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Ünsal SG, Yeni O, Büyük U, Özden Çiftçi Y. A novel method of multiplex SNP genotyping assay through variable fragment length allele-specific polymerase chain reaction: Multiplex VFLASP-ARMS. Mol Cell Probes 2024; 75:101960. [PMID: 38583643 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcp.2024.101960] [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: 12/29/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
Variable Fragment Length Allele-Specific Polymerase Chain Reaction (VFLASP) and Amplification Refractory Mutation System (ARMS) are reliable methods for detecting allelic variations resulting from single base changes within the genome. Due to their widespread application, allele variations caused by Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) can be readily detected using allele-specific primers. In the context of the current study, VFLASP was combined with ARMS method as a novel strategy to enhance the efficacy of both techniques. Clinically important base variations within SNP regions used in the study were detected by a fragment analysis method. To validate the accuracy of the developed VFLASP-ARMS method, specifically designed synthetic sequences were tested using a capillary electrophoresis system. Allele-specific primers exhibit differences solely at the 3' end based on the sequence of the SNP. Additionally, to increase the specificity of the primers, a base was intentionally added for incompatibility. Therefore, allele discrimination on fragment analysis has been made possible through the 3-6 bp differences in the amplicons. With the optimization of the system, designed synthetic sequences provided reliable and reproducible results in wild-type, heterozygous, and homozygous genotypes using the VFLASP-ARMS method. Hence, our results demonstrated that VFLASP-ARMS method, offers a novel design methodology that can be included in the content of SNP genotyping assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selin Gül Ünsal
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Institute of Science, Gebze Technical University, 41400, Gebze, Turkey.
| | - Oğuzhan Yeni
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Genetics, Institute of Science, Istanbul University, 34452, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Umut Büyük
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Genetics, Institute of Science, Istanbul University, 34452, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Yelda Özden Çiftçi
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Institute of Science, Gebze Technical University, 41400, Gebze, Turkey; Smart Agriculture Research and Application Center, Gebze Technical University, 41400, Gebze, Turkey; Central Research Laboratory (GTU-MAR), Gebze Technical University, 41400, Gebze, Turkey
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Heath NG, O’Geen H, Halmai NB, Corn JE, Segal DJ. Imaging Unique DNA Sequences in Individual Cells Using a CRISPR-Cas9-Based, Split Luciferase Biosensor. Front Genome Ed 2022; 4:867390. [PMID: 35403097 PMCID: PMC8990833 DOI: 10.3389/fgeed.2022.867390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
An extensive arsenal of biosensing tools has been developed based on the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR) platform, including those that detect specific DNA sequences both in vitro and in live cells. To date, DNA imaging approaches have traditionally used full fluorescent reporter-based fusion probes. Such “always-on” probes differentiate poorly between bound and unbound probe and are unable to sensitively detect unique copies of a target sequence in individual cells. Herein we describe a DNA biosensor that provides a sensitive readout for such low-copy DNA sequences through proximity-mediated reassembly of two independently optimized fragments of NanoLuc luciferase (NLuc), a small, bright luminescent reporter. Applying this “turn-on” probe in live cells, we demonstrate an application not easily achieved by fluorescent reporter-based probes, detection of individual endogenous genomic loci using standard epifluorescence microscopy. This approach could enable detection of gene edits during ex vivo editing procedures and should be a useful platform for many other live cell DNA biosensing applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas G. Heath
- Genome Center and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
- Integrative Genetics and Genomics, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
- Innovative Genomics Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Henriette O’Geen
- Genome Center and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
- Innovative Genomics Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Nicole B. Halmai
- Genome Center and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
- Innovative Genomics Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Jacob E. Corn
- Innovative Genomics Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
- Department of Biology, ETH, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - David J. Segal
- Genome Center and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
- Integrative Genetics and Genomics, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
- Innovative Genomics Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
- *Correspondence: David J. Segal,
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Vasquez CA, Cowan QT, Komor AC. Base Editing in Human Cells to Produce Single-Nucleotide-Variant Clonal Cell Lines. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 133:e129. [PMID: 33151638 DOI: 10.1002/cpmb.129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Base-editing technologies enable the introduction of point mutations at targeted genomic sites in mammalian cells, with higher efficiency and precision than traditional genome-editing methods that use DNA double-strand breaks, such as zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs), transcription-activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs), and the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-CRISPR-associated protein 9 (CRISPR-Cas9) system. This allows the generation of single-nucleotide-variant isogenic cell lines (i.e., cell lines whose genomic sequences differ from each other only at a single, edited nucleotide) in a more time- and resource-effective manner. These single-nucleotide-variant clonal cell lines represent a powerful tool with which to assess the functional role of genetic variants in a native cellular context. Base editing can therefore facilitate genotype-to-phenotype studies in a controlled laboratory setting, with applications in both basic research and clinical applications. Here, we provide optimized protocols (including experimental design, methods, and analyses) to design base-editing constructs, transfect adherent cells, quantify base-editing efficiencies in bulk, and generate single-nucleotide-variant clonal cell lines. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Design and production of plasmids for base-editing experiments Basic Protocol 2: Transfection of adherent cells and harvesting of genomic DNA Basic Protocol 3: Genotyping of harvested cells using Sanger sequencing Alternate Protocol 1: Next-generation sequencing to quantify base editing Basic Protocol 4: Single-cell isolation of base-edited cells using FACS Alternate Protocol 2: Single-cell isolation of base-edited cells using dilution plating Basic Protocol 5: Clonal expansion to generate isogenic cell lines and genotyping of clones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos A Vasquez
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Quinn T Cowan
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Alexis C Komor
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
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Makhoul M, Rambla C, Voss-Fels KP, Hickey LT, Snowdon RJ, Obermeier C. Overcoming polyploidy pitfalls: a user guide for effective SNP conversion into KASP markers in wheat. TAG. THEORETICAL AND APPLIED GENETICS. THEORETISCHE UND ANGEWANDTE GENETIK 2020; 133:2413-2430. [PMID: 32500260 PMCID: PMC7360542 DOI: 10.1007/s00122-020-03608-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Conversion of SNP chip assays into locus-specific KASP markers requires adapted strategies in polyploid species with high genome homeology. Procedures are exemplified by QTL-associated SNPs in hexaploid wheat. Kompetitive allele-specific PCR (KASP) markers are commonly used in marker-assisted commercial plant breeding due to their cost-effectiveness and throughput for high sample volumes. However, conversion of trait-linked SNP markers from array-based SNP detection technologies into KASP markers is particularly challenging in polyploid crop species, due to the presence of highly similar homeologous and paralogous genome sequences. We evaluated strategies and identified key requirements for successful conversion of Illumina Infinium assays from the wheat 90 K SNP array into robust locus-specific KASP markers. Numerous examples showed that commonly used software for semiautomated KASP primer design frequently fails to achieve locus-specificity of KASP assays in wheat. Instead, alignment of SNP probes with multiple reference genomes and Sanger sequencing of relevant genotypes, followed by visual KASP primer placement, was critical for locus-specificity. To identify KASP assays resulting in false calling of heterozygous individuals, validation of KASP assays using extended reference genotype sets including heterozygous genotypes is strongly advised for polyploid crop species. Applying this strategy, we developed highly reproducible, stable KASP assays that are predictive for root biomass QTL haplotypes from highly homoeologous wheat chromosome regions. Due to their locus-specificity, these assays predicted root biomass considerably better than the original trait-associated markers from the Illumina array.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Makhoul
- Department of Plant Breeding, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - C Rambla
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia
| | - K P Voss-Fels
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia
| | - L T Hickey
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia
| | - R J Snowdon
- Department of Plant Breeding, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - C Obermeier
- Department of Plant Breeding, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany.
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Bonjoch L, Franch-Expósito S, Garre P, Belhadj S, Muñoz J, Arnau-Collell C, Díaz-Gay M, Gratacós-Mulleras A, Raimondi G, Esteban-Jurado C, Soares de Lima Y, Herrera-Pariente C, Cuatrecasas M, Ocaña T, Castells A, Fillat C, Capellá G, Balaguer F, Caldés T, Valle L, Castellví-Bel S. Germline Mutations in FAF1 Are Associated With Hereditary Colorectal Cancer. Gastroenterology 2020; 159:227-240.e7. [PMID: 32179092 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2020.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Revised: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS A significant proportion of colorectal cancer (CRC) cases have familial aggregation but little is known about the genetic factors that contribute to these cases. We performed an exhaustive functional characterization of genetic variants associated with familial CRC. METHODS We performed whole-exome sequencing analyses of 75 patients from 40 families with a history of CRC (including early-onset cases) of an unknown germline basis (discovery cohort). We also sequenced specific genes in DNA from an external replication cohort of 473 families, including 488 patients with colorectal tumors that had normal expression of mismatch repair proteins (validation cohort). We disrupted the Fas-associated factor 1 gene (FAF1) in DLD-1 CRC cells using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing; some cells were transfected with plasmids that express FAF1 missense variants. Cells were analyzed by immunoblots, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, and functional assays monitoring apoptosis, proliferation, and assays for Wnt signaling or nuclear factor (NF)-kappa-B activity. RESULTS We identified predicted pathogenic variant in the FAF1 gene (c.1111G>A; p.Asp371Asn) in the discovery cohort; it was present in 4 patients of the same family. We identified a second variant in FAF1 in the validation cohort (c.254G>C; p.Arg85Pro). Both variants encoded unstable FAF1 proteins. Expression of these variants in CRC cells caused them to become resistant to apoptosis, accumulate beta-catenin in the cytoplasm, and translocate NF-kappa-B to the nucleus. CONCLUSIONS In whole-exome sequencing analyses of patients from families with a history of CRC, we identified variants in FAF1 that associate with development of CRC. These variants encode unstable forms of FAF1 that increase resistance of CRC cells to apoptosis and increase activity of beta-catenin and NF-kappa-B.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laia Bonjoch
- Gastroenterology Department, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sebastià Franch-Expósito
- Gastroenterology Department, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pilar Garre
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Centro Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC). Hospital Clínico San Carlos. Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria San Carlos (IdISSC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Sami Belhadj
- Hereditary Cancer Program, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Oncobell, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jenifer Muñoz
- Gastroenterology Department, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Coral Arnau-Collell
- Gastroenterology Department, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marcos Díaz-Gay
- Gastroenterology Department, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anna Gratacós-Mulleras
- Gastroenterology Department, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Giulia Raimondi
- Gene Therapy and Cancer, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Clara Esteban-Jurado
- Gastroenterology Department, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Yasmin Soares de Lima
- Gastroenterology Department, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cristina Herrera-Pariente
- Gastroenterology Department, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Miriam Cuatrecasas
- Pathology Department, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD) and Tumor Bank-Biobank, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Teresa Ocaña
- Gastroenterology Department, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Antoni Castells
- Gastroenterology Department, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cristina Fillat
- Gene Therapy and Cancer, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gabriel Capellá
- Hereditary Cancer Program, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Oncobell, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Francesc Balaguer
- Gastroenterology Department, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Trinidad Caldés
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Centro Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC). Hospital Clínico San Carlos. Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria San Carlos (IdISSC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Valle
- Hereditary Cancer Program, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Oncobell, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sergi Castellví-Bel
- Gastroenterology Department, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
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Holdsworth-Carson SJ, Colgrave EM, Donoghue JF, Fung JN, Churchill ML, Mortlock S, Paiva P, Healey M, Montgomery GW, Girling JE, Rogers PAW. Generation of immortalized human endometrial stromal cell lines with different endometriosis risk genotypes. Mol Hum Reprod 2020; 25:194-205. [PMID: 30770928 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaz006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2018] [Revised: 12/16/2018] [Accepted: 02/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Endometriotic lesions are composed in part of endometrial-like stromal cells, however, there is a shortage of immortalized human endometrial stromal cultures available for research. As genetic factors play a role in endometriosis risk, it is important that genotype is also incorporated into analysis of pathological mechanisms. Human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) immortalization (using Lenti-hTERT-green fluorescent protein virus) took place following genotype selection; 13 patients homozygous for either the risk or non-risk 'other' allele for one or more important endometriosis risk single nucleotide polymorphism on chromosome 1p36.12 (rs3820282, rs56318008, rs55938609, rs12037376, rs7521902 or rs12061255). Short tandem repeat DNA profiling validated that donor tissue matched that of the immortalized cell lines and confirmed that cultures were genetically novel. Expression of morphological markers (vimentin and cytokeratin) and key genes of interest (telomerase, estrogen and progesterone receptors and LINC00339) were examined and functional assays for cell proliferation, steroid hormone and inflammatory responses were performed for 7/13 cultures. All endometrial stromal cell lines maintained their fibroblast-like morphology (vimentin-positive) and homozygous endometriosis-risk genotype following introduction of hTERT. Furthermore, the new stromal cultures demonstrated positive and diverse responses to hormones (proliferation and decidualisation changes) and inflammation (dose-dependent response), while maintaining hormone receptor expression. In conclusion, we successfully developed a range of human endometrial stromal cell lines that carry important endometriosis-risk alleles. The wider implications of this approach go beyond advancing endometriosis research; these cell lines will be valuable tools for multiple endometrial pathologies offering a level of genetic and phenotypic diversity not previously available.
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Affiliation(s)
- S J Holdsworth-Carson
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Gynaecology Research Centre, Royal Women's Hospital, University of Melbourne, Cnr Grattan Street and Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - E M Colgrave
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Gynaecology Research Centre, Royal Women's Hospital, University of Melbourne, Cnr Grattan Street and Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - J F Donoghue
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Gynaecology Research Centre, Royal Women's Hospital, University of Melbourne, Cnr Grattan Street and Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - J N Fung
- The University of Queensland, The Institute for Molecular Bioscience, 306 Carmody Rd, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - M L Churchill
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Gynaecology Research Centre, Royal Women's Hospital, University of Melbourne, Cnr Grattan Street and Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - S Mortlock
- The University of Queensland, The Institute for Molecular Bioscience, 306 Carmody Rd, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - P Paiva
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Gynaecology Research Centre, Royal Women's Hospital, University of Melbourne, Cnr Grattan Street and Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - M Healey
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Gynaecology Research Centre, Royal Women's Hospital, University of Melbourne, Cnr Grattan Street and Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Royal Women's Hospital, Cnr Grattan Street and Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - G W Montgomery
- The University of Queensland, The Institute for Molecular Bioscience, 306 Carmody Rd, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - J E Girling
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Gynaecology Research Centre, Royal Women's Hospital, University of Melbourne, Cnr Grattan Street and Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,University of Otago, School of Biomedical Sciences, Department of Anatomy, 270 Great King Street, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - P A W Rogers
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Gynaecology Research Centre, Royal Women's Hospital, University of Melbourne, Cnr Grattan Street and Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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Tonelli F, Bek JW, Besio R, De Clercq A, Leoni L, Salmon P, Coucke PJ, Willaert A, Forlino A. Zebrafish: A Resourceful Vertebrate Model to Investigate Skeletal Disorders. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2020; 11:489. [PMID: 32849280 PMCID: PMC7416647 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2020.00489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal models are essential tools for addressing fundamental scientific questions about skeletal diseases and for the development of new therapeutic approaches. Traditionally, mice have been the most common model organism in biomedical research, but their use is hampered by several limitations including complex generation, demanding investigation of early developmental stages, regulatory restrictions on breeding, and high maintenance cost. The zebrafish has been used as an efficient alternative vertebrate model for the study of human skeletal diseases, thanks to its easy genetic manipulation, high fecundity, external fertilization, transparency of rapidly developing embryos, and low maintenance cost. Furthermore, zebrafish share similar skeletal cells and ossification types with mammals. In the last decades, the use of both forward and new reverse genetics techniques has resulted in the generation of many mutant lines carrying skeletal phenotypes associated with human diseases. In addition, transgenic lines expressing fluorescent proteins under bone cell- or pathway- specific promoters enable in vivo imaging of differentiation and signaling at the cellular level. Despite the small size of the zebrafish, many traditional techniques for skeletal phenotyping, such as x-ray and microCT imaging and histological approaches, can be applied using the appropriate equipment and custom protocols. The ability of adult zebrafish to remodel skeletal tissues can be exploited as a unique tool to investigate bone formation and repair. Finally, the permeability of embryos to chemicals dissolved in water, together with the availability of large numbers of small-sized animals makes zebrafish a perfect model for high-throughput bone anabolic drug screening. This review aims to discuss the techniques that make zebrafish a powerful model to investigate the molecular and physiological basis of skeletal disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Tonelli
- Biochemistry Unit, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Jan Willem Bek
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Center of Medical Genetics, Ghent University-University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Roberta Besio
- Biochemistry Unit, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Adelbert De Clercq
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Center of Medical Genetics, Ghent University-University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Laura Leoni
- Biochemistry Unit, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | | | - Paul J. Coucke
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Center of Medical Genetics, Ghent University-University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Andy Willaert
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Center of Medical Genetics, Ghent University-University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Antonella Forlino
- Biochemistry Unit, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- *Correspondence: Antonella Forlino
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8
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Bonjoch L, Mur P, Arnau-Collell C, Vargas-Parra G, Shamloo B, Franch-Expósito S, Pineda M, Capellà G, Erman B, Castellví-Bel S. Approaches to functionally validate candidate genetic variants involved in colorectal cancer predisposition. Mol Aspects Med 2019; 69:27-40. [PMID: 30935834 DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2019.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2019] [Revised: 03/26/2019] [Accepted: 03/26/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Most next generation sequencing (NGS) studies identified candidate genetic variants predisposing to colorectal cancer (CRC) but do not tackle its functional interpretation to unequivocally recognize a new hereditary CRC gene. Besides, germline variants in already established hereditary CRC-predisposing genes or somatic variants share the same need when trying to categorize those with relevant significance. Functional genomics approaches have an important role in identifying the causal links between genetic architecture and phenotypes, in order to decipher cellular function in health and disease. Therefore, functional interpretation of identified genetic variants by NGS platforms is now essential. Available approaches nowadays include bioinformatics, cell and molecular biology and animal models. Recent advances, such as the CRISPR-Cas9, ZFN and TALEN systems, have been already used as a powerful tool with this objective. However, the use of cell lines is of limited value due to the CRC heterogeneity and its close interaction with microenvironment. Access to tridimensional cultures or organoids and xenograft models that mimic the in vivo tissue architecture could revolutionize functional analysis. This review will focus on the application of state-of-the-art functional studies to better tackle new genes involved in germline predisposition to this neoplasm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laia Bonjoch
- Gastroenterology Department, Hospital Clínic, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pilar Mur
- Hereditary Cancer Program, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), ONCOBELL Program, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Spain
| | - Coral Arnau-Collell
- Gastroenterology Department, Hospital Clínic, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gardenia Vargas-Parra
- Hereditary Cancer Program, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), ONCOBELL Program, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Spain
| | - Bahar Shamloo
- Molecular Biology, Genetics, and Bioengineering Department, Legacy Research Institute, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Sebastià Franch-Expósito
- Gastroenterology Department, Hospital Clínic, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marta Pineda
- Hereditary Cancer Program, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), ONCOBELL Program, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Spain
| | - Gabriel Capellà
- Hereditary Cancer Program, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), ONCOBELL Program, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Spain
| | - Batu Erman
- Molecular Biology, Genetics and Bioengineering Program, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Sabanci University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Sergi Castellví-Bel
- Gastroenterology Department, Hospital Clínic, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
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