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Tian Z, Shao D, Tang L, Li Z, Chen Q, Song Y, Li T, Simmel FC, Song J. Circular single-stranded DNA as a programmable vector for gene regulation in cell-free protein expression systems. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4635. [PMID: 38821953 PMCID: PMC11143192 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49021-6] [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: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Cell-free protein expression (CFE) systems have emerged as a critical platform for synthetic biology research. The vectors for protein expression in CFE systems mainly rely on double-stranded DNA and single-stranded RNA for transcription and translation processing. Here, we introduce a programmable vector - circular single-stranded DNA (CssDNA), which is shown to be processed by DNA and RNA polymerases for gene expression in a yeast-based CFE system. CssDNA is already widely employed in DNA nanotechnology due to its addressability and programmability. To apply above methods in the context of synthetic biology, CssDNA can not only be engineered for gene regulation via the different pathways of sense CssDNA and antisense CssDNA, but also be constructed into several gene regulatory logic gates in CFE systems. Our findings advance the understanding of how CssDNA can be utilized in gene expression and gene regulation, and thus enrich the synthetic biology toolbox.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhijin Tian
- Department of Chemistry, University of Science & Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, China
- Hangzhou Institute of Medicine, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310022, China
| | - Dandan Shao
- Institute of Nano Biomedicine and Engineering, Department of Instrument Science and Engineering, School of Electronic Information and Electrical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Linlin Tang
- Hangzhou Institute of Medicine, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310022, China
- Institute of Nano Biomedicine and Engineering, Department of Instrument Science and Engineering, School of Electronic Information and Electrical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Zhen Li
- Institute of Nano Biomedicine and Engineering, Department of Instrument Science and Engineering, School of Electronic Information and Electrical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Qian Chen
- College of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Yongxiu Song
- Hangzhou Institute of Medicine, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310022, China
- Ningbo institute of Dalian University of Technology, Ningbo, 315016, China
| | - Tao Li
- Department of Chemistry, University of Science & Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, China
| | - Friedrich C Simmel
- Department of Bioscience, School of Natural Sciences, Technische Universität München, Garching, Germany
| | - Jie Song
- Hangzhou Institute of Medicine, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310022, China.
- Institute of Nano Biomedicine and Engineering, Department of Instrument Science and Engineering, School of Electronic Information and Electrical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China.
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2
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Bagheri N, Chamorro A, Idili A, Porchetta A. PAM-Engineered Toehold Switches as Input-Responsive Activators of CRISPR-Cas12a for Sensing Applications. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202319677. [PMID: 38284432 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202319677] [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: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
The RNA-programmed CRISPR effector protein Cas12a has emerged as a powerful tool for gene editing and molecular diagnostics. However, additional bio-engineering strategies are required to achieve control over Cas12a activity. Here, we show that Toehold Switch DNA hairpins, presenting a rationally designed locked protospacer adjacent motif (PAM) in the loop, can be used to control Cas12a in response to molecular inputs. Reconfiguring the Toehold Switch DNA from a hairpin to a duplex conformation through a strand displacement reaction provides an effective means to modulate the accessibility of the PAM, thereby controlling the binding and cleavage activities of Cas12a. Through this approach, we showcase the potential to trigger downstream Cas12a activity by leveraging proximity-based strand displacement reactions in response to target binding. By utilizing the trans-cleavage activity of Cas12a as a signal transduction method, we demonstrate the versatility of our approach for sensing applications. Our system enables rapid, one-pot detection of IgG antibodies and small molecules with high sensitivity and specificity even within complex matrices. Besides the bioanalytical applications, the switchable PAM-engineered Toehold Switches serve as programmable tools capable of regulating Cas12a-based targeting and DNA processing in response to molecular inputs and hold promise for a wide array of biotechnological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neda Bagheri
- Department of Sciences and Chemical Technologies, University of Rome, Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica 1, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Alejandro Chamorro
- Department of Sciences and Chemical Technologies, University of Rome, Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica 1, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Idili
- Department of Sciences and Chemical Technologies, University of Rome, Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica 1, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Porchetta
- Department of Sciences and Chemical Technologies, University of Rome, Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica 1, 00133, Rome, Italy
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3
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Koksaldi I, Park D, Atilla A, Kang H, Kim J, Seker UOS. RNA-Based Sensor Systems for Affordable Diagnostics in the Age of Pandemics. ACS Synth Biol 2024; 13:1026-1037. [PMID: 38588603 PMCID: PMC11036506 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.3c00698] [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: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
In the era of the COVID-19 pandemic, the significance of point-of-care (POC) diagnostic tools has become increasingly vital, driven by the need for quick and precise virus identification. RNA-based sensors, particularly toehold sensors, have emerged as promising candidates for POC detection systems due to their selectivity and sensitivity. Toehold sensors operate by employing an RNA switch that changes the conformation when it binds to a target RNA molecule, resulting in a detectable signal. This review focuses on the development and deployment of RNA-based sensors for POC viral RNA detection with a particular emphasis on toehold sensors. The benefits and limits of toehold sensors are explored, and obstacles and future directions for improving their performance within POC detection systems are presented. The use of RNA-based sensors as a technology for rapid and sensitive detection of viral RNA holds great potential for effectively managing (dealing/coping) with present and future pandemics in resource-constrained settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilkay
Cisil Koksaldi
- UNAM
− Institute of Materials Science and Nanotechnology, National
Nanotechnology Research Center (UNAM), Bilkent
University, Ankara 06800, Turkey
| | - Dongwon Park
- Department
of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science
and Technology, Pohang 37673, South Korea
| | - Abdurahman Atilla
- UNAM
− Institute of Materials Science and Nanotechnology, National
Nanotechnology Research Center (UNAM), Bilkent
University, Ankara 06800, Turkey
| | - Hansol Kang
- Department
of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science
and Technology, Pohang 37673, South Korea
| | - Jongmin Kim
- Department
of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science
and Technology, Pohang 37673, South Korea
| | - Urartu Ozgur Safak Seker
- UNAM
− Institute of Materials Science and Nanotechnology, National
Nanotechnology Research Center (UNAM), Bilkent
University, Ankara 06800, Turkey
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4
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Yarra SS, Ashok G, Mohan U. "Toehold Switches; a foothold for Synthetic Biology". Biotechnol Bioeng 2023; 120:932-952. [PMID: 36527224 DOI: 10.1002/bit.28309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Toehold switches are de novo designed riboregulators that contain two RNA components interacting through linear-linear RNA interactions, regulating the gene expression. These are highly versatile, exhibit excellent orthogonality, wide dynamic range, and are highly programmable, so can be used for various applications in synthetic biology. In this review, we summarized and discussed the design characteristics and benefits of toehold switch riboregulators over conventional riboregulators. We also discussed applications and recent advancements of toehold switch riboregulators in various fields like gene editing, DNA nanotechnology, translational repression, and diagnostics (detection of microRNAs and some pathogens). Toehold switches, therefore, furnished advancement in synthetic biology applications in various fields with their prominent features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sai Sumanjali Yarra
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education & Research (NIPER) Kolkata, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Ganapathy Ashok
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education & Research (NIPER) Kolkata, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Utpal Mohan
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education & Research (NIPER) Kolkata, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
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5
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Dynamically regulating metabolic fluxes with synthetic metabolons. Trends Biotechnol 2022; 40:1019-1020. [PMID: 35753889 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2022.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 06/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Enzyme-enzyme assemblies commonly occur naturally, yet the factors that lead to their transient nature are not fully understood. Mitkas et al. have shown how clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) enzymes and RNA scaffolds allow synthetic enzyme complexes to be formed and disassembled as needed, providing powerful new tools for metabolic engineering.
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6
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Enzyme assemblies on demand. Nat Chem Biol 2022; 18:436-438. [DOI: 10.1038/s41589-022-01021-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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7
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Multi-arm RNA junctions encoding molecular logic unconstrained by input sequence for versatile cell-free diagnostics. Nat Biomed Eng 2022; 6:298-309. [PMID: 35288660 PMCID: PMC8940621 DOI: 10.1038/s41551-022-00857-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Applications of RNA-based molecular logic have been hampered by sequence constraints imposed on the input and output of the circuits. Here we show that the sequence constraints can be substantially reduced by appropriately encoded multi-arm junctions of single-stranded RNA structures. To conditionally activate RNA translation, we integrated multi-arm junctions, self-assembled upstream of a regulated gene and designed to unfold sequentially in response to different RNA inputs, with motifs of loop-initiated RNA activators that function independently of the sequence of the input RNAs and that reduce interference with the output gene. We used the integrated RNA system and sequence-independent input RNAs to execute two-input and three-input OR and AND logic in Escherichia coli, and designed paper-based cell-free colourimetric assays that accurately identified two human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) subtypes (by executing OR logic) in amplified synthetic HIV RNA as well as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (via two-input AND logic) in amplified RNA from saliva samples. The sequence-independent molecular logic enabled by the integration of multi-arm junction RNAs with motifs for loop-initiated RNA activators may be broadly applicable in biotechnology.
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8
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Wu K, Yan Z, Green AA. Computational Design of RNA Toehold-Mediated Translation Activators. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2518:33-47. [PMID: 35666437 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2421-0_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Translation activators are an important class of riboregulators that respond to nucleic acid signals by activating gene expression. Toehold switches and single-nucleotide-specific programmable riboregulators (SNIPRs) are two types of translation activators that can detect nearly any nucleic acid sequence using interactions initiated by single-stranded domains known as toeholds. Toehold switches operate with high dynamic range, orthogonality, and programmability, making them capable of detecting a variety of pathogens in paper-based cell-free diagnostic assays. SNIPRs are designed to enable the accurate detection of single-nucleotide mutations, making them valuable tools for mutation and drug-resistance assays. Here we describe the computational design process for generating toehold switches and SNIPRs active against different pathogens and mutations of interest. Such riboregulators can be deployed in paper-based diagnostic assays to enable rapid and low-cost disease detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaiyue Wu
- Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry Graduate Program, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Zhaoqing Yan
- Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry Graduate Program, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alexander A Green
- Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry Graduate Program, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA.
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9
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McCutcheon G, Chaudhary S, Hong S, Park D, Kim J, Green AA. Design of Ribocomputing Devices for Complex Cellular Logic. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2518:65-86. [PMID: 35666439 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2421-0_4] [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] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The ability to control cell function is a critical goal for synthetic biology and motivates the development of ever-improving methods for precise regulation of gene expression. RNA-based systems represent powerful tools for this purpose since they can take full advantage of the predictable and programmable base pairing properties of RNA to control gene expression. This chapter is focused on the computational design of RNA-only biological circuits that can execute complex Boolean logic expressions in living cells. These ribocomputing devices use toehold switches as building blocks for circuit construction, integrating sensing, computation, and signal generation functions within a gate RNA transcript that regulates expression of a gene of interest. The gate RNA in turn assesses the assembly state of networks of interacting input RNAs to execute AND, OR, and NOT operations with high dynamic range in E. coli. Harnessing in silico tools for device design facilitates scaling of the circuits to complex logic expressions, including four-input AND, six-input OR, and disjunctive normal form expressions with up to 12 inputs. This molecular architecture provides an intuitive and modular strategy for devising logic systems that can be readily engineered using RNA sequence design software and applied in vivo and in vitro. In this chapter, we describe the process for designing ribocomputing devices from the generation of orthogonal toehold switch libraries through to their use as building blocks for AND, OR, and NOT circuitry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Griffin McCutcheon
- Biodesign Center for Molecular Design and Biomimetics, The Biodesign Institute, and the School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Soma Chaudhary
- Biodesign Center for Molecular Design and Biomimetics, The Biodesign Institute, and the School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Seongho Hong
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Gyeongbuk, South Korea
| | - Dongwon Park
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Gyeongbuk, South Korea
| | - Jongmin Kim
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Gyeongbuk, South Korea.
| | - Alexander A Green
- Biodesign Center for Molecular Design and Biomimetics, The Biodesign Institute, and the School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA.
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10
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Yu Q, Ren K, You M. Genetically encoded RNA nanodevices for cellular imaging and regulation. NANOSCALE 2021; 13:7988-8003. [PMID: 33885099 PMCID: PMC8122502 DOI: 10.1039/d0nr08301a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Nucleic acid-based nanodevices have been widely used in the fields of biosensing and nanomedicine. Traditionally, the majority of these nanodevices were first constructed in vitro using synthetic DNA or RNA oligonucleotides and then delivered into cells. Nowadays, the emergence of genetically encoded RNA nanodevices has provided a promising alternative approach for intracellular analysis and regulation. These genetically encoded RNA-based nanodevices can be directly transcribed and continuously produced inside living cells. A variety of highly precise and programmable nanodevices have been constructed in this way during the last decade. In this review, we will summarize the recent advances in the design and function of these artificial genetically encoded RNA nanodevices. In particular, we will focus on their applications in regulating cellular gene expression, imaging, logic operation, structural biology, and optogenetics. We believe these versatile RNA-based nanodevices will be broadly used in the near future to probe and program cells and other biological systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qikun Yu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, USA.
| | - Kewei Ren
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, USA.
| | - Mingxu You
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, USA.
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11
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Building blocks for cells and tissues: Beyond a game. Emerg Top Life Sci 2019; 3:433-434. [DOI: 10.1042/etls20190175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2019] [Revised: 09/26/2019] [Accepted: 09/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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