1
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Hoshino H, Kasahara Y, Obika S. Polyamines promote xenobiotic nucleic acid synthesis by modified thermophilic polymerase mutants. RSC Chem Biol 2024; 5:467-472. [PMID: 38725908 PMCID: PMC11078213 DOI: 10.1039/d4cb00017j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/31/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The enzymatic synthesis of xenobiotic nucleic acids (XNA), which are artificially sugar-modified nucleic acids, is essential for the preparation of XNA libraries. XNA libraries are used in the in vitro selection of XNA aptamers and enzymes (XNAzymes). Efficient enzymatic synthesis of various XNAs can enable the screening of high-quality XNA aptamers and XNAzymes by expanding the diversity of XNA libraries and adding a variety of properties to XNA aptamers and XNAzymes. However, XNAs that form unstable duplexes with DNA, such as arabino nucleic acid (ANA), may dissociate during enzyme synthesis at temperatures suitable for thermophilic polymerases. Thus, such XNAs are not efficiently synthesised by the thermophilic polymerase mutants at the end of the sequence. This undesirable bias reduces the possibility of generating high-quality XNA aptamers and XNAzymes. Here, we demonstrate that polyamine-induced DNA/ANA duplex stabilisation promotes ANA synthesis that is catalysed by thermophilic polymerase mutants. Several polyamines, including spermine, spermidine, cadaverine, and putrescine promote ANA synthesis. The negative effect of polyamines on the fidelity of ANA synthesis was negligible. We also showed that polyamines promote the synthesis of other XNAs, including 2'-amino-RNA/2'-fluoro-RNA mixture and 2'-O-methyl-RNA. In addition, we found that polyamine promotes DNA synthesis from the 2'-O-methyl-RNA template. Polyamines, with the use of thermophilic polymerase mutants, may allow further development of XNA aptamers and XNAzymes by promoting the transcription and reverse transcription of XNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hidekazu Hoshino
- National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition (NIBIOHN) 7-6-8 Saito-Asagi Ibaraki 567-0085 Osaka Japan
| | - Yuuya Kasahara
- National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition (NIBIOHN) 7-6-8 Saito-Asagi Ibaraki 567-0085 Osaka Japan
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University 1-6 Yamadaoka Suita 565-0871 Osaka Japan
| | - Satoshi Obika
- National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition (NIBIOHN) 7-6-8 Saito-Asagi Ibaraki 567-0085 Osaka Japan
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University 1-6 Yamadaoka Suita 565-0871 Osaka Japan
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2
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Brunderová M, Havlíček V, Matyašovský J, Pohl R, Poštová Slavětínská L, Krömer M, Hocek M. Expedient production of site specifically nucleobase-labelled or hypermodified RNA with engineered thermophilic DNA polymerases. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3054. [PMID: 38594306 PMCID: PMC11004144 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47444-9] [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: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Innovative approaches to controlled nucleobase-modified RNA synthesis are urgently needed to support RNA biology exploration and to synthesize potential RNA therapeutics. Here we present a strategy for enzymatic construction of nucleobase-modified RNA based on primer-dependent engineered thermophilic DNA polymerases - SFM4-3 and TGK. We demonstrate introduction of one or several different base-modified nucleotides in one strand including hypermodified RNA containing all four modified nucleotides bearing four different substituents, as well as strategy for primer segment removal. We also show facile site-specific or segmented introduction of fluorophores or other functional groups at defined positions in variety of RNA molecules, including structured or long mRNA. Intriguing translation efficacy of single-site modified mRNAs underscores the necessity to study isolated modifications placed at designer positions to disentangle their biological effects and enable development of improved mRNA therapeutics. Our toolbox paves the way for more precise dissecting RNA structures and functions, as well as for construction of diverse types of base-functionalized RNA for therapeutic applications and diagnostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mária Brunderová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo nam. 2, CZ-16000, Prague, 6, Czech Republic
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Hlavova 8, CZ-12843, Prague, 2, Czech Republic
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, UK
| | - Vojtěch Havlíček
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo nam. 2, CZ-16000, Prague, 6, Czech Republic
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Hlavova 8, CZ-12843, Prague, 2, Czech Republic
| | - Ján Matyašovský
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo nam. 2, CZ-16000, Prague, 6, Czech Republic
| | - Radek Pohl
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo nam. 2, CZ-16000, Prague, 6, Czech Republic
| | - Lenka Poštová Slavětínská
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo nam. 2, CZ-16000, Prague, 6, Czech Republic
| | - Matouš Krömer
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo nam. 2, CZ-16000, Prague, 6, Czech Republic.
- The Rosalind Franklin Institute, Harwell Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire, UK.
| | - Michal Hocek
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo nam. 2, CZ-16000, Prague, 6, Czech Republic.
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Hlavova 8, CZ-12843, Prague, 2, Czech Republic.
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3
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Porebski BT, Balmforth M, Browne G, Riley A, Jamali K, Fürst MJLJ, Velic M, Buchanan A, Minter R, Vaughan T, Holliger P. Rapid discovery of high-affinity antibodies via massively parallel sequencing, ribosome display and affinity screening. Nat Biomed Eng 2024; 8:214-232. [PMID: 37814006 DOI: 10.1038/s41551-023-01093-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
Developing therapeutic antibodies is laborious and costly. Here we report a method for antibody discovery that leverages the Illumina HiSeq platform to, within 3 days, screen in the order of 108 antibody-antigen interactions. The method, which we named 'deep screening', involves the clustering and sequencing of antibody libraries, the conversion of the DNA clusters into complementary RNA clusters covalently linked to the instrument's flow-cell surface on the same location, the in situ translation of the clusters into antibodies tethered via ribosome display, and their screening via fluorescently labelled antigens. By using deep screening, we discovered low-nanomolar nanobodies to a model antigen using 4 × 106 unique variants from yeast-display-enriched libraries, and high-picomolar single-chain antibody fragment leads for human interleukin-7 directly from unselected synthetic repertoires. We also leveraged deep screening of a library of 2.4 × 105 sequences of the third complementarity-determining region of the heavy chain of an anti-human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) antibody as input for a large language model that generated new single-chain antibody fragment sequences with higher affinity for HER2 than those in the original library.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Aidan Riley
- Biologics Engineering, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Maximillian J L J Fürst
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, UK
- Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | | | | | - Ralph Minter
- Biologics Engineering, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
- Alchemab Therapeutics, London, UK
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4
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Haslecker R, Pham VV, Glänzer D, Kreutz C, Dayie TK, D'Souza VM. Extending the toolbox for RNA biology with SegModTeX: a polymerase-driven method for site-specific and segmental labeling of RNA. Nat Commun 2023; 14:8422. [PMID: 38110450 PMCID: PMC10728113 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44254-3] [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: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA performs a wide range of functions regulated by its structure, dynamics, and often post-transcriptional modifications. While NMR is the leading method for understanding RNA structure and dynamics, it is currently limited by the inability to reduce spectral crowding by efficient segmental labeling. Furthermore, because of the challenging nature of RNA chemistry, the tools being developed to introduce site-specific modifications are increasingly complex and laborious. Here we use a previously designed Tgo DNA polymerase mutant to present SegModTeX - a versatile, one-pot, copy-and-paste approach to address these challenges. By precise, stepwise construction of a diverse set of RNA molecules, we demonstrate the technique to be superior to RNA polymerase driven and ligation methods owing to its substantially high yield, fidelity, and selectivity. We also show the technique to be useful for incorporating some fluorescent- and a wide range of other probes, which significantly extends the toolbox of RNA biology in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raphael Haslecker
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Vincent V Pham
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - David Glänzer
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80/82, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Christoph Kreutz
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80/82, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Theodore Kwaku Dayie
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20782, USA
| | - Victoria M D'Souza
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA.
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5
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Ishida K, Kasahara Y, Hoshino H, Okuda T, Obika S. Systematic Analysis of 2'- O-Alkyl Modified Analogs for Enzymatic Synthesis and Their Oligonucleotide Properties. Molecules 2023; 28:7911. [PMID: 38067640 PMCID: PMC10708256 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28237911] [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: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Enzymatic oligonucleotide synthesis is used for the development of functional oligonucleotides selected by in vitro selection. Expanding available sugar modifications for in vitro selection helps the functional oligonucleotides to be used as therapeutics reagents. We previously developed a KOD DNA polymerase mutant, KOD DGLNK, that enzymatically synthesized fully-LNA- or 2'-O-methyl-modified oligonucleotides. Here, we report a further expansion of the available 2'-O-alkyl-modified nucleotide for enzymatic synthesis by KOD DGLNK. We chemically synthesized five 2'-O-alkyl-5-methyluridine triphosphates and incorporated them into the oligonucleotides. We also enzymatically synthesized a 2'-O-alkyl-modified oligonucleotide with a random region (oligonucleotide libraries). The 2'-O-alkyl-modified oligonucleotide libraries showed high nuclease resistance and a wide range of hydrophobicity. Our synthesized 2'-O-alkyl-modified oligonucleotide libraries provide novel possibilities that can promote the development of functional molecules for therapeutic use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenta Ishida
- National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition (NIBIOHN), 7-6-8 Saito-Asagi, Ibaraki 567-0085, Osaka, Japan; (K.I.); (H.H.)
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, 1-6 Yamadaoka, Suita 565-0871, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yuuya Kasahara
- National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition (NIBIOHN), 7-6-8 Saito-Asagi, Ibaraki 567-0085, Osaka, Japan; (K.I.); (H.H.)
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, 1-6 Yamadaoka, Suita 565-0871, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hidekazu Hoshino
- National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition (NIBIOHN), 7-6-8 Saito-Asagi, Ibaraki 567-0085, Osaka, Japan; (K.I.); (H.H.)
| | - Takumi Okuda
- National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition (NIBIOHN), 7-6-8 Saito-Asagi, Ibaraki 567-0085, Osaka, Japan; (K.I.); (H.H.)
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, 1-6 Yamadaoka, Suita 565-0871, Osaka, Japan
| | - Satoshi Obika
- National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition (NIBIOHN), 7-6-8 Saito-Asagi, Ibaraki 567-0085, Osaka, Japan; (K.I.); (H.H.)
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, 1-6 Yamadaoka, Suita 565-0871, Osaka, Japan
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6
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Kowalski K. Synthesis and chemical transformations of glycol nucleic acid (GNA) nucleosides. Bioorg Chem 2023; 141:106921. [PMID: 37871392 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2023.106921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Xeno nucleic acids (XNA) are an increasingly important class of hypermodified nucleic acids with great potential in bioorganic chemistry and synthetic biology. Glycol nucleic acid (GNA) is constructed from a three-carbon 1,2-propanediol (propylene glycol) backbone attached to a nucleobase entity, representing the simplest known XNA. This review is intended to present GNA nucleosides from a synthetic chemistry perspective-a perspective that serves as a starting point for biological studies. Therefore this account focuses on synthetic methods for GNA nucleoside synthesis, as well as their postsynthetic chemical transformations. The properties and biological activity of GNA constituents are also highlighted. A literature survey shows four major approaches toward GNA nucleoside scaffold synthesis. These approaches pertain to glycidol ring-opening, Mitsunobu, SN2, and dihydroxylation reactions. The general arsenal of reactions used in GNA chemistry is versatile and encompasses the Sonogashira reaction, Michael addition, silyl-Hilbert-Johnson reaction, halogenation, alkylation, cyclization, Rh-catalyzed N-allylation, Sharpless catalytic dihydroxylation, and Yb(OTf)3-catalyzed etherification. Additionally, various phosphorylation reactions have enabled the synthesis of diverse types of GNA nucleotides, dinucleoside phosphates, phosphordiamidites, and oligos. Furthermore, recent advances in GNA chemistry have resulted in the synthesis of previously unknown redox-active (ferrocenyl) and luminescent (pyrenyl and phenanthrenyl) GNA nucleosides, which are also covered in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konrad Kowalski
- University of Lodz, Faculty of Chemistry, Department of Organic Chemistry, Tamka 12, PL-91403 Lodz, Poland.
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7
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Kuznetsova AA, Kuznetsov NA. Direct Enzyme Engineering of B Family DNA Polymerases for Biotechnological Approaches. Bioengineering (Basel) 2023; 10:1150. [PMID: 37892880 PMCID: PMC10604792 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering10101150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA-dependent DNA polymerases have been intensively studied for more than 60 years and underlie numerous biotechnological and diagnostic applications. In vitro, DNA polymerases are used for DNA manipulations, including cloning, PCR, site-directed mutagenesis, sequencing, and others. Understanding the mechanisms of action of DNA polymerases is important for the creation of new enzymes possessing improved or modified properties. This review is focused on archaeal family B DNA polymerases. These enzymes have high fidelity and thermal stability and are finding many applications in molecular biological methods. Nevertheless, the search for and construction of new DNA polymerases with altered properties is constantly underway, including enzymes for synthetic biology. This brief review describes advances in the development of family B DNA polymerases for PCR, synthesis of xeno-nucleic acids, and reverse transcription.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra A. Kuznetsova
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences (SB RAS), 8 Prospekt Akad. Lavrentyeva, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - Nikita A. Kuznetsov
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences (SB RAS), 8 Prospekt Akad. Lavrentyeva, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
- Department of Natural Sciences, Novosibirsk State University, 2 Pirogova Str., Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
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8
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Qin Y, Ma X, Tao R, Du Y, Chen T. Synthesis, Reverse Transcription, Replication, and Inter-Transcription of 2'-Modified Nucleic Acids with Evolved Thermophilic Polymerases: Efforts toward Multidimensional Expansion of the Central Dogma. ACS Synth Biol 2023; 12:2616-2631. [PMID: 37646406 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.3c00213] [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: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
In the past decades, various xenobiotic nucleic acids (XNAs), including 2'-modified nucleic acids, have been developed as novel genetic materials and demonstrated great potential in synthetic biology and biotechnology. Enzymatic polymerization and replication of these artificial polymers are obviously the prerequisite to make full use of them, and DNA and RNA polymerases from different families have thus been extensively engineered for these purposes. However, the performance of engineered XNA polymerases is still far from satisfactory, especially in terms of the efficiency of synthesizing XNA with bigger lengths and the capability of directly replicating XNAs or transcribing one XNA to another. In this work, we tailored a mutant of Stoffel fragment of Taq DNA polymerase, SFM4-3, by engineering a key residue pair on the surfaces of fingers and thumb domains, and successfully obtained mutants with significantly enhanced efficiency for the synthesis of fully 2'-OMe-modified DNA with bigger lengths. Remarkably, we also found that these polymerase mutants are capable of synthesizing, reverse transcribing, and even replicating RNA and different fully 2'-modified XNAs, as well as transcribing one of these nucleic acids to another, with varied efficiencies. The application of these activities for producing DNA strands end-protected by XNA duplexes was then demonstrated. These results clearly suggest that the genetic information can be stored in and transmitted among DNA, RNA, and different 2'-modified XNAs with the assistance of polymerase mutants, and the central dogma of life can be expanded to higher dimensions via the development of XNAs together with engineering their polymerases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanjia Qin
- MOE International Joint Research Laboratory on Synthetic Biology and Medicines, School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
| | - Xingyun Ma
- MOE International Joint Research Laboratory on Synthetic Biology and Medicines, School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
| | - Rui Tao
- MOE International Joint Research Laboratory on Synthetic Biology and Medicines, School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
| | - Yuhui Du
- MOE International Joint Research Laboratory on Synthetic Biology and Medicines, School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
| | - Tingjian Chen
- MOE International Joint Research Laboratory on Synthetic Biology and Medicines, School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
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9
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Freund N, Taylor AI, Arangundy-Franklin S, Subramanian N, Peak-Chew SY, Whitaker AM, Freudenthal BD, Abramov M, Herdewijn P, Holliger P. A two-residue nascent-strand steric gate controls synthesis of 2'-O-methyl- and 2'-O-(2-methoxyethyl)-RNA. Nat Chem 2023; 15:91-100. [PMID: 36229679 PMCID: PMC7614059 DOI: 10.1038/s41557-022-01050-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Steric exclusion is a key element of enzyme substrate specificity, including in polymerases. Such substrate specificity restricts the enzymatic synthesis of 2'-modified nucleic acids, which are of interest in nucleic-acid-based drug development. Here we describe the discovery of a two-residue, nascent-strand, steric control 'gate' in an archaeal DNA polymerase. We show that engineering of the gate to reduce steric bulk in the context of a previously described RNA polymerase activity unlocks the synthesis of 2'-modified RNA oligomers, specifically the efficient synthesis of both defined and random-sequence 2'-O-methyl-RNA (2'OMe-RNA) and 2'-O-(2-methoxyethyl)-RNA (MOE-RNA) oligomers up to 750 nt. This enabled the discovery of RNA endonuclease catalysts entirely composed of 2'OMe-RNA (2'OMezymes) for the allele-specific cleavage of oncogenic KRAS (G12D) and β-catenin CTNNB1 (S33Y) mRNAs, and the elaboration of mixed 2'OMe-/MOE-RNA aptamers with high affinity for vascular endothelial growth factor. Our results open up these 2'-modified RNAs-used in several approved nucleic acid therapeutics-for enzymatic synthesis and a wider exploration in directed evolution and nanotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niklas Freund
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, UK
| | - Alexander I Taylor
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, UK.
- Cambridge Institute of Therapeutic Immunology and Infectious Disease, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
| | | | - Nithya Subramanian
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, UK
| | - Sew-Yeu Peak-Chew
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, UK
| | - Amy M Whitaker
- Laboratory of Genome Maintenance and Structural Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
- Cancer Epigenetics Institute, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Bret D Freudenthal
- Laboratory of Genome Maintenance and Structural Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Mikhail Abramov
- Medicinal Chemistry, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Piet Herdewijn
- Medicinal Chemistry, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Philipp Holliger
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, UK.
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10
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Wang G, Du Y, Ma X, Ye F, Qin Y, Wang Y, Xiang Y, Tao R, Chen T. Thermophilic Nucleic Acid Polymerases and Their Application in Xenobiology. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232314969. [PMID: 36499296 PMCID: PMC9738464 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232314969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Thermophilic nucleic acid polymerases, isolated from organisms that thrive in extremely hot environments, possess great DNA/RNA synthesis activities under high temperatures. These enzymes play indispensable roles in central life activities involved in DNA replication and repair, as well as RNA transcription, and have already been widely used in bioengineering, biotechnology, and biomedicine. Xeno nucleic acids (XNAs), which are analogs of DNA/RNA with unnatural moieties, have been developed as new carriers of genetic information in the past decades, which contributed to the fast development of a field called xenobiology. The broad application of these XNA molecules in the production of novel drugs, materials, and catalysts greatly relies on the capability of enzymatic synthesis, reverse transcription, and amplification of them, which have been partially achieved with natural or artificially tailored thermophilic nucleic acid polymerases. In this review, we first systematically summarize representative thermophilic and hyperthermophilic polymerases that have been extensively studied and utilized, followed by the introduction of methods and approaches in the engineering of these polymerases for the efficient synthesis, reverse transcription, and amplification of XNAs. The application of XNAs facilitated by these polymerases and their mutants is then discussed. In the end, a perspective for the future direction of further development and application of unnatural nucleic acid polymerases is provided.
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11
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Wei D, Wang Y, Song D, Zhang Z, Wang J, Chen JY, Li Z, Yu H. A Nucleic Acid Sequence That is Catalytically Active in Both RNA and TNA Backbones. ACS Synth Biol 2022; 11:3874-3885. [PMID: 36278399 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.2c00479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Threose nucleic acid (TNA) is considered a potential RNA progenitor due to its chemical simplicity, base pairing property, and capability of folding into a functional tertiary structure. However, it is unknown whether the functional property can be maintained during transition from TNA to RNA. Here, we use a toggle in vitro selection to identify nucleic acid catalyst sequences that are active in both TNA and RNA backbones. One such nucleic acid enzyme with exchangeable backbone (CAMELEON) catalyzes an RNA cleavage reaction when prepared as TNA (T) and RNA (R). Further biochemical characterization reveals that CAMELEON R and T exhibit different catalytic behaviors such as rate enhancement and magnesium dependence. Structural probing and mutagenesis experiments suggest that they likely fold into distinct tertiary structures. This work demonstrates that the catalytic activity can be preserved during backbone transition from TNA to RNA and provides further experimental support for TNA as an RNA precursor in evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongying Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC), Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Artificial Functional Materials, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu210023, China
| | - Yueyao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC), Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Artificial Functional Materials, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu210023, China
| | - Dongfan Song
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC), Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu210023, China
| | - Ze Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC), Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Artificial Functional Materials, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu210023, China
| | - Juan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC), Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu210023, China
| | - Jia-Yu Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC), Nanjing University, Nanjing210023, China
| | - Zhe Li
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu210023, China
| | - Hanyang Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC), Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Artificial Functional Materials, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu210023, China
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12
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Simple synthesis of massively parallel RNA microarrays via enzymatic conversion from DNA microarrays. Nat Commun 2022; 13:3772. [PMID: 35773271 PMCID: PMC9246885 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31370-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA catalytic and binding interactions with proteins and small molecules are fundamental elements of cellular life processes as well as the basis for RNA therapeutics and molecular engineering. In the absence of quantitative predictive capacity for such bioaffinity interactions, high throughput experimental approaches are needed to sufficiently sample RNA sequence space. Here we report on a simple and highly accessible approach to convert commercially available customized DNA microarrays of any complexity and density to RNA microarrays via a T7 RNA polymerase-mediated extension of photocrosslinked methyl RNA primers and subsequent degradation of the DNA templates. RNA microarrays have many potential applications, but are difficult to produce. Here, the AUs present a method for converting commercial, customizable DNA microarrays into RNA microarrays using an accessible three-step process involving primer photocrosslinking, extension, and template degradation.
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13
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Jácome R, Campillo-Balderas JA, Becerra A, Lazcano A. Structural Analysis of Monomeric RNA-Dependent Polymerases Revisited. J Mol Evol 2022; 90:283-295. [PMID: 35639164 PMCID: PMC9153872 DOI: 10.1007/s00239-022-10059-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
In the past few years, our understanding of the RNA virosphere has changed dramatically due to the growth and spurt of metagenomics, exponentially increasing the number of RNA viral sequences, and providing a better understanding of their range of potential hosts. As of today, the only conserved protein among RNA viruses appears to be the monomeric RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. This enzyme belongs to the right-hand DNA-and RNA polymerases, which also includes reverse transcriptases and eukaryotic replicative DNA polymerases. The ubiquity of this protein in RNA viruses makes it a unique evolutionary marker and an appealing broad-spectrum antiviral target. In this work pairwise structural comparisons of viral RdRps and RTs were performed, including tertiary structures that have been obtained in the last few years. The resulting phylogenetic tree shows that the RdRps from (+)ss- and dsRNA viruses might have been recruited several times throughout the evolution of mobile genetic elements. RTs also display multiple evolutionary routes. We have identified a structural core comprising the entire palm, a large moiety of the fingers and the N-terminal helices of the thumb domain, comprising over 300 conserved residues, including two regions that we have named the “knuckles” and the “hypothenar eminence”. The conservation of an helix bundle in the region preceding the polymerase domain confirms that (−)ss and dsRNA Reoviruses’ polymerases share a recent ancestor. Finally, the inclusion of DNA polymerases into our structural analyses suggests that monomeric RNA-dependent polymerases might have diverged from B-family polymerases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Jácome
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico, Mexico
| | | | - Arturo Becerra
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico, Mexico
| | - Antonio Lazcano
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico, Mexico.
- Miembro de El Colegio Nacional, Mexico, Mexico.
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14
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Webb C, Ip S, Bathula NV, Popova P, Soriano SKV, Ly HH, Eryilmaz B, Nguyen Huu VA, Broadhead R, Rabel M, Villamagna I, Abraham S, Raeesi V, Thomas A, Clarke S, Ramsay EC, Perrie Y, Blakney AK. Current Status and Future Perspectives on MRNA Drug Manufacturing. Mol Pharm 2022; 19:1047-1058. [PMID: 35238565 PMCID: PMC8905930 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.2c00010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic launched an unprecedented global effort to rapidly develop vaccines to stem the spread of the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). Messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) vaccines were developed quickly by companies that were actively developing mRNA therapeutics and vaccines for other indications, leading to two mRNA vaccines being not only the first SARS-CoV-2 vaccines to be approved for emergency use but also the first mRNA drugs to gain emergency use authorization and to eventually gain full approval. This was possible partly because mRNA sequences can be altered to encode nearly any protein without significantly altering its chemical properties, allowing the drug substance to be a modular component of the drug product. Lipid nanoparticle (LNP) technology required to protect the ribonucleic acid (RNA) and mediate delivery into the cytoplasm of cells is likewise modular, as are technologies and infrastructure required to encapsulate the RNA into the LNP. This enabled the rapid adaptation of the technology to a new target. Upon the coattails of the clinical success of mRNA vaccines, this modularity will pave the way for future RNA medicines for cancer, gene therapy, and RNA engineered cell therapies. In this review, trends in the publication records and clinical trial registrations are tallied to show the sharp intensification in preclinical and clinical research for RNA medicines. Demand for the manufacturing of both the RNA drug substance (DS) and the LNP drug product (DP) has already been strained, causing shortages of the vaccine, and the rise in development and translation of other mRNA drugs in the coming years will exacerbate this strain. To estimate demand for DP manufacturing, the dosing requirements for the preclinical and clinical studies of the two approved mRNA vaccines were examined. To understand the current state of mRNA-LNP production, current methods and technologies are reviewed, as are current and announced global capacities for commercial manufacturing. Finally, a vision is rationalized for how emerging technologies such as self-amplifying mRNA, microfluidic production, and trends toward integrated and distributed manufacturing will shape the future of RNA manufacturing and unlock the potential for an RNA medicine revolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cameron Webb
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and
Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, 161 Cathedral Street,
Glasgow G4 0RE, United Kingdom
| | - Shell Ip
- Precision NanoSystems Inc,
655 West Kent Avenue North Unit 50, Vancouver, British Columbia V6P 6T7,
Canada
| | - Nuthan V. Bathula
- Michael Smith Laboratories & School of Biomedical
Engineering, University of British Columbia, 2185 East Mall,
Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Petya Popova
- Michael Smith Laboratories & School of Biomedical
Engineering, University of British Columbia, 2185 East Mall,
Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Shekinah K. V. Soriano
- Michael Smith Laboratories & School of Biomedical
Engineering, University of British Columbia, 2185 East Mall,
Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Han Han Ly
- Michael Smith Laboratories & School of Biomedical
Engineering, University of British Columbia, 2185 East Mall,
Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Burcu Eryilmaz
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and
Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, 161 Cathedral Street,
Glasgow G4 0RE, United Kingdom
| | - Viet Anh Nguyen Huu
- Precision NanoSystems Inc,
655 West Kent Avenue North Unit 50, Vancouver, British Columbia V6P 6T7,
Canada
| | - Richard Broadhead
- Precision NanoSystems Inc,
655 West Kent Avenue North Unit 50, Vancouver, British Columbia V6P 6T7,
Canada
| | - Martin Rabel
- Precision NanoSystems Inc,
655 West Kent Avenue North Unit 50, Vancouver, British Columbia V6P 6T7,
Canada
| | - Ian Villamagna
- Precision NanoSystems Inc,
655 West Kent Avenue North Unit 50, Vancouver, British Columbia V6P 6T7,
Canada
| | - Suraj Abraham
- Precision NanoSystems Inc,
655 West Kent Avenue North Unit 50, Vancouver, British Columbia V6P 6T7,
Canada
| | - Vahid Raeesi
- Precision NanoSystems Inc,
655 West Kent Avenue North Unit 50, Vancouver, British Columbia V6P 6T7,
Canada
| | - Anitha Thomas
- Precision NanoSystems Inc,
655 West Kent Avenue North Unit 50, Vancouver, British Columbia V6P 6T7,
Canada
| | - Samuel Clarke
- Precision NanoSystems Inc,
655 West Kent Avenue North Unit 50, Vancouver, British Columbia V6P 6T7,
Canada
| | - Euan C. Ramsay
- Precision NanoSystems Inc,
655 West Kent Avenue North Unit 50, Vancouver, British Columbia V6P 6T7,
Canada
| | - Yvonne Perrie
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and
Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, 161 Cathedral Street,
Glasgow G4 0RE, United Kingdom
| | - Anna K. Blakney
- Michael Smith Laboratories & School of Biomedical
Engineering, University of British Columbia, 2185 East Mall,
Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z4, Canada
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15
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An RNA-cleaving threose nucleic acid enzyme capable of single point mutation discrimination. Nat Chem 2022; 14:350-359. [PMID: 34916596 DOI: 10.1038/s41557-021-00847-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Threose nucleic acid has been considered a potential evolutionary progenitor of RNA because of its chemical simplicity, base pairing properties and capacity for higher-order functions such as folding and specific ligand binding. Here we report the in vitro selection of RNA-cleaving threose nucleic acid enzymes. One such enzyme, Tz1, catalyses a site-specific RNA-cleavage reaction with an observed pseudo first-order rate constant (kobs) of 0.016 min-1. The catalytic activity of Tz1 is maximal at 8 mM Mg2+ and remains relatively constant from pH 5.3 to 9.0. Tz1 preferentially cleaves a mutant epidermal growth factor receptor RNA substrate with a single point substitution, while leaving the wild-type intact. We demonstrate that Tz1 mediates selective gene silencing of the mutant epidermal growth factor receptor in eukaryotic cells. The identification of catalytic threose nucleic acids provides further experimental support for threose nucleic acid as an ancestral genetic and functional material. The demonstration of Tz1 mediating selective knockdown of intracellular RNA suggests that functional threose nucleic acids could be developed for future biomedical applications.
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16
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Wang F, Li P, Chu HC, Lo PK. Nucleic Acids and Their Analogues for Biomedical Applications. BIOSENSORS 2022; 12:bios12020093. [PMID: 35200353 PMCID: PMC8869748 DOI: 10.3390/bios12020093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Nucleic acids are emerging as powerful and functional biomaterials due to their molecular recognition ability, programmability, and ease of synthesis and chemical modification. Various types of nucleic acids have been used as gene regulation tools or therapeutic agents for the treatment of human diseases with genetic disorders. Nucleic acids can also be used to develop sensing platforms for detecting ions, small molecules, proteins, and cells. Their performance can be improved through integration with other organic or inorganic nanomaterials. To further enhance their biological properties, various chemically modified nucleic acid analogues can be generated by modifying their phosphodiester backbone, sugar moiety, nucleobase, or combined sites. Alternatively, using nucleic acids as building blocks for self-assembly of highly ordered nanostructures would enhance their biological stability and cellular uptake efficiency. In this review, we will focus on the development and biomedical applications of structural and functional natural nucleic acids, as well as the chemically modified nucleic acid analogues over the past ten years. The recent progress in the development of functional nanomaterials based on self-assembled DNA-based platforms for gene regulation, biosensing, drug delivery, and therapy will also be presented. We will then summarize with a discussion on the advanced development of nucleic acid research, highlight some of the challenges faced and propose suggestions for further improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Wang
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China; (F.W.); (P.L.); (H.C.C.)
| | - Pan Li
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China; (F.W.); (P.L.); (H.C.C.)
| | - Hoi Ching Chu
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China; (F.W.); (P.L.); (H.C.C.)
| | - Pik Kwan Lo
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China; (F.W.); (P.L.); (H.C.C.)
- Key Laboratory of Biochip Technology, Biotech and Health Care, Shenzhen Research Institute of City University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen 518057, China
- Correspondence:
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17
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Christensen TA, Lee KY, Gottlieb SZP, Carrier MB, Leconte AM. Mutant polymerases capable of 2′ fluoro-modified nucleic acid synthesis and amplification with improved accuracy. RSC Chem Biol 2022; 3:1044-1051. [PMID: 35975008 PMCID: PMC9347352 DOI: 10.1039/d2cb00064d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Nonnatural nucleic acids (xeno nucleic acids, XNA) can possess several useful properties such as expanded reactivity and nuclease resistance, which can enhance the utility of DNA as a biotechnological tool. Native DNA polymerases are unable to synthesize XNA, so, in recent years mutant XNA polymerases have been engineered with sufficient activity for use in processes such as PCR. While substantial improvements have been made, accuracy still needs to be increased by orders of magnitude to approach natural error rates and make XNA polymerases useful for applications that require high fidelity. Here, we systematically evaluate leading Taq DNA polymerase mutants for their fidelity during synthesis of 2′F XNA. To further improve their accuracy, we add mutations that have been shown to increase the fidelity of wild-type Taq polymerases, to some of the best current XNA polymerases (SFM4–3, SFM4–6, and SFP1). The resulting polymerases show significant improvements in synthesis accuracy. In addition to generating more accurate XNA polymerases, this study also informs future polymerase engineering efforts by demonstrating that mutations that improve the accuracy of DNA synthesis may also have utility in improving the accuracy of XNA synthesis. Polymerases that have been evolved to synthesize 2′F XNA are often inaccurate. Here, we show that you can improve the accuracy of 2′F XNA polymerase synthesis by adding mutations previously found to improve the accuracy of natural DNA synthesis.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Trevor A. Christensen
- W. M. Keck Science Department of Claremont McKenna, Pitzer, and Scripps Colleges, Claremont, CA, USA
| | - Kristi Y. Lee
- W. M. Keck Science Department of Claremont McKenna, Pitzer, and Scripps Colleges, Claremont, CA, USA
| | - Simone Z. P. Gottlieb
- W. M. Keck Science Department of Claremont McKenna, Pitzer, and Scripps Colleges, Claremont, CA, USA
| | - Mikayla B. Carrier
- W. M. Keck Science Department of Claremont McKenna, Pitzer, and Scripps Colleges, Claremont, CA, USA
| | - Aaron M. Leconte
- W. M. Keck Science Department of Claremont McKenna, Pitzer, and Scripps Colleges, Claremont, CA, USA
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18
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Fan C, Deng Q, Zhu TF. Bioorthogonal information storage in L-DNA with a high-fidelity mirror-image Pfu DNA polymerase. Nat Biotechnol 2021; 39:1548-1555. [PMID: 34326549 DOI: 10.1038/s41587-021-00969-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Natural DNA is exquisitely evolved to store genetic information. The chirally inverted L-DNA, possessing the same informational capacity but resistant to biodegradation, may serve as a robust, bioorthogonal information repository. Here we chemically synthesize a 90-kDa high-fidelity mirror-image Pfu DNA polymerase that enables accurate assembly of a kilobase-sized mirror-image gene. We use the polymerase to encode in L-DNA an 1860 paragraph by Louis Pasteur that first proposed a mirror-image world of biology. We realize chiral steganography by embedding a chimeric D-DNA/L-DNA key molecule in a D-DNA storage library, which conveys a false or secret message depending on the chirality of reading. Furthermore, we show that a trace amount of an L-DNA barcode preserved in water from a local pond remains amplifiable and sequenceable for 1 year, whereas a D-DNA barcode under the same conditions could not be amplified after 1 day. These next-generation mirror-image molecular tools may transform the development of advanced mirror-image biology systems and pave the way for the realization of the mirror-image central dogma and exploration of their applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuyao Fan
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing Frontier Research Center for Biological Structure, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, Center for Synthetic and Systems Biology, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Qiang Deng
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing Frontier Research Center for Biological Structure, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, Center for Synthetic and Systems Biology, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Ting F Zhu
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing Frontier Research Center for Biological Structure, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, Center for Synthetic and Systems Biology, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
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19
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Hoshino H, Kasahara Y, Kuwahara M, Obika S. DNA Polymerase Variants with High Processivity and Accuracy for Encoding and Decoding Locked Nucleic Acid Sequences. J Am Chem Soc 2020; 142:21530-21537. [PMID: 33306372 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.0c10902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Xenobiotic nucleic acids (XNAs) are chemically modified nucleic acid analogues with potential applications in nucleic acid-based therapeutics including nucleic acid aptamers, ribozymes, small interfering RNAs, and antisense oligonucleotides. We have developed a promising XNA for therapeutic uses, 2',4'-bridged nucleic acid (2',4'-BNA), also known as locked nucleic acid (LNA). Unlike the rational design of small interfering and antisense oligonucleotides, the development of LNA aptamers and catalysts requires genetically engineered polymerases that enable the synthesis of LNA from DNA and the converse reverse transcription. However, no LNA decoders or encoders with sufficient performance have been developed. In this study, we developed variants of KOD DNA polymerase, a family B DNA polymerase derived from Thermococcus kodakarensis KOD1, which are effective LNA decoders and encoders, via structural analyses. KOD DGLNK (KOD: N210D/Y409G/A485L/D614N/E664K) enabled LNA synthesis from DNA (DNA → LNA), and KOD DLK (KOD: N210D/A485L/E664K) enabled LNA reverse transcription to DNA (LNA → DNA). Both variants exhibited greatly improved efficiency and accuracy. Notably, we synthesized LNAs longer than one kilobase using KOD DGLNK. We also showed that these variants can accept 2'-O-methyl (2'-OMe), a common modification for therapeutic uses. Here, we also show that LNA and 2'-OMe mix aptamer can be practically obtained via SELEX. The variants can be used as powerful tools for creating XNA aptamers and catalysts to completely eliminate the natural species, DNA and RNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hidekazu Hoshino
- National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, 7-6-8 Saito-Asagi, Ibaraki, Osaka 567-0085, Japan.,Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, 1-6 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Yuuya Kasahara
- National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, 7-6-8 Saito-Asagi, Ibaraki, Osaka 567-0085, Japan.,Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, 1-6 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Masayasu Kuwahara
- Graduate School of Integrated Basic Sciences, Nihon University, 3-25-40 Sakurajosui, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 156-8550, Japan
| | - Satoshi Obika
- National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, 7-6-8 Saito-Asagi, Ibaraki, Osaka 567-0085, Japan.,Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, 1-6 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
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20
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Zatopek KM, Alpaslan E, Evans T, Sauguet L, Gardner A. Novel ribonucleotide discrimination in the RNA polymerase-like two-barrel catalytic core of Family D DNA polymerases. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 48:12204-12218. [PMID: 33137176 PMCID: PMC7708050 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkaa986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Revised: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Family D DNA polymerase (PolD) is the essential replicative DNA polymerase for duplication of most archaeal genomes. PolD contains a unique two-barrel catalytic core absent from all other DNA polymerase families but found in RNA polymerases (RNAPs). While PolD has an ancestral RNA polymerase catalytic core, its active site has evolved the ability to discriminate against ribonucleotides. Until now, the mechanism evolved by PolD to prevent ribonucleotide incorporation was unknown. In all other DNA polymerase families, an active site steric gate residue prevents ribonucleotide incorporation. In this work, we identify two consensus active site acidic (a) and basic (b) motifs shared across the entire two-barrel nucleotide polymerase superfamily, and a nucleotide selectivity (s) motif specific to PolD versus RNAPs. A novel steric gate histidine residue (H931 in Thermococcus sp. 9°N PolD) in the PolD s-motif both prevents ribonucleotide incorporation and promotes efficient dNTP incorporation. Further, a PolD H931A steric gate mutant abolishes ribonucleotide discrimination and readily incorporates a variety of 2' modified nucleotides. Taken together, we construct the first putative nucleotide bound PolD active site model and provide structural and functional evidence for the emergence of DNA replication through the evolution of an ancestral RNAP two-barrel catalytic core.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ece Alpaslan
- New England Biolabs, 240 County Road Ipswich, MA 01938, USA
| | - Thomas C Evans
- New England Biolabs, 240 County Road Ipswich, MA 01938, USA
| | - Ludovic Sauguet
- Institut Pasteur, Unité de Dynamique Structurale des Macromolécules, 75015 Paris, France
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21
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Duffy K, Arangundy-Franklin S, Holliger P. Modified nucleic acids: replication, evolution, and next-generation therapeutics. BMC Biol 2020; 18:112. [PMID: 32878624 PMCID: PMC7469316 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-020-00803-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Modified nucleic acids, also called xeno nucleic acids (XNAs), offer a variety of advantages for biotechnological applications and address some of the limitations of first-generation nucleic acid therapeutics. Indeed, several therapeutics based on modified nucleic acids have recently been approved and many more are under clinical evaluation. XNAs can provide increased biostability and furthermore are now increasingly amenable to in vitro evolution, accelerating lead discovery. Here, we review the most recent discoveries in this dynamic field with a focus on progress in the enzymatic replication and functional exploration of XNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Duffy
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge, CB2 0QH, UK
| | | | - Philipp Holliger
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge, CB2 0QH, UK.
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22
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Abstract
DNA polymerases play a central role in biology by transferring genetic information from one generation to the next during cell division. Harnessing the power of these enzymes in the laboratory has fueled an increase in biomedical applications that involve the synthesis, amplification, and sequencing of DNA. However, the high substrate specificity exhibited by most naturally occurring DNA polymerases often precludes their use in practical applications that require modified substrates. Moving beyond natural genetic polymers requires sophisticated enzyme-engineering technologies that can be used to direct the evolution of engineered polymerases that function with tailor-made activities. Such efforts are expected to uniquely drive emerging applications in synthetic biology by enabling the synthesis, replication, and evolution of synthetic genetic polymers with new physicochemical properties.
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23
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Houlihan G, Arangundy-Franklin S, Porebski BT, Subramanian N, Taylor AI, Holliger P. Discovery and evolution of RNA and XNA reverse transcriptase function and fidelity. Nat Chem 2020; 12:683-690. [PMID: 32690899 DOI: 10.1038/s41557-020-0502-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2019] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The ability of reverse transcriptases (RTs) to synthesize a complementary DNA from natural RNA and a range of unnatural xeno nucleic acid (XNA) template chemistries, underpins key methods in molecular and synthetic genetics. However, RTs have proven challenging to discover and engineer, in particular for the more divergent XNA chemistries. Here we describe a general strategy for the directed evolution of RT function for any template chemistry called compartmentalized bead labelling and demonstrate it by the directed evolution of efficient RTs for 2'-O-methyl RNA and hexitol nucleic acids and the discovery of RTs for the orphan XNA chemistries D-altritol nucleic acid and 2'-methoxyethyl RNA, for which previously no RTs existed. Finally, we describe the engineering of XNA RTs with active exonucleolytic proofreading as well as the directed evolution of RNA RTs with very high complementary DNA synthesis fidelities, even in the absence of proofreading.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gillian Houlihan
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Benjamin T Porebski
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, UK
| | - Nithya Subramanian
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, UK
| | - Alexander I Taylor
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, UK.,Cambridge Institute of Therapeutic Immunology and Infectious Disease (CITIID), Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Philipp Holliger
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, UK.
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24
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Martín-Alonso S, Frutos-Beltrán E, Menéndez-Arias L. Reverse Transcriptase: From Transcriptomics to Genome Editing. Trends Biotechnol 2020; 39:194-210. [PMID: 32653101 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2020.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Revised: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Reverse transcriptases (RTs) are enzymes that can generate a complementary strand of DNA (cDNA) from RNA. Coupled with PCR, RTs have been widely used to detect RNAs and to clone expressed genes. Classical retroviral RTs have been improved by protein engineering. These enzymes and newly characterized RTs are key elements in the development of next-generation sequencing techniques that are now being applied to the study of transcriptomics. In addition, engineered RTs fused to a CRISPR/Cas9 nickase have recently shown great potential as tools to manipulate eukaryotic genomes. In this review, we discuss the properties and uses of wild type and engineered RTs in biotechnological applications, from conventional RT-PCR to recently introduced prime editing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samara Martín-Alonso
- Centro de Biología Molecular 'Severo Ochoa' (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas and Universidad Autónoma de Madrid), c/ Nicolás Cabrera 1, Campus de Cantoblanco-UAM, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Estrella Frutos-Beltrán
- Centro de Biología Molecular 'Severo Ochoa' (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas and Universidad Autónoma de Madrid), c/ Nicolás Cabrera 1, Campus de Cantoblanco-UAM, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis Menéndez-Arias
- Centro de Biología Molecular 'Severo Ochoa' (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas and Universidad Autónoma de Madrid), c/ Nicolás Cabrera 1, Campus de Cantoblanco-UAM, 28049 Madrid, Spain. @cbm.csic.es
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25
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Chandler M, Panigaj M, Rolband LA, Afonin KA. Challenges to optimizing RNA nanostructures for large scale production and controlled therapeutic properties. Nanomedicine (Lond) 2020; 15:1331-1340. [PMID: 32452262 PMCID: PMC7304434 DOI: 10.2217/nnm-2020-0034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Nucleic acids have been utilized to construct an expansive collection of nanoarchitectures varying in design, physicochemical properties, cellular processing and biomedical applications. However, the broader therapeutic adaptation of nucleic acid nanoassemblies in general, and RNA-based nanoparticles in particular, have faced several challenges in moving towards (pre)clinical settings. For one, the large-batch synthesis of nucleic acids is still under development, with multi-stranded and chemically modified assemblies requiring greater production capacity while maintaining consistent medical-grade outputs. Furthermore, the unknown immunostimulation by these nanomaterials poses additional challenges, necessary to be overcome for optimizing future development of clinically approved RNA nanoparticles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgan Chandler
- Nanoscale Science Program, Department of Chemistry, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA
| | - Martin Panigaj
- Institute of Biology & Ecology, Faculty of Science, Pavol Jozef Safarik University in Kosice, Kosice, Slovak Republic
| | - Lewis A Rolband
- Nanoscale Science Program, Department of Chemistry, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA
| | - Kirill A Afonin
- Nanoscale Science Program, Department of Chemistry, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA
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26
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Zhukov SA, Fokina AA, Stetsenko DA, Vasilyeva SV. Methods for Molecular Evolution of Polymerases. RUSSIAN JOURNAL OF BIOORGANIC CHEMISTRY 2019. [DOI: 10.1134/s1068162019060426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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27
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Qiu X, Guittet O, Mingoes C, El Banna N, Huang ME, Lepoivre M, Hildebrandt N. Quantification of Cellular Deoxyribonucleoside Triphosphates by Rolling Circle Amplification and Förster Resonance Energy Transfer. Anal Chem 2019; 91:14561-14568. [PMID: 31638767 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.9b03624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The quantification of cellular deoxyribonucleoside triphosphate (dNTP) levels is important for studying pathologies, genome integrity, DNA repair, and the efficacy of pharmacological drug treatments. Current standard methods, such as enzymatic assays or high-performance liquid chromatography, are complicated, costly, and labor-intensive, and alternative techniques that simplify dNTP quantification would present very useful complementary approaches. Here, we present a dNTP assay based on isothermal rolling circle amplification (RCA) and rapid time-gated Förster resonance energy transfer (TG-FRET), which used a commercial clinical plate reader system. Despite the relatively simple assay format, limits of detection down to a few picomoles of and excellent specificity for each dNTP against the other dNTPs, rNTPs, and dUTP evidenced the strong performance of the assay. Direct applicability of RCA-FRET to applied nucleic acid research was demonstrated by quantifying all dNTPs in CEM-SS leukemia cells with and without hydroxyurea or auranofin treatment. Both pharmacological agents could reduce the dNTP production in a time- and dose-dependent manner. RCA-FRET provides simple, rapid, sensitive, and specific quantification of intracellular dNTPs and has the potential to become an advanced tool for both fundamental and applied dNTP research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Qiu
- NanoBioPhotonics (nanofret.com), Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC) , Université Paris-Saclay, Université Paris-Sud, CNRS, CEA , 91400 Orsay , France
| | - Olivier Guittet
- Cellular Activation and Signal Transduction, Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC) , Université Paris-Saclay, Université Paris-Sud, CNRS, CEA , 91400 Orsay , France
| | - Carlos Mingoes
- NanoBioPhotonics (nanofret.com), Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC) , Université Paris-Saclay, Université Paris-Sud, CNRS, CEA , 91400 Orsay , France
| | - Nadine El Banna
- CNRS UMR3348, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay , 91400 Orsay , France
| | - Meng-Er Huang
- CNRS UMR3348, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay , 91400 Orsay , France
| | - Michel Lepoivre
- Cellular Activation and Signal Transduction, Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC) , Université Paris-Saclay, Université Paris-Sud, CNRS, CEA , 91400 Orsay , France
| | - Niko Hildebrandt
- NanoBioPhotonics (nanofret.com), Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC) , Université Paris-Saclay, Université Paris-Sud, CNRS, CEA , 91400 Orsay , France.,Laboratoire Chimie Organique, Bioorganique, Réactivité et Analyse (COBRA) , Université de Rouen Normandie, CNRS, INSA , 76821 Mont-Saint-Aignan , France
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28
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Renders M, Dumbre S, Abramov M, Kestemont D, Margamuljana L, Largy E, Cozens C, Vandenameele J, Pinheiro VB, Toye D, Frère JM, Herdewijn P. Kinetic analysis of N-alkylaryl carboxamide hexitol nucleotides as substrates for evolved polymerases. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 47:2160-2168. [PMID: 30698800 PMCID: PMC6412122 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkz008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2018] [Revised: 12/21/2018] [Accepted: 01/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Six 1′,5′-anhydrohexitol uridine triphosphates were synthesized with aromatic substitutions appended via a carboxamide linker to the 5-position of their bases. An improved method for obtaining such 5-substituted hexitol nucleosides and nucleotides is described. The incorporation profile of the nucleotide analogues into a DNA duplex overhang using recently evolved XNA polymerases is compared. Long, mixed HNA sequences featuring the base modifications are generated. The apparent binding affinity of four of the nucleotides to the enzyme, the rate of the chemical step and of product release, plus the specificity constant for the incorporation of these modified nucleotides into a DNA duplex overhang using the HNA polymerase T6G12_I521L are determined via pre-steady-state kinetics. HNA polymers displaying aromatic functional groups could have significant impact on the isolation of stable and high-affinity binders and catalysts, or on the design of nanomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marleen Renders
- KU Leuven, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Medicinal Chemistry, Rega, Herestraat 49 box 1041, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Shrinivas Dumbre
- KU Leuven, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Medicinal Chemistry, Rega, Herestraat 49 box 1041, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Mikhail Abramov
- KU Leuven, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Medicinal Chemistry, Rega, Herestraat 49 box 1041, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Donaat Kestemont
- KU Leuven, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Medicinal Chemistry, Rega, Herestraat 49 box 1041, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lia Margamuljana
- KU Leuven, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Medicinal Chemistry, Rega, Herestraat 49 box 1041, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Eric Largy
- ARNA laboratory, Université de Bordeaux, INSERM U1212, CNRS UMR5320, IECB, 2 rue Robert Escarpit, 33600 Pessac, France
| | - Christopher Cozens
- Structural and Molecular Biology Department, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E B6T, UK.,Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, Birkbeck College, University of London, Malet Street, London, WC1E 7HX, United Kingdom
| | - Julie Vandenameele
- Laboratory of Enzymology and Protein Folding/Robotein Platform, Centre for Protein Engineering (CIP), Department of Life Sciences, University of Liège, Quartier Agora, Allée du six Août 13, Bât. B6a, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Vitor B Pinheiro
- Structural and Molecular Biology Department, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E B6T, UK.,Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, Birkbeck College, University of London, Malet Street, London, WC1E 7HX, United Kingdom
| | - Dominique Toye
- Chemical engineering laboratory, University of Liège, Allée de la chimie, 3, Bât B6c, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Jean-Marie Frère
- Laboratory of Enzymology and Protein Folding/Robotein Platform, Centre for Protein Engineering (CIP), Department of Life Sciences, University of Liège, Quartier Agora, Allée du six Août 13, Bât. B6a, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Piet Herdewijn
- KU Leuven, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Medicinal Chemistry, Rega, Herestraat 49 box 1041, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.,Université d'Evry, CNRS-UMR8030/Laboratoire iSSB, CEA, DRF, IG, Genoscope, Université Paris-Saclay, Evry 91000, France
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29
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Hölz K, Schaudy E, Lietard J, Somoza MM. Multi-level patterning nucleic acid photolithography. Nat Commun 2019; 10:3805. [PMID: 31444344 PMCID: PMC6707258 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-11670-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2019] [Accepted: 07/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The versatile and tunable self-assembly properties of nucleic acids and engineered nucleic acid constructs make them invaluable in constructing microscale and nanoscale devices, structures and circuits. Increasing the complexity, functionality and ease of assembly of such constructs, as well as interfacing them to the macroscopic world requires a multifaceted and programmable fabrication approach that combines efficient and spatially resolved nucleic acid synthesis with multiple post-synthetic chemical and enzymatic modifications. Here we demonstrate a multi-level photolithographic patterning approach that starts with large-scale in situ surface synthesis of natural, modified or chimeric nucleic acid molecular structures and is followed by chemical and enzymatic nucleic acid modifications and processing. The resulting high-complexity, micrometer-resolution nucleic acid surface patterns include linear and branched structures, multi-color fluorophore labeling and programmable targeted oligonucleotide immobilization and cleavage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathrin Hölz
- Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14 (UZA II), 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Erika Schaudy
- Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14 (UZA II), 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jory Lietard
- Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14 (UZA II), 1090, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Mark M Somoza
- Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14 (UZA II), 1090, Vienna, Austria.
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30
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Cozens C, Pinheiro VB. Darwin Assembly: fast, efficient, multi-site bespoke mutagenesis. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 46:e51. [PMID: 29409059 PMCID: PMC5934624 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gky067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2017] [Accepted: 01/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Engineering proteins for designer functions and biotechnological applications almost invariably requires (or at least benefits from) multiple mutations to non-contiguous residues. Several methods for multiple site-directed mutagenesis exist, but there remains a need for fast and simple methods to efficiently introduce such mutations – particularly for generating large, high quality libraries for directed evolution. Here, we present Darwin Assembly, which can deliver high quality libraries of >108 transformants, targeting multiple (>10) distal sites with minimal wild-type contamination (<0.25% of total population) and which takes a single working day from purified plasmid to library transformation. We demonstrate its efficacy with whole gene codon reassignment of chloramphenicol acetyl transferase, mutating 19 codons in a single reaction in KOD DNA polymerase and generating high quality, multiple-site libraries in T7 RNA polymerase and Tgo DNA polymerase. Darwin Assembly uses commercially available enzymes, can be readily automated, and offers a cost-effective route to highly complex and customizable library generation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Vitor B Pinheiro
- University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK.,Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Birkbeck College, University of London, Malet Street WC1E 7HX, UK
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31
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Nikoomanzar A, Vallejo D, Chaput JC. Elucidating the Determinants of Polymerase Specificity by Microfluidic-Based Deep Mutational Scanning. ACS Synth Biol 2019; 8:1421-1429. [PMID: 31081325 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.9b00104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Engineering polymerases to synthesize artificial genetic polymers with unique backbone structures is limited by a general lack of understanding about the structural determinants that govern substrate specificity. Here, we report a high-throughput microfluidic-based approach for mapping sequence-function relationships that combines droplet-based optical polymerase sorting with deep mutational scanning. We applied this strategy to map the finger subdomain of a replicative DNA polymerase isolated from Thermococcus kodakarensis (Kod). The enrichment profile provides an unbiased view of the ability of each mutant to synthesize threose nucleic acid, which was used as a model non-natural genetic polymer. From a single round of sorting, we discovered two cases of positive epistasis and demonstrate the near inversion of substrate specificity from a double mutant variant. This effort indicates that polymerase specificity may be governed by a small number of highly specific residues that can be elucidated by deep mutational scanning without the need for iterative rounds of directed evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Nikoomanzar
- Departments of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, and Molecular Biology and Biochemistry , University of California , Irvine , California 92697-3958 , United States
| | - Derek Vallejo
- Departments of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, and Molecular Biology and Biochemistry , University of California , Irvine , California 92697-3958 , United States
| | - John C Chaput
- Departments of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, and Molecular Biology and Biochemistry , University of California , Irvine , California 92697-3958 , United States
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32
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Taylor AI, Houlihan G, Holliger P. Beyond DNA and RNA: The Expanding Toolbox of Synthetic Genetics. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol 2019; 11:11/6/a032490. [PMID: 31160351 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a032490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The remarkable physicochemical properties of the natural nucleic acids, DNA and RNA, define modern biology at the molecular level and are widely believed to have been central to life's origins. However, their ability to form repositories of information as well as functional structures such as ligands (aptamers) and catalysts (ribozymes/DNAzymes) is not unique. A range of nonnatural alternatives, collectively termed xeno nucleic acids (XNAs), are also capable of supporting genetic information storage and propagation as well as evolution. This gives rise to a new field of "synthetic genetics," which seeks to expand the nucleic acid chemical toolbox for applications in both biotechnology and molecular medicine. In this review, we outline XNA polymerase and reverse transcriptase engineering as a key enabling technology and summarize the application of "synthetic genetics" to the development of aptamers, enzymes, and nanostructures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander I Taylor
- Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge CB2 0QH, United Kingdom
| | - Gillian Houlihan
- Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge CB2 0QH, United Kingdom
| | - Philipp Holliger
- Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge CB2 0QH, United Kingdom
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33
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Gardner AF, Jackson KM, Boyle MM, Buss JA, Potapov V, Gehring AM, Zatopek KM, Corrêa IR, Ong JL, Jack WE. Therminator DNA Polymerase: Modified Nucleotides and Unnatural Substrates. Front Mol Biosci 2019; 6:28. [PMID: 31069234 PMCID: PMC6491775 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2019.00028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2018] [Accepted: 04/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A variant of 9°N DNA polymerase [Genbank ID (AAA88769.1)] with three mutations (D141A, E143A, A485L) and commercialized under the name "Therminator DNA polymerase" has the ability to incorporate a variety of modified nucleotide classes. This Review focuses on how Therminator DNA Polymerase has enabled new technologies in synthetic biology and DNA sequencing. In addition, we discuss mechanisms for increased modified nucleotide incorporation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Ivan R Corrêa
- New England Biolabs, Inc., Ipswich, MA, United States
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34
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Arangundy-Franklin S, Taylor AI, Porebski BT, Genna V, Peak-Chew S, Vaisman A, Woodgate R, Orozco M, Holliger P. A synthetic genetic polymer with an uncharged backbone chemistry based on alkyl phosphonate nucleic acids. Nat Chem 2019; 11:533-542. [PMID: 31011171 DOI: 10.1038/s41557-019-0255-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2018] [Accepted: 03/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The physicochemical properties of nucleic acids are dominated by their highly charged phosphodiester backbone chemistry. This polyelectrolyte structure decouples information content (base sequence) from bulk properties, such as solubility, and has been proposed as a defining trait of all informational polymers. However, this conjecture has not been tested experimentally. Here, we describe the encoded synthesis of a genetic polymer with an uncharged backbone chemistry: alkyl phosphonate nucleic acids (phNAs) in which the canonical, negatively charged phosphodiester is replaced by an uncharged P-alkyl phosphonodiester backbone. Using synthetic chemistry and polymerase engineering, we describe the enzymatic, DNA-templated synthesis of P-methyl and P-ethyl phNAs, and the directed evolution of specific streptavidin-binding phNA aptamer ligands directly from random-sequence mixed P-methyl/P-ethyl phNA repertoires. Our results establish an example of the DNA-templated enzymatic synthesis and evolution of an uncharged genetic polymer and provide a foundational methodology for their exploration as a source of novel functional molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alexander I Taylor
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, UK
| | - Benjamin T Porebski
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, UK
| | - Vito Genna
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sew Peak-Chew
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, UK
| | - Alexandra Vaisman
- Section on DNA Replication, Repair and Mutagenesis, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Roger Woodgate
- Section on DNA Replication, Repair and Mutagenesis, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Modesto Orozco
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Biochemistry and Biomedicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Philipp Holliger
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, UK.
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35
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36
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Flamme M, McKenzie LK, Sarac I, Hollenstein M. Chemical methods for the modification of RNA. Methods 2019; 161:64-82. [PMID: 30905751 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2019.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2018] [Revised: 03/18/2019] [Accepted: 03/19/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA is often considered as being the vector for the transmission of genetic information from DNA to the protein synthesis machinery. However, besides translation RNA participates in a broad variety of fundamental biological roles such as gene expression and regulation, protein synthesis, and even catalysis of chemical reactions. This variety of function combined with intricate three-dimensional structures and the discovery of over 100 chemical modifications in natural RNAs require chemical methods for the modification of RNAs in order to investigate their mechanism, location, and exact biological roles. In addition, numerous RNA-based tools such as ribozymes, aptamers, or therapeutic oligonucleotides require the presence of additional chemical functionalities to strengthen the nucleosidic backbone against degradation or enhance the desired catalytic or binding properties. Herein, the two main methods for the chemical modification of RNA are presented: solid-phase synthesis using phosphoramidite precursors and the enzymatic polymerization of nucleoside triphosphates. The different synthetic and biochemical steps required for each method are carefully described and recent examples of practical applications based on these two methods are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Flamme
- Institut Pasteur, Department of Structural Biology and Chemistry, Laboratory for Bioorganic Chemistry of Nucleic Acids, CNRS UMR3523, 28, rue du Docteur Roux, 75724 Paris Cedex 15, France; Sorbonne Université, Collège doctoral, F-75005 Paris, France
| | - Luke K McKenzie
- Institut Pasteur, Department of Structural Biology and Chemistry, Laboratory for Bioorganic Chemistry of Nucleic Acids, CNRS UMR3523, 28, rue du Docteur Roux, 75724 Paris Cedex 15, France
| | - Ivo Sarac
- Institut Pasteur, Department of Structural Biology and Chemistry, Laboratory for Bioorganic Chemistry of Nucleic Acids, CNRS UMR3523, 28, rue du Docteur Roux, 75724 Paris Cedex 15, France
| | - Marcel Hollenstein
- Institut Pasteur, Department of Structural Biology and Chemistry, Laboratory for Bioorganic Chemistry of Nucleic Acids, CNRS UMR3523, 28, rue du Docteur Roux, 75724 Paris Cedex 15, France.
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37
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Su Y, Ghodke PP, Egli M, Li L, Wang Y, Guengerich FP. Human DNA polymerase η has reverse transcriptase activity in cellular environments. J Biol Chem 2019; 294:6073-6081. [PMID: 30842261 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra119.007925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2019] [Revised: 03/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Classical DNA and RNA polymerase (pol) enzymes have defined roles with their respective substrates, but several pols have been found to have multiple functions. We reported previously that purified human DNA pol η (hpol η) can incorporate both deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates (dNTPs) and ribonucleoside triphosphates (rNTPs) and can use both DNA and RNA as substrates. X-ray crystal structures revealed that two pol η residues, Phe-18 and Tyr-92, behave as steric gates to influence sugar selectivity. However, the physiological relevance of these phenomena has not been established. Here, we show that purified hpol η adds rNTPs to DNA primers at physiological rNTP concentrations and in the presence of competing dNTPs. When two rATPs were inserted opposite a cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer, the substrate was less efficiently cleaved by human RNase H2. Human XP-V fibroblast extracts, devoid of hpol η, could not add rNTPs to a DNA primer, but the expression of transfected hpol η in the cells restored this ability. XP-V cell extracts did not add dNTPs to DNA primers hybridized to RNA, but could when hpol η was expressed in the cells. HEK293T cell extracts could add dNTPs to DNA primers hybridized to RNA, but lost this ability if hpol η was deleted. Interestingly, a similar phenomenon was not observed when other translesion synthesis (TLS) DNA polymerases-hpol ι, κ, or ζ-were individually deleted. These results suggest that hpol η is one of the major reverse transcriptases involved in physiological processes in human cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Su
- From the Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-0146
| | - Pratibha P Ghodke
- From the Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-0146
| | - Martin Egli
- From the Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-0146
| | - Lin Li
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, California 92521
| | - Yinsheng Wang
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, California 92521
| | - F Peter Guengerich
- From the Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-0146.
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38
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Engineering-driven biological insights into DNA polymerase mechanism. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2018; 60:9-16. [PMID: 30502514 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2018.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2018] [Accepted: 11/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
DNA-dependent DNA polymerases have been extensively studied for over 60 years and lie at the core of multiple biotechnological and diagnostic applications. Nevertheless, these complex molecular machines remain only partially understood. Here we present some evidence on how polymerase engineering for the synthesis and replication of xenobiotic nucleic acids (XNAs) have improved our understanding of these enzymes and how that can be used to gain further insight into their mechanism. Better understanding of the mechanisms of DNA polymerases can accelerate their engineering and we highlight how it is now feasible to use structure-based and function-based approaches to systematically and iteratively develop XNA polymerases for increasingly divergent chemistries.
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39
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Lemor M, Kong Z, Henry E, Brizard R, Laurent S, Bossé A, Henneke G. Differential Activities of DNA Polymerases in Processing Ribonucleotides during DNA Synthesis in Archaea. J Mol Biol 2018; 430:4908-4924. [PMID: 30342933 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2018.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2018] [Revised: 09/09/2018] [Accepted: 10/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Consistent with the fact that ribonucleotides (rNTPs) are in excess over deoxyribonucleotides (dNTPs) in vivo, recent findings indicate that replicative DNA polymerases (DNA Pols) are able to insert ribonucleotides (rNMPs) during DNA synthesis, raising crucial questions about the fidelity of DNA replication in both Bacteria and Eukarya. Here, we report that the level of rNTPs is 20-fold higher than that of dNTPs in Pyrococcus abyssi cells. Using dNTP and rNTP concentrations present in vivo, we recorded rNMP incorporation in a template-specific manner during in vitro synthesis, with the family-D DNA Pol (PolD) having the highest propensity compared with the family-B DNA Pol and the p41/p46 complex. We also showed that ribonucleotides accumulate at a relatively high frequency in the genome of wild-type Thermococcales cells, and this frequency significantly increases upon deletion of RNase HII, the major enzyme responsible for the removal of RNA from DNA. Because ribonucleotides remain in genomic DNA, we then analyzed the effects on polymerization activities by the three DNA Pols. Depending on the identity of the base and the sequence context, all three DNA Pols bypass rNMP-containing DNA templates with variable efficiency and nucleotide (mis)incorporation ability. Unexpectedly, we found that PolD correctly base-paired a single ribonucleotide opposite rNMP-containing DNA templates. An evolutionary scenario is discussed concerning rNMP incorporation into DNA and genome stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mélanie Lemor
- Ifremer, Univ Brest, CNRS, Laboratoire de Microbiologie des Environnements Extrêmes, F-29280 Plouzané, France
| | - Ziqing Kong
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Etienne Henry
- CNRS, Ifremer, Univ Brest, Laboratoire de Microbiologie des Environnements Extrêmes, F-29280, Plouzané, France
| | - Raphaël Brizard
- Ifremer, Univ Brest, CNRS, Laboratoire de Microbiologie des Environnements Extrêmes, F-29280 Plouzané, France
| | - Sébastien Laurent
- Ifremer, Univ Brest, CNRS, Laboratoire de Microbiologie des Environnements Extrêmes, F-29280 Plouzané, France
| | - Audrey Bossé
- Ifremer, Univ Brest, CNRS, Laboratoire de Microbiologie des Environnements Extrêmes, F-29280 Plouzané, France
| | - Ghislaine Henneke
- Ifremer, Univ Brest, CNRS, Laboratoire de Microbiologie des Environnements Extrêmes, F-29280 Plouzané, France.
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40
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Mehta AP, Wang Y, Reed SA, Supekova L, Javahishvili T, Chaput JC, Schultz PG. Bacterial Genome Containing Chimeric DNA–RNA Sequences. J Am Chem Soc 2018; 140:11464-11473. [DOI: 10.1021/jacs.8b07046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Angad P. Mehta
- The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Yiyang Wang
- The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Sean A. Reed
- The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Lubica Supekova
- The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Tsotne Javahishvili
- Bay Area Innovation Center, Corteva Agriscience, 4010 Point Eden Way, Hayward, California 94545, United States
| | | | - Peter G. Schultz
- The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
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41
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Cozens C, Pinheiro VB. XNA Synthesis and Reverse Transcription by Engineered Thermophilic Polymerases. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 10:e47. [PMID: 30039931 DOI: 10.1002/cpch.47] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The B-family polymerases of hyperthermophilic archaea have proven an exceptional platform for engineering polymerases with extended substrate spectra, despite multiple mechanisms for detecting and avoiding incorporation of non-cognate substrates. These polymerases can efficiently synthesize and reverse-transcribe a number of xenonucleic acids (XNAs) that differ significantly from the canonical B-form of DNA. We present here a protocol for hexitol nucleic acid (HNA) synthesis by an engineered Thermococcus gorgonarius polymerase variant, including adaptation for large-scale synthesis and purification, and for other XNAs. We describe XNA purification and reverse transcription (with a previously reported XNA RT also based on Thermococcus gorgonarius), as well as key considerations for the characterization and optimization of XNA reactions. © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Cozens
- Institute for Structural and Molecular Biology, Division of Biosciences, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Vitor B Pinheiro
- Institute for Structural and Molecular Biology, Division of Biosciences, University College London, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Biological Sciences, Birkbeck, University of London, London, United Kingdom
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42
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Kestemont D, Renders M, Leonczak P, Abramov M, Schepers G, Pinheiro VB, Rozenski J, Herdewijn P. XNA ligation using T4 DNA ligase in crowding conditions. Chem Commun (Camb) 2018; 54:6408-6411. [PMID: 29872779 DOI: 10.1039/c8cc02414f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
T4 DNA ligase is capable of ligating 2'OMe-RNA duplexes, HNA, LNA and FANA mixed sequences in the presence of 10% w/v PEG8000 and 3 M betaine. The enzymatic joining of oligonucleotides containing multiple consecutive XNA nucleotides at the ligation site has not been reported before.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donaat Kestemont
- Laboratory for Medicinal Chemistry, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Herestraat 49 box 1041, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
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43
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Torres LL, Pinheiro VB. Xenobiotic Nucleic Acid (XNA) Synthesis by Phi29 DNA Polymerase. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 10:e41. [PMID: 29927114 DOI: 10.1002/cpch.41] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Phi29 DNA polymerase (DNAP) is the replicative enzyme of the Bacillus subtilis bacteriophage Phi29. Its extraordinary processivity and its ability to perform isothermal amplification of DNA are central to many molecular biology applications, including high-sensitivity detection and large-scale production of DNA. We present here Phi29 DNAP as an efficient catalyst for the production of various artificial nucleic acids (XNAs) carrying backbone modifications such as 1,5-anhydrohexitol nucleic acid (HNA), 2'-deoxy-2'-fluoro-arabinonucleic acid (FANA), and 2'-fluoro-2'-deoxyribonucleic acid (2'-fluoro-DNA). A full protocol for the synthesis of HNA polymers by an exonuclease-deficient variant (D12A) of Phi29 DNAP plus a detailed guide for the design and test of novel XNA synthetase reactions performed by Phi29 DNAP are provided. © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leticia L Torres
- Department of Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Vitor B Pinheiro
- Department of Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London, London, United Kingdom.,Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, Birkbeck, University of London, London, United Kingdom
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44
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Attwater J, Raguram A, Morgunov AS, Gianni E, Holliger P. Ribozyme-catalysed RNA synthesis using triplet building blocks. eLife 2018; 7:35255. [PMID: 29759114 PMCID: PMC6003772 DOI: 10.7554/elife.35255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2018] [Accepted: 05/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA-catalyzed RNA replication is widely believed to have supported a primordial biology. However, RNA catalysis is dependent upon RNA folding, and this yields structures that can block replication of such RNAs. To address this apparent paradox, we have re-examined the building blocks used for RNA replication. We report RNA-catalysed RNA synthesis on structured templates when using trinucleotide triphosphates (triplets) as substrates, catalysed by a general and accurate triplet polymerase ribozyme that emerged from in vitro evolution as a mutualistic RNA heterodimer. The triplets cooperatively invaded and unraveled even highly stable RNA secondary structures, and support non-canonical primer-free and bidirectional modes of RNA synthesis and replication. Triplet substrates thus resolve a central incongruity of RNA replication, and here allow the ribozyme to synthesise its own catalytic subunit ‘+’ and ‘–’ strands in segments and assemble them into a new active ribozyme. Life as we know it relies on three types of molecules: DNA, which stores genetic information; proteins that carry out the chemical reactions necessary for life; and RNA, which relays information between the two. However, some scientists think that before life adopted DNA and proteins, it relied primarily on RNA. Like DNA, strands of RNA contain genetic data. Yet, some RNA strands can also fold to form ribozymes, 3D structures that could have guided life’s chemical processes the way proteins do now. For early life to be built on RNA, though, this molecule must have had the ability to make copies of itself. This duplication is a chemical reaction that could be driven by an ‘RNA replicase’ ribozyme. RNA strands are made of four different letters attached to each other in a specific order. When RNA is copied, one strand acts as a template, and a replicase ribozyme would accurately guide which letters are added to the strand under construction. However, no replicase ribozyme has been observed in existing life forms; this has led scientists to try to artificially create RNA replicase ribozymes that could copy themselves. Until now, the best approaches have assumed that a replicase would add building blocks formed of a single letter one by one to grow a new strand. Yet, although ribozymes can be made to copy straight RNA templates this way, folded RNA templates – including the replicase ribozyme itself – impede copying. In this apparent paradox, a ribozyme needs to fold to copy RNA, but when folded, is itself copied poorly. Here, Attwater et al. wondered if choosing different building blocks might overcome this contradiction. Biochemical techniques were used to engineer a ribozyme that copies RNA strands by adding letters not one-by-one, but three-by-three. Using three-letter ‘triplet’ building blocks, this new ribozyme can copy various folded RNA strands, including the active part of its own sequence. This is because triplet building blocks have different, and sometimes unexpected, chemical properties compared to single-letter blocks. For example, these triplets work together to bind tightly to RNA strands and unravel structures that block RNA copying. All life on Earth today uses a triplet RNA code to make proteins from DNA, and these experiments showed how RNA triplets might have helped RNA sustain early life forms. Further work is now needed to improve the ribozyme designed by Attwater et al. for efficient self-copying.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Attwater
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Aditya Raguram
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Alexey S Morgunov
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Edoardo Gianni
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Philipp Holliger
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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Liu C, Cozens C, Jaziri F, Rozenski J, Maréchal A, Dumbre S, Pezo V, Marlière P, Pinheiro VB, Groaz E, Herdewijn P. Phosphonomethyl Oligonucleotides as Backbone-Modified Artificial Genetic Polymers. J Am Chem Soc 2018; 140:6690-6699. [DOI: 10.1021/jacs.8b03447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Chao Liu
- Medicinal Chemistry, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Faten Jaziri
- iSSB, Genopole, CNRS, UEVE, Université Paris-Saclay, 5 rue Henri Desbruères, 91030 Evry Cedex, France
| | - Jef Rozenski
- Medicinal Chemistry, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Shrinivas Dumbre
- Medicinal Chemistry, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Valérie Pezo
- iSSB, Genopole, CNRS, UEVE, Université Paris-Saclay, 5 rue Henri Desbruères, 91030 Evry Cedex, France
| | - Philippe Marlière
- iSSB, Genopole, CNRS, UEVE, Université Paris-Saclay, 5 rue Henri Desbruères, 91030 Evry Cedex, France
| | - Vitor B. Pinheiro
- University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, U.K
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Birkbeck College, University of London, Malet Street, London WC1E 7HX, U.K
| | - Elisabetta Groaz
- Medicinal Chemistry, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Piet Herdewijn
- Medicinal Chemistry, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- iSSB, Genopole, CNRS, UEVE, Université Paris-Saclay, 5 rue Henri Desbruères, 91030 Evry Cedex, France
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46
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Baronti L, Karlsson H, Marušič M, Petzold K. A guide to large-scale RNA sample preparation. Anal Bioanal Chem 2018; 410:3239-3252. [PMID: 29546546 PMCID: PMC5937877 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-018-0943-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2017] [Revised: 01/25/2018] [Accepted: 02/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
RNA is becoming more important as an increasing number of functions, both regulatory and enzymatic, are being discovered on a daily basis. As the RNA boom has just begun, most techniques are still in development and changes occur frequently. To understand RNA functions, revealing the structure of RNA is of utmost importance, which requires sample preparation. We review the latest methods to produce and purify a variation of RNA molecules for different purposes with the main focus on structural biology and biophysics. We present a guide aimed at identifying the most suitable method for your RNA and your biological question and highlighting the advantages of different methods. Graphical abstract In this review we present different methods for large-scale production and purification of RNAs for structural and biophysical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Baronti
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Scheeles Väg 2, 17177, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Hampus Karlsson
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Scheeles Väg 2, 17177, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Maja Marušič
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Scheeles Väg 2, 17177, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Katja Petzold
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Scheeles Väg 2, 17177, Stockholm, Sweden.
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Abstract
The emergence of functional cooperation between the three main classes of biomolecules - nucleic acids, peptides and lipids - defines life at the molecular level. However, how such mutually interdependent molecular systems emerged from prebiotic chemistry remains a mystery. A key hypothesis, formulated by Crick, Orgel and Woese over 40 year ago, posits that early life must have been simpler. Specifically, it proposed that an early primordial biology lacked proteins and DNA but instead relied on RNA as the key biopolymer responsible not just for genetic information storage and propagation, but also for catalysis, i.e. metabolism. Indeed, there is compelling evidence for such an 'RNA world', notably in the structure of the ribosome as a likely molecular fossil from that time. Nevertheless, one might justifiably ask whether RNA alone would be up to the task. From a purely chemical perspective, RNA is a molecule of rather uniform composition with all four bases comprising organic heterocycles of similar size and comparable polarity and pK a values. Thus, RNA molecules cover a much narrower range of steric, electronic and physicochemical properties than, e.g. the 20 amino acid side-chains of proteins. Herein we will examine the functional potential of RNA (and other nucleic acids) with respect to self-replication, catalysis and assembly into simple protocellular entities.
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48
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Muttach F, Muthmann N, Rentmeister A. Synthetic mRNA capping. Beilstein J Org Chem 2017; 13:2819-2832. [PMID: 30018667 PMCID: PMC5753152 DOI: 10.3762/bjoc.13.274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2017] [Accepted: 12/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Eukaryotic mRNA with its 5'-cap is of central importance for the cell. Many studies involving mRNA require reliable preparation and modification of 5'-capped RNAs. Depending on the length of the desired capped RNA, chemical or enzymatic preparation - or a combination of both - can be advantageous. We review state-of-the art methods and give directions for choosing the appropriate approach. We also discuss the preparation and properties of mRNAs with non-natural caps providing novel features such as improved stability or enhanced translational efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Muttach
- University of Münster, Department of Chemistry, Institute of Biochemistry, Wilhelm-Klemm-Str. 2, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Nils Muthmann
- University of Münster, Department of Chemistry, Institute of Biochemistry, Wilhelm-Klemm-Str. 2, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Andrea Rentmeister
- University of Münster, Department of Chemistry, Institute of Biochemistry, Wilhelm-Klemm-Str. 2, 48149 Münster, Germany
- Cells-in-Motion Cluster of Excellence (EXC1003-CiM), University of Münster, Germany
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49
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Chim N, Shi C, Sau SP, Nikoomanzar A, Chaput JC. Structural basis for TNA synthesis by an engineered TNA polymerase. Nat Commun 2017; 8:1810. [PMID: 29180809 PMCID: PMC5703726 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-02014-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2017] [Accepted: 11/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Darwinian evolution experiments carried out on xeno-nucleic acid (XNA) polymers require engineered polymerases that can faithfully and efficiently copy genetic information back and forth between DNA and XNA. However, current XNA polymerases function with inferior activity relative to their natural counterparts. Here, we report five X-ray crystal structures that illustrate the pathway by which α-(l)-threofuranosyl nucleic acid (TNA) triphosphates are selected and extended in a template-dependent manner using a laboratory-evolved polymerase known as Kod-RI. Structural comparison of the apo, binary, open and closed ternary, and translocated product detail an ensemble of interactions and conformational changes required to promote TNA synthesis. Close inspection of the active site in the closed ternary structure reveals a sub-optimal binding geometry that explains the slow rate of catalysis. This key piece of information, which is missing for all naturally occurring archaeal DNA polymerases, provides a framework for engineering new TNA polymerase variants. The laboratory-evolved polymerase Kod-RI catalyzes α-L-threose nucleic acid (TNA) synthesis. Here, the authors present Kod-RI crystal structures that give insights into how TNA triphosphates are selected and extended in a template-dependent manner, which will help to engineer improved TNA polymerases for synthetic genetics applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Chim
- Departments of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, and Molecular Biology and Biochemistry University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697-3958, USA
| | - Changhua Shi
- Departments of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, and Molecular Biology and Biochemistry University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697-3958, USA
| | - Sujay P Sau
- Departments of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, and Molecular Biology and Biochemistry University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697-3958, USA
| | - Ali Nikoomanzar
- Departments of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, and Molecular Biology and Biochemistry University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697-3958, USA
| | - John C Chaput
- Departments of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, and Molecular Biology and Biochemistry University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697-3958, USA.
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50
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Nikoomanzar A, Dunn MR, Chaput JC. Evaluating the Rate and Substrate Specificity of Laboratory Evolved XNA Polymerases. Anal Chem 2017; 89:12622-12625. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.7b03807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ali Nikoomanzar
- Departments of Pharmaceutical Sciences,
Chemistry, and Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, California 92697-3958, United States
| | - Matthew R. Dunn
- Departments of Pharmaceutical Sciences,
Chemistry, and Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, California 92697-3958, United States
| | - John C. Chaput
- Departments of Pharmaceutical Sciences,
Chemistry, and Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, California 92697-3958, United States
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