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McCarthy J. Engineering and standardization of posttranscriptional biocircuitry in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Integr Biol (Camb) 2021; 13:210-220. [PMID: 34270725 DOI: 10.1093/intbio/zyab013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Revised: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
This short review considers to what extent posttranscriptional steps of gene expression can provide the basis for novel control mechanisms and procedures in synthetic biology and biotechnology. The term biocircuitry is used here to refer to functionally connected components comprising DNA, RNA or proteins. The review begins with an overview of the diversity of devices being developed and then considers the challenges presented by trying to engineer more scaled-up systems. While the engineering of RNA-based and protein-based circuitry poses new challenges, the resulting 'toolsets' of components and novel mechanisms of operation will open up multiple new opportunities for synthetic biology. However, agreed procedures for standardization will need to be placed at the heart of this expanding field if the full potential benefits are to be realized.
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Affiliation(s)
- John McCarthy
- Warwick Integrative Synthetic Biology Centre (WISB) and School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
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Patron NJ. Beyond natural: synthetic expansions of botanical form and function. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2020; 227:295-310. [PMID: 32239523 PMCID: PMC7383487 DOI: 10.1111/nph.16562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Powered by developments that enabled genome-scale investigations, systems biology emerged as a field aiming to understand how phenotypes emerge from network functions. These advances fuelled a new engineering discipline focussed on synthetic reconstructions of complex biological systems with the goal of predictable rational design and control. Initially, progress in the nascent field of synthetic biology was slow due to the ad hoc nature of molecular biology methods such as cloning. The application of engineering principles such as standardisation, together with several key technical advances, enabled a revolution in the speed and accuracy of genetic manipulation. Combined with mathematical and statistical modelling, this has improved the predictability of engineering biological systems of which nonlinearity and stochasticity are intrinsic features leading to remarkable achievements in biotechnology as well as novel insights into biological function. In the past decade, there has been slow but steady progress in establishing foundations for synthetic biology in plant systems. Recently, this has enabled model-informed rational design to be successfully applied to the engineering of plant gene regulation and metabolism. Synthetic biology is now poised to transform the potential of plant biotechnology. However, reaching full potential will require conscious adjustments to the skillsets and mind sets of plant scientists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola J. Patron
- Engineering BiologyEarlham InstituteNorwich Research Park, NorwichNorfolkNR4 7UZUK
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Garlet QI, Rodrigues P, Barbosa LB, Londero AL, Mello CF, Heinzmann BM. Nectandra grandiflora essential oil and its isolated sesquiterpenoids minimize anxiety-related behaviors in mice through GABAergic mechanisms. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2019; 375:64-80. [PMID: 31075342 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2019.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2019] [Revised: 04/30/2019] [Accepted: 05/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Nectandra grandiflora Ness (Lauraceae) essential oil (EO) main constituent, the sesquiterpenoid (+)-dehydrofukinone (DHF), has sedative and anticonvulsant effects through GABAergic mechanisms. Other DHF-related sesquiterpenoids have been identified in the EO, such as, dehydrofukinone epoxide (DFX), eremophil-11-en-10-ol (ERM) and selin-11-en-4-α-ol (SEL). However, the neuronal effects of these compounds in mammals remain unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the anxiolytic potential of the N. grandiflora EO and the isolated compounds in in mice. For this purpose, mice were administered orally with vehicle, 10, 30 or 100 mg/kg EO, DHF, DFX, ERM or SEL or 1 mg/kg diazepam. Locomotion and ethological parameters in the open field (OF) and elevated plus maze (EPM) were recorded. We also examined the effect of DFX, ERM and SEL on the membrane potential and calcium influx in synaptosomes, and the presence of the compounds in the cortical tissue using gas chromatography. EOs and isolated compounds reduced anxiety-related parameters in the EPM (open arms time and entries, end activity, head dipping) and OF (center time and entries, total rearing, unprotected rearing, sniffing, grooming) without alter ambulation or induce sedation. Flumazenil (2 mg/kg, i.p.) altered the anxiolytic-like effect of all treatments and vanished the DFX, ERM and SEL-induced changes in membrane potential. However, FMZ did not blocked the DFX-, ERM- and SEL-induced inhibition of calcium influx. Therefore, our results suggest that N. grandiflora EO and isolated compounds induced anxiolytic-like effect in mice due to positive modulation of GABAa receptors and/or inhibition of neuronal calcium influx.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quelen Iane Garlet
- Post-Graduation Program in Pharmacology, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Rodrigues
- Post-Graduation Program in Pharmacology, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | | | - André Luís Londero
- Medicine Graduation Course, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Carlos Fernando Mello
- Post-Graduation Program in Pharmacology, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil; Medicine Graduation Course, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Berta Maria Heinzmann
- Post-Graduation Program in Pharmacology, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil; Pharmacy Graduation Course, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil.
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Biosynthetic Gene Content of the 'Perfume Lichens' Evernia prunastri and Pseudevernia furfuracea. Molecules 2019; 24:molecules24010203. [PMID: 30626017 PMCID: PMC6337363 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24010203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2018] [Revised: 12/29/2018] [Accepted: 01/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Lichen-forming fungi produce a vast number of unique natural products with a wide variety of biological activities and human uses. Although lichens have remarkable potential in natural product research and industry, the molecular mechanisms underlying the biosynthesis of lichen metabolites are poorly understood. Here we use genome mining and comparative genomics to assess biosynthetic gene clusters and their putative regulators in the genomes of two lichen-forming fungi, which have substantial commercial value in the perfume industry, Evernia prunastri and Pseudevernia furfuracea. We report a total of 80 biosynthetic gene clusters (polyketide synthases (PKS), non-ribosomal peptide synthetases and terpene synthases) in E. prunastri and 51 in P. furfuracea. We present an in-depth comparison of 11 clusters, which show high homology between the two species. A ketosynthase (KS) phylogeny shows that biosynthetic gene clusters from E. prunastri and P. furfuracea are widespread across the Fungi. The phylogeny includes 15 genomes of lichenized fungi and all fungal PKSs with known functions from the MIBiG database. Phylogenetically closely related KS domains predict not only similar PKS architecture but also similar cluster architecture. Our study highlights the untapped biosynthetic richness of lichen-forming fungi, provides new insights into lichen biosynthetic pathways and facilitates heterologous expression of lichen biosynthetic gene clusters.
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Hoffmann T, Krug D, Bozkurt N, Duddela S, Jansen R, Garcia R, Gerth K, Steinmetz H, Müller R. Correlating chemical diversity with taxonomic distance for discovery of natural products in myxobacteria. Nat Commun 2018; 9:803. [PMID: 29476047 PMCID: PMC5824889 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-03184-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2017] [Accepted: 01/24/2018] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Some bacterial clades are important sources of novel bioactive natural products. Estimating the magnitude of chemical diversity available from such a resource is complicated by issues including cultivability, isolation bias and limited analytical data sets. Here we perform a systematic metabolite survey of ~2300 bacterial strains of the order Myxococcales, a well-established source of natural products, using mass spectrometry. Our analysis encompasses both known and previously unidentified metabolites detected under laboratory cultivation conditions, thereby enabling large-scale comparison of production profiles in relation to myxobacterial taxonomy. We find a correlation between taxonomic distance and the production of distinct secondary metabolite families, further supporting the idea that the chances of discovering novel metabolites are greater by examining strains from new genera rather than additional representatives within the same genus. In addition, we report the discovery and structure elucidation of rowithocin, a myxobacterial secondary metabolite featuring an uncommon phosphorylated polyketide scaffold. It is thought that the chances for discovery of novel natural products increase by screening rare organisms. Here the authors analyse metabolites produced by over 2300 myxobacterial strains and, indeed, find a correlation between taxonomic distance and production of distinct secondary metabolite families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Hoffmann
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Department of Microbial Natural Products, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research and Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Saarland University, Campus E8.1, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany.,German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, 38124, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Daniel Krug
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Department of Microbial Natural Products, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research and Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Saarland University, Campus E8.1, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany.,German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, 38124, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Nisa Bozkurt
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Department of Microbial Natural Products, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research and Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Saarland University, Campus E8.1, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Srikanth Duddela
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Department of Microbial Natural Products, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research and Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Saarland University, Campus E8.1, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Rolf Jansen
- Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Department of Microbial Drugs, 38124, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Ronald Garcia
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Department of Microbial Natural Products, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research and Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Saarland University, Campus E8.1, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany.,German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, 38124, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Klaus Gerth
- Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Department of Microbial Drugs, 38124, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Heinrich Steinmetz
- Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Department of Microbial Drugs, 38124, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Rolf Müller
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Department of Microbial Natural Products, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research and Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Saarland University, Campus E8.1, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany. .,German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, 38124, Braunschweig, Germany.
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