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Taton A, Gilderman TS, Ernst DC, Omaga CA, Cohen LA, Rey-Bedon C, Golden JW, Golden SS. Synechococcus elongatus Argonaute reduces natural transformation efficiency and provides immunity against exogenous plasmids. mBio 2023; 14:e0184323. [PMID: 37791787 PMCID: PMC10653904 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01843-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE S. elongatus is an important cyanobacterial model organism for the study of its prokaryotic circadian clock, photosynthesis, and other biological processes. It is also widely used for genetic engineering to produce renewable biochemicals. Our findings reveal an SeAgo-based defense mechanism in S. elongatus against the horizontal transfer of genetic material. We demonstrate that deletion of the ago gene facilitates genetic studies and genetic engineering of S. elongatus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arnaud Taton
- School of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Tami S. Gilderman
- School of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Dustin C. Ernst
- Center for Circadian Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Carla A. Omaga
- Center for Circadian Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Lucas A. Cohen
- School of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Camilo Rey-Bedon
- School of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - James W. Golden
- School of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Susan S. Golden
- School of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
- Center for Circadian Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
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2
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Cheng J, Zhang K, Hou Y. The current situations and limitations of genetic engineering in cyanobacteria: a mini review. Mol Biol Rep 2023; 50:5481-5487. [PMID: 37119415 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-023-08456-8] [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: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/01/2023]
Abstract
Cyanobacteria are an ancient group of photoautotrophic prokaryotes, and play an essential role in the global carbon cycle. They are also model organisms for studying photosynthesis and circadian regulation, and metabolic engineering and synthetic biology strategies grants light-driven biotechnological applications to cyanobacteria, especially for engineering cyanobacteria cells to achieve an efficient light-driven system for synthesizing any product of interest from renewable feedstocks. However, lower yield limits the potential of industrial application of cyanobacterial synthetic biology, and some key limitations must be overcome to realize the full biotechnological potential of these versatile microorganisms. Although genetic engineering toolkits for cyanobacteria have made some progress, the tools available still lag behind conventional heterotrophic microorganism. Consequently, this study describes the current situations and limitations of genetic engineering in cyanobacteria, and further improvements are proposed to improve the output of targeted products. We believe that cyanobacteria-mediated light-driven platforms towards efficient synthesis of green chemicals could unlock a bright future by developing the tools for strain manipulation and novel chassis organisms with excellent performance for biotechnological applications, which could also accelerate the advancement of bio-manufacturing industries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Cheng
- School of Life Sciences, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, 252000, China
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Kaidian Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, Hainan Aquaculture Breeding Engineering Research Center, Hainan University, Haikou, 570100, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China.
| | - Yuyong Hou
- Key Laboratory of Systems Microbial Biotechnology, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, 300308, China.
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3
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Goodchild-Michelman IM, Church GM, Schubert MG, Tang TC. Light and carbon: Synthetic biology toward new cyanobacteria-based living biomaterials. Mater Today Bio 2023; 19:100583. [PMID: 36846306 PMCID: PMC9945787 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2023.100583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Cyanobacteria are ideal candidates to use in developing carbon neutral and carbon negative technologies; they are efficient photosynthesizers and amenable to genetic manipulation. Over the past two decades, researchers have demonstrated that cyanobacteria can make sustainable, useful biomaterials, many of which are engineered living materials. However, we are only beginning to see such technologies applied at an industrial scale. In this review, we explore the ways in which synthetic biology tools enable the development of cyanobacteria-based biomaterials. First we give an overview of the ecological and biogeochemical importance of cyanobacteria and the work that has been done using cyanobacteria to create biomaterials so far. This is followed by a discussion of commonly used cyanobacteria strains and synthetic biology tools that exist to engineer cyanobacteria. Then, three case studies-bioconcrete, biocomposites, and biophotovoltaics-are explored as potential applications of synthetic biology in cyanobacteria-based materials. Finally, challenges and future directions of cyanobacterial biomaterials are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabella M. Goodchild-Michelman
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - George M. Church
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Max G. Schubert
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Tzu-Chieh Tang
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
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4
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Vamsi Bharadwaj S, Tiwari DS, Ghosh T, Mishra S. Construction of pSM201v: A broad host range replicative vector based on shortening of RSF1010. Heliyon 2023; 9:e14637. [PMID: 37025788 PMCID: PMC10070531 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e14637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite possessing attractive features such as autotrophic growth on minimal media, industrial applications of cyanobacteria are hindered by a lack of genetic manipulative tools. There are two important features that are important for an effective manipulation: a vector which can carry the gene, and an induction system activated through external stimuli, giving us control over the expression. In this study, we describe the construction of an improved RSF1010-based vector as well as a temperature-inducible RNA thermometer. RSF1010 is a well-studied incompatibility group Q (IncQ) vector, capable of replication in most Gram negative, and some Gram positive bacteria. Our designed vector, named pSM201v, can be used as an expression vector in some Gram positive and a wide range of Gram negative bacteria including cyanobacteria. An induction system activated via physical external stimuli such as temperature, allows precise control of overexpression. pSM201v addresses several drawbacks of the RSF1010 plasmid; it has a reduced backbone size of 5189 bp compared to 8684 bp of the original plasmid, which provides more space for cloning and transfer of cargo DNA into the host organism. The mobilization function, required for plasmid transfer into several cyanobacterial strains, is reduced to a 99 bp region, as a result that mobilization of this plasmid is no longer linked to the plasmid replication. The RNA thermometer, named DTT1, is based on a RNA hairpin strategy that prevents expression of downstream genes at temperatures below 30 °C. Such RNA elements are expected to find applications in biotechnology to economically control gene expression in a scalable manner.
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Satta A, Esquirol L, Ebert BE. Current Metabolic Engineering Strategies for Photosynthetic Bioproduction in Cyanobacteria. Microorganisms 2023; 11:455. [PMID: 36838420 PMCID: PMC9964548 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11020455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 02/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Cyanobacteria are photosynthetic microorganisms capable of using solar energy to convert CO2 and H2O into O2 and energy-rich organic compounds, thus enabling sustainable production of a wide range of bio-products. More and more strains of cyanobacteria are identified that show great promise as cell platforms for the generation of bioproducts. However, strain development is still required to optimize their biosynthesis and increase titers for industrial applications. This review describes the most well-known, newest and most promising strains available to the community and gives an overview of current cyanobacterial biotechnology and the latest innovative strategies used for engineering cyanobacteria. We summarize advanced synthetic biology tools for modulating gene expression and their use in metabolic pathway engineering to increase the production of value-added compounds, such as terpenoids, fatty acids and sugars, to provide a go-to source for scientists starting research in cyanobacterial metabolic engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Satta
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
- Department of Biology, University of Padua, 35100 Padua, Italy
| | - Lygie Esquirol
- Centre for Cell Factories and Biopolymers, Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Natha, QLD 4111, Australia
| | - Birgitta E. Ebert
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
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6
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Lee M, Heo YB, Woo HM. Cytosine base editing in cyanobacteria by repressing archaic Type IV uracil-DNA glycosylase. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2023; 113:610-625. [PMID: 36565011 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.16074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Base editing enables precise gene editing without requiring donor DNA or double-stranded breaks. To facilitate base editing tools, a uracil DNA glycosylase inhibitor (UGI) was fused to cytidine deaminase-Cas nickase to inhibit uracil DNA glycosylase (UDG). Herein, we revealed that the bacteriophage PBS2-derived UGI of the cytosine base editor (CBE) could not inhibit archaic Type IV UDG in oligoploid cyanobacteria. To overcome the limitation of the CBE, dCas12a-assisted gene repression of the udg allowed base editing at the desired targets with up to 100% mutation frequencies, and yielded correct phenotypes of desired mutants in cyanobacteria. Compared with the original CBE (BE3), base editing was analyzed within a broader C4-C16 window with a strong TC-motif preference. Using multiplexed CyanoCBE, while udg was repressed, simultaneous base editing at two different sites was achieved with lower mutation frequencies than single CBE. Our discovery of a Type IV UDG that is not inhibited by the UGI of the CBE in cyanobacteria and the development of dCas12a-mediated base editing should facilitate the application of base editing not only in cyanobacteria, but also in archaea and green algae that possess Type IV UDGs. We revealed the bacteriophage-derived UGI of the base editor did not repress Type IV UDG in cyanobacteria. To overcome the limitation, orthogonal dCas12a interference was successfully applied to repress the UDG gene expression in cyanobacteria during base editing occurred, yielding a premature translational termination at desired targets. This study will open a new opportunity to perform base editing with Type IV UDGs in archaea and green algae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mieun Lee
- Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), 2066 Seobu-ro, Jangan-gu, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
- BioFoundry Research Center, Institute of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), 2066 Seobu-ro, Jangan-gu, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Yu Been Heo
- Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), 2066 Seobu-ro, Jangan-gu, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
- BioFoundry Research Center, Institute of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), 2066 Seobu-ro, Jangan-gu, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Han Min Woo
- Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), 2066 Seobu-ro, Jangan-gu, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
- BioFoundry Research Center, Institute of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), 2066 Seobu-ro, Jangan-gu, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
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7
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Wang SY, Li X, Wang SG, Xia PF. Base editing for reprogramming cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus. Metab Eng 2023; 75:91-99. [PMID: 36403709 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymben.2022.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Cyanobacteria can directly convert carbon dioxide (CO2) at the atmospheric level to biofuels, value-added chemicals and food products, making them ideal candidates to alleviate global climate change. Despite decades-long pioneering successes, the development of genome-editing tools, especially the CRISPR-Cas-based approaches, seems to lag behind other microbial chassis, slowing down the innovations of cyanobacteria. Here, we adapted and tailored base editing for cyanobacteria based on the CRISPR-Cas system and deamination. We achieved precise and efficient genome editing at a single-nucleotide resolution and demonstrated multiplex base editing in the model cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus. By using the base-editing tool, we successfully manipulated the glycogen metabolic pathway via the introduction of premature STOP codons in the relevant genes, building engineered strains with elevated potentials to produce chemicals and food from CO2. We present here the first report of base editing in the phylum of cyanobacteria, and a paradigm for applying CRISPR-Cas systems in bacteria. We believe that our work will accelerate the metabolic engineering and synthetic biology of cyanobacteria and drive more innovations to alleviate global climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu-Yan Wang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, China
| | - Xin Li
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, China
| | - Shu-Guang Wang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, China; Sino-French Research Institute for Ecology and Environment, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, China
| | - Peng-Fei Xia
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, China.
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8
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De Wannemaeker L, Bervoets I, De Mey M. Unlocking the bacterial domain for industrial biotechnology applications using universal parts and tools. Biotechnol Adv 2022; 60:108028. [PMID: 36031082 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2022.108028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Synthetic biology can play a major role in the development of sustainable industrial biotechnology processes. However, the development of economically viable production processes is currently hampered by the limited availability of host organisms that can be engineered for a specific production process. To date, standard hosts such as Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae are often used as starting points for process development since parts and tools allowing their engineering are readily available. However, their suboptimal metabolic background or impaired performance at industrial scale for a desired production process, can result in increased costs associated with process development and/or disappointing production titres. Building a universal and portable gene expression system allowing genetic engineering of hosts across the bacterial domain would unlock the bacterial domain for industrial biotechnology applications in a highly standardized manner and doing so, render industrial biotechnology processes more competitive compared to the current polluting chemical processes. This review gives an overview of a selection of bacterial hosts highly interesting for industrial biotechnology based on both their metabolic and process optimization properties. Moreover, the requirements and progress made so far to enable universal, standardized, and portable gene expression across the bacterial domain is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lien De Wannemaeker
- Centre for Synthetic Biology (CSB), Ghent University, Coupure links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Indra Bervoets
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Marjan De Mey
- Centre for Synthetic Biology (CSB), Ghent University, Coupure links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
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9
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Simple transformation of the filamentous thermophilic cyanobacterium Leptolyngbya sp. KC45. ALGAL RES 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2022.102758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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10
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Taton A, Rohrer S, Diaz B, Reher R, Caraballo Rodriguez AM, Pierce ML, Dorrestein PC, Gerwick L, Gerwick WH, Golden JW. Heterologous Expression in Anabaena of the Columbamide Pathway from the Cyanobacterium Moorena bouillonii and Production of New Analogs. ACS Chem Biol 2022; 17:1910-1923. [DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.2c00347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Arnaud Taton
- School of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Sebastian Rohrer
- Center for Marine Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, La Jolla, San Diego, California 92093, United States
| | - Brienna Diaz
- School of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Raphael Reher
- Center for Marine Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, La Jolla, San Diego, California 92093, United States
- Institute of Pharmacy, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale) 06114, Germany
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology and Biotechnology, Philipps University of Marburg, Marburg 35037, Germany
| | | | - Marsha L. Pierce
- Department of Pharmacology, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, Illinois 60515, United States
| | - Pieter C. Dorrestein
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, La Jolla, San Diego, California 92093, United States
| | - Lena Gerwick
- Center for Marine Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, La Jolla, San Diego, California 92093, United States
| | - William H. Gerwick
- Center for Marine Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, La Jolla, San Diego, California 92093, United States
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, La Jolla, San Diego, California 92093, United States
| | - James W. Golden
- School of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
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11
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Baldanta S, Guevara G, Navarro-Llorens JM. SEVA-Cpf1, a CRISPR-Cas12a vector for genome editing in cyanobacteria. Microb Cell Fact 2022; 21:103. [PMID: 35643551 PMCID: PMC9148489 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-022-01830-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cyanobacteria are photosynthetic autotrophs that have tremendous potential for fundamental research and industrial applications due to their high metabolic plasticity and ability to grow using CO2 and sunlight. CRISPR technology using Cas9 and Cpf1 has been applied to different cyanobacteria for genome manipulations and metabolic engineering. Despite significant advances with genome editing in several cyanobacteria strains, the lack of proper genetic toolboxes is still a limiting factor compared to other model laboratory species. Among the limitations, it is essential to have versatile plasmids that could ease the benchwork when using CRISPR technology. Results In the present study, several CRISPR-Cpf1 vectors were developed for genetic manipulations in cyanobacteria using SEVA plasmids. SEVA collection is based on modular vectors that enable the exchangeability of diverse elements (e.g. origins of replication and antibiotic selection markers) and the combination with many cargo sequences for varied end-applications. Firstly, using SEVA vectors containing the broad host range RSF1010 origin we demonstrated that these vectors are replicative not only in model cyanobacteria but also in a new cyanobacterium specie, Chroococcidiopsis sp., which is different from those previously published. Then, we constructed SEVA vectors by harbouring CRISPR elements and showed that they can be easily assimilated not only by conjugation, but also by natural transformation. Finally, we used our SEVA-Cpf1 tools to delete the nblA gene in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803, demonstrating that our plasmids can be applied for CRISPR-based genome editing technology. Conclusions The results of this study provide new CRISPR-based vectors based on the SEVA (Standard European Vector Architecture) collection that can improve editing processes using the Cpf1 nuclease in cyanobacteria. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12934-022-01830-4.
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Opel F, Siebert NA, Klatt S, Tüllinghoff A, Hantke JG, Toepel J, Bühler B, Nürnberg DJ, Klähn S. Generation of Synthetic Shuttle Vectors Enabling Modular Genetic Engineering of Cyanobacteria. ACS Synth Biol 2022; 11:1758-1771. [PMID: 35405070 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.1c00605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Cyanobacteria have raised great interest in biotechnology due to their potential for a sustainable, photosynthesis-driven production of fuels and value-added chemicals. This has led to a concomitant development of molecular tools to engineer the metabolism of those organisms. In this regard, however, even cyanobacterial model strains lag behind compared to their heterotrophic counterparts. For instance, replicative shuttle vectors that allow gene transfer independent of recombination into host DNA are still scarce. Here, we introduce the pSOMA shuttle vector series comprising 10 synthetic plasmids for comprehensive genetic engineering of Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. The series is based on the small endogenous plasmids pCA2.4 and pCB2.4, each combined with a replicon from Escherichia coli, different selection markers as well as features facilitating molecular cloning and the insulated introduction of gene expression cassettes. We made use of genes encoding green fluorescent protein (GFP) and a Baeyer-Villiger monooxygenase (BVMO) to demonstrate functional gene expression from the pSOMA plasmids in vivo. Moreover, we demonstrate the expression of distinct heterologous genes from individual plasmids maintained in the same strain and thereby confirmed compatibility between the two pSOMA subseries as well as with derivatives of the broad-host-range plasmid RSF1010. We also show that gene transfer into the filamentous model strain Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 is generally possible, which is encouraging to further explore the range of cyanobacterial host species that could be engineered via pSOMA plasmids. Altogether, the pSOMA shuttle vector series displays an attractive alternative to existing plasmid series and thus meets the current demand for the introduction of complex genetic setups and to perform extensive metabolic engineering of cyanobacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franz Opel
- Department of Solar Materials (SOMA), Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research─UFZ, Permoserstrasse 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Nina A. Siebert
- Department of Solar Materials (SOMA), Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research─UFZ, Permoserstrasse 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sabine Klatt
- Department of Solar Materials (SOMA), Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research─UFZ, Permoserstrasse 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Adrian Tüllinghoff
- Department of Solar Materials (SOMA), Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research─UFZ, Permoserstrasse 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Janis G. Hantke
- Institute of Experimental Physics, Biochemistry and Biophysics of Photosynthetic Organisms, Free University Berlin, Arnimallee 14, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Jörg Toepel
- Department of Solar Materials (SOMA), Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research─UFZ, Permoserstrasse 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Bruno Bühler
- Department of Solar Materials (SOMA), Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research─UFZ, Permoserstrasse 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Dennis J. Nürnberg
- Institute of Experimental Physics, Biochemistry and Biophysics of Photosynthetic Organisms, Free University Berlin, Arnimallee 14, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Stephan Klähn
- Department of Solar Materials (SOMA), Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research─UFZ, Permoserstrasse 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
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Abstract
Strains of the freshwater cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus were first isolated approximately 60 years ago, and PCC 7942 is well established as a model for photosynthesis, circadian biology, and biotechnology research. The recent isolation of UTEX 3055 and subsequent discoveries in biofilm and phototaxis phenotypes suggest that lab strains of S. elongatus are highly domesticated. We performed a comprehensive genome comparison among the available genomes of S. elongatus and sequenced two additional laboratory strains to trace the loss of native phenotypes from the standard lab strains and determine the genetic basis of useful phenotypes. The genome comparison analysis provides a pangenome description of S. elongatus, as well as correction of extensive errors in the published sequence for the type strain PCC 6301. The comparison of gene sets and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) among strains clarifies strain isolation histories and, together with large-scale genome differences, supports a hypothesis of laboratory domestication. Prophage genes in laboratory strains, but not UTEX 3055, affect pigmentation, while unique genes in UTEX 3055 are necessary for phototaxis. The genomic differences identified in this study include previously reported SNPs that are, in reality, sequencing errors, as well as SNPs and genome differences that have phenotypic consequences. One SNP in the circadian response regulator rpaA that has caused confusion is clarified here as belonging to an aberrant clone of PCC 7942, used for the published genome sequence, that has confounded the interpretation of circadian fitness research.
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14
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Abstract
Genetic engineering of cyanobacteria is currently limited to genomic integration via homologous recombination and RSF1010-based conjugative vector systems. Here, we introduce a rationally designed conjugative vector with two BioBrick-based cloning sites which enables facilitated and modular cloning. This streamlined vector is suitable for a variety of synthetic biology applications, such as expression of multiple enzymes from metabolic pathways for the production of biofuels or secondary metabolites, or screening of modular parts such as promoters, further facilitating applications to improve crop plants using synthetic biology. Finally, we present a general approach to cloning of constructs, as well as detailed protocols for conjugation and culturing of strains carrying said constructs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Behle
- Department of Biology, Institute for Synthetic Microbiology, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Ilka M Axmann
- Department of Biology, Institute for Synthetic Microbiology, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany.
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15
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The Molecular Toolset and Techniques Required to Build Cyanobacterial Cell Factories. ADVANCES IN BIOCHEMICAL ENGINEERING/BIOTECHNOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/10_2022_210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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16
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Dookeran ZA, Nielsen DR. Systematic Engineering of Synechococcus elongatus UTEX 2973 for Photosynthetic Production of l-Lysine, Cadaverine, and Glutarate. ACS Synth Biol 2021; 10:3561-3575. [PMID: 34851612 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.1c00492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Amino acids and related targets are typically produced by well-characterized heterotrophs including Corynebacterium glutamicum and Escherichia coli. Cyanobacteria offer an opportunity to supplant these sugar-intensive processes by instead directly utilizing atmospheric CO2 and sunlight. Synechococcus elongatus UTEX 2973 (hereafter UTEX 2973) is a particularly promising photoautotrophic platform due to its fast growth rate. Here, we first engineered UTEX 2973 to overproduce l-lysine (hereafter lysine), after which both cadaverine and glutarate production were achieved through further pathway engineering. To facilitate metabolic engineering, the relative activities of a subset of previously uncharacterized promoters were investigated, in each case, while also comparing the effects of both chromosomal (from neutral site NS3) and episomal (from pAM4788) expressions. Using these parts, lysine overproduction in UTEX 2973 was engineered by introducing a feedback-resistant copy of aspartate kinase (encoded by lysCfbr) and a lysine exporter (encoded by ybjE), both from E. coli. While chromosomal expression resulted in lysine production up to just 325.3 ± 14.8 mg/L after 120 h, this was then increased to 556.3 ± 62.3 mg/L via plasmid-based expression, also surpassing prior reports of photoautotrophic lysine bioproduction. Lastly, additional products of interest were then targeted by modularly extending the lysine pathway to glutarate and cadaverine, two 5-carbon, bioplastic monomers. By this approach, glutarate has so far been produced at final titers reaching 67.5 ± 2.2 mg/L by 96 h, whereas cadaverine has been produced at up to 55.3 ± 6.7 mg/L. Overcoming pathway and/or transport bottlenecks, meanwhile, will be important to improving upon these initial outputs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary A. Dookeran
- Chemical Engineering, School for Engineering of Matter, Transport, and Energy, Arizona State University, P.O. Box 876106, Tempe, Arizona 85287-6106, United States
| | - David R. Nielsen
- Chemical Engineering, School for Engineering of Matter, Transport, and Energy, Arizona State University, P.O. Box 876106, Tempe, Arizona 85287-6106, United States
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17
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Juteršek M, Dolinar M. A chimeric vector for dual use in cyanobacteria and Escherichia coli, tested with cystatin, a nonfluorescent reporter protein. PeerJ 2021; 9:e12199. [PMID: 34760347 PMCID: PMC8571960 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.12199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Developing sustainable autotrophic cell factories depends heavily on the availability of robust and well-characterized biological parts. For cyanobacteria, these still lag behind the more advanced E. coli toolkit. In the course of previous protein expression experiments with cyanobacteria, we encountered inconveniences in working with currently available RSF1010-based shuttle plasmids, particularly due to their low biosafety and low yields of recombinant proteins. We also recognized some drawbacks of the commonly used fluorescent reporters, as quantification can be affected by the intrinsic fluorescence of cyanobacteria. To overcome these drawbacks, we envisioned a new chimeric vector and an alternative reporter that could be used in cyanobacterial synthetic biology and tested them in the model cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. Methods We designed the pMJc01 shuttle plasmid based on the broad host range RSFmob-I replicon. Standard cloning techniques were used for vector construction following the RFC10 synthetic biology standard. The behavior of pMJC01 was tested with selected regulatory elements in E. coli and Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 for the biosynthesis of the established GFP reporter and of a new reporter protein, cystatin. Cystatin activity was assayed using papain as a cognate target. Results With the new vector we observed a significantly higher GFP expression in E. coli and Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 compared to the commonly used RSF1010-based pPMQAK1. Cystatin, a cysteine protease inhibitor, was successfully expressed with the new vector in both E. coli and Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. Its expression levels allowed quantification comparable to the standardly used fluorescent reporter GFPmut3b. An important advantage of the new vector is its improved biosafety due to the absence of plasmid regions encoding conjugative transfer components. The broadhost range vector pMJc01 could find application in synthetic biology and biotechnology of cyanobacteria due to its relatively small size, stability and ease of use. In addition, cystatin could be a useful reporter in all cell systems that do not contain papain-type proteases and inhibitors, such as cyanobacteria, and provides an alternative to fluorescent reporters or complements them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mojca Juteršek
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.,Current Affiliation: National Institute of Biology, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Marko Dolinar
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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18
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Yadav I, Rautela A, Kumar S. Approaches in the photosynthetic production of sustainable fuels by cyanobacteria using tools of synthetic biology. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2021; 37:201. [PMID: 34664124 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-021-03157-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Cyanobacteria, photosynthetic prokaryotic microorganisms having a simple genetic composition are the prospective photoautotrophic cell factories for the production of a wide range of biofuel molecules. The simple genetic composition of cyanobacteria allows effortless genetic manipulation which leads to increased research endeavors from the synthetic biology approach. Various unicellular model cyanobacterial strains like Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 and Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942 have been successfully engineered for biofuels generation. Improved development of synthetic biology tools, genetic modification methods and advancement in transformation techniques to construct a strain that can contain multiple foreign genes in a single operon have vastly expanded the functions that can be used for engineering photosynthetic cyanobacteria for the generation of various biofuel molecules. In this review, recent advancements and approaches in synthetic biology tools used for cyanobacterial genome editing have been discussed. Apart from this, cyanobacterial productions of various fuel molecules like isoprene, limonene, α-farnesene, squalene, alkanes, butanol, and fatty acids, which can be a substitute for petroleum and fossil fuels in the future, have been elaborated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Indrajeet Yadav
- School of Biochemical Engineering, IIT (BHU) Varanasi, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, 221005, India
| | - Akhil Rautela
- School of Biochemical Engineering, IIT (BHU) Varanasi, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, 221005, India
| | - Sanjay Kumar
- School of Biochemical Engineering, IIT (BHU) Varanasi, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, 221005, India.
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19
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Vavitsas K, Kugler A, Satta A, Hatzinikolaou DG, Lindblad P, Fewer DP, Lindberg P, Toivari M, Stensjö K. Doing synthetic biology with photosynthetic microorganisms. PHYSIOLOGIA PLANTARUM 2021; 173:624-638. [PMID: 33963557 DOI: 10.1111/ppl.13455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Revised: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The use of photosynthetic microbes as synthetic biology hosts for the sustainable production of commodity chemicals and even fuels has received increasing attention over the last decade. The number of studies published, tools implemented, and resources made available for microalgae have increased beyond expectations during the last few years. However, the tools available for genetic engineering in these organisms still lag those available for the more commonly used heterotrophic host organisms. In this mini-review, we provide an overview of the photosynthetic microbes most commonly used in synthetic biology studies, namely cyanobacteria, chlorophytes, eustigmatophytes and diatoms. We provide basic information on the techniques and tools available for each model group of organisms, we outline the state-of-the-art, and we list the synthetic biology tools that have been successfully used. We specifically focus on the latest CRISPR developments, as we believe that precision editing and advanced genetic engineering tools will be pivotal to the advancement of the field. Finally, we discuss the relative strengths and weaknesses of each group of organisms and examine the challenges that need to be overcome to achieve their synthetic biology potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantinos Vavitsas
- Enzyme and Microbial Biotechnology Unit, Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Zografou Campus, Athens, Greece
| | - Amit Kugler
- Microbial Chemistry, Department of Chemistry-Ångström Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Alessandro Satta
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- CSIRO Synthetic Biology Future Science Platform, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Dimitris G Hatzinikolaou
- Enzyme and Microbial Biotechnology Unit, Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Zografou Campus, Athens, Greece
| | - Peter Lindblad
- Microbial Chemistry, Department of Chemistry-Ångström Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - David P Fewer
- Department of Microbiology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Pia Lindberg
- Microbial Chemistry, Department of Chemistry-Ångström Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Mervi Toivari
- VTT, Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd, Espoo, Finland
| | - Karin Stensjö
- Microbial Chemistry, Department of Chemistry-Ångström Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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20
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Jones CM, Parrish S, Nielsen DR. Exploiting Polyploidy for Markerless and Plasmid-Free Genome Engineering in Cyanobacteria. ACS Synth Biol 2021; 10:2371-2382. [PMID: 34530614 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.1c00269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Here we describe a universal approach for plasmid-free genome engineering in cyanobacteria that exploits the polyploidy of their chromosomes as a natural counterselection system. Rather than being delivered via replicating plasmids, genes encoding for DNA modifying enzymes are instead integrated into essential genes on the chromosome by allelic exchange, as facilitated by antibiotic selection, a process that occurs readily and with only minor fitness defects. By virtue of the essentiality of these integration sites, full segregation is never achieved, with the strain instead remaining as a merodiploid so long as antibiotic selection is maintained. As a result, once the desired genome modification is complete, removal of antibiotic selection results in the gene encoding for the DNA modifying enzyme to then be promptly eliminated from the population. Proof of concept of this new and generalizable strategy is provided using two different site-specific recombination systems, CRE-lox and DRE-rox, in the fast-growing cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002, as well as CRE-lox in the model cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. Reusability of the method, meanwhile, is demonstrated by constructing a high-CO2 requiring and markerless Δndh3 Δndh4 ΔbicA ΔsbtA mutant of Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002. Overall, this method enables the simple and efficient construction of stable and unmarked mutants in cyanobacteria without the need to develop additional shuttle vectors nor counterselection systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher M. Jones
- Chemical Engineering, School for Engineering Matter, Transport, and Energy, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
| | - Sydney Parrish
- Chemical Engineering, School for Engineering Matter, Transport, and Energy, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
| | - David R. Nielsen
- Chemical Engineering, School for Engineering Matter, Transport, and Energy, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
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21
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Genetic, Genomics, and Responses to Stresses in Cyanobacteria: Biotechnological Implications. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12040500. [PMID: 33805386 PMCID: PMC8066212 DOI: 10.3390/genes12040500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Revised: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cyanobacteria are widely-diverse, environmentally crucial photosynthetic prokaryotes of great interests for basic and applied science. Work to date has focused mostly on the three non-nitrogen fixing unicellular species Synechocystis PCC 6803, Synechococcus PCC 7942, and Synechococcus PCC 7002, which have been selected for their genetic and physiological interests summarized in this review. Extensive "omics" data sets have been generated, and genome-scale models (GSM) have been developed for the rational engineering of these cyanobacteria for biotechnological purposes. We presently discuss what should be done to improve our understanding of the genotype-phenotype relationships of these models and generate robust and predictive models of their metabolism. Furthermore, we also emphasize that because Synechocystis PCC 6803, Synechococcus PCC 7942, and Synechococcus PCC 7002 represent only a limited part of the wide biodiversity of cyanobacteria, other species distantly related to these three models, should be studied. Finally, we highlight the need to strengthen the communication between academic researchers, who know well cyanobacteria and can engineer them for biotechnological purposes, but have a limited access to large photobioreactors, and industrial partners who attempt to use natural or engineered cyanobacteria to produce interesting chemicals at reasonable costs, but may lack knowledge on cyanobacterial physiology and metabolism.
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22
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Caicedo-Burbano P, Smit T, Pineda Hernández H, Du W, Branco dos Santos F. Construction of Fully Segregated Genomic Libraries in Polyploid Organisms Such as Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. ACS Synth Biol 2020; 9:2632-2638. [PMID: 33017143 PMCID: PMC7573980 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.0c00353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Several microbes are polyploid, meaning they contain several copies of their chromosome. Cyanobacteria, while holding great potential as photosynthetic cell factories of various products, are found among them. In these clades the diversity of genetic elements that serve within the basic molecular toolbox is often limiting. To assist mining for the latter, we present here a method for the generation of fully segregated genomic libraries, specifically designed for polyploids. We provide proof-of-principle for this method by generating a fully segregated genomic promoter library in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. This new tool was first analyzed through fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) and then a fraction was further characterized regarding promoter sequence. The location of libraries on the chromosome provides a better reflection of the behavior of its elements. Our work presents the first method for constructing fully segregated genomic libraries in polyploids, which may facilitate their usage in synthetic biology applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Caicedo-Burbano
- Molecular
Microbial Physiology Group, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences,
Faculty of Science, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, Amsterdam 1098 XH,The Netherlands
| | - Tycho Smit
- Molecular
Microbial Physiology Group, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences,
Faculty of Science, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, Amsterdam 1098 XH,The Netherlands
| | - Hugo Pineda Hernández
- Molecular
Microbial Physiology Group, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences,
Faculty of Science, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, Amsterdam 1098 XH,The Netherlands
| | - Wei Du
- Molecular
Microbial Physiology Group, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences,
Faculty of Science, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, Amsterdam 1098 XH,The Netherlands
| | - Filipe Branco dos Santos
- Molecular
Microbial Physiology Group, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences,
Faculty of Science, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, Amsterdam 1098 XH,The Netherlands
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23
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Olina A, Kuzmenko A, Ninova M, Aravin AA, Kulbachinskiy A, Esyunina D. Genome-wide DNA sampling by Ago nuclease from the cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus. RNA Biol 2020; 17:677-688. [PMID: 32013676 PMCID: PMC7237159 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2020.1724716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2019] [Revised: 01/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Members of the conserved Argonaute (Ago) protein family provide defence against invading nucleic acids in eukaryotes in the process of RNA interference. Many prokaryotes also contain Ago proteins that are predicted to be active nucleases; however, their functional activities in host cells remain poorly understood. Here, we characterize the in vitro and in vivo properties of the SeAgo protein from the mesophilic cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus. We show that SeAgo is a DNA-guided nuclease preferentially acting on single-stranded DNA targets, with non-specific guide-independent activity observed for double-stranded substrates. The SeAgo gene is steadily expressed in S. elongatus; however, its deletion or overexpression does not change the kinetics of cell growth. When purified from its host cells or from heterologous E. coli, SeAgo is loaded with small guide DNAs whose formation depends on the endonuclease activity of the argonaute protein. SeAgo co-purifies with SSB proteins suggesting that they may also be involved in DNA processing. The SeAgo-associated small DNAs are derived from diverse genomic locations, with certain enrichment for the proposed sites of chromosomal replication initiation and termination, but show no preference for an endogenous plasmid. Therefore, promiscuous genome sampling by SeAgo does not have great effects on cell physiology and plasmid maintenance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Olina
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Anton Kuzmenko
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Maria Ninova
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Alexei A. Aravin
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | | | - Daria Esyunina
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
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24
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Knoot CJ, Biswas S, Pakrasi HB. Tunable Repression of Key Photosynthetic Processes Using Cas12a CRISPR Interference in the Fast-Growing Cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. UTEX 2973. ACS Synth Biol 2020; 9:132-143. [PMID: 31829621 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.9b00417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Cyanobacteria are photoautotrophic prokaryotes that serve as key model organisms to study basic photosynthetic processes and are potential carbon-negative production chassis for commodity and high-value chemicals. The development of new synthetic biology tools and improvement of current ones is a requisite for furthering these organisms as models and production vehicles. CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) allows for targeted gene repression using a DNase-dead Cas nuclease ("dCas"). Here, we describe a titratable dCas12a (dCpf1) CRISPRi system and apply it to repress key photosynthetic processes in the fast-growing cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. UTEX 2973 (S2973). The system relies on a lac repressor system that retains tight regulation in the absence of inducer (0-10% repression) while maintaining the capability for >90% repression of high-abundance gene targets. We determined that dCas12a is less toxic than dCas9. We tested the efficacy of the system toward eYFP and three native targets in S2973: the phycobilisome antenna, glycogen synthesis, and photosystem I (PSI), an essential part of the photosynthetic electron transport chain in oxygenic photoautotrophs. PSI was knocked down indirectly by repressing the protein factor BtpA involved in stabilizing core PSI proteins. We could reduce cellular PSI titer by 87% under photoautotrophic conditions, and we characterized these cells to gain insights into the response of the strain to the low PSI content. The ability to tightly regulate and time the (de)repression of essential genes in trans will allow for the study of photosynthetic processes that are not accessible using knockout mutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cory J Knoot
- Department of Biology , Washington University , St. Louis , Missouri United States
| | - Sandeep Biswas
- Department of Biology , Washington University , St. Louis , Missouri United States
| | - Himadri B Pakrasi
- Department of Biology , Washington University , St. Louis , Missouri United States
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25
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Videau P, Wells KN, Singh AJ, Eiting J, Proteau PJ, Philmus B. Expanding the Natural Products Heterologous Expression Repertoire in the Model Cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. Strain PCC 7120: Production of Pendolmycin and Teleocidin B-4. ACS Synth Biol 2020; 9:63-75. [PMID: 31846576 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.9b00334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Cyanobacteria are prolific producers of natural products, and genome mining has shown that many orphan biosynthetic gene clusters can be found in sequenced cyanobacterial genomes. New tools and methodologies are required to investigate these biosynthetic gene clusters, and here we present the use of Anabaena sp. strain PCC 7120 as a host for combinatorial biosynthesis of natural products using the indolactam natural products (lyngbyatoxin A, pendolmycin, and teleocidin B-4) as a test case. We were able to successfully produce all three compounds using codon optimized genes from Actinobacteria. We also introduce a new plasmid backbone based on the native Anabaena 7120 plasmid pCC7120ζ and show that production of teleocidin B-4 can be accomplished using a two-plasmid system, which can be introduced by coconjugation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Videau
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331, United States
| | - Kaitlyn N. Wells
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331, United States
- Undergraduate Honors College, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331, United States
| | - Arun J. Singh
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331, United States
| | - Jessie Eiting
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331, United States
| | - Philip J. Proteau
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331, United States
| | - Benjamin Philmus
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331, United States
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26
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Hitchcock A, Hunter CN, Canniffe DP. Progress and challenges in engineering cyanobacteria as chassis for light-driven biotechnology. Microb Biotechnol 2019; 13:363-367. [PMID: 31880868 PMCID: PMC7017823 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.13526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Revised: 11/29/2019] [Accepted: 12/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyanobacteria are prokaryotic phototrophs that, in addition to being excellent model organisms for studying photosynthesis, have tremendous potential for light‐driven synthetic biology and biotechnology. These versatile and resilient microorganisms harness the energy of sunlight to oxidise water, generating chemical energy (ATP) and reductant (NADPH) that can be used to drive sustainable synthesis of high‐value natural products in genetically modified strains. In this commentary article for the Synthetic Microbiology Caucus we discuss the great progress that has been made in engineering cyanobacterial hosts as microbial cell factories for solar‐powered biosynthesis. We focus on some of the main areas where the synthetic biology and metabolic engineering tools in cyanobacteria are not as advanced as those in more widely used heterotrophic chassis, and go on to highlight key improvements that we feel are required to unlock the full power of cyanobacteria for future green biotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Hitchcock
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - C Neil Hunter
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Daniel P Canniffe
- Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
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27
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Xia P, Ling H, Foo JL, Chang MW. Synthetic Biology Toolkits for Metabolic Engineering of Cyanobacteria. Biotechnol J 2019; 14:e1800496. [DOI: 10.1002/biot.201800496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Revised: 02/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Peng‐Fei Xia
- Department of Biochemistry Yong Loo Lin School of MedicineNational University of Singapore8 Medical Drive Singapore 117597 Singapore
- NUS Synthetic Biology for Clinical and Technological Innovation (SynCTI)National University of Singapore28 Medical Drive Singapore 117456 Singapore
| | - Hua Ling
- Department of Biochemistry Yong Loo Lin School of MedicineNational University of Singapore8 Medical Drive Singapore 117597 Singapore
- NUS Synthetic Biology for Clinical and Technological Innovation (SynCTI)National University of Singapore28 Medical Drive Singapore 117456 Singapore
| | - Jee Loon Foo
- Department of Biochemistry Yong Loo Lin School of MedicineNational University of Singapore8 Medical Drive Singapore 117597 Singapore
- NUS Synthetic Biology for Clinical and Technological Innovation (SynCTI)National University of Singapore28 Medical Drive Singapore 117456 Singapore
| | - Matthew Wook Chang
- Department of Biochemistry Yong Loo Lin School of MedicineNational University of Singapore8 Medical Drive Singapore 117597 Singapore
- NUS Synthetic Biology for Clinical and Technological Innovation (SynCTI)National University of Singapore28 Medical Drive Singapore 117456 Singapore
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28
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Roulet J, Taton A, Golden JW, Arabolaza A, Burkart MD, Gramajo H. Development of a cyanobacterial heterologous polyketide production platform. Metab Eng 2018; 49:94-104. [PMID: 30036678 PMCID: PMC6279439 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymben.2018.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2018] [Revised: 07/17/2018] [Accepted: 07/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The development of new heterologous hosts for polyketides production represents an excellent opportunity to expand the genomic, physiological, and biochemical backgrounds that better fit the sustainable production of these valuable molecules. Cyanobacteria are particularly attractive for the production of natural compounds because they have minimal nutritional demands and several strains have well established genetic tools. Using the model strain Synechococcus elongatus, a generic platform was developed for the heterologous production of polyketide synthase (PKS)-derived compounds. The versatility of this system is based on interchangeable modules harboring promiscuous enzymes for PKS activation and the production of PKS extender units, as well as inducible circuits for a regulated expression of the PKS biosynthetic gene cluster. To assess the capability of this platform, we expressed the mycobacterial PKS-based mycocerosic biosynthetic pathway to produce multimethyl-branched esters (MBE). This work is a foundational step forward for the production of high value polyketides in a photosynthetic microorganism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Roulet
- Microbiology Division, IBR (Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Ocampo y Esmeralda, 2000 Rosario, Argentina
| | - Arnaud Taton
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - James W Golden
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Ana Arabolaza
- Microbiology Division, IBR (Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Ocampo y Esmeralda, 2000 Rosario, Argentina.
| | - Michael D Burkart
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
| | - Hugo Gramajo
- Microbiology Division, IBR (Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Ocampo y Esmeralda, 2000 Rosario, Argentina
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Jin H, Wang Y, Idoine A, Bhaya D. Construction of a Shuttle Vector Using an Endogenous Plasmid From the Cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC6803. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:1662. [PMID: 30087668 PMCID: PMC6066503 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.01662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2017] [Accepted: 07/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
To advance synthetic biology in the photosynthetic cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC6803 (Syn6803), we constructed a shuttle vector with some versatile features. This shuttle vector, pSCB-YFP, consists of a putative replicon identified on the plasmid pCC5.2, the origin of replication of pMB1 from E. coli, as well as the YFP reporter gene and a spectinomycin/streptomycin resistance cassette. pSCB-YFP is stably maintained in Syn6803M (a motile strain that lacks the endogenous pCC5.2) and expresses YFP. In addition, we engineered a fragment into pSCB-YFP that has multiple cloning sites and other features such that this plasmid can also be used as an expression vector (pSCBe). The shuttle vector pSCB-YFP can be stably maintained for at least 50 generations without antibiotic selection. It is a high copy number plasmid and can stably co-exist with the RSF1010-based pPMQAK1-GFP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haojie Jin
- Department of Plant Biology, Carnegie Institution for Science, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery and Stanford Stroke Center, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Adam Idoine
- Department of Plant Biology, Carnegie Institution for Science, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Devaki Bhaya
- Department of Plant Biology, Carnegie Institution for Science, Stanford, CA, United States
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Sun T, Li S, Song X, Diao J, Chen L, Zhang W. Toolboxes for cyanobacteria: Recent advances and future direction. Biotechnol Adv 2018; 36:1293-1307. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2018.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2018] [Revised: 04/09/2018] [Accepted: 04/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Liu D, Pakrasi HB. Exploring native genetic elements as plug-in tools for synthetic biology in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. Microb Cell Fact 2018; 17:48. [PMID: 29580240 PMCID: PMC5868059 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-018-0897-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2018] [Accepted: 03/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The unicellular cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 has been widely used as a photoautotrophic host for synthetic biology studies. However, as a green chassis to capture CO2 for biotechnological applications, the genetic toolbox for Synechocystis 6803 is still a limited factor. Results We systematically characterized endogenous genetic elements of Synechocystis 6803, including promoters, ribosome binding sites, transcription terminators, and plasmids. Expression from twelve native promoters was compared by measuring fluorescence from the reporter protein EYFP in an identical setup, exhibiting an 8000-fold range of promoter activities. Moreover, we measured the strength of twenty native ribosome binding sites and eight native terminators, indicating their influence on the expression of the reporter genes. In addition, two shuttle vectors, pCA-UC118 and pCB-SC101, capable of replication in both Synechocystis 6803 and E. coli were constructed. Expression of reporter proteins were significantly enhanced in cells containing these new plasmids, thus providing superior gene expression platforms in this cyanobacterium. Conclusions The results of this study provide useful and well characterized native tools for bioengineering work in the model cyanobacterium Synechocystis 6803. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12934-018-0897-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deng Liu
- Department of Biology, Washington University, Campus Box 1137, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA
| | - Himadri B Pakrasi
- Department of Biology, Washington University, Campus Box 1137, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA.
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