1
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Cheng Y, Zhou Y, Wang M. Targeted gene regulation through epigenome editing in plants. CURRENT OPINION IN PLANT BIOLOGY 2024; 80:102552. [PMID: 38776571 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbi.2024.102552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2024] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
The precise targeted gene regulation in plants is essential for improving plant traits and gaining a comprehensive understanding of gene functions. The regulation of gene expression in eukaryotes can be achieved through transcriptional and epigenetic mechanisms. Over the last decade, advancements in gene-targeting technologies, along with an expanded understanding of epigenetic gene regulation mechanisms, have significantly contributed to the development of programmable gene regulation tools. In this review, we will discuss the recent progress in targeted plant gene regulation through epigenome editing, emphasizing the role of effector proteins in modulating target gene expression via diverse mechanisms, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, and chromatin remodeling. Additionally, we will also briefly review targeted gene regulation by transcriptional regulation and mRNA modifications in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuejing Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yu Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ming Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
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2
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Guiziou S. Biocomputing in plants, from proof of concept to application. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2024; 87:103146. [PMID: 38781700 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2024.103146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2024] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
In response to the challenges of climate change and the transition toward sustainability, synthetic biology offers innovative solutions. Most current plant synthetic biology applications rely on the constitutive expression of enzymes and regulators. To engineer plant phenotypes tuneable to environmental conditions and plant cellular states, the integration of multiple signals in synthetic circuits is required. While most circuits are developed in model organisms, numerous tools were recently developed to implement biocomputation in plant synthetic circuits. I presented in this review the tools and design methods for logic circuit implementation in plants. I highlighted recent and potential applications of those circuits to understand and engineer plant interaction with the environment, development, and metabolic pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Guiziou
- Engineering Biology, Earlham Institute, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UZ, UK.
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3
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Zhang C, Tang Y, Tang S, Chen L, Li T, Yuan H, Xu Y, Zhou Y, Zhang S, Wang J, Wen H, Jiang W, Pang Y, Deng X, Cao X, Zhou J, Song X, Liu Q. An inducible CRISPR activation tool for accelerating plant regeneration. PLANT COMMUNICATIONS 2024; 5:100823. [PMID: 38243597 PMCID: PMC11121170 DOI: 10.1016/j.xplc.2024.100823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/21/2024]
Abstract
The inducible CRISPR activation (CRISPR-a) system offers unparalleled precision and versatility for regulating endogenous genes, making it highly sought after in plant research. In this study, we developed a chemically inducible CRISPR-a tool for plants called ER-Tag by combining the LexA-VP16-ER inducible system with the SunTag CRISPR-a system. We systematically compared different induction strategies and achieved high efficiency in target gene activation. We demonstrated that guide RNAs can be multiplexed and pooled for large-scale screening of effective morphogenic genes and gene pairs involved in plant regeneration. Further experiments showed that induced activation of these morphogenic genes can accelerate regeneration and improve regeneration efficiency in both eudicot and monocot plants, including alfalfa, woodland strawberry, and sheepgrass. Our study expands the CRISPR toolset in plants and provides a powerful new strategy for studying gene function when constitutive expression is not feasible or ideal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cuimei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Yajun Tang
- Peking University Institute of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, Shandong Laboratory of Advanced Agricultural Sciences at Weifang, Shandong 261000, China
| | - Shanjie Tang
- National Center for Plant Gene Research, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Lei Chen
- National Center for Plant Gene Research, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Tong Li
- National Center for Plant Gene Research, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Haidi Yuan
- Peking University Institute of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, Shandong Laboratory of Advanced Agricultural Sciences at Weifang, Shandong 261000, China
| | - Yujun Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Yangyan Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Shuaibin Zhang
- National Center for Plant Gene Research, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Jianli Wang
- Grass and Science Institute of Heilongjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Heilongjiang 150086, China
| | - Hongyu Wen
- Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Wenbo Jiang
- Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yongzhen Pang
- Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Xian Deng
- Key Laboratory of Seed Innovation and National Center for Plant Gene Research, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Xiaofeng Cao
- National Center for Plant Gene Research, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Junhui Zhou
- Peking University Institute of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, Shandong Laboratory of Advanced Agricultural Sciences at Weifang, Shandong 261000, China.
| | - Xianwei Song
- Key Laboratory of Seed Innovation and National Center for Plant Gene Research, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.
| | - Qikun Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
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4
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Yaschenko AE, Alonso JM, Stepanova AN. Arabidopsis as a model for translational research. THE PLANT CELL 2024:koae065. [PMID: 38411602 DOI: 10.1093/plcell/koae065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Arabidopsis thaliana is currently the most-studied plant species on earth, with an unprecedented number of genetic, genomic, and molecular resources having been generated in this plant model. In the era of translating foundational discoveries to crops and beyond, we aimed to highlight the utility and challenges of using Arabidopsis as a reference for applied plant biology research, agricultural innovation, biotechnology, and medicine. We hope that this review will inspire the next generation of plant biologists to continue leveraging Arabidopsis as a robust and convenient experimental system to address fundamental and applied questions in biology. We aim to encourage lab and field scientists alike to take advantage of the vast Arabidopsis datasets, annotations, germplasm, constructs, methods, molecular and computational tools in our pursuit to advance understanding of plant biology and help feed the world's growing population. We envision that the power of Arabidopsis-inspired biotechnologies and foundational discoveries will continue to fuel the development of resilient, high-yielding, nutritious plants for the betterment of plant and animal health and greater environmental sustainability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna E Yaschenko
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, Genetics and Genomics Academy, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Jose M Alonso
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, Genetics and Genomics Academy, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Anna N Stepanova
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, Genetics and Genomics Academy, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
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5
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Calvache C, Vazquez‐Vilar M, Moreno‐Giménez E, Orzaez D. A quantitative autonomous bioluminescence reporter system with a wide dynamic range for Plant Synthetic Biology. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2024; 22:37-47. [PMID: 37882352 PMCID: PMC10754000 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.14146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
Plant Synthetic Biology aims to enhance the capacities of plants by designing and integrating synthetic gene circuits (SGCs). Quantitative reporting solutions that can produce quick, rich datasets affordably are necessary for SGC optimization. In this paper, we present a new, low-cost, and high-throughput reporter system for the quantitative measurement of gene expression in plants based on autonomous bioluminescence. This method eliminates the need for an exogenous supply of luciferase substrate by exploiting the entire Neonothopanus nambi fungal bioluminescence cyclic pathway to build a self-sustained reporter. The HispS gene, the pathway's limiting step, was set up as the reporter's transcriptional entry point as part of the new system's design, which significantly improved the output's dynamic range and brought it on par with that of the gold standard FLuc/RLuc reporter. Additionally, transient ratiometric measurements in N. benthamiana were made possible by the addition of an enhanced GFP as a normalizer. The performance of new NeoLuc/eGFP system was extensively validated with SGCs previously described, including phytohormone and optogenetic sensors. Furthermore, we employed NeoLuc/eGFP in the optimization of challenging SGCs, including new configurations for an agrochemical (copper) switch, a new blue optogenetic sensor, and a dual copper/red-light switch for tight regulation of metabolic pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilo Calvache
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones CientíficasUniversitat Politècnica de ValénciaValenciaSpain
| | - Marta Vazquez‐Vilar
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones CientíficasUniversitat Politècnica de ValénciaValenciaSpain
| | - Elena Moreno‐Giménez
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones CientíficasUniversitat Politècnica de ValénciaValenciaSpain
| | - Diego Orzaez
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones CientíficasUniversitat Politècnica de ValénciaValenciaSpain
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6
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Bhuyan SJ, Kumar M, Ramrao Devde P, Rai AC, Mishra AK, Singh PK, Siddique KHM. Progress in gene editing tools, implications and success in plants: a review. Front Genome Ed 2023; 5:1272678. [PMID: 38144710 PMCID: PMC10744593 DOI: 10.3389/fgeed.2023.1272678] [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: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Genetic modifications are made through diverse mutagenesis techniques for crop improvement programs. Among these mutagenesis tools, the traditional methods involve chemical and radiation-induced mutagenesis, resulting in off-target and unintended mutations in the genome. However, recent advances have introduced site-directed nucleases (SDNs) for gene editing, significantly reducing off-target changes in the genome compared to induced mutagenesis and naturally occurring mutations in breeding populations. SDNs have revolutionized genetic engineering, enabling precise gene editing in recent decades. One widely used method, homology-directed repair (HDR), has been effective for accurate base substitution and gene alterations in some plant species. However, its application has been limited due to the inefficiency of HDR in plant cells and the prevalence of the error-prone repair pathway known as non-homologous end joining (NHEJ). The discovery of CRISPR-Cas has been a game-changer in this field. This system induces mutations by creating double-strand breaks (DSBs) in the genome and repairing them through associated repair pathways like NHEJ. As a result, the CRISPR-Cas system has been extensively used to transform plants for gene function analysis and to enhance desirable traits. Researchers have made significant progress in genetic engineering in recent years, particularly in understanding the CRISPR-Cas mechanism. This has led to various CRISPR-Cas variants, including CRISPR-Cas13, CRISPR interference, CRISPR activation, base editors, primes editors, and CRASPASE, a new CRISPR-Cas system for genetic engineering that cleaves proteins. Moreover, gene editing technologies like the prime editor and base editor approaches offer excellent opportunities for plant genome engineering. These cutting-edge tools have opened up new avenues for rapidly manipulating plant genomes. This review article provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of plant genetic engineering, focusing on recently developed tools for gene alteration and their potential applications in plant research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suman Jyoti Bhuyan
- Department of Biotechnology, Mizoram University (A Central University), Pachhunga University College Campus, Aizawl, Mizoram, India
| | - Manoj Kumar
- Institute of Plant Sciences, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center, Rishon LeZion, Israel
| | - Pandurang Ramrao Devde
- Department of Biotechnology, Mizoram University (A Central University), Pachhunga University College Campus, Aizawl, Mizoram, India
| | - Avinash Chandra Rai
- Institute of Plant Sciences, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center, Rishon LeZion, Israel
| | | | - Prashant Kumar Singh
- Department of Biotechnology, Mizoram University (A Central University), Pachhunga University College Campus, Aizawl, Mizoram, India
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7
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Bull T, Khakhar A. Design principles for synthetic control systems to engineer plants. PLANT CELL REPORTS 2023; 42:1875-1889. [PMID: 37789180 DOI: 10.1007/s00299-023-03072-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
KEY MESSAGE Synthetic control systems have led to significant advancement in the study and engineering of unicellular organisms, but it has been challenging to apply these tools to multicellular organisms like plants. The ability to predictably engineer plants will enable the development of novel traits capable of alleviating global problems, such as climate change and food insecurity. Engineering predictable multicellular phenotypes will require the development of synthetic control systems that can precisely regulate how the information encoded in genomes is translated into phenotypes. Many efficient control systems have been developed for unicellular organisms. However, it remains challenging to use such tools to study or engineer multicellular organisms. Plants are a good chassis within which to develop strategies to overcome these challenges, thanks to their capacity to withstand large-scale reprogramming without lethality. Additionally, engineered plants have great potential for solving major societal problems. Here we briefly review the progress of control system development in unicellular organisms, and how that information can be leveraged to characterize control systems in plants. Further, we discuss strategies for developing control systems designed to regulate the expression of transgenes or endogenous loci and generate dosage-dependent or discrete traits. Finally, we discuss the utility that mathematical models of biological processes have for control system deployment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tawni Bull
- Department of Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Arjun Khakhar
- Department of Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
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8
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Shelake RM, Jadhav AM, Bhosale PB, Kim JY. Unlocking secrets of nature's chemists: Potential of CRISPR/Cas-based tools in plant metabolic engineering for customized nutraceutical and medicinal profiles. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY : PPB 2023; 203:108070. [PMID: 37816270 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2023.108070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023]
Abstract
Plant species have evolved diverse metabolic pathways to effectively respond to internal and external signals throughout their life cycle, allowing adaptation to their sessile and phototropic nature. These pathways selectively activate specific metabolic processes, producing plant secondary metabolites (PSMs) governed by genetic and environmental factors. Humans have utilized PSM-enriched plant sources for millennia in medicine and nutraceuticals. Recent technological advances have significantly contributed to discovering metabolic pathways and related genes involved in the biosynthesis of specific PSM in different food crops and medicinal plants. Consequently, there is a growing demand for plant materials rich in nutrients and bioactive compounds, marketed as "superfoods". To meet the industrial demand for superfoods and therapeutic PSMs, modern methods such as system biology, omics, synthetic biology, and genome editing (GE) play a crucial role in identifying the molecular players, limiting steps, and regulatory circuitry involved in PSM production. Among these methods, clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-CRISPR associated protein (CRISPR/Cas) is the most widely used system for plant GE due to its simple design, flexibility, precision, and multiplexing capabilities. Utilizing the CRISPR-based toolbox for metabolic engineering (ME) offers an ideal solution for developing plants with tailored preventive (nutraceuticals) and curative (therapeutic) metabolic profiles in an ecofriendly way. This review discusses recent advances in understanding the multifactorial regulation of metabolic pathways, the application of CRISPR-based tools for plant ME, and the potential research areas for enhancing plant metabolic profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahul Mahadev Shelake
- Division of Applied Life Science (BK21 Four Program), Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Research Center, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 52828, Republic of Korea.
| | - Amol Maruti Jadhav
- Research Institute of Green Energy Convergence Technology (RIGET), Gyeongsang National University, 501 Jinju-daero, Jinju, 52828, Republic of Korea
| | - Pritam Bhagwan Bhosale
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Research Institute of Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, 501 Jinju-daero, Jinju, 52828, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Yean Kim
- Division of Applied Life Science (BK21 Four Program), Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Research Center, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 52828, Republic of Korea; Division of Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, 501 Jinju-daero, Jinju, 52828, Republic of Korea; Nulla Bio Inc, 501 Jinju-daero, Jinju, 52828, Republic of Korea.
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9
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Moreno-Giménez E, Gandía M, Sáez Z, Manzanares P, Yenush L, Orzáez D, Marcos JF, Garrigues S. FungalBraid 2.0: expanding the synthetic biology toolbox for the biotechnological exploitation of filamentous fungi. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1222812. [PMID: 37609115 PMCID: PMC10441238 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1222812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Fungal synthetic biology is a rapidly expanding field that aims to optimize the biotechnological exploitation of fungi through the generation of standard, ready-to-use genetic elements, and universal syntax and rules for contributory use by the fungal research community. Recently, an increasing number of synthetic biology toolkits have been developed and applied to filamentous fungi, which highlights the relevance of these organisms in the biotechnology field. The FungalBraid (FB) modular cloning platform enables interchangeability of DNA parts with the GoldenBraid (GB) platform, which is designed for plants, and other systems that are compatible with the standard Golden Gate cloning and syntax, and uses binary pCAMBIA-derived vectors to allow Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation of a wide range of fungal species. In this study, we have expanded the original FB catalog by adding 27 new DNA parts that were functionally validated in vivo. Among these are the resistance selection markers for the antibiotics phleomycin and terbinafine, as well as the uridine-auxotrophic marker pyr4. We also used a normalized luciferase reporter system to validate several promoters, such as PpkiA, P7760, Pef1α, and PafpB constitutive promoters, and PglaA, PamyB, and PxlnA inducible promoters. Additionally, the recently developed dCas9-regulated GB_SynP synthetic promoter collection for orthogonal CRISPR activation (CRISPRa) in plants has been adapted in fungi through the FB system. In general, the expansion of the FB catalog is of great interest to the scientific community since it increases the number of possible modular and interchangeable DNA assemblies, exponentially increasing the possibilities of studying, developing, and exploiting filamentous fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Moreno-Giménez
- Food Biotechnology Department, Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos (IATA), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Valencia, Spain
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas (IBMCP), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV), Valencia, Spain
| | - Mónica Gandía
- Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Food Science, Toxicology and Forensic Medicine Department. Faculty of Pharmacy. Universitat de València. Vicente Andrés Estellés s/n, Valencia, Spain
| | - Zara Sáez
- Food Biotechnology Department, Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos (IATA), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Valencia, Spain
| | - Paloma Manzanares
- Food Biotechnology Department, Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos (IATA), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Valencia, Spain
| | - Lynne Yenush
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas (IBMCP), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV), Valencia, Spain
| | - Diego Orzáez
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas (IBMCP), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV), Valencia, Spain
| | - Jose F. Marcos
- Food Biotechnology Department, Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos (IATA), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Valencia, Spain
| | - Sandra Garrigues
- Food Biotechnology Department, Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos (IATA), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Valencia, Spain
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10
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Koukara J, Papadopoulou KK. Advances in plant synthetic biology approaches to control expression of gene circuits. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2023; 654:55-61. [PMID: 36889035 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2023.02.061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
Abstract
The applications of synthetic biology range from creating simple circuits to monitor an organism's state to complex circuits capable of reconstructing aspects of life. The latter has the potential to be used in plant synthetic biology to address current societal issues by reforming agriculture and enhancing production of molecules of increased demand. For this reason, development of efficient tools to precisely control gene expression of circuits must be prioritized. In this review, we report the latest efforts towards characterization, standardization and assembly of genetic parts into higher-order constructs, as well as available types of inducible systems to modulate their transcription in plant systems. Subsequently, we discuss recent developments in the orthogonal control of gene expression, Boolean logic gates and synthetic genetic toggle-like switches. Finally, we conclude that by combining different means of controlling gene expression, we can create complex circuits capable of reshaping plant life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny Koukara
- Laboratory of Plant and Environmental Biotechnology, Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Kalliope K Papadopoulou
- Laboratory of Plant and Environmental Biotechnology, Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece.
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11
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Kallam K, Moreno-Giménez E, Mateos-Fernández R, Tansley C, Gianoglio S, Orzaez D, Patron N. Tunable control of insect pheromone biosynthesis in Nicotiana benthamiana. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2023. [PMID: 37032497 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.14048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Previous work has demonstrated that plants can be used as production platforms for molecules used in health, medicine, and agriculture. Production has been exemplified in both stable transgenic plants and using transient expression strategies. In particular, species of Nicotiana have been engineered to produce a range of useful molecules, including insect sex pheromones, which are valued for species-specific control of agricultural pests. To date, most studies have relied on strong constitutive expression of all pathway genes. However, work in microbes has demonstrated that yields can be improved by controlling and balancing gene expression. Synthetic regulatory elements that provide control over the timing and levels of gene expression are therefore useful for maximizing yields from heterologous biosynthetic pathways. In this study, we demonstrate the use of pathway engineering and synthetic genetic elements for controlling the timing and levels of production of Lepidopteran sex pheromones in Nicotiana benthamiana. We demonstrate that copper can be used as a low-cost molecule for tightly regulated inducible expression. Further, we show how construct architecture influences relative gene expression and, consequently, product yields in multigene constructs. We compare a number of synthetic orthogonal regulatory elements and demonstrate maximal yields from constructs in which expression is mediated by dCas9-based synthetic transcriptional activators. The approaches demonstrated here provide new insights into the heterologous reconstruction of metabolic pathways in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kalyani Kallam
- Engineering Biology, Earlham Institute, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk, UK
| | - Elena Moreno-Giménez
- Institute for Plant Molecular and Cell Biology (IBMCP), UPV-CSIC, Valencia, Spain
| | | | - Connor Tansley
- Engineering Biology, Earlham Institute, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk, UK
| | - Silvia Gianoglio
- Institute for Plant Molecular and Cell Biology (IBMCP), UPV-CSIC, Valencia, Spain
| | - Diego Orzaez
- Institute for Plant Molecular and Cell Biology (IBMCP), UPV-CSIC, Valencia, Spain
| | - Nicola Patron
- Engineering Biology, Earlham Institute, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk, UK
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12
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Casas-Mollano JA, Zinselmeier M, Sychla A, Smanski MJ. Efficient gene activation in plants by the MoonTag programmable transcriptional activator. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.15.528671. [PMID: 36824723 PMCID: PMC9948947 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.15.528671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
CRISPR/Cas-based transcriptional activators have been developed to induce gene expression in eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms. The main advantages of CRISPR-Cas based systems is that they can achieve high levels of transcriptional activation and are very easy to program via pairing between the guide RNA and the DNA target strand. SunTag is a second-generation system that activates transcription by recruiting multiple copies of an activation domain (AD) to its target promoters. SunTag is a strong activator; however, in some species it is difficult to stably express. To overcome this problem, we designed MoonTag, a new activator that worked on the same basic principle as SunTag, but whose components are better tolerated when stably expressed in transgenic plants. We demonstrate that MoonTag is capable of inducing high levels of transcription in all plants tested. In Setaria, MoonTag is capable of inducing high levels of transcription of reporter genes as well as of endogenous genes. More important, MoonTag components are expressed in transgenic plants to high levels without any deleterious effects. MoonTag is also able to efficiently activate genes in eudicotyledonous species such as Arabidopsis and tomato. Finally, we show that MoonTag activation is functional across a range of temperatures, which is promising for potential field applications.
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13
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Yasmeen E, Wang J, Riaz M, Zhang L, Zuo K. Designing artificial synthetic promoters for accurate, smart, and versatile gene expression in plants. PLANT COMMUNICATIONS 2023:100558. [PMID: 36760129 PMCID: PMC10363483 DOI: 10.1016/j.xplc.2023.100558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
With the development of high-throughput biology techniques and artificial intelligence, it has become increasingly feasible to design and construct artificial biological parts, modules, circuits, and even whole systems. To overcome the limitations of native promoters in controlling gene expression, artificial promoter design aims to synthesize short, inducible, and conditionally controlled promoters to coordinate the expression of multiple genes in diverse plant metabolic and signaling pathways. Synthetic promoters are versatile and can drive gene expression accurately with smart responses; they show potential for enhancing desirable traits in crops, thereby improving crop yield, nutritional quality, and food security. This review first illustrates the importance of synthetic promoters, then introduces promoter architecture and thoroughly summarizes advances in synthetic promoter construction. Restrictions to the development of synthetic promoters and future applications of such promoters in synthetic plant biology and crop improvement are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erum Yasmeen
- Single Cell Research Center, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Jin Wang
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Muhammad Riaz
- Single Cell Research Center, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Lida Zhang
- Single Cell Research Center, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Kaijing Zuo
- Single Cell Research Center, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China.
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14
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Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats tools for plant metabolic engineering: achievements and perspectives. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2023; 79:102856. [PMID: 36473330 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2022.102856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Abstract
The plant kingdom represents the biggest source of feedstock, food, and added-value compounds. Engineering plant metabolic pathways to increase the phytochemical production or improve the nutraceutical value of crops is challenging because of the intricate interaction networks that link multiple genes, enzymatic steps, and metabolites, even when pathways are fully elucidated. The development of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats - CRISPR-associated (CRISPR-Cas) technologies has helped to overcome limitations in metabolic engineering, providing efficient and versatile tools for multigene editing. CRISPR approaches in plants were shown to have a remarkable efficiency in genome editing of different species to improve agronomic and metabolic traits. Here, we give an overview of the different achievements and perspectives of CRISPR technology in plant metabolic engineering.
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15
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Basu U, Riaz Ahmed S, Bhat BA, Anwar Z, Ali A, Ijaz A, Gulzar A, Bibi A, Tyagi A, Nebapure SM, Goud CA, Ahanger SA, Ali S, Mushtaq M. A CRISPR way for accelerating cereal crop improvement: Progress and challenges. Front Genet 2023; 13:866976. [PMID: 36685816 PMCID: PMC9852743 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.866976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Humans rely heavily on cereal grains as a key source of nutrients, hence regular improvement of cereal crops is essential for ensuring food security. The current food crisis at the global level is due to the rising population and harsh climatic conditions which prompts scientists to develop smart resilient cereal crops to attain food security. Cereal crop improvement in the past generally depended on imprecise methods like random mutagenesis and conventional genetic recombination which results in high off targeting risks. In this context, we have witnessed the application of targeted mutagenesis using versatile CRISPR-Cas systems for cereal crop improvement in sustainable agriculture. Accelerated crop improvement using molecular breeding methods based on CRISPR-Cas genome editing (GE) is an unprecedented tool for plant biotechnology and agriculture. The last decade has shown the fidelity, accuracy, low levels of off-target effects, and the high efficacy of CRISPR technology to induce targeted mutagenesis for the improvement of cereal crops such as wheat, rice, maize, barley, and millets. Since the genomic databases of these cereal crops are available, several modifications using GE technologies have been performed to attain desirable results. This review provides a brief overview of GE technologies and includes an elaborate account of the mechanisms and applications of CRISPR-Cas editing systems to induce targeted mutagenesis in cereal crops for improving the desired traits. Further, we describe recent developments in CRISPR-Cas-based targeted mutagenesis through base editing and prime editing to develop resilient cereal crop plants, possibly providing new dimensions in the field of cereal crop genome editing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Umer Basu
- Division of Entomology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India
| | - Syed Riaz Ahmed
- Nuclear Institute for Agriculture and Biology College, Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (NIAB-C, PIEAS), Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | | | - Zunaira Anwar
- Nuclear Institute for Agriculture and Biology College, Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (NIAB-C, PIEAS), Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Ahmad Ali
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Aqsa Ijaz
- Nuclear Institute for Agriculture and Biology College, Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (NIAB-C, PIEAS), Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Addafar Gulzar
- Division of Plant Pathology, Faculty of Agriculture, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Wadura Sopore, India
| | - Amir Bibi
- Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Faculty of Agriculture Sciences, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Anshika Tyagi
- Department of Biotechnology, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, South Korea
| | - Suresh M. Nebapure
- Division of Entomology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India
| | - Chengeshpur Anjali Goud
- Institute of Biotechnology, Professor Jayashanker Telangana State Agriculture University, Hyderabad, India
| | - Shafat Ahmad Ahanger
- Division of Plant Pathology, Faculty of Agriculture, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Wadura Sopore, India,*Correspondence: Shafat Ahmad Ahanger, ; Sajad Ali, ; Muntazir Mushtaq,
| | - Sajad Ali
- Department of Biotechnology, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, South Korea,*Correspondence: Shafat Ahmad Ahanger, ; Sajad Ali, ; Muntazir Mushtaq,
| | - Muntazir Mushtaq
- ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, Division of Germplasm Evaluation, Pusa Campus, New Delhi, India,*Correspondence: Shafat Ahmad Ahanger, ; Sajad Ali, ; Muntazir Mushtaq,
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16
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Pan C, Qi Y. Targeted Activation of Arabidopsis Genes by a Potent CRISPR-Act3.0 System. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2698:27-40. [PMID: 37682467 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3354-0_3] [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: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
The CRISPR/Cas system has emerged as a versatile platform for sequence-specific genome engineering in plants. Beyond genome editing, CRISPR/Cas systems, based on nuclease-deficient Cas9 (dCas9), have been repurposed as an RNA-guided platform for transcriptional regulation. CRISPR activation (CRISPRa) represents a novel gain-of-function (GOF) strategy, conferring robust over-expression of the target gene within its native chromosomal context. The CRISPRa systems enable precise, scalable, and robust RNA-guided transcription activation, holding great potential for a variety of fundamental and translational research. In this chapter, we provide a step-by-step guide for efficient gene activation in Arabidopsis based on a highly robust CRISPRa system, CRISPR-Act3.0. We present detailed procedures on the sgRNA design, CRISPR-Act3.0 system construction, Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of Arabidopsis using the floral dip method, and identification of desired transgenic plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changtian Pan
- Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Yiping Qi
- Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA.
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD, USA.
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17
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Vuong UT, Iswanto ABB, Nguyen Q, Kang H, Lee J, Moon J, Kim SH. Engineering plant immune circuit: walking to the bright future with a novel toolbox. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2023; 21:17-45. [PMID: 36036862 PMCID: PMC9829404 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.13916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 08/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Plant pathogens destroy crops and cause severe yield losses, leading to an insufficient food supply to sustain the human population. Apart from relying on natural plant immune systems to combat biological agents or waiting for the appropriate evolutionary steps to occur over time, researchers are currently seeking new breakthrough methods to boost disease resistance in plants through genetic engineering. Here, we summarize the past two decades of research in disease resistance engineering against an assortment of pathogens through modifying the plant immune components (internal and external) with several biotechnological techniques. We also discuss potential strategies and provide perspectives on engineering plant immune systems for enhanced pathogen resistance and plant fitness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uyen Thi Vuong
- Division of Applied Life Science (BK21 Four Program), Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Research CenterGyeongsang National UniversityJinjuRepublic of Korea
| | - Arya Bagus Boedi Iswanto
- Division of Applied Life Science (BK21 Four Program), Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Research CenterGyeongsang National UniversityJinjuRepublic of Korea
| | - Quang‐Minh Nguyen
- Division of Applied Life Science (BK21 Four Program), Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Research CenterGyeongsang National UniversityJinjuRepublic of Korea
| | - Hobin Kang
- Division of Applied Life Science (BK21 Four Program), Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Research CenterGyeongsang National UniversityJinjuRepublic of Korea
| | - Jihyun Lee
- Division of Applied Life Science (BK21 Four Program), Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Research CenterGyeongsang National UniversityJinjuRepublic of Korea
| | - Jiyun Moon
- Division of Applied Life Science (BK21 Four Program), Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Research CenterGyeongsang National UniversityJinjuRepublic of Korea
| | - Sang Hee Kim
- Division of Applied Life Science (BK21 Four Program), Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Research CenterGyeongsang National UniversityJinjuRepublic of Korea
- Division of Life ScienceGyeongsang National UniversityJinjuRepublic of Korea
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18
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Moreno-Giménez E, Selma S, Calvache C, Orzáez D. GB_SynP: A Modular dCas9-Regulated Synthetic Promoter Collection for Fine-Tuned Recombinant Gene Expression in Plants. ACS Synth Biol 2022; 11:3037-3048. [PMID: 36044643 PMCID: PMC9486966 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.2c00238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Programmable transcriptional factors based on the CRISPR architecture are becoming commonly used in plants for endogenous gene regulation. In plants, a potent CRISPR tool for gene induction is the so-called dCasEV2.1 activation system, which has shown remarkable genome-wide specificity combined with a strong activation capacity. To explore the ability of dCasEV2.1 to act as a transactivator for orthogonal synthetic promoters, a collection of DNA parts was created (GB_SynP) for combinatorial synthetic promoter building. The collection includes (i) minimal promoter parts with the TATA box and 5'UTR regions, (ii) proximal parts containing single or multiple copies of the target sequence for the gRNA, thus functioning as regulatory cis boxes, and (iii) sequence-randomized distal parts that ensure the adequate length of the resulting promoter. A total of 35 promoters were assembled using the GB_SynP collection, showing in all cases minimal background and predictable activation levels depending on the proximal parts used. GB_SynP was also employed in a combinatorial expression analysis of an autoluminescence pathway in Nicotiana benthamiana, showing the value of this tool in extracting important biological information such as the determination of the limiting steps in an enzymatic pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Moreno-Giménez
- Instituto
de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas (IBMCP), Consejo
Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, Camino de Vera s/n, Valencia 46022, Spain
| | - Sara Selma
- Instituto
de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas (IBMCP), Consejo
Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, Camino de Vera s/n, Valencia 46022, Spain
| | - Camilo Calvache
- Instituto
de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas (IBMCP), Consejo
Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, Camino de Vera s/n, Valencia 46022, Spain
| | - Diego Orzáez
- Instituto
de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas (IBMCP), Consejo
Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, Camino de Vera s/n, Valencia 46022, Spain
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19
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Selma S, Gianoglio S, Uranga M, Vázquez‐Vilar M, Espinosa‐Ruiz A, Drapal M, Fraser PD, Daròs J, Orzáez D. Potato virus X-delivered CRISPR activation programs lead to strong endogenous gene induction and transient metabolic reprogramming in Nicotiana benthamiana. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2022; 111:1550-1564. [PMID: 35822533 PMCID: PMC9541417 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.15906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Programmable transcriptional regulators based on CRISPR architecture are promising tools for the induction of plant gene expression. In plants, CRISPR gene activation is effective with respect to modulating development processes, such as the flowering time or customizing biochemical composition. The most widely used method for delivering CRISPR components into the plant is Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated genetic transformation, either transient or stable. However, as a result of their versatility and their ability to move, virus-derived systems have emerged as an interesting alternative for supplying the CRISPR components to the plant, in particular guide RNA (gRNA), which represents the variable component in CRISPR strategies. In the present study, we describe a Potato virus X-derived vector that, upon agroinfection in Nicotiana benthamiana, serves as a vehicle for delivery of gRNAs, producing highly specific virus-induced gene activation. The system works in combination with a N. benthamiana transgenic line carrying the remaining complementary CRISPR gene activation components, specifically the dCasEV2.1 cassette, which has been shown previously to mediate strong programmable transcriptional activation in plants. Using an easily scalable, non-invasive spraying method, we show that gRNA-mediated activation programs move locally and systemically, generating a strong activation response in different target genes. Furthermore, by activating three different endogenous MYB transcription factors, we demonstrate that this Potato virus X-based virus-induced gene reprogramming strategy results in program-specific metabolic fingerprints in N. benthamiana leaves characterized by distinctive phenylpropanoid-enriched metabolite profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Selma
- Instituto Biología Molecular y celular de PlantasCSIC‐Universitat Politècnica de ValènciaValencia46022Spain
| | - Silvia Gianoglio
- Instituto Biología Molecular y celular de PlantasCSIC‐Universitat Politècnica de ValènciaValencia46022Spain
| | - Mireia Uranga
- Instituto Biología Molecular y celular de PlantasCSIC‐Universitat Politècnica de ValènciaValencia46022Spain
| | - Marta Vázquez‐Vilar
- Instituto Biología Molecular y celular de PlantasCSIC‐Universitat Politècnica de ValènciaValencia46022Spain
| | - Ana Espinosa‐Ruiz
- Instituto Biología Molecular y celular de PlantasCSIC‐Universitat Politècnica de ValènciaValencia46022Spain
| | | | | | - José‐Antonio Daròs
- Instituto Biología Molecular y celular de PlantasCSIC‐Universitat Politècnica de ValènciaValencia46022Spain
| | - Diego Orzáez
- Instituto Biología Molecular y celular de PlantasCSIC‐Universitat Politècnica de ValènciaValencia46022Spain
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20
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Selma S, Sanmartín N, Espinosa‐Ruiz A, Gianoglio S, Lopez‐Gresa MP, Vázquez‐Vilar M, Flors V, Granell A, Orzaez D. Custom-made design of metabolite composition in N. benthamiana leaves using CRISPR activators. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2022; 20:1578-1590. [PMID: 35514036 PMCID: PMC9342607 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.13834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Revised: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Transcriptional regulators based on CRISPR architecture expand our ability to reprogramme endogenous gene expression in plants. One of their potential applications is the customization of plant metabolome through the activation of selected enzymes in a given metabolic pathway. Using the previously described multiplexable CRISPR activator dCasEV2.1, we assayed the selective enrichment in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves of four different flavonoids, namely, naringenin, eriodictyol, kaempferol, and quercetin. After careful selection of target genes and guide RNAs combinations, we created successful activation programmes for each of the four metabolites, each programme activating between three and seven genes, and with individual gene activation levels ranging from 4- to 1500-fold. Metabolic analysis of the flavonoid profiles of each multigene activation programme showed a sharp and selective enrichment of the intended metabolites and their glycosylated derivatives. Remarkably, principal component analysis of untargeted metabolic profiles clearly separated samples according to their activation treatment, and hierarchical clustering separated the samples into five groups, corresponding to the expected four highly enriched metabolite groups, plus an un-activated control. These results demonstrate that dCasEV2.1 is a powerful tool for re-routing metabolic fluxes towards the accumulation of metabolites of interest, opening the door for the custom-made design of metabolic contents in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Selma
- Instituto Biologia Molecular de PlantasCSIC‐UPVValenciaSpain
| | - Neus Sanmartín
- Escuela Superior de Tecnología y Ciencias ExperimentalesUniversidad Jaume ICastellón de la PlanaSpain
| | | | | | | | | | - Victor Flors
- Escuela Superior de Tecnología y Ciencias ExperimentalesUniversidad Jaume ICastellón de la PlanaSpain
| | - Antonio Granell
- Instituto Biologia Molecular de PlantasCSIC‐UPVValenciaSpain
| | - Diego Orzaez
- Instituto Biologia Molecular de PlantasCSIC‐UPVValenciaSpain
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21
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A review on CRISPR/Cas-based epigenetic regulation in plants. Int J Biol Macromol 2022; 219:1261-1271. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.08.182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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22
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Viviani A, Spada M, Giordani T, Fambrini M, Pugliesi C. Origin of the genome editing systems: application for crop improvement. Biologia (Bratisl) 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s11756-022-01142-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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23
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Rozov SM, Permyakova NV, Sidorchuk YV, Deineko EV. Optimization of Genome Knock-In Method: Search for the Most Efficient Genome Regions for Transgene Expression in Plants. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23084416. [PMID: 35457234 PMCID: PMC9027324 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23084416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2022] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Plant expression systems are currently regarded as promising alternative platforms for the production of recombinant proteins, including the proteins for biopharmaceutical purposes. However, the accumulation level of a target protein in plant expression systems is still rather low compared with the other existing systems, namely, mammalian, yeast, and E. coli cells. To solve this problem, numerous methods and approaches have been designed and developed. At the same time, the random nature of the distribution of transgenes over the genome can lead to gene silencing, variability in the accumulation of recombinant protein, and also to various insertional mutations. The current research study considered inserting target genes into pre-selected regions of the plant genome (genomic “safe harbors”) using the CRISPR/Cas system. Regions of genes expressed constitutively and at a high transcriptional level in plant cells (housekeeping genes) that are of interest as attractive targets for the delivery of target genes were characterized. The results of the first attempts to deliver target genes to the regions of housekeeping genes are discussed. The approach of “euchromatization” of the transgene integration region using the modified dCas9 associated with transcription factors is considered. A number of the specific features in the spatial chromatin organization allowing individual genes to efficiently transcribe are discussed.
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24
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Gardiner J, Ghoshal B, Wang M, Jacobsen SE. CRISPR-Cas-mediated transcriptional control and epi-mutagenesis. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2022; 188:1811-1824. [PMID: 35134247 PMCID: PMC8968285 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiac033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Tools for sequence-specific DNA binding have opened the door to new approaches in investigating fundamental questions in biology and crop development. While there are several platforms to choose from, many of the recent advances in sequence-specific targeting tools are focused on developing Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats- CRISPR Associated (CRISPR-Cas)-based systems. Using a catalytically inactive Cas protein (dCas), this system can act as a vector for different modular catalytic domains (effector domains) to control a gene's expression or alter epigenetic marks such as DNA methylation. Recent trends in developing CRISPR-dCas systems include creating versions that can target multiple copies of effector domains to a single site, targeting epigenetic changes that, in some cases, can be inherited to the next generation in the absence of the targeting construct, and combining effector domains and targeting strategies to create synergies that increase the functionality or efficiency of the system. This review summarizes and compares DNA targeting technologies, the effector domains used to target transcriptional control and epi-mutagenesis, and the different CRISPR-dCas systems used in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ming Wang
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
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25
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Control of Bacterial Diseases of Banana Using CRISPR/Cas-Based Gene Editing. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23073619. [PMID: 35408979 PMCID: PMC8998688 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23073619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Banana is an important staple food crop and a source of income for smallholder farmers in about 150 tropical and sub-tropical countries. Several bacterial diseases, such as banana Xanthomonas wilt (BXW), blood, and moko disease, cause substantial impacts on banana production. There is a vast yield gap in the production of bananas in regions where bacterial pathogens and several other pathogens and pests are present together in the same field. BXW disease caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum is reported to be the most destructive banana disease in East Africa. The disease affects all the banana varieties grown in the region. Only the wild-type diploid banana, Musa balbisiana, is resistant to BXW disease. Developing disease-resistant varieties of bananas is one of the most effective strategies to manage diseases. Recent advances in CRISPR/Cas-based gene editing techniques can accelerate banana improvement. Some progress has been made to create resistance against bacterial pathogens using CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing by knocking out the disease-causing susceptibility (S) genes or activating the expression of the plant defense genes. A synopsis of recent advancements and perspectives on the application of gene editing for the control of bacterial wilt diseases are presented in this article.
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26
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Garcia-Perez E, Diego-Martin B, Quijano-Rubio A, Moreno-Giménez E, Selma S, Orzaez D, Vazquez-Vilar M. A copper switch for inducing CRISPR/Cas9-based transcriptional activation tightly regulates gene expression in Nicotiana benthamiana. BMC Biotechnol 2022; 22:12. [PMID: 35331211 PMCID: PMC8943966 DOI: 10.1186/s12896-022-00741-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND CRISPR-based programmable transcriptional activators (PTAs) are used in plants for rewiring gene networks. Better tuning of their activity in a time and dose-dependent manner should allow precise control of gene expression. Here, we report the optimization of a Copper Inducible system called CI-switch for conditional gene activation in Nicotiana benthamiana. In the presence of copper, the copper-responsive factor CUP2 undergoes a conformational change and binds a DNA motif named copper-binding site (CBS). RESULTS In this study, we tested several activation domains fused to CUP2 and found that the non-viral Gal4 domain results in strong activation of a reporter gene equipped with a minimal promoter, offering advantages over previous designs. To connect copper regulation with downstream programmable elements, several copper-dependent configurations of the strong dCasEV2.1 PTA were assayed, aiming at maximizing activation range, while minimizing undesired background expression. The best configuration involved a dual copper regulation of the two protein components of the PTA, namely dCas9:EDLL and MS2:VPR, and a constitutive RNA pol III-driven expression of the third component, a guide RNA with anchoring sites for the MS2 RNA-binding domain. With these optimizations, the CI/dCasEV2.1 system resulted in copper-dependent activation rates of 2,600-fold and 245-fold for the endogenous N. benthamiana DFR and PAL2 genes, respectively, with negligible expression in the absence of the trigger. CONCLUSIONS The tight regulation of copper over CI/dCasEV2.1 makes this system ideal for the conditional production of plant-derived metabolites and recombinant proteins in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Sara Selma
- Instituto Biología Molecular de Plantas, CSIC-UPV, Valencia, Spain
| | - Diego Orzaez
- Instituto Biología Molecular de Plantas, CSIC-UPV, Valencia, Spain
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27
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Pan C, Qi Y. CRISPR-Act3.0-Based Highly Efficient Multiplexed Gene Activation in Plants. Curr Protoc 2022; 2:e365. [PMID: 35157372 DOI: 10.1002/cpz1.365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
CRISPR/Cas (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated protein)-mediated genome editing has revolutionized fundamental research and plant breeding. Beyond gene editing, CRISPR/Cas systems have been repurposed as a platform for programmable transcriptional regulation. Catalytically inactive Cas variants (dCas), when fused with transcriptional activation domains, allow for specific activation of any target gene in the genome without inducing DNA double-strand breaks. CRISPR activation enables simultaneous activation of multiple genes, holding great promise in the identification of gene regulatory networks and rewiring of metabolic pathways. Here, we describe a simple protocol for constructing a dCas9-mediated multiplexed gene activation system based on the CRISPR-Act3.0 system. The resulting vectors are tested in rice protoplasts. © 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: sgRNA design and construction of CRISPR-Act3.0 vectors for multiplexed gene activation Basic Protocol 2: Determining the activation efficiency of CRISPR-Act3.0 vectors using rice protoplasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changtian Pan
- Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland
| | - Yiping Qi
- Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland.,Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, Maryland
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Park J, Demirer GS, Cheung LS. Toolboxes for plant systems biology research. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2022; 75:102692. [PMID: 35144172 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2022.102692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The terms 'systems' and 'synthetic biology' are often used together, with most scientists striding between the two fields rather than adhering to a single side. Often too, scientists want to understand a system to inform the design of gene circuits that could endow it with new functions. However, this does not need to be the progression of research, as synthetic constructs can help improve our understanding of a system. Here, we review synthetic biology tool kits with the potential to overcome pleiotropic effects, compensatory mechanisms, and redundancy in plants. Combined with -omics techniques, these tools could reveal novel insights on plant growth and development, an aim that has gained renewed urgency given the impact of climate change on crop productivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jihyun Park
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Gozde S Demirer
- Department of Plant Biology and Genome Center, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA; Department of Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Lily S Cheung
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA.
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29
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Pfeiffer ML, Winkler J, Van Damme D, Jacobs TB, Nowack MK. Conditional and tissue-specific approaches to dissect essential mechanisms in plant development. CURRENT OPINION IN PLANT BIOLOGY 2022; 65:102119. [PMID: 34653951 PMCID: PMC7612331 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbi.2021.102119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Revised: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Reverse genetics approaches are routinely used to investigate gene function. However, mutations, especially in critical genes, can lead to pleiotropic effects as severe as lethality, thus limiting functional studies in specific contexts. Approaches that allow for modifications of genes or gene products in a specific spatial or temporal setting can overcome these limitations. The advent of CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) technologies has not only revolutionized targeted genome modification in plants but also enabled new possibilities for inducible and tissue-specific manipulation of gene functions at the DNA and RNA levels. In addition, novel approaches for the direct manipulation of target proteins have been introduced in plant systems. Here, we review the current development in tissue-specific and conditional manipulation approaches at the DNA, RNA, and protein levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie L Pfeiffer
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, 9052, Ghent, Belgium; VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Joanna Winkler
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, 9052, Ghent, Belgium; VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Daniël Van Damme
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, 9052, Ghent, Belgium; VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Thomas B Jacobs
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, 9052, Ghent, Belgium; VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, 9052, Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Moritz K Nowack
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, 9052, Ghent, Belgium; VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, 9052, Ghent, Belgium.
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30
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Calvache C, Vazquez‐Vilar M, Selma S, Uranga M, Fernández‐del‐Carmen A, Daròs J, Orzáez D. Strong and tunable anti-CRISPR/Cas activities in plants. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2022; 20:399-408. [PMID: 34632687 PMCID: PMC8753356 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.13723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Revised: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
CRISPR/Cas has revolutionized genome engineering in plants. However, the use of anti-CRISPR proteins as tools to prevent CRISPR/Cas-mediated gene editing and gene activation in plants has not been explored yet. This study describes the characterization of two anti-CRISPR proteins, AcrIIA4 and AcrVA1, in Nicotiana benthamiana. Our results demonstrate that AcrIIA4 prevents site-directed mutagenesis in leaves when transiently co-expressed with CRISPR/Cas9. In a similar way, AcrVA1 is able to prevent CRISPR/Cas12a-mediated gene editing. Moreover, using a N. benthamiana line constitutively expressing Cas9, we show that the viral delivery of AcrIIA4 using Tobacco etch virus is able to completely abolish the high editing levels obtained when the guide RNA is delivered with a virus, in this case Potato virus X. We also show that AcrIIA4 and AcrVA1 repress CRISPR/dCas-based transcriptional activation of reporter genes. In the case of AcrIIA4, this repression occurs in a highly efficient, dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, the fusion of an auxin degron to AcrIIA4 results in auxin-regulated activation of a downstream reporter gene. The strong anti-Cas activity of AcrIIA4 and AcrVA1 reported here opens new possibilities for customized control of gene editing and gene expression in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilo Calvache
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas (IBMCP)Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)Universitat Politècnica de ValènciaValenciaSpain
| | - Marta Vazquez‐Vilar
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas (IBMCP)Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)Universitat Politècnica de ValènciaValenciaSpain
| | - Sara Selma
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas (IBMCP)Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)Universitat Politècnica de ValènciaValenciaSpain
| | - Mireia Uranga
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas (IBMCP)Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)Universitat Politècnica de ValènciaValenciaSpain
| | - Asun Fernández‐del‐Carmen
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas (IBMCP)Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)Universitat Politècnica de ValènciaValenciaSpain
| | - José‐Antonio Daròs
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas (IBMCP)Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)Universitat Politècnica de ValènciaValenciaSpain
| | - Diego Orzáez
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas (IBMCP)Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)Universitat Politècnica de ValènciaValenciaSpain
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31
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Ren C, Li H, Liu Y, Li S, Liang Z. Highly efficient activation of endogenous gene in grape using CRISPR/dCas9-based transcriptional activators. HORTICULTURE RESEARCH 2022; 9:uhab037. [PMID: 35039855 PMCID: PMC8807946 DOI: 10.1093/hr/uhab037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Overexpression and knockout (or knockdown) of gene of interest are two commonly used strategies for gene functional study. Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9 system-mediated gene knockout had been applied in most plant species, including grapevine. However, CRISPR/dCas9 (deactivated Cas9)-based transcriptional activation is still unreported in fruit crops, although a few studies had been documented in Arabidopsis and rice. Here, we tested two transcriptional activators VP64 and TV for transcriptional activation of endogenous genes in grape. Both the dCas9-VP64 and dCas9-TV systems are efficient enough for transcriptional activation of the UDP-glucose flavonoid glycosyltransferases (UFGT) gene in grape cells. The effectiveness of the dCas9-VP64 system in UFGT activation was about 1.6- to 5.6-fold, while the efficiency of the dCas9-TV system was around 5.7- to 7.2-fold. Moreover, in grapevine plants, highly efficient activation of the cold-responsive transcription factor gene CBF4 was achieved by using the dCas9-TV system. The expression of CBF4 was increased 3.7- to 42.3-fold in transgenic plants. Compared with the wild-type plants, the CBF4-activated plants exhibited lower electrolyte leakage after cold treatment. Our results demonstrate the effectiveness of the dCas9-VP64 and dCas9-TV system in gene activation in grape, which will facilitate application of transcriptional activation in this economically important species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chong Ren
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Grape Sciences and Enology, Key Laboratory of Plant Resource, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 20 Nanxincun, Xiangshan, Beijing 100093, China
| | - Huayang Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Grape Sciences and Enology, Key Laboratory of Plant Resource, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 20 Nanxincun, Xiangshan, Beijing 100093, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences,
19 Yuquan Rd, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yanfei Liu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Grape Sciences and Enology, Key Laboratory of Plant Resource, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 20 Nanxincun, Xiangshan, Beijing 100093, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences,
19 Yuquan Rd, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Shaohua Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Grape Sciences and Enology, Key Laboratory of Plant Resource, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 20 Nanxincun, Xiangshan, Beijing 100093, China
| | - Zhenchang Liang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Grape Sciences and Enology, Key Laboratory of Plant Resource, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 20 Nanxincun, Xiangshan, Beijing 100093, China
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32
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González Guzmán M, Cellini F, Fotopoulos V, Balestrini R, Arbona V. New approaches to improve crop tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses. PHYSIOLOGIA PLANTARUM 2022; 174:e13547. [PMID: 34480798 PMCID: PMC9290814 DOI: 10.1111/ppl.13547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
During the last years, a great effort has been dedicated at the development and employment of diverse approaches for achieving more stress-tolerant and climate-flexible crops and sustainable yield increases to meet the food and energy demands of the future. The ongoing climate change is in fact leading to more frequent extreme events with a negative impact on food production, such as increased temperatures, drought, and soil salinization as well as invasive arthropod pests and diseases. In this review, diverse "green strategies" (e.g., chemical priming, root-associated microorganisms), and advanced technologies (e.g., genome editing, high-throughput phenotyping) are described on the basis of the most recent research evidence. Particularly, attention has been focused on the potential use in a context of sustainable and climate-smart agriculture (the so called "next agriculture generation") to improve plant tolerance and resilience to abiotic and biotic stresses. In addition, the gap between the results obtained in controlled experiments and those from application of these technologies in real field conditions (lab to field step) is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel González Guzmán
- Departament de Ciències Agràries i del Medi NaturalUniversitat Jaume ICastelló de la PlanaSpain
- The OPTIMUS PRIME consortium, European Union Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA) Program
| | - Francesco Cellini
- The OPTIMUS PRIME consortium, European Union Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA) Program
- Agenzia Lucana di Sviluppo e di Innovazione in Agricoltura (ALSIA)MetapontoItaly
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto per la Protezione Sostenibile delle Piante (CNR, IPSP)TorinoItaly
| | - Vasileios Fotopoulos
- The OPTIMUS PRIME consortium, European Union Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA) Program
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, Biotechnology & Food ScienceCyprus University of TechnologyLemesosCyprus
| | - Raffaella Balestrini
- The OPTIMUS PRIME consortium, European Union Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA) Program
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto per la Protezione Sostenibile delle Piante (CNR, IPSP)TorinoItaly
| | - Vicent Arbona
- Departament de Ciències Agràries i del Medi NaturalUniversitat Jaume ICastelló de la PlanaSpain
- The OPTIMUS PRIME consortium, European Union Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA) Program
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33
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Karlson CKS, Mohd-Noor SN, Nolte N, Tan BC. CRISPR/dCas9-Based Systems: Mechanisms and Applications in Plant Sciences. PLANTS 2021; 10:plants10102055. [PMID: 34685863 PMCID: PMC8540305 DOI: 10.3390/plants10102055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Revised: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
RNA-guided genomic transcriptional regulation tools, namely clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats interference (CRISPRi) and CRISPR-mediated gene activation (CRISPRa), are a powerful technology for gene functional studies. Deriving from the CRISPR/Cas9 system, both systems consist of a catalytically dead Cas9 (dCas9), a transcriptional effector and a single guide RNA (sgRNA). This type of dCas9 is incapable to cleave DNA but retains its ability to specifically bind to DNA. The binding of the dCas9/sgRNA complex to a target gene results in transcriptional interference. The CRISPR/dCas9 system has been explored as a tool for transcriptional modulation and genome imaging. Despite its potential applications and benefits, the challenges and limitations faced by the CRISPR/dCas9 system include the off-target effects, protospacer adjacent motif (PAM) sequence requirements, efficient delivery methods and the CRISPR/dCas9-interfered crops being labeled as genetically modified organisms in several countries. This review highlights the progression of CRISPR/dCas9 technology as well as its applications and potential challenges in crop improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chou Khai Soong Karlson
- Center for Research in Biotechnology for Agriculture (CEBAR), Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia;
| | - Siti Nurfadhlina Mohd-Noor
- Institute of Microengineering and Nanoelectronics (IMEN), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi 43600, Malaysia;
| | - Nadja Nolte
- Department of Plant Sciences, Wageningen University & Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 4, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands;
| | - Boon Chin Tan
- Center for Research in Biotechnology for Agriculture (CEBAR), Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +60-3-7967-7982
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Molina-Hidalgo FJ, Vazquez-Vilar M, D'Andrea L, Demurtas OC, Fraser P, Giuliano G, Bock R, Orzáez D, Goossens A. Engineering Metabolism in Nicotiana Species: A Promising Future. Trends Biotechnol 2021; 39:901-913. [PMID: 33341279 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2020.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Molecular farming intends to use crop plants as biofactories for high value-added compounds following application of a wide range of biotechnological tools. In particular, the conversion of nonfood crops into efficient biofactories is expected to be a strong asset in the development of a sustainable bioeconomy. The 'nonfood' status combined with the high metabolic versatility and the capacity of high-yield cultivation highlight the plant genus Nicotiana as one of the most appropriate 'chassis' for molecular farming. Nicotiana species are a rich source of valuable industrial, active pharmaceutical ingredients and nutritional compounds, synthesized from highly complex biosynthetic networks. Here, we review and discuss approaches currently used to design enriched Nicotiana species for molecular farming using new plant breeding techniques (NPBTs).
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Javier Molina-Hidalgo
- Ghent University, Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent, Belgium; VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Marta Vazquez-Vilar
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas (IBMCP-UPV-CSIC), Valencia, Spain
| | - Lucio D'Andrea
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Olivia C Demurtas
- Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development, Rome, Italy
| | - Paul Fraser
- School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, London, UK
| | - Giovanni Giuliano
- Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development, Rome, Italy
| | - Ralph Bock
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Diego Orzáez
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas (IBMCP-UPV-CSIC), Valencia, Spain
| | - Alain Goossens
- Ghent University, Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent, Belgium; VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Ghent, Belgium.
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35
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Deciphering Plant Chromatin Regulation via CRISPR/dCas9-Based Epigenome Engineering. EPIGENOMES 2021; 5:epigenomes5030017. [PMID: 34968366 PMCID: PMC8594717 DOI: 10.3390/epigenomes5030017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Revised: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
CRISPR-based epigenome editing uses dCas9 as a platform to recruit transcription or chromatin regulators at chosen loci. Despite recent and ongoing advances, the full potential of these approaches to studying chromatin functions in vivo remains challenging to exploit. In this review we discuss how recent progress in plants and animals provides new routes to investigate the function of chromatin regulators and address the complexity of associated regulations that are often interconnected. While efficient transcriptional engineering methodologies have been developed and can be used as tools to alter the chromatin state of a locus, examples of direct manipulation of chromatin regulators remain scarce in plants. These reports also reveal pitfalls and limitations of epigenome engineering approaches that are nevertheless informative as they are often associated with locus- and context-dependent features, which include DNA accessibility, initial chromatin and transcriptional state or cellular dynamics. Strategies implemented in different organisms to overcome and even take advantage of these limitations are highlighted, which will further improve our ability to establish the causality and hierarchy of chromatin dynamics on genome regulation.
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36
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Khusnutdinov E, Sukhareva A, Panfilova M, Mikhaylova E. Anthocyanin Biosynthesis Genes as Model Genes for Genome Editing in Plants. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:8752. [PMID: 34445458 PMCID: PMC8395717 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Revised: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
CRISPR/Cas, one of the most rapidly developing technologies in the world, has been applied successfully in plant science. To test new nucleases, gRNA expression systems and other inventions in this field, several plant genes with visible phenotypic effects have been constantly used as targets. Anthocyanin pigmentation is one of the most easily identified traits, that does not require any additional treatment. It is also associated with stress resistance, therefore plants with edited anthocyanin genes might be of interest for agriculture. Phenotypic effect of CRISPR/Cas editing of PAP1 and its homologs, DFR, F3H and F3'H genes have been confirmed in several distinct plant species. DFR appears to be a key structural gene of anthocyanin biosynthesis, controlled by various transcription factors. There are still many promising potential model genes that have not been edited yet. Some of them, such as Delila, MYB60, HAT1, UGT79B2, UGT79B3 and miR156, have been shown to regulate drought tolerance in addition to anthocyanin biosynthesis. Genes, also involved in trichome development, such as TTG1, GLABRA2, MYBL2 and CPC, can provide increased visibility. In this review successful events of CRISPR/Cas editing of anthocyanin genes are summarized, and new model genes are proposed. It can be useful for molecular biologists and genetic engineers, crop scientists, plant genetics and physiologists.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Elena Mikhaylova
- Institute of Biochemistry and Genetics, Ufa Federal Research Center RAS, Prospekt Oktyabrya 71, 450054 Ufa, Russia; (E.K.); (A.S.); (M.P.)
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Khakhar A, Wang C, Swanson R, Stokke S, Rizvi F, Sarup S, Hobbs J, Voytas DF. VipariNama: RNA viral vectors to rapidly elucidate the relationship between gene expression and phenotype. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2021; 186:2222-2238. [PMID: 34009393 PMCID: PMC8331131 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiab197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic transcription factors have great promise as tools to help elucidate relationships between gene expression and phenotype by allowing tunable alterations of gene expression without genomic alterations of the loci being studied. However, the years-long timescales, high cost, and technical skill associated with plant transformation have limited their use. In this work, we developed a technology called VipariNama (ViN) in which vectors based on the tobacco rattle virus are used to rapidly deploy Cas9-based synthetic transcription factors and reprogram gene expression in planta. We demonstrate that ViN vectors can implement activation or repression of multiple genes systemically and persistently over several weeks in Nicotiana benthamiana, Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). By exploring strategies including RNA scaffolding, viral vector ensembles, and viral engineering, we describe how the flexibility and efficacy of regulation can be improved. We also show how this transcriptional reprogramming can create predictable changes to metabolic phenotypes, such as gibberellin biosynthesis in N. benthamiana and anthocyanin accumulation in Arabidopsis, as well as developmental phenotypes, such as plant size in N. benthamiana, Arabidopsis, and tomato. These results demonstrate how ViN vector-based reprogramming of different aspects of gibberellin signaling can be used to engineer plant size in a range of plant species in a matter of weeks. In summary, ViN accelerates the timeline for generating phenotypes from over a year to just a few weeks, providing an attractive alternative to transgenesis for synthetic transcription factor-enabled hypothesis testing and crop engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arjun Khakhar
- Department Genetics, Cell Biology, & Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis 55108, USA
- Center for Precision Plant Genomics, University of Minnesota, St Paul, Minneapolis 55108, USA
| | - Cecily Wang
- Department Genetics, Cell Biology, & Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis 55108, USA
- Center for Precision Plant Genomics, University of Minnesota, St Paul, Minneapolis 55108, USA
| | - Ryan Swanson
- Department Genetics, Cell Biology, & Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis 55108, USA
- Center for Precision Plant Genomics, University of Minnesota, St Paul, Minneapolis 55108, USA
| | - Sydney Stokke
- Department Genetics, Cell Biology, & Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis 55108, USA
- Center for Precision Plant Genomics, University of Minnesota, St Paul, Minneapolis 55108, USA
| | - Furva Rizvi
- Department Genetics, Cell Biology, & Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis 55108, USA
- Center for Precision Plant Genomics, University of Minnesota, St Paul, Minneapolis 55108, USA
| | - Surbhi Sarup
- Department Genetics, Cell Biology, & Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis 55108, USA
- Center for Precision Plant Genomics, University of Minnesota, St Paul, Minneapolis 55108, USA
| | - John Hobbs
- Department Genetics, Cell Biology, & Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis 55108, USA
- Center for Precision Plant Genomics, University of Minnesota, St Paul, Minneapolis 55108, USA
| | - Daniel F Voytas
- Department Genetics, Cell Biology, & Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis 55108, USA
- Center for Precision Plant Genomics, University of Minnesota, St Paul, Minneapolis 55108, USA
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38
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Pan C, Wu X, Markel K, Malzahn AA, Kundagrami N, Sretenovic S, Zhang Y, Cheng Y, Shih PM, Qi Y. CRISPR-Act3.0 for highly efficient multiplexed gene activation in plants. NATURE PLANTS 2021; 7:942-953. [PMID: 34168320 DOI: 10.1038/s41477-021-00953-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
RNA-guided CRISPR activation (CRISPRa) systems have been developed in plants. However, the simultaneous activation of multiple genes remains challenging. Here, we develop a highly robust CRISPRa system working in rice, Arabidopsis and tomato, CRISPR-Act3.0, through systematically exploring different effector recruitment strategies and various transcription activators based on deactivated Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9 (dSpCas9). The CRISPR-Act3.0 system results in fourfold to sixfold higher activation than the state-of-the-art CRISPRa systems. We further develop a tRNA-gR2.0 (single guide RNA 2.0) expression system enabling CRISPR-Act3.0-based robust activation of up to seven genes for metabolic engineering in rice. In addition, CRISPR-Act3.0 allows the simultaneous modification of multiple traits in Arabidopsis, which are stably transmitted to the T3 generations. On the basis of CRISPR-Act3.0, we elucidate guide RNA targeting rules for effective transcriptional activation. To target T-rich protospacer adjacent motifs (PAMs), we transfer this activation strategy to CRISPR-dCas12b and further improve the dAaCas12b-based CRISPRa system. Moreover, we develop a potent near-PAM-less CRISPR-Act3.0 system on the basis of the SpRY dCas9 variant, which outperforms the dCas9-NG system in both activation potency and targeting scope. Altogether, our study has substantially improved the CRISPRa technology in plants and provided plant researchers a powerful toolbox for efficient gene activation in foundational and translational research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changtian Pan
- Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Xincheng Wu
- Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Kasey Markel
- Department of Plant Biology, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Aimee A Malzahn
- Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Neil Kundagrami
- Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Simon Sretenovic
- Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Yingxiao Zhang
- Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Yanhao Cheng
- Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Patrick M Shih
- Department of Plant Biology, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Feedstocks Division, Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA, USA
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Innovative Genomics Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Yiping Qi
- Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA.
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD, USA.
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Wang T, Li Y, Song S, Qiu M, Zhang L, Li C, Dong H, Li L, Wang J, Li L. EMBRYO SAC DEVELOPMENT 1 affects seed setting rate in rice by controlling embryo sac development. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2021; 186:1060-1073. [PMID: 33734397 PMCID: PMC8195536 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiab106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Seed setting rate is one of the critical factors that determine rice yield. Grain formation is a complex biological process, whose molecular mechanism is yet to be improved. Here we investigated the function of an OVATE family protein, Embryo Sac Development 1 (ESD1), in the regulation of seed setting rate in rice (Oryza sativa) by examining its loss-of-function mutants generated via clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated9 (Cas9) technology. ESD1 was predominantly expressed at Stage 6 of panicle development, especially in the ovules. esd1 mutants displayed reduced seed setting rates with normal stamen development and pollen tube growth but abnormal pistil group. Investigation of embryo sacs revealed that during the mitosis of functional megaspores, some egg cells degraded during differentiation in esd1 mutants, thereby hindering subsequent fertilization process and reducing seed setting rate. In addition, the transcriptional level of O. sativa anaphase-promoting complex 6, a reported embryo sac developing gene, was significantly reduced in esd1 mutants. These results support that ESD1 is an important modulator of ESD and seed setting rate in rice. Together, this finding demonstrates that ESD1 positively regulates the seed setting rate by controlling ESD in rice and has implications for the improvement of rice yield.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiankang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Hybrid Rice, Hunan Hybrid Rice Research Center, Changsha 410125, China
- College of Agronomy, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Yixing Li
- State Key Laboratory of Hybrid Rice, Hunan Hybrid Rice Research Center, Changsha 410125, China
| | - Shufeng Song
- State Key Laboratory of Hybrid Rice, Hunan Hybrid Rice Research Center, Changsha 410125, China
| | - Mudan Qiu
- State Key Laboratory of Hybrid Rice, Hunan Hybrid Rice Research Center, Changsha 410125, China
| | - Licheng Zhang
- College of Agronomy, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Chengxia Li
- State Key Laboratory of Hybrid Rice, Hunan Hybrid Rice Research Center, Changsha 410125, China
| | - Hao Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Hybrid Rice, Hunan Hybrid Rice Research Center, Changsha 410125, China
| | - Lei Li
- College of Agronomy, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Jianlong Wang
- College of Agronomy, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Li Li
- College of Agronomy, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
- Author for communication:
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Liu L, Lindsay PL, Jackson D. Next Generation Cereal Crop Yield Enhancement: From Knowledge of Inflorescence Development to Practical Engineering by Genome Editing. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:5167. [PMID: 34068350 PMCID: PMC8153303 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22105167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Artificial domestication and improvement of the majority of crops began approximately 10,000 years ago, in different parts of the world, to achieve high productivity, good quality, and widespread adaptability. It was initiated from a phenotype-based selection by local farmers and developed to current biotechnology-based breeding to feed over 7 billion people. For most cereal crops, yield relates to grain production, which could be enhanced by increasing grain number and weight. Grain number is typically determined during inflorescence development. Many mutants and genes for inflorescence development have already been characterized in cereal crops. Therefore, optimization of such genes could fine-tune yield-related traits, such as grain number. With the rapidly advancing genome-editing technologies and understanding of yield-related traits, knowledge-driven breeding by design is becoming a reality. This review introduces knowledge about inflorescence yield-related traits in cereal crops, focusing on rice, maize, and wheat. Next, emerging genome-editing technologies and recent studies that apply this technology to engineer crop yield improvement by targeting inflorescence development are reviewed. These approaches promise to usher in a new era of breeding practice.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - David Jackson
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA; (L.L.); (P.L.L.)
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Perspectives for epigenetic editing in crops. Transgenic Res 2021; 30:381-400. [PMID: 33891288 DOI: 10.1007/s11248-021-00252-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Site-specific nucleases (SSNs) have drawn much attention in plant biotechnology due to their ability to drive precision mutagenesis, gene targeting or allele replacement. However, when devoid of its nuclease activity, the underlying DNA-binding activity of SSNs can be used to bring other protein functional domains close to specific genomic sites, thus expanding further the range of applications of the technology. In particular, the addition of functional domains encoding epigenetic effectors and chromatin modifiers to the CRISPR/Cas ribonucleoprotein complex opens the possibility to introduce targeted epigenomic modifications in plants in an easily programmable manner. Here we examine some of the most important agronomic traits known to be controlled epigenetically and review the best studied epigenetic catalytic effectors in plants, such as DNA methylases/demethylases or histone acetylases/deacetylases and their associated marks. We also review the most efficient strategies developed to date to functionalize Cas proteins with both catalytic and non-catalytic epigenetic effectors, and the ability of these domains to influence the expression of endogenous genes in a regulatable manner. Based on these new technical developments, we discuss the possibilities offered by epigenetic editing tools in plant biotechnology and their implications in crop breeding.
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Xiong X, Liang J, Li Z, Gong BQ, Li JF. Multiplex and optimization of dCas9-TV-mediated gene activation in plants. JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE PLANT BIOLOGY 2021; 63:634-645. [PMID: 33058471 DOI: 10.1111/jipb.13023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic gene activators consisting of nuclease-dead Cas9 (dCas9) for single-guide RNA (sgRNA)-directed promoter binding and a transcriptional activation domain (TAD) represent new tools for gene activation from endogenous genomic locus in basic and applied plant research. However, multiplex gene coactivation by dCas9-TADs has not been demonstrated in whole plants. There is also room to optimize the performance of these tools. Here, we report that our previously developed gene activator, dCas9-TV, could simultaneously upregulate OsGW7 and OsER1 in rice by up to 3,738 fold, with one sgRNA targeting to each promoter. The gene coactivation could persist to at least the fourth generation. Astonishingly, the polycistronic tRNA-sgRNA expression under the maize ubiquitin promoter, a Pol II promoter, could cause enormous activation of these genes by up to >40,000-fold in rice. Moreover, the yeast GCN4 coiled coil-mediated dCas9-TV dimerization appeared to be promising for enhancing gene activation. Finally, we successfully introduced a self-amplification loop for dCas9-TV expression in Arabidopsis to promote the transcriptional upregulation of AtFLS2, a previously characterized dCas9-TV-refractory gene with considerable basal expression. Collectively, this work illustrates the robustness of dCas9-TV in multigene coactivation and provides broadly useful strategies for boosting transcriptional activation efficacy of dCas9-TADs in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangyu Xiong
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| | - Jieping Liang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| | - Zhenxiang Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| | - Ben-Qiang Gong
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| | - Jian-Feng Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
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Pan C, Sretenovic S, Qi Y. CRISPR/dCas-mediated transcriptional and epigenetic regulation in plants. CURRENT OPINION IN PLANT BIOLOGY 2021; 60:101980. [PMID: 33401227 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbi.2020.101980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
The CRISPR/Cas (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats/CRISPR Associated) system-mediated precise genome editing has revolutionized genome engineering due to ease of use and versatility of multiplexing. Catalytically inactivated Cas variants (dCas) further expand the usefulness of the CRISPR/Cas system for genetics studies and translational research without inducing DNA double-strand breaks. Fusion of diverse effector domains to dCas proteins empowers the CRISPR/dCas system as a multifunctional platform for gene expression regulation, epigenetic regulation and sequence-specific imaging. In this short review, we summarize the recent advances of CRISPR/dCas-mediated transcriptional activation and repression, and epigenetic modifications. We also highlight the future directions and broader applications of the CRISPR/dCas systems in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changtian Pan
- Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Simon Sretenovic
- Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Yiping Qi
- Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA; Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD 20850, USA.
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Fal K, Tomkova D, Vachon G, Chabouté ME, Berr A, Carles CC. Chromatin Manipulation and Editing: Challenges, New Technologies and Their Use in Plants. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:E512. [PMID: 33419220 PMCID: PMC7825600 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22020512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Revised: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
An ongoing challenge in functional epigenomics is to develop tools for precise manipulation of epigenetic marks. These tools would allow moving from correlation-based to causal-based findings, a necessary step to reach conclusions on mechanistic principles. In this review, we describe and discuss the advantages and limits of tools and technologies developed to impact epigenetic marks, and which could be employed to study their direct effect on nuclear and chromatin structure, on transcription, and their further genuine role in plant cell fate and development. On one hand, epigenome-wide approaches include drug inhibitors for chromatin modifiers or readers, nanobodies against histone marks or lines expressing modified histones or mutant chromatin effectors. On the other hand, locus-specific approaches consist in targeting precise regions on the chromatin, with engineered proteins able to modify epigenetic marks. Early systems use effectors in fusion with protein domains that recognize a specific DNA sequence (Zinc Finger or TALEs), while the more recent dCas9 approach operates through RNA-DNA interaction, thereby providing more flexibility and modularity for tool designs. Current developments of "second generation", chimeric dCas9 systems, aiming at better targeting efficiency and modifier capacity have recently been tested in plants and provided promising results. Finally, recent proof-of-concept studies forecast even finer tools, such as inducible/switchable systems, that will allow temporal analyses of the molecular events that follow a change in a specific chromatin mark.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kateryna Fal
- Laboratoire de Physiologie Cellulaire et Végétale, Université Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, CEA, INRAE, IRIG-LPCV, 38000 Grenoble, France; (K.F.); (G.V.)
| | - Denisa Tomkova
- Institut de Biologie Moléculaire des Plantes du CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, 12 rue du Général Zimmer, 67084 Strasbourg CEDEX, France; (D.T.); (M.-E.C.)
| | - Gilles Vachon
- Laboratoire de Physiologie Cellulaire et Végétale, Université Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, CEA, INRAE, IRIG-LPCV, 38000 Grenoble, France; (K.F.); (G.V.)
| | - Marie-Edith Chabouté
- Institut de Biologie Moléculaire des Plantes du CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, 12 rue du Général Zimmer, 67084 Strasbourg CEDEX, France; (D.T.); (M.-E.C.)
| | - Alexandre Berr
- Institut de Biologie Moléculaire des Plantes du CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, 12 rue du Général Zimmer, 67084 Strasbourg CEDEX, France; (D.T.); (M.-E.C.)
| | - Cristel C. Carles
- Laboratoire de Physiologie Cellulaire et Végétale, Université Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, CEA, INRAE, IRIG-LPCV, 38000 Grenoble, France; (K.F.); (G.V.)
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Vazquez-Vilar M, Garcia-Carpintero V, Selma S, Bernabé-Orts JM, Sanchez-Vicente J, Salazar-Sarasua B, Ressa A, de Paola C, Ajenjo M, Quintela JC, Fernández-del-Carmen A, Granell A, Orzáez D. The GB4.0 Platform, an All-In-One Tool for CRISPR/Cas-Based Multiplex Genome Engineering in Plants. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:689937. [PMID: 34276739 PMCID: PMC8284049 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.689937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
CRISPR/Cas ability to target several loci simultaneously (multiplexing) is a game-changer in plant breeding. Multiplexing not only accelerates trait pyramiding but also can unveil traits hidden by functional redundancy. Furthermore, multiplexing enhances dCas-based programmable gene expression and enables cascade-like gene regulation. However, the design and assembly of multiplex constructs comprising tandemly arrayed guide RNAs (gRNAs) requires scarless cloning and is still troublesome due to the presence of repetitive sequences, thus hampering a more widespread use. Here we present a comprehensive extension of the software-assisted cloning platform GoldenBraid (GB), in which, on top of its multigene cloning software, we integrate new tools for the Type IIS-based easy and rapid assembly of up to six tandemly-arrayed gRNAs with both Cas9 and Cas12a, using the gRNA-tRNA-spaced and the crRNA unspaced approaches, respectively. As stress tests for the new tools, we assembled and used for Agrobacterium-mediated stable transformation a 17 Cas9-gRNAs construct targeting a subset of the Squamosa-Promoter Binding Protein-Like (SPL) gene family in Nicotiana tabacum. The 14 selected genes are targets of miR156, thus potentially playing an important role in juvenile-to-adult and vegetative-to-reproductive phase transitions. With the 17 gRNAs construct we generated a collection of Cas9-free SPL edited T1 plants harboring up to 9 biallelic mutations and showing leaf juvenility and more branching. The functionality of GB-assembled dCas9 and dCas12a-based CRISPR/Cas activators and repressors using single and multiplexing gRNAs was validated using a Luciferase reporter with the Solanum lycopersicum Mtb promoter or the Agrobacterium tumefaciens nopaline synthase promoter in transient expression in Nicotiana benthamiana. With the incorporation of the new web-based tools and the accompanying collection of DNA parts, the GB4.0 genome edition turns an all-in-one open platform for plant genome engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Vazquez-Vilar
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Víctor Garcia-Carpintero
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Sara Selma
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Joan M. Bernabé-Orts
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Javier Sanchez-Vicente
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Blanca Salazar-Sarasua
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Arianna Ressa
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Carmine de Paola
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - María Ajenjo
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, Spain
| | | | - Asun Fernández-del-Carmen
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Antonio Granell
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Diego Orzáez
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, Spain
- *Correspondence: Diego Orzáez
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46
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Grützner R, Schubert R, Horn C, Yang C, Vogt T, Marillonnet S. Engineering Betalain Biosynthesis in Tomato for High Level Betanin Production in Fruits. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:682443. [PMID: 34177999 PMCID: PMC8220147 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.682443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Betalains are pigments found in plants of the Caryophyllales order, and include the red-purple betacyanins and the yellow-orange betaxanthins. The red pigment from red beets, betanin, is made from tyrosine by a biosynthetic pathway that consists of a cytochrome P450, a L-DOPA dioxygenase, and a glucosyltransferase. The entire pathway was recently reconstituted in plants that do not make betalains naturally including potato and tomato plants. The amount of betanin produced in these plants was however not as high as in red beets. It was recently shown that a plastidic arogenate dehydrogenase gene involved in biosynthesis of tyrosine in plants is duplicated in Beta vulgaris and other betalain-producing plants, and that one of the two encoded enzymes, BvADHα, has relaxed feedback inhibition by tyrosine, contributing to the high amount of betanin found in red beets. We have reconstituted the complete betanin biosynthetic pathway in tomato plants with or without a BvADHα gene, and with all genes expressed under control of a fruit-specific promoter. The plants obtained with a construct containing BvADHα produced betanin at a higher level than plants obtained with a construct lacking this gene. These results show that use of BvADHα can be useful for high level production of betalains in heterologous hosts. Unlike red beets that produce both betacyanins and betaxanthins, the transformed tomatoes produced betacyanins only, conferring a bright purple-fuschia color to the tomato juice.
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47
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Young R, Haines M, Storch M, Freemont PS. Combinatorial metabolic pathway assembly approaches and toolkits for modular assembly. Metab Eng 2020; 63:81-101. [PMID: 33301873 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymben.2020.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Synthetic Biology is a rapidly growing interdisciplinary field that is primarily built upon foundational advances in molecular biology combined with engineering design principles such as modularity and interoperability. The field considers living systems as programmable at the genetic level and has been defined by the development of new platform technologies and methodological advances. A key concept driving the field is the Design-Build-Test-Learn cycle which provides a systematic framework for building new biological systems. One major application area for synthetic biology is biosynthetic pathway engineering that requires the modular assembly of different genetic regulatory elements and biosynthetic enzymes. In this review we provide an overview of modular DNA assembly and describe and compare the plethora of in vitro and in vivo assembly methods for combinatorial pathway engineering. Considerations for part design and methods for enzyme balancing are also presented, and we briefly discuss alternatives to intracellular pathway assembly including microbial consortia and cell-free systems for biosynthesis. Finally, we describe computational tools and automation for pathway design and assembly and argue that a deeper understanding of the many different variables of genetic design, pathway regulation and cellular metabolism will allow more predictive pathway design and engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosanna Young
- Department of Infectious Disease, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, South Kensington Campus, Imperial College London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Matthew Haines
- Department of Infectious Disease, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, South Kensington Campus, Imperial College London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Marko Storch
- Department of Infectious Disease, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, South Kensington Campus, Imperial College London, SW7 2AZ, UK; London Biofoundry, Imperial College Translation & Innovation Hub, London, W12 0BZ, UK
| | - Paul S Freemont
- Department of Infectious Disease, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, South Kensington Campus, Imperial College London, SW7 2AZ, UK; London Biofoundry, Imperial College Translation & Innovation Hub, London, W12 0BZ, UK; UK DRI Care Research and Technology Centre, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK.
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48
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Casas-Mollano JA, Zinselmeier MH, Erickson SE, Smanski MJ. CRISPR-Cas Activators for Engineering Gene Expression in Higher Eukaryotes. CRISPR J 2020; 3:350-364. [PMID: 33095045 PMCID: PMC7580621 DOI: 10.1089/crispr.2020.0064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas-based transcriptional activators allow genetic engineers to specifically induce expression of one or many target genes in trans. Here we review the many design variations of these versatile tools and compare their effectiveness in different eukaryotic systems. Lastly, we highlight several applications of programmable transcriptional activation to interrogate and engineer complex biological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. Armando Casas-Mollano
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics, BioTechnology Institute, University of Minnesota, Twin-Cities, Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA; and Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota, Twin-Cities, Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA
| | - Matthew H. Zinselmeier
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota, Twin-Cities, Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA
| | - Samuel E. Erickson
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics, BioTechnology Institute, University of Minnesota, Twin-Cities, Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA; and Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota, Twin-Cities, Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA
| | - Michael J. Smanski
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics, BioTechnology Institute, University of Minnesota, Twin-Cities, Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA; and Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota, Twin-Cities, Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA
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49
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Khosravi S, Schindele P, Gladilin E, Dunemann F, Rutten T, Puchta H, Houben A. Application of Aptamers Improves CRISPR-Based Live Imaging of Plant Telomeres. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2020; 11:1254. [PMID: 32973827 PMCID: PMC7468473 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2020.01254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Development of live imaging techniques for providing information how chromatin is organized in living cells is pivotal to decipher the regulation of biological processes. Here, we demonstrate the improvement of a live imaging technique based on CRISPR/Cas9. In this approach, the sgRNA scaffold is fused to RNA aptamers including MS2 and PP7. When the dead Cas9 (dCas9) is co-expressed with chimeric sgRNA, the fluorescent coat protein-tagged for MS2 and PP7 aptamers (tdMCP-FP and tdPCP-FP) are recruited to the targeted sequence. Compared to previous work with dCas9:GFP, we show that the quality of telomere labeling was improved in transiently transformed Nicotiana benthamiana using aptamer-based CRISPR-imaging constructs. Labeling is influenced by the copy number of aptamers and less by the promoter types. The same constructs were not applicable for labeling of repeats in stably transformed plants and roots. The constant interaction of the RNP complex with its target DNA might interfere with cellular processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Solmaz Khosravi
- Department for Breeding Research, Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), Seeland, Germany
| | - Patrick Schindele
- Botanical Institute, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Evgeny Gladilin
- Department for Breeding Research, Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), Seeland, Germany
| | - Frank Dunemann
- Institute for Breeding Research on Horticultural Crops, Julius Kühn-Institut (JKI), Quedlinburg, Germany
| | - Twan Rutten
- Department for Breeding Research, Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), Seeland, Germany
| | - Holger Puchta
- Botanical Institute, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Andreas Houben
- Department for Breeding Research, Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), Seeland, Germany
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50
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Ochoa-Fernandez R, Abel NB, Wieland FG, Schlegel J, Koch LA, Miller JB, Engesser R, Giuriani G, Brandl SM, Timmer J, Weber W, Ott T, Simon R, Zurbriggen MD. Optogenetic control of gene expression in plants in the presence of ambient white light. Nat Methods 2020; 17:717-725. [PMID: 32601426 DOI: 10.1038/s41592-020-0868-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Revised: 02/24/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Optogenetics is the genetic approach for controlling cellular processes with light. It provides spatiotemporal, quantitative and reversible control over biological signaling and metabolic processes, overcoming limitations of chemically inducible systems. However, optogenetics lags in plant research because ambient light required for growth leads to undesired system activation. We solved this issue by developing plant usable light-switch elements (PULSE), an optogenetic tool for reversibly controlling gene expression in plants under ambient light. PULSE combines a blue-light-regulated repressor with a red-light-inducible switch. Gene expression is only activated under red light and remains inactive under white light or in darkness. Supported by a quantitative mathematical model, we characterized PULSE in protoplasts and achieved high induction rates, and we combined it with CRISPR-Cas9-based technologies to target synthetic signaling and developmental pathways. We applied PULSE to control immune responses in plant leaves and generated Arabidopsis transgenic plants. PULSE opens broad experimental avenues in plant research and biotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocio Ochoa-Fernandez
- Institute of Synthetic Biology, University of Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany.,iGRAD Plant Graduate School, University of Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Nikolaj B Abel
- Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | | | - Jenia Schlegel
- iGRAD Plant Graduate School, University of Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany.,Institute of Developmental Genetics, University of Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Leonie-Alexa Koch
- Institute of Synthetic Biology, University of Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - J Benjamin Miller
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
| | - Raphael Engesser
- Institute of Physics, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Giovanni Giuriani
- Institute of Synthetic Biology, University of Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany.,Univeersity of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
| | - Simon M Brandl
- Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Jens Timmer
- Institute of Physics, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany.,Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Wilfried Weber
- Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany.,Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Thomas Ott
- Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany.,Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Rüdiger Simon
- iGRAD Plant Graduate School, University of Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany.,Institute of Developmental Genetics, University of Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany.,CEPLAS-Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Matias D Zurbriggen
- Institute of Synthetic Biology, University of Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany. .,iGRAD Plant Graduate School, University of Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany. .,CEPLAS-Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences, Düsseldorf, Germany.
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