cas fusion proteins leveraging specific DNA targeting ability combined with deaminases or reverse transcriptases have revolutionized genome editing. However, their efficacy heavily relies upon protein variants, targeting single guide RNAs, and surrounding DNA sequence context within the targeted loci. This necessitates the need for efficient and rapid screening methods to evaluate these editing reagents and designs. Existing plasmid-based reporters lack flexibility, being fixed to specific DNA sequences, hindering direct comparisons between various editing approaches. To address this, we developed the versatile genome editing application reporter (V-GEAR) system. V-GEAR comprises genes detectable after desired editing via base editing, prime editing, or homology-directed repair within relevant genomic contexts. It employs a detectable synthetic cell surface protein (RQR8) followed by a customizable target sequence resembling genomic regions of interest. These genes allow for reliable identification of corrective editing and cell enrichment. We validated the V-GEAR system with base editors, prime editors, and Cas9-mediated homology-directed repair. Furthermore, the V-GEAR system offers versatility by allowing transient screening or stable integration at the AAVS1 safe harbor loci, rapidly achieved through immunomagnetic isolation. This innovative system enables direct comparisons among editing technologies, accelerating the development and testing of genome editing approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan W. Kleinboehl
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Center for Genome Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Kanut Laoharawee
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Center for Genome Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Walker S. Lahr
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Center for Genome Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Jacob D. Jensen
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Center for Genome Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Joseph J. Peterson
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Center for Genome Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Jason B. Bell
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Center for Genome Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Beau R. Webber
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Center for Genome Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Branden S. Moriarity
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Center for Genome Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
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3
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Li X, Chen W, Martin BK, Calderon D, Lee C, Choi J, Chardon FM, McDiarmid TA, Daza RM, Kim H, Lalanne JB, Nathans JF, Lee DS, Shendure J. Chromatin context-dependent regulation and epigenetic manipulation of prime editing. Cell 2024; 187:2411-2427.e25. [PMID: 38608704 PMCID: PMC11088515 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2024.03.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
We set out to exhaustively characterize the impact of the cis-chromatin environment on prime editing, a precise genome engineering tool. Using a highly sensitive method for mapping the genomic locations of randomly integrated reporters, we discover massive position effects, exemplified by editing efficiencies ranging from ∼0% to 94% for an identical target site and edit. Position effects on prime editing efficiency are well predicted by chromatin marks, e.g., positively by H3K79me2 and negatively by H3K9me3. Next, we developed a multiplex perturbational framework to assess the interaction of trans-acting factors with the cis-chromatin environment on editing outcomes. Applying this framework to DNA repair factors, we identify HLTF as a context-dependent repressor of prime editing. Finally, several lines of evidence suggest that active transcriptional elongation enhances prime editing. Consistent with this, we show we can robustly decrease or increase the efficiency of prime editing by preceding it with CRISPR-mediated silencing or activation, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyi Li
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
| | - Wei Chen
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Molecular Engineering and Sciences Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Beth K Martin
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Diego Calderon
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Choli Lee
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Junhong Choi
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Florence M Chardon
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Troy A McDiarmid
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Riza M Daza
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Haedong Kim
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Jean-Benoît Lalanne
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Jenny F Nathans
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - David S Lee
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Jay Shendure
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Brotman Baty Institute for Precision Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Allen Discovery Center for Cell Lineage Tracing, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Seattle Hub for Synthetic Biology, Seattle, WA 98109, USA.
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4
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Nathans JF, Ayers JL, Shendure J, Simpson CL. Genetic Tools for Cell Lineage Tracing and Profiling Developmental Trajectories in the Skin. J Invest Dermatol 2024; 144:936-949. [PMID: 38643988 PMCID: PMC11034889 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2024.02.006] [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: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
The epidermis is the body's first line of protection against dehydration and pathogens, continually regenerating the outermost protective skin layers throughout life. During both embryonic development and wound healing, epidermal stem and progenitor cells must respond to external stimuli and insults to build, maintain, and repair the cutaneous barrier. Recent advances in CRISPR-based methods for cell lineage tracing have remarkably expanded the potential for experiments that track stem and progenitor cell proliferation and differentiation over the course of tissue and even organismal development. Additional tools for DNA-based recording of cellular signaling cues promise to deepen our understanding of the mechanisms driving normal skin morphogenesis and response to stressors as well as the dysregulation of cell proliferation and differentiation in skin diseases and cancer. In this review, we highlight cutting-edge methods for cell lineage tracing, including in organoids and model organisms, and explore how cutaneous biology researchers might leverage these techniques to elucidate the developmental programs that support the regenerative capacity and plasticity of the skin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny F Nathans
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA; Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Jessica L Ayers
- Molecular Medicine and Mechanisms of Disease PhD Program, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA; Department of Dermatology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Jay Shendure
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA; Institute for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Cory L Simpson
- Department of Dermatology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA; Institute for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.
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5
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Zeng H, Daniel TC, Lingineni A, Chee K, Talloo K, Gao X. Recent advances in prime editing technologies and their promises for therapeutic applications. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2024; 86:103071. [PMID: 38330875 PMCID: PMC10947817 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2024.103071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
Prime editing (PE) is a groundbreaking genome editing technology offering unparalleled precision in targeted genome modifications and has great potential for therapeutic applications. This review delves into the core principles of PE and emphasizes its advancements, applications, and prospects. We begin with a brief introduction to PE principles, followed by a detailed examination of recent improvements in efficiency, precision, and the scale of feasible edits. These improvements have been made to the PE systems through guide RNA engineering, protein engineering, DNA repair pathway screening, chromosomal or epigenomic modification, and in silico design and optimization tools. Furthermore, we highlight in vivo studies showcasing the therapeutic potential of PE to model and treat genetic diseases. Moreover, we discuss PE's versatile applications in saturation genome editing and its applicability to nonhuman organisms. In conclusion, we address the challenges and opportunities linked with PE, emphasizing its profound impact on biological research and therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongzhi Zeng
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA
| | - Tyler C Daniel
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA
| | - Ananya Lingineni
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA
| | - Kelly Chee
- Department of Biosciences, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA
| | - Komal Talloo
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA
| | - Xue Gao
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA; Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Center for Precision Engineering for Health, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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6
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Yan J, Oyler-Castrillo P, Ravisankar P, Ward CC, Levesque S, Jing Y, Simpson D, Zhao A, Li H, Yan W, Goudy L, Schmidt R, Solley SC, Gilbert LA, Chan MM, Bauer DE, Marson A, Parsons LR, Adamson B. Improving prime editing with an endogenous small RNA-binding protein. Nature 2024; 628:639-647. [PMID: 38570691 PMCID: PMC11023932 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07259-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
Prime editing enables the precise modification of genomes through reverse transcription of template sequences appended to the 3' ends of CRISPR-Cas guide RNAs1. To identify cellular determinants of prime editing, we developed scalable prime editing reporters and performed genome-scale CRISPR-interference screens. From these screens, a single factor emerged as the strongest mediator of prime editing: the small RNA-binding exonuclease protection factor La. Further investigation revealed that La promotes prime editing across approaches (PE2, PE3, PE4 and PE5), edit types (substitutions, insertions and deletions), endogenous loci and cell types but has no consistent effect on genome-editing approaches that rely on standard, unextended guide RNAs. Previous work has shown that La binds polyuridine tracts at the 3' ends of RNA polymerase III transcripts2. We found that La functionally interacts with the 3' ends of polyuridylated prime editing guide RNAs (pegRNAs). Guided by these results, we developed a prime editor protein (PE7) fused to the RNA-binding, N-terminal domain of La. This editor improved prime editing with expressed pegRNAs and engineered pegRNAs (epegRNAs), as well as with synthetic pegRNAs optimized for La binding. Together, our results provide key insights into how prime editing components interact with the cellular environment and suggest general strategies for stabilizing exogenous small RNAs therein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Yan
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Paul Oyler-Castrillo
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Purnima Ravisankar
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
- Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis Program, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, New York, NY, USA
| | - Carl C Ward
- Gladstone-UCSF Institute of Genomic Immunology, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Sébastien Levesque
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yangwode Jing
- Department of Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Danny Simpson
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Anqi Zhao
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Weihao Yan
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Laine Goudy
- Gladstone-UCSF Institute of Genomic Immunology, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Arc Institute, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Ralf Schmidt
- Gladstone-UCSF Institute of Genomic Immunology, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sabrina C Solley
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Luke A Gilbert
- Arc Institute, Palo Alto, CA, USA
- Department of Urology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Innovative Genomics Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Michelle M Chan
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Daniel E Bauer
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alexander Marson
- Gladstone-UCSF Institute of Genomic Immunology, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Innovative Genomics Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Lance R Parsons
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Britt Adamson
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA.
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA.
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7
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Gould SI, Wuest AN, Dong K, Johnson GA, Hsu A, Narendra VK, Atwa O, Levine SS, Liu DR, Sánchez Rivera FJ. High-throughput evaluation of genetic variants with prime editing sensor libraries. Nat Biotechnol 2024:10.1038/s41587-024-02172-9. [PMID: 38472508 DOI: 10.1038/s41587-024-02172-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
Tumor genomes often harbor a complex spectrum of single nucleotide alterations and chromosomal rearrangements that can perturb protein function. Prime editing has been applied to install and evaluate genetic variants, but previous approaches have been limited by the variable efficiency of prime editing guide RNAs. Here we present a high-throughput prime editing sensor strategy that couples prime editing guide RNAs with synthetic versions of their cognate target sites to quantitatively assess the functional impact of endogenous genetic variants. We screen over 1,000 endogenous cancer-associated variants of TP53-the most frequently mutated gene in cancer-to identify alleles that impact p53 function in mechanistically diverse ways. We find that certain endogenous TP53 variants, particularly those in the p53 oligomerization domain, display opposite phenotypes in exogenous overexpression systems. Our results emphasize the physiological importance of gene dosage in shaping native protein stoichiometry and protein-protein interactions, and establish a framework for studying genetic variants in their endogenous sequence context at scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel I Gould
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Alexandra N Wuest
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Kexin Dong
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Grace A Johnson
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Alvin Hsu
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Varun K Narendra
- Cancer Biology and Genetics Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ondine Atwa
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Stuart S Levine
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - David R Liu
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Francisco J Sánchez Rivera
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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8
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Truong DJJ, Geilenkeuser J, Wendel SV, Wilming JCH, Armbrust N, Binder EMH, Santl TH, Siebenhaar A, Gruber C, Phlairaharn T, Živanić M, Westmeyer GG. Exonuclease-enhanced prime editors. Nat Methods 2024; 21:455-464. [PMID: 38302659 PMCID: PMC10927552 DOI: 10.1038/s41592-023-02162-w] [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: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Prime editing (PE) is a powerful gene-editing technique based on targeted gRNA-templated reverse transcription and integration of the de novo synthesized single-stranded DNA. To circumvent one of the main bottlenecks of the method, the competition of the reverse-transcribed 3' flap with the original 5' flap DNA, we generated an enhanced fluorescence-activated cell sorting reporter cell line to develop an exonuclease-enhanced PE strategy ('Exo-PE') composed of an improved PE complex and an aptamer-recruited DNA-exonuclease to remove the 5' original DNA flap. Exo-PE achieved better overall editing efficacy than the reference PE2 strategy for insertions ≥30 base pairs in several endogenous loci and cell lines while maintaining the high editing precision of PE2. By enabling the precise incorporation of larger insertions, Exo-PE complements the growing palette of different PE tools and spurs additional refinements of the PE machinery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong-Jiunn Jeffery Truong
- Institute for Synthetic Biomedicine, Helmholtz Munich, Neuherberg, Germany
- Department of Bioscience, TUM School of Natural Sciences and TUM School of Medicine,Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Julian Geilenkeuser
- Institute for Synthetic Biomedicine, Helmholtz Munich, Neuherberg, Germany
- Department of Bioscience, TUM School of Natural Sciences and TUM School of Medicine,Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Stephanie Victoria Wendel
- Institute for Synthetic Biomedicine, Helmholtz Munich, Neuherberg, Germany
- Department of Bioscience, TUM School of Natural Sciences and TUM School of Medicine,Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Julius Clemens Heinrich Wilming
- Institute for Synthetic Biomedicine, Helmholtz Munich, Neuherberg, Germany
- Department of Bioscience, TUM School of Natural Sciences and TUM School of Medicine,Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Niklas Armbrust
- Institute for Synthetic Biomedicine, Helmholtz Munich, Neuherberg, Germany
- Department of Bioscience, TUM School of Natural Sciences and TUM School of Medicine,Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Eva Maria Hildegard Binder
- Institute for Synthetic Biomedicine, Helmholtz Munich, Neuherberg, Germany
- Department of Bioscience, TUM School of Natural Sciences and TUM School of Medicine,Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Tobias Heinrich Santl
- Institute for Synthetic Biomedicine, Helmholtz Munich, Neuherberg, Germany
- Department of Bioscience, TUM School of Natural Sciences and TUM School of Medicine,Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Annika Siebenhaar
- Institute for Synthetic Biomedicine, Helmholtz Munich, Neuherberg, Germany
- Department of Bioscience, TUM School of Natural Sciences and TUM School of Medicine,Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Christoph Gruber
- Institute of Developmental Genetics, Helmholtz Munich, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Teeradon Phlairaharn
- Institute for Synthetic Biomedicine, Helmholtz Munich, Neuherberg, Germany
- Department of Bioscience, TUM School of Natural Sciences and TUM School of Medicine,Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Milica Živanić
- Institute for Synthetic Biomedicine, Helmholtz Munich, Neuherberg, Germany
- Department of Bioscience, TUM School of Natural Sciences and TUM School of Medicine,Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Gil Gregor Westmeyer
- Institute for Synthetic Biomedicine, Helmholtz Munich, Neuherberg, Germany.
- Department of Bioscience, TUM School of Natural Sciences and TUM School of Medicine,Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
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9
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Kim-Yip RP, McNulty R, Joyce B, Mollica A, Chen PJ, Ravisankar P, Law BK, Liu DR, Toettcher JE, Ivakine EA, Posfai E, Adamson B. Efficient prime editing in two-cell mouse embryos using PEmbryo. Nat Biotechnol 2024:10.1038/s41587-023-02106-x. [PMID: 38321114 DOI: 10.1038/s41587-023-02106-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
Using transient inhibition of DNA mismatch repair during a permissive stage of development, we demonstrate highly efficient prime editing of mouse embryos with few unwanted, local byproducts (average 58% precise edit frequency, 0.5% on-target error frequency across 13 substitution edits at 8 sites), enabling same-generation phenotyping of founders. Whole-genome sequencing reveals that mismatch repair inhibition increases off-target indels at low-complexity regions in the genome without any obvious phenotype in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca P Kim-Yip
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Ryan McNulty
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Bradley Joyce
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Antonio Mollica
- Genetics and Genome Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Peter J Chen
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Prime Medicine, Inc., Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Purnima Ravisankar
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
- Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis Program, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, New York, NY, USA
| | - Benjamin K Law
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - David R Liu
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jared E Toettcher
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Evgueni A Ivakine
- Genetics and Genome Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Eszter Posfai
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA.
| | - Britt Adamson
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA.
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA.
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10
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Dixit S, Kumar A, Srinivasan K, Vincent PMDR, Ramu Krishnan N. Advancing genome editing with artificial intelligence: opportunities, challenges, and future directions. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2024; 11:1335901. [PMID: 38260726 PMCID: PMC10800897 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1335901] [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: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)-based genome editing (GED) technologies have unlocked exciting possibilities for understanding genes and improving medical treatments. On the other hand, Artificial intelligence (AI) helps genome editing achieve more precision, efficiency, and affordability in tackling various diseases, like Sickle cell anemia or Thalassemia. AI models have been in use for designing guide RNAs (gRNAs) for CRISPR-Cas systems. Tools like DeepCRISPR, CRISTA, and DeepHF have the capability to predict optimal guide RNAs (gRNAs) for a specified target sequence. These predictions take into account multiple factors, including genomic context, Cas protein type, desired mutation type, on-target/off-target scores, potential off-target sites, and the potential impacts of genome editing on gene function and cell phenotype. These models aid in optimizing different genome editing technologies, such as base, prime, and epigenome editing, which are advanced techniques to introduce precise and programmable changes to DNA sequences without relying on the homology-directed repair pathway or donor DNA templates. Furthermore, AI, in collaboration with genome editing and precision medicine, enables personalized treatments based on genetic profiles. AI analyzes patients' genomic data to identify mutations, variations, and biomarkers associated with different diseases like Cancer, Diabetes, Alzheimer's, etc. However, several challenges persist, including high costs, off-target editing, suitable delivery methods for CRISPR cargoes, improving editing efficiency, and ensuring safety in clinical applications. This review explores AI's contribution to improving CRISPR-based genome editing technologies and addresses existing challenges. It also discusses potential areas for future research in AI-driven CRISPR-based genome editing technologies. The integration of AI and genome editing opens up new possibilities for genetics, biomedicine, and healthcare, with significant implications for human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shriniket Dixit
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India
| | - Anant Kumar
- School of Bioscience and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India
| | - Kathiravan Srinivasan
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India
| | - P. M. Durai Raj Vincent
- School of Computer Science Engineering and Information Systems, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India
| | - Nadesh Ramu Krishnan
- School of Computer Science Engineering and Information Systems, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India
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11
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Godbout K, Rousseau J, Tremblay JP. Successful Correction by Prime Editing of a Mutation in the RYR1 Gene Responsible for a Myopathy. Cells 2023; 13:31. [PMID: 38201236 PMCID: PMC10777931 DOI: 10.3390/cells13010031] [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: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
We report the first correction from prime editing a mutation in the RYR1 gene, paving the way to gene therapies for RYR1-related myopathies. The RYR1 gene codes for a calcium channel named Ryanodine receptor 1, which is expressed in skeletal muscle fibers. The failure of this channel causes muscle weakness in patients, which leads to motor disabilities. Currently, there are no effective treatments for these diseases, which are mainly caused by point mutations. Prime editing allows for the modification of precise nucleotides in the DNA. Our results showed a 59% correction rate of the T4709M mutation in the RYR1 gene in human myoblasts by RNA delivery of the prime editing components. It is to be noted that T4709M is recessive and, thus, persons having a heterozygous mutation are healthy. These results are the first demonstration that correcting mutations in the RYR1 gene is possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly Godbout
- Molecular Biology Department, Laval University, Quebec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada;
- CHU de Québec Research Center, Laval University, Quebec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada;
| | - Joël Rousseau
- CHU de Québec Research Center, Laval University, Quebec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada;
| | - Jacques P. Tremblay
- Molecular Biology Department, Laval University, Quebec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada;
- CHU de Québec Research Center, Laval University, Quebec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada;
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12
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Martyn GE, Montgomery MT, Jones H, Guo K, Doughty BR, Linder J, Chen Z, Cochran K, Lawrence KA, Munson G, Pampari A, Fulco CP, Kelley DR, Lander ES, Kundaje A, Engreitz JM. Rewriting regulatory DNA to dissect and reprogram gene expression. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.20.572268. [PMID: 38187584 PMCID: PMC10769263 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.20.572268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
Regulatory DNA sequences within enhancers and promoters bind transcription factors to encode cell type-specific patterns of gene expression. However, the regulatory effects and programmability of such DNA sequences remain difficult to map or predict because we have lacked scalable methods to precisely edit regulatory DNA and quantify the effects in an endogenous genomic context. Here we present an approach to measure the quantitative effects of hundreds of designed DNA sequence variants on gene expression, by combining pooled CRISPR prime editing with RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization and cell sorting (Variant-FlowFISH). We apply this method to mutagenize and rewrite regulatory DNA sequences in an enhancer and the promoter of PPIF in two immune cell lines. Of 672 variant-cell type pairs, we identify 497 that affect PPIF expression. These variants appear to act through a variety of mechanisms including disruption or optimization of existing transcription factor binding sites, as well as creation of de novo sites. Disrupting a single endogenous transcription factor binding site often led to large changes in expression (up to -40% in the enhancer, and -50% in the promoter). The same variant often had different effects across cell types and states, demonstrating a highly tunable regulatory landscape. We use these data to benchmark performance of sequence-based predictive models of gene regulation, and find that certain types of variants are not accurately predicted by existing models. Finally, we computationally design 185 small sequence variants (≤10 bp) and optimize them for specific effects on expression in silico. 84% of these rationally designed edits showed the intended direction of effect, and some had dramatic effects on expression (-100% to +202%). Variant-FlowFISH thus provides a powerful tool to map the effects of variants and transcription factor binding sites on gene expression, test and improve computational models of gene regulation, and reprogram regulatory DNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriella E Martyn
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Basic Science and Engineering Initiative, Stanford Children's Health, Betty Irene Moore Children's Heart Center, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Michael T Montgomery
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Basic Science and Engineering Initiative, Stanford Children's Health, Betty Irene Moore Children's Heart Center, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Hank Jones
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Basic Science and Engineering Initiative, Stanford Children's Health, Betty Irene Moore Children's Heart Center, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Katherine Guo
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Basic Science and Engineering Initiative, Stanford Children's Health, Betty Irene Moore Children's Heart Center, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Benjamin R Doughty
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | | | - Ziwei Chen
- Department of Computer Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Kelly Cochran
- Department of Computer Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Kathryn A Lawrence
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Glen Munson
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Genomic Mechanisms of Disease, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Gene Regulation Observatory, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Anusri Pampari
- Department of Computer Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Charles P Fulco
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Present Address: Sanofi, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | - Eric S Lander
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Biology, MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Anshul Kundaje
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Computer Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Jesse M Engreitz
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Basic Science and Engineering Initiative, Stanford Children's Health, Betty Irene Moore Children's Heart Center, Stanford, CA, USA
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Genomic Mechanisms of Disease, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Gene Regulation Observatory, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
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13
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Petrova IO, Smirnikhina SA. The Development, Optimization and Future of Prime Editing. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17045. [PMID: 38069367 PMCID: PMC10707272 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242317045] [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: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Prime editing is a rapidly developing method of CRISPR/Cas-based genome editing. The increasing number of novel PE applications and improved versions demands constant analysis and evaluation. The present review covers the mechanism of prime editing, the optimization of the method and the possible next step in the evolution of CRISPR/Cas9-associated genome editing. The basic components of a prime editing system are a prime editor fusion protein, consisting of nickase and reverse transcriptase, and prime editing guide RNA, consisting of a protospacer, scaffold, primer binding site and reverse transcription template. Some prime editing systems include other parts, such as additional RNA molecules. All of these components were optimized to achieve better efficiency for different target organisms and/or compactization for viral delivery. Insights into prime editing mechanisms allowed us to increase the efficiency by recruiting mismatch repair inhibitors. However, the next step in prime editing evolution requires the incorporation of new mechanisms. Prime editors combined with integrases allow us to combine the precision of prime editing with the target insertion of large, several-kilobase-long DNA fragments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina O. Petrova
- Laboratory of Genome Editing, Research Center for Medical Genetics, Moskvorechye 1, 115478 Moscow, Russia
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14
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Capponi S, Daniels KG. Harnessing the power of artificial intelligence to advance cell therapy. Immunol Rev 2023; 320:147-165. [PMID: 37415280 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
Cell therapies are powerful technologies in which human cells are reprogrammed for therapeutic applications such as killing cancer cells or replacing defective cells. The technologies underlying cell therapies are increasing in effectiveness and complexity, making rational engineering of cell therapies more difficult. Creating the next generation of cell therapies will require improved experimental approaches and predictive models. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) methods have revolutionized several fields in biology including genome annotation, protein structure prediction, and enzyme design. In this review, we discuss the potential of combining experimental library screens and AI to build predictive models for the development of modular cell therapy technologies. Advances in DNA synthesis and high-throughput screening techniques enable the construction and screening of libraries of modular cell therapy constructs. AI and ML models trained on this screening data can accelerate the development of cell therapies by generating predictive models, design rules, and improved designs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Capponi
- Department of Functional Genomics and Cellular Engineering, IBM Almaden Research Center, San Jose, California, USA
- Center for Cellular Construction, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Kyle G Daniels
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
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15
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Doman JL, Pandey S, Neugebauer ME, An M, Davis JR, Randolph PB, McElroy A, Gao XD, Raguram A, Richter MF, Everette KA, Banskota S, Tian K, Tao YA, Tolar J, Osborn MJ, Liu DR. Phage-assisted evolution and protein engineering yield compact, efficient prime editors. Cell 2023; 186:3983-4002.e26. [PMID: 37657419 PMCID: PMC10482982 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2023.07.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Revised: 05/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023]
Abstract
Prime editing enables a wide variety of precise genome edits in living cells. Here we use protein evolution and engineering to generate prime editors with reduced size and improved efficiency. Using phage-assisted evolution, we improved editing efficiencies of compact reverse transcriptases by up to 22-fold and generated prime editors that are 516-810 base pairs smaller than the current-generation editor PEmax. We discovered that different reverse transcriptases specialize in different types of edits and used this insight to generate reverse transcriptases that outperform PEmax and PEmaxΔRNaseH, the truncated editor used in dual-AAV delivery systems. Finally, we generated Cas9 domains that improve prime editing. These resulting editors (PE6a-g) enhance therapeutically relevant editing in patient-derived fibroblasts and primary human T-cells. PE6 variants also enable longer insertions to be installed in vivo following dual-AAV delivery, achieving 40% loxP insertion in the cortex of the murine brain, a 24-fold improvement compared to previous state-of-the-art prime editors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan L Doman
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Smriti Pandey
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Monica E Neugebauer
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Meirui An
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jessie R Davis
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Peyton B Randolph
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Amber McElroy
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Xin D Gao
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Aditya Raguram
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Michelle F Richter
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Kelcee A Everette
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Samagya Banskota
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Kathryn Tian
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Y Allen Tao
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jakub Tolar
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Mark J Osborn
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - David R Liu
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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16
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Weller J, Pallaseni A, Koeppel J, Parts L. Predicting Mutations Generated by Cas9, Base Editing, and Prime Editing in Mammalian Cells. CRISPR J 2023; 6:325-338. [PMID: 37339457 DOI: 10.1089/crispr.2023.0016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The first fruits of the CRISPR-Cas revolution are starting to enter the clinic, with gene editing therapies offering solutions to previously incurable genetic diseases. The success of such applications hinges on control over the mutations that are generated, which are known to vary depending on the targeted locus. In this review, we present the current state of understanding and predicting CRISPR-Cas cutting, base editing, and prime editing outcomes in mammalian cells. We first provide an introduction to the basics of DNA repair and machine learning that the models rely on. We then overview the datasets and methods created for characterizing edits at scale, as well as the insights that have been derived from them. The predictions generated from these models serve as a foundation for designing efficient experiments across the broad contexts where these tools are applied.
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17
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Huszár K, Welker Z, Györgypál Z, Tóth E, Ligeti Z, Kulcsár P, Dancsó J, Tálas A, Krausz S, Varga É, Welker E. Position-dependent sequence motif preferences of SpCas9 are largely determined by scaffold-complementary spacer motifs. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:5847-5863. [PMID: 37140059 PMCID: PMC10287927 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2022] [Revised: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9 (SpCas9) nuclease exhibits considerable position-dependent sequence preferences. The reason behind these preferences is not well understood and is difficult to rationalise, since the protein establishes interactions with the target-spacer duplex in a sequence-independent manner. We revealed here that intramolecular interactions within the single guide RNA (sgRNA), between the spacer and the scaffold, cause most of these preferences. By using in cellulo and in vitro SpCas9 activity assays with systematically designed spacer and scaffold sequences and by analysing activity data from a large SpCas9 sequence library, we show that some long (>8 nucleotides) spacer motifs, that are complementary to the RAR unit of the scaffold, interfere with sgRNA loading, and that some motifs of more than 4 nucleotides, that are complementary to the SL1 unit, inhibit DNA binding and cleavage. Furthermore, we show that intramolecular interactions are present in the majority of the inactive sgRNA sequences of the library, suggesting that they are the most important intrinsic determinants of the activity of the SpCas9 ribonucleoprotein complex. We also found that in pegRNAs, sequences at the 3' extension of the sgRNA that are complementary to the SL2 unit are also inhibitory to prime editing, but not to the nuclease activity of SpCas9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krisztina Huszár
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Genetics, Doctoral School of Biology, Faculty of Science, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, H-1117, Hungary
- Gene Design Ltd, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Zsombor Welker
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
- Biospiral-2006 Ltd, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Zoltán Györgypál
- Biospiral-2006 Ltd, Szeged, Hungary
- Institute of Biophysics, Biological Research Centre, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Eszter Tóth
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
- Gene Design Ltd, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Zoltán Ligeti
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
- Institute of Biochemistry, Biological Research Centre, Szeged, Hungary
- Doctoral School of Multidisciplinary Medical Science, University of Szeged, Hungary
| | - Péter István Kulcsár
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - János Dancsó
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
- Biospiral-2006 Ltd, Szeged, Hungary
| | - András Tálas
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Sarah Laura Krausz
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
- School of Ph.D. Studies, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Éva Varga
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
- Institute of Biochemistry, Biological Research Centre, Szeged, Hungary
- Doctoral School of Multidisciplinary Medical Science, University of Szeged, Hungary
| | - Ervin Welker
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
- Institute of Biochemistry, Biological Research Centre, Szeged, Hungary
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18
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Li X, Chen W, Martin BK, Calderon D, Lee C, Choi J, Chardon FM, McDiarmid T, Kim H, Lalanne JB, Nathans JF, Shendure J. Chromatin context-dependent regulation and epigenetic manipulation of prime editing. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.12.536587. [PMID: 37090511 PMCID: PMC10120711 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.12.536587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
Prime editing is a powerful means of introducing precise changes to specific locations in mammalian genomes. However, the widely varying efficiency of prime editing across target sites of interest has limited its adoption in the context of both basic research and clinical settings. Here, we set out to exhaustively characterize the impact of the cis- chromatin environment on prime editing efficiency. Using a newly developed and highly sensitive method for mapping the genomic locations of a randomly integrated "sensor", we identify specific epigenetic features that strongly correlate with the highly variable efficiency of prime editing across different genomic locations. Next, to assess the interaction of trans -acting factors with the cis -chromatin environment, we develop and apply a pooled genetic screening approach with which the impact of knocking down various DNA repair factors on prime editing efficiency can be stratified by cis -chromatin context. Finally, we demonstrate that we can dramatically modulate the efficiency of prime editing through epigenome editing, i.e. altering chromatin state in a locus-specific manner in order to increase or decrease the efficiency of prime editing at a target site. Looking forward, we envision that the insights and tools described here will broaden the range of both basic research and therapeutic contexts in which prime editing is useful.
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