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Geyman LJ, Tanner MP, Rosario-Meléndez N, Peters JM, Mandel MJ, van Kessel JC. Mobile-CRISPRi as a powerful tool for modulating Vibrio gene expression. Appl Environ Microbiol 2024; 90:e0006524. [PMID: 38775491 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00065-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
CRISPRi (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Palindromic Repeats interference) is a gene knockdown method that uses a deactivated Cas9 protein (dCas9) that binds a specific gene target locus dictated by an encoded guide RNA (sgRNA) to block transcription. Mobile-CRISPRi is a suite of modular vectors that enable CRISPRi knockdowns in diverse bacteria by integrating IPTG-inducible dcas9 and sgRNA genes into the genome using Tn7 transposition. Here, we show that the Mobile-CRISPRi system functions robustly and specifically in multiple Vibrio species: Vibrio cholerae, Vibrio fischeri, Vibrio vulnificus, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, and Vibrio campbellii. We demonstrate efficacy by targeting both essential and non-essential genes that function to produce defined, measurable phenotypes: bioluminescence, quorum sensing, cell division, and growth arrest. We anticipate that Mobile-CRISPRi will be used in Vibrio species to systematically probe gene function and essentiality in various behaviors and native environments.IMPORTANCEThe genetic manipulation of bacterial genomes is an invaluable tool in experimental microbiology. The development of CRISPRi (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Palindromic Repeats interference) tools has revolutionized genetics in many organisms, including bacteria. Here, we optimized the use of Mobile-CRISPRi in five Vibrio species, each of which has significant impacts on marine environments and organisms that include squid, shrimp, shellfish, finfish, corals, and multiple of which pose direct threats to human health. The Mobile-CRISPRi technology is easily adaptable, moveable from strain to strain, and enables researchers to selectively turn off gene expression. Our experiments demonstrate Mobile-CRISPRi is effective and robust at repressing gene expression of both essential and non-essential genes in Vibrio species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Logan J Geyman
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
| | - Madeline P Tanner
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Natalia Rosario-Meléndez
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Microbiology Doctoral Training Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Jason M Peters
- Microbiology Doctoral Training Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Division, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Mark J Mandel
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Microbiology Doctoral Training Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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Enright AL, Heelan WJ, Ward RD, Peters JM. CRISPRi functional genomics in bacteria and its application to medical and industrial research. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 2024:e0017022. [PMID: 38809084 DOI: 10.1128/mmbr.00170-22] [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: 05/30/2024] Open
Abstract
SUMMARYFunctional genomics is the use of systematic gene perturbation approaches to determine the contributions of genes under conditions of interest. Although functional genomic strategies have been used in bacteria for decades, recent studies have taken advantage of CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats) technologies, such as CRISPRi (CRISPR interference), that are capable of precisely modulating expression of all genes in the genome. Here, we discuss and review the use of CRISPRi and related technologies for bacterial functional genomics. We discuss the strengths and weaknesses of CRISPRi as well as design considerations for CRISPRi genetic screens. We also review examples of how CRISPRi screens have defined relevant genetic targets for medical and industrial applications. Finally, we outline a few of the many possible directions that could be pursued using CRISPR-based functional genomics in bacteria. Our view is that the most exciting screens and discoveries are yet to come.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy L Enright
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Division, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Microbiology Doctoral Training Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- DOE Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - William J Heelan
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Division, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Ryan D Ward
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Division, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- DOE Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Laboratory of Genetics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Jason M Peters
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Division, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- DOE Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Center for Genomic Science Innovation, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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Banta AB, Myers KS, Ward RD, Cuellar RA, Place M, Freeh CC, Bacon EE, Peters JM. A Targeted Genome-scale Overexpression Platform for Proteobacteria. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.01.582922. [PMID: 38496613 PMCID: PMC10942329 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.01.582922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Targeted, genome-scale gene perturbation screens using Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats interference (CRISPRi) and activation (CRISPRa) have revolutionized eukaryotic genetics, advancing medical, industrial, and basic research. Although CRISPRi knockdowns have been broadly applied in bacteria, options for genome-scale overexpression face key limitations. Here, we develop a facile approach for genome-scale gene overexpression in bacteria we call, "CRISPRtOE" (CRISPR transposition and OverExpression). We create a platform for comprehensive gene targeting using CRISPR-associated transposition (CAST) and show that transposition occurs at a higher frequency in non-transcribed DNA. We then demonstrate that CRISPRtOE can upregulate gene expression in Proteobacteria with medical and industrial relevance by integrating synthetic promoters of varying strength upstream of target genes. Finally, we employ CRISPRtOE screening at the genome-scale in Escherichia coli, recovering known antibiotic targets and genes with unexplored roles in antibiotic function. We envision that CRISPRtOE will be a valuable overexpression tool for antibiotic mode of action, industrial strain optimization, and gene function discovery in bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy B Banta
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Division, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- DOE Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Kevin S Myers
- DOE Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Wisconsin Energy Institute, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Ryan D Ward
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Division, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- DOE Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Laboratory of Genetics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Rodrigo A Cuellar
- Microbiology Doctoral Training Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Michael Place
- DOE Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Claire C Freeh
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Division, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Emily E Bacon
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Division, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Microbiology Doctoral Training Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Jason M Peters
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Division, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- DOE Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Center for Genomic Science Innovation, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
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Rivera Vazquez J, Trujillo E, Williams J, She F, Getahun F, Callaghan MM, Coon JJ, Amador-Noguez D. Lipid membrane remodeling and metabolic response during isobutanol and ethanol exposure in Zymomonas mobilis. BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS 2024; 17:14. [PMID: 38281959 PMCID: PMC10823705 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-023-02450-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent engineering efforts have targeted the ethanologenic bacterium Zymomonas mobilis for isobutanol production. However, significant hurdles remain due this organism's vulnerability to isobutanol toxicity, adversely affecting its growth and productivity. The limited understanding of the physiological impacts of isobutanol on Z. mobilis constrains our ability to overcome these production barriers. RESULTS We utilized a systems-level approach comprising LC-MS/MS-based lipidomics, metabolomics, and shotgun proteomics, to investigate how exposure to ethanol and isobutanol impact the lipid membrane composition and overall physiology of Z. mobilis. Our analysis revealed significant and distinct alterations in membrane phospholipid and fatty acid composition resulting from ethanol and isobutanol exposure. Notably, ethanol exposure increased membrane cyclopropane fatty acid content and expression of cyclopropane fatty acid (CFA) synthase. Surprisingly, isobutanol decreased cyclopropane fatty acid content despite robust upregulation of CFA synthase. Overexpression of the native Z. mobilis' CFA synthase increased cyclopropane fatty acid content in all phospholipid classes and was associated with a significant improvement in growth rates in the presence of added ethanol and isobutanol. Heterologous expression of CFA synthase from Clostridium acetobutylicum resulted in a near complete replacement of unsaturated fatty acids with cyclopropane fatty acids, affecting all lipid classes. However, this did not translate to improved growth rates under isobutanol exposure. Correlating with its greater susceptibility to isobutanol, Z. mobilis exhibited more pronounced alterations in its proteome, metabolome, and overall cell morphology-including cell swelling and formation of intracellular protein aggregates -when exposed to isobutanol compared to ethanol. Isobutanol triggered a broad stress response marked by the upregulation of heat shock proteins, efflux transporters, DNA repair systems, and the downregulation of cell motility proteins. Isobutanol also elicited widespread dysregulation of Z. mobilis' primary metabolism evidenced by increased levels of nucleotide degradation intermediates and the depletion of biosynthetic and glycolytic intermediates. CONCLUSIONS This study provides a comprehensive, systems-level evaluation of the impact of ethanol and isobutanol exposure on the lipid membrane composition and overall physiology of Z. mobilis. These findings will guide engineering of Z. mobilis towards the creation of isobutanol-tolerant strains that can serve as robust platforms for the industrial production of isobutanol from lignocellulosic sugars.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julio Rivera Vazquez
- DOE Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53726, USA
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Edna Trujillo
- DOE Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53726, USA
- Genome Center of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Jonathan Williams
- DOE Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53726, USA
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Fukang She
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Fitsum Getahun
- DOE Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53726, USA
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Melanie M Callaghan
- DOE Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53726, USA
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Joshua J Coon
- DOE Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53726, USA
- Morgridge Institute for Research, Madison, WI, USA
- National Center for Quantitative Biology of Complex Systems, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Daniel Amador-Noguez
- DOE Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53726, USA.
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
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Geyman L, Tanner M, Rosario-Melendez N, Peters J, Mandel MJ, van Kessel JC. Mobile-CRISPRi as a powerful tool for modulating Vibrio gene expression. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.17.575898. [PMID: 38293084 PMCID: PMC10827217 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.17.575898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
CRISPRi (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Palindromic Repeats interference) is a gene knockdown method that uses a deactivated Cas9 protein (dCas9) that binds a specific gene target locus dictated by an encoded guide RNA (sgRNA) to block transcription. Mobile-CRISPRi is a suite of modular vectors that enable CRISPRi knockdowns in diverse bacteria by integrating IPTG-inducible dcas9 and sgRNA genes into the genome using Tn 7 transposition. Here, we show that the Mobile-CRISPRi system functions robustly and specifically in multiple Vibrio species: Vibrio cholerae, Vibrio fischeri, Vibrio vulnificus, Vibrio parahaemolyticus , and Vibrio campbellii . We demonstrate efficacy by targeting both essential and non-essential genes that function to produce defined, measurable phenotypes: bioluminescence, quorum sensing, cell division, and growth arrest. We anticipate that Mobile-CRISPRi will be used in Vibrio species to systematically probe gene function and essentiality in various behaviors and native environments.
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