1
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Aghlara-Fotovat S, Musteata E, Doerfert MD, Baruch M, Levitan M, Tabor JJ, Veiseh O. Hydrogel-encapsulation to enhance bacterial diagnosis of colon inflammation. Biomaterials 2023; 301:122246. [PMID: 37481834 PMCID: PMC10792543 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2023.122246] [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: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
Bacteria can be genetically programmed to sense and report the presence of disease biomarkers in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. However, diagnostic bacteria are typically delivered via oral administration of liquid cultures, resulting in poor survival and high dispersal in vivo. These limitations confound recovery and analysis of engineered bacteria from GI or stool samples. Here, we demonstrate that encapsulating bacteria inside of alginate core-shell particles enables robust survival, containment, and diagnostic function in vivo. We demonstrate these benefits by encapsulating a strain engineered to report the presence of the biomarker thiosulfate via fluorescent protein expression in order to diagnose dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis in rats. Hydrogel-encapsulated bacteria engineered to sense and respond to physiological stimuli should enable minimally invasive monitoring of a wide range of diseases and have applications as next-generation smart therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Elena Musteata
- Systems Synthetic and Physical Biology, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Moshe Baruch
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Maya Levitan
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jeffrey J Tabor
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA; Systems Synthetic and Physical Biology, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA; Department of Biosciences, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA.
| | - Omid Veiseh
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA.
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2
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Marsh JW, Kirk C, Ley RE. Toward Microbiome Engineering: Expanding the Repertoire of Genetically Tractable Members of the Human Gut Microbiome. Annu Rev Microbiol 2023; 77:427-449. [PMID: 37339736 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-micro-032421-112304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/22/2023]
Abstract
Genetic manipulation is necessary to interrogate the functions of microbes in their environments, such as the human gut microbiome. Yet, the vast majority of human gut microbiome species are not genetically tractable. Here, we review the hurdles to seizing genetic control of more species. We address the barriers preventing the application of genetic techniques to gut microbes and report on genetic systems currently under development. While methods aimed at genetically transforming many species simultaneously in situ show promise, they are unable to overcome many of the same challenges that exist for individual microbes. Unless a major conceptual breakthrough emerges, the genetic tractability of the microbiome will remain an arduous task. Increasing the list of genetically tractable organisms from the human gut remains one of the highest priorities for microbiome research and will provide the foundation for microbiome engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- James W Marsh
- Department of Microbiome Science, Max Planck Institute for Biology, Tübingen, Germany;
| | - Christian Kirk
- Department of Microbiome Science, Max Planck Institute for Biology, Tübingen, Germany;
| | - Ruth E Ley
- Department of Microbiome Science, Max Planck Institute for Biology, Tübingen, Germany;
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3
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Lebovich M, Zeng M, Andrews LB. Algorithmic Programming of Sequential Logic and Genetic Circuits for Recording Biochemical Concentration in a Probiotic Bacterium. ACS Synth Biol 2023; 12:2632-2649. [PMID: 37581922 PMCID: PMC10510703 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.3c00232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Abstract
Through the implementation of designable genetic circuits, engineered probiotic microorganisms could be used as noninvasive diagnostic tools for the gastrointestinal tract. For these living cells to report detected biomarkers or signals after exiting the gut, the genetic circuits must be able to record these signals by using genetically encoded memory. Complex memory register circuits could enable multiplex interrogation of biomarkers and signals. A theory-based approach to create genetic circuits containing memory, known as sequential logic circuits, was previously established for a model laboratory strain of Escherichia coli, yet how circuit component performance varies for nonmodel and clinically relevant bacterial strains is poorly understood. Here, we develop a scalable computational approach to design robust sequential logic circuits in probiotic strain Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 (EcN). In this work, we used TetR-family transcriptional repressors to build genetic logic gates that can be composed into sequential logic circuits, along with a set of engineered sensors relevant for use in the gut environment. Using standard methods, 16 genetic NOT gates and nine sensors were experimentally characterized in EcN. These data were used to design and predict the performance of circuit designs. We present a set of genetic circuits encoding both combinational logic and sequential logic and show that the circuit outputs are in close agreement with our quantitative predictions from the design algorithm. Furthermore, we demonstrate an analog-like concentration recording circuit that detects and reports three input concentration ranges of a biochemical signal using sequential logic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Lebovich
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, University of Massachusetts
Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
- Biotechnology
Training Program, University of Massachusetts
Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
| | - Min Zeng
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, University of Massachusetts
Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
| | - Lauren B. Andrews
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, University of Massachusetts
Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
- Biotechnology
Training Program, University of Massachusetts
Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
- Molecular
and Cellular Biology Graduate Program, University
of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
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4
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Goodson M. ACS Biomaterials Science and Engineering Special Issue Editorial: Design and Evaluation of Engineered Probiotics. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2023; 9:5098-5100. [PMID: 37691547 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.3c00779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
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5
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Short AE, Kim D, Milner PT, Wilson CJ. Next generation synthetic memory via intercepting recombinase function. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5255. [PMID: 37644045 PMCID: PMC10465543 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41043-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Here we present a technology to facilitate synthetic memory in a living system via repurposing Transcriptional Programming (i.e., our decision-making technology) parts, to regulate (intercept) recombinase function post-translation. We show that interception synthetic memory can facilitate programmable loss-of-function via site-specific deletion, programmable gain-of-function by way of site-specific inversion, and synthetic memory operations with nested Boolean logical operations. We can expand interception synthetic memory capacity more than 5-fold for a single recombinase, with reconfiguration specificity for multiple sites in parallel. Interception synthetic memory is ~10-times faster than previous generations of recombinase-based memory. We posit that the faster recombination speed of our next-generation memory technology is due to the post-translational regulation of recombinase function. This iteration of synthetic memory is complementary to decision-making via Transcriptional Programming - thus can be used to develop intelligent synthetic biological systems for myriad applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew E Short
- Georgia Institute of Technology, School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Dowan Kim
- Georgia Institute of Technology, School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Prasaad T Milner
- Georgia Institute of Technology, School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Corey J Wilson
- Georgia Institute of Technology, School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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6
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Wang X, Zhou N, Wang B. Bacterial synthetic biology: tools for novel drug discovery. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2023; 18:1087-1097. [PMID: 37482696 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2023.2239704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Bacterial synthetic biology has provided powerful tools to revolutionize the drug discovery process. These tools can be harnessed to generate bacterial novel pharmaceutical compounds with enhanced bioactivity and selectivity or to create genetically modified microorganisms as living drugs. AREAS COVERED This review provides a current overview of the state-of-the-art in bacterial synthetic biology tools for novel drug discovery. The authors discuss the application of these tools including bioinformatic tools, CRISPR tools, engineered bacterial transcriptional regulators, and synthetic biosensors for novel drug discovery. Additionally, the authors present the recent progress on reprogramming bacteriophages as living drugs to fight against antibiotic-resistant pathogens. EXPERT OPINION The field of using bacterial synthetic biology tools for drug discovery is rapidly advancing. However, challenges remain in developing reliable and robust methods to engineer bacteria. Further advancements in synthetic biology hold promise to speed up drug discovery, facilitating the development of novel therapeutics against various diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiyan Wang
- College of Chemical and Biological Engineering & ZJU-Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Nan Zhou
- College of Chemical and Biological Engineering & ZJU-Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Baojun Wang
- College of Chemical and Biological Engineering & ZJU-Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Research Center of Biological Computation, Zhejiang Laboratory, Hangzhou, China
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7
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Fogelson KA, Dorrestein PC, Zarrinpar A, Knight R. The Gut Microbial Bile Acid Modulation and Its Relevance to Digestive Health and Diseases. Gastroenterology 2023; 164:1069-1085. [PMID: 36841488 PMCID: PMC10205675 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2023.02.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/27/2023]
Abstract
The human gut microbiome has been linked to numerous digestive disorders, but its metabolic products have been much less well characterized, in part due to the expense of untargeted metabolomics and lack of ability to process the data. In this review, we focused on the rapidly expanding information about the bile acid repertoire produced by the gut microbiome, including the impacts of bile acids on a wide range of host physiological processes and diseases, and discussed the role of short-chain fatty acids and other important gut microbiome-derived metabolites. Of particular note is the action of gut microbiome-derived metabolites throughout the body, which impact processes ranging from obesity to aging to disorders traditionally thought of as diseases of the nervous system, but that are now recognized as being strongly influenced by the gut microbiome and the metabolites it produces. We also highlighted the emerging role for modifying the gut microbiome to improve health or to treat disease, including the "engineered native bacteria'' approach that takes bacterial strains from a patient, modifies them to alter metabolism, and reintroduces them. Taken together, study of the metabolites derived from the gut microbiome provided insights into a wide range of physiological and pathophysiological processes, and has substantial potential for new approaches to diagnostics and therapeutics of disease of, or involving, the gastrointestinal tract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly A Fogelson
- Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Pieter C Dorrestein
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California; Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California; Center for Microbiome Innovation, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California.
| | - Amir Zarrinpar
- Center for Microbiome Innovation, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California; Division of Gastroenterology, Jennifer Moreno Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, San Diego, California; Division of Gastroenterology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California; Institute of Diabetes and Metabolic Health, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California.
| | - Rob Knight
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California; Center for Microbiome Innovation, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California; Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California; Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California.
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8
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Airola C, Severino A, Porcari S, Fusco W, Mullish BH, Gasbarrini A, Cammarota G, Ponziani FR, Ianiro G. Future Modulation of Gut Microbiota: From Eubiotics to FMT, Engineered Bacteria, and Phage Therapy. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:antibiotics12050868. [PMID: 37237771 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12050868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The human gut is inhabited by a multitude of bacteria, yeasts, and viruses. A dynamic balance among these microorganisms is associated with the well-being of the human being, and a large body of evidence supports a role of dysbiosis in the pathogenesis of several diseases. Given the importance of the gut microbiota in the preservation of human health, probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, and postbiotics have been classically used as strategies to modulate the gut microbiota and achieve beneficial effects for the host. Nonetheless, several molecules not typically included in these categories have demonstrated a role in restoring the equilibrium among the components of the gut microbiota. Among these, rifaximin, as well as other antimicrobial drugs, such as triclosan, or natural compounds (including evodiamine and polyphenols) have common pleiotropic characteristics. On one hand, they suppress the growth of dangerous bacteria while promoting beneficial bacteria in the gut microbiota. On the other hand, they contribute to the regulation of the immune response in the case of dysbiosis by directly influencing the immune system and epithelial cells or by inducing the gut bacteria to produce immune-modulatory compounds, such as short-chain fatty acids. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has also been investigated as a procedure to restore the equilibrium of the gut microbiota and has shown benefits in many diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease, chronic liver disorders, and extraintestinal autoimmune conditions. One of the most significant limits of the current techniques used to modulate the gut microbiota is the lack of tools that can precisely modulate specific members of complex microbial communities. Novel approaches, including the use of engineered probiotic bacteria or bacteriophage-based therapy, have recently appeared as promising strategies to provide targeted and tailored therapeutic modulation of the gut microbiota, but their role in clinical practice has yet to be clarified. The aim of this review is to discuss the most recently introduced innovations in the field of therapeutic microbiome modulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Airola
- Digestive Disease Center, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Dipartimento Universitario di Medicina e Chirurgia Traslazionale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Severino
- Digestive Disease Center, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Dipartimento Universitario di Medicina e Chirurgia Traslazionale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Serena Porcari
- Digestive Disease Center, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Dipartimento Universitario di Medicina e Chirurgia Traslazionale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - William Fusco
- Digestive Disease Center, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Dipartimento Universitario di Medicina e Chirurgia Traslazionale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Benjamin H Mullish
- Division of Digestive Diseases, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Faculty of Medicine, St Mary's Hospital Campus, Imperial College London, London W2 1NY, UK
- Departments of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, St Mary's Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London W2 1NY, UK
| | - Antonio Gasbarrini
- Digestive Disease Center, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Dipartimento Universitario di Medicina e Chirurgia Traslazionale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Cammarota
- Digestive Disease Center, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Dipartimento Universitario di Medicina e Chirurgia Traslazionale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Romana Ponziani
- Digestive Disease Center, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Dipartimento Universitario di Medicina e Chirurgia Traslazionale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Gianluca Ianiro
- Digestive Disease Center, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Dipartimento Universitario di Medicina e Chirurgia Traslazionale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
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9
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Gasparek M, Steel H, Papachristodoulou A. Deciphering mechanisms of production of natural compounds using inducer-producer microbial consortia. Biotechnol Adv 2023; 64:108117. [PMID: 36813010 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2023.108117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
Living organisms produce a wide range of metabolites. Because of their potential antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, or cytostatic properties, such natural molecules are of high interest to the pharmaceutical industry. In nature, these metabolites are often synthesized via secondary metabolic biosynthetic gene clusters that are silent under the typical culturing conditions. Among different techniques used to activate these silent gene clusters, co-culturing of "producer" species with specific "inducer" microbes is a particularly appealing approach due to its simplicity. Although several "inducer-producer" microbial consortia have been reported in the literature and hundreds of different secondary metabolites with attractive biopharmaceutical properties have been described as a result of co-cultivating inducer-producer consortia, less attention has been devoted to the understanding of the mechanisms and possible means of induction for production of secondary metabolites in co-cultures. This lack of understanding of fundamental biological functions and inter-species interactions significantly limits the diversity and yield of valuable compounds using biological engineering tools. In this review, we summarize and categorize the known physiological mechanisms of production of secondary metabolites in inducer-producer consortia, and then discuss approaches that could be exploited to optimize the discovery and production of secondary metabolites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miroslav Gasparek
- Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PJ, United Kingdom.
| | - Harrison Steel
- Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PJ, United Kingdom
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10
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Zou ZP, Du Y, Fang TT, Zhou Y, Ye BC. Biomarker-responsive engineered probiotic diagnoses, records, and ameliorates inflammatory bowel disease in mice. Cell Host Microbe 2023; 31:199-212.e5. [PMID: 36758520 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2022.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2021] [Revised: 10/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Rapid advances in synthetic biology have fueled interest in engineered microorganisms that can diagnose and treat disease. However, designing bacteria that detect dynamic disease-associated biomarkers that then drive treatment remains difficult. Here, we have developed an engineered probiotic that noninvasively monitors and records inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) occurrence and progression in real time and can release treatments via a self-tunable mechanism in response to these biomarkers. These intelligent responsive bacteria for diagnosis and therapy (i-ROBOT) consists of E. coli Nissle 1917 that responds to levels of the inflammatory marker thiosulfate by activating a base-editing system to generate a heritable genomic DNA sequence as well as producing a colorimetric signal. Fluctuations in thiosulfate also drive the tunable release of the immunomodulator AvCystatin. Orally administering i-ROBOT to mice with colitis generated molecular recording signals in processed fecal and colon samples and effectively ameliorated disease. i-ROBOT provides a promising paradigm for gastrointestinal and other metabolic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen-Ping Zou
- Laboratory of Biosystems and Microanalysis, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Yue Du
- Laboratory of Biosystems and Microanalysis, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Ting-Ting Fang
- Laboratory of Biosystems and Microanalysis, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Ying Zhou
- Laboratory of Biosystems and Microanalysis, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China.
| | - Bang-Ce Ye
- Laboratory of Biosystems and Microanalysis, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China; Institute of Engineering Biology and Health, Collaborative Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta Region Green Pharmaceuticals, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, Zhejiang, China.
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11
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Zou ZP, Yang Y, Wang J, Zhou Y, Ye BC. Coupling split-lux cassette with a toggle switch in bacteria for ultrasensitive blood markers detection in feces and urine. Biosens Bioelectron 2022; 214:114520. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2022.114520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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12
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Omer R, Mohsin MZ, Mohsin A, Mushtaq BS, Huang X, Guo M, Zhuang Y, Huang J. Engineered Bacteria-Based Living Materials for Biotherapeutic Applications. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:870675. [PMID: 35573236 PMCID: PMC9096031 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.870675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Future advances in therapeutics demand the development of dynamic and intelligent living materials. The past static monofunctional materials shall be unable to meet the requirements of future medical development. Also, the demand for precision medicine has increased with the progressively developing human society. Therefore, engineered living materials (ELMs) are vitally important for biotherapeutic applications. These ELMs can be cells, microbes, biofilms, and spores, representing a new platform for treating intractable diseases. Synthetic biology plays a crucial role in the engineering of these living entities. Hence, in this review, the role of synthetic biology in designing and creating genetically engineered novel living materials, particularly bacteria, has been briefly summarized for diagnostic and targeted delivery. The main focus is to provide knowledge about the recent advances in engineered bacterial-based therapies, especially in the treatment of cancer, inflammatory bowel diseases, and infection. Microorganisms, particularly probiotics, have been engineered for synthetic living therapies. Furthermore, these programmable bacteria are designed to sense input signals and respond to disease-changing environments with multipronged therapeutic outputs. These ELMs will open a new path for the synthesis of regenerative medicines as they release therapeutics that provide in situ drug delivery with lower systemic effects. In last, the challenges being faced in this field and the future directions requiring breakthroughs have been discussed. Conclusively, the intent is to present the recent advances in research and biomedical applications of engineered bacteria-based therapies during the last 5 years, as a novel treatment for uncontrollable diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rabia Omer
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Muhammad Zubair Mohsin
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Ali Mohsin
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Bilal Sajid Mushtaq
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, School of Food Science and Technology, National Engineering Research Center for Functional Food, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Xumeng Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Meijin Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Yingping Zhuang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiaofang Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China,*Correspondence: Jiaofang Huang,
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13
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Abedi MH, Yao MS, Mittelstein DR, Bar-Zion A, Swift MB, Lee-Gosselin A, Barturen-Larrea P, Buss MT, Shapiro MG. Ultrasound-controllable engineered bacteria for cancer immunotherapy. Nat Commun 2022; 13:1585. [PMID: 35332124 PMCID: PMC8948203 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-29065-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Rapid advances in synthetic biology are driving the development of genetically engineered microbes as therapeutic agents for a multitude of human diseases, including cancer. The immunosuppressive microenvironment of solid tumors, in particular, creates a favorable niche for systemically administered bacteria to engraft and release therapeutic payloads. However, such payloads can be harmful if released outside the tumor in healthy tissues where the bacteria also engraft in smaller numbers. To address this limitation, we engineer therapeutic bacteria to be controlled by focused ultrasound, a form of energy that can be applied noninvasively to specific anatomical sites such as solid tumors. This control is provided by a temperature-actuated genetic state switch that produces lasting therapeutic output in response to briefly applied focused ultrasound hyperthermia. Using a combination of rational design and high-throughput screening we optimize the switching circuits of engineered cells and connect their activity to the release of immune checkpoint inhibitors. In a clinically relevant cancer model, ultrasound-activated therapeutic microbes successfully turn on in situ and induce a marked suppression of tumor growth. This technology provides a critical tool for the spatiotemporal targeting of potent bacterial therapeutics in a variety of biological and clinical scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamad H Abedi
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute for Protein Design and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Michael S Yao
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - David R Mittelstein
- Division of Engineering and Applied Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - Avinoam Bar-Zion
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - Margaret B Swift
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - Audrey Lee-Gosselin
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - Pierina Barturen-Larrea
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - Marjorie T Buss
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - Mikhail G Shapiro
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA.
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA.
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14
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Lubkowicz D, Horvath NG, James MJ, Cantarella P, Renaud L, Bergeron CG, Shmueli RB, Anderson C, Gao J, Kurtz CB, Perreault M, Charbonneau MR, Isabella VM, Hava DL. An engineered bacterial therapeutic lowers urinary oxalate in preclinical models and
in silico
simulations of enteric hyperoxaluria. Mol Syst Biol 2022; 18:e10539. [PMID: 35253995 PMCID: PMC8899768 DOI: 10.15252/msb.202110539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
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15
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Lazar JT, Tabor JJ. Bacterial two-component systems as sensors for synthetic biology applications. CURRENT OPINION IN SYSTEMS BIOLOGY 2021; 28:100398. [PMID: 34917859 PMCID: PMC8670732 DOI: 10.1016/j.coisb.2021.100398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/12/2023]
Abstract
Two-component systems (TCSs) are a ubiquitous family of signal transduction pathways that enable bacteria to sense and respond to diverse physical, chemical, and biological stimuli outside and inside the cell. Synthetic biologists have begun to repurpose TCSs for applications in optogenetics, materials science, gut microbiome engineering, and soil nutrient biosensing, among others. New engineering methods including genetic refactoring, DNA-binding domain swapping, detection threshold tuning, and phosphorylation cross-talk insulation are being used to increase the reliability of TCS sensor performance and tailor TCS signaling properties to the requirements of specific applications. There is now potential to combine these methods with large-scale gene synthesis and laboratory screening to discover the inputs sensed by many uncharacterized TCSs and develop a large new family of genetically-encoded sensors that respond to an unrivaled breadth of stimuli.
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Affiliation(s)
- John T Lazar
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jeffrey J Tabor
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
- PhD Program in Systems, Synthetic, and Physical Biology, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Biosciences, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
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16
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Zhang W, An Y, Qin X, Wu X, Wang X, Hou H, Song X, Liu T, Wang B, Huang X, Cao H. Gut Microbiota-Derived Metabolites in Colorectal Cancer: The Bad and the Challenges. Front Oncol 2021; 11:739648. [PMID: 34733783 PMCID: PMC8558397 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.739648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Accumulating evidence from studies in humans and animal models has elucidated that gut microbiota, acting as a complex ecosystem, contributes critically to colorectal cancer (CRC). The potential mechanisms often reported emphasize the vital role of carcinogenic activities of specific pathogens, but in fact, a series of metabolites produced from exogenous dietary substrates or endogenous host compounds occupy a decisive position similarly. Detrimental gut microbiota-derived metabolites such as trimethylamine-N-oxide, secondary bile acids, hydrogen sulfide and N-nitroso compounds could reconstruct the ecological composition and metabolic activity of intestinal microorganisms and formulate a microenvironment that opens susceptibility to carcinogenic stimuli. They are implicated in the occurrence, progression and metastasis of CRC through different mechanisms, including inducing inflammation and DNA damage, activating tumorigenic signaling pathways and regulating tumor immunity. In this review, we mainly summarized the intimate relationship between detrimental gut microbiota-derived metabolites and CRC, and updated the current knowledge about detrimental metabolites in CRC pathogenesis. Then, multiple interventions targeting these metabolites for CRC management were critically reviewed, including diet modulation, probiotics/prebiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation, as well as more precise measures such as engineered bacteria, phage therapy and chemopreventive drugs. A better understanding of the interplay between detrimental microbial metabolites and CRC would hold great promise against CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanru Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, General Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin Institute of Digestive Diseases, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases, Tianjin, China
| | - Yaping An
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, General Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin Institute of Digestive Diseases, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiali Qin
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, General Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin Institute of Digestive Diseases, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases, Tianjin, China
| | - Xuemei Wu
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, General Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin Institute of Digestive Diseases, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases, Tianjin, China
| | - Xinyu Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, General Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin Institute of Digestive Diseases, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases, Tianjin, China
| | - Huiqin Hou
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, General Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin Institute of Digestive Diseases, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases, Tianjin, China
| | - Xueli Song
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, General Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin Institute of Digestive Diseases, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases, Tianjin, China
| | - Tianyu Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, General Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin Institute of Digestive Diseases, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases, Tianjin, China
| | - Bangmao Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, General Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin Institute of Digestive Diseases, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases, Tianjin, China
| | - Xuan Huang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hailong Cao
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, General Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin Institute of Digestive Diseases, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases, Tianjin, China
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17
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McNerney MP, Doiron KE, Ng TL, Chang TZ, Silver PA. Theranostic cells: emerging clinical applications of synthetic biology. Nat Rev Genet 2021; 22:730-746. [PMID: 34234299 PMCID: PMC8261392 DOI: 10.1038/s41576-021-00383-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic biology seeks to redesign biological systems to perform novel functions in a predictable manner. Recent advances in bacterial and mammalian cell engineering include the development of cells that function in biological samples or within the body as minimally invasive diagnostics or theranostics for the real-time regulation of complex diseased states. Ex vivo and in vivo cell-based biosensors and therapeutics have been developed to target a wide range of diseases including cancer, microbiome dysbiosis and autoimmune and metabolic diseases. While probiotic therapies have advanced to clinical trials, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapies have received regulatory approval, exemplifying the clinical potential of cellular therapies. This Review discusses preclinical and clinical applications of bacterial and mammalian sensing and drug delivery platforms as well as the underlying biological designs that could enable new classes of cell diagnostics and therapeutics. Additionally, we describe challenges that must be overcome for more rapid and safer clinical use of engineered systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica P McNerney
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kailyn E Doiron
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Tai L Ng
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Timothy Z Chang
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Pamela A Silver
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA.
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18
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Abstract
The interaction between the gut and its eventual trillions of microbe inhabitants during microbial colonization, represents a critical time period for establishing the overall health and wellbeing of an individual. The gut microbiome represents a diverse community of microbes that are critical for many physiological roles of the host including host metabolism. These processes are controlled by a fine-tuned chemical cross talk between the host and microbiota. Although the exact mechanisms behind this cross talk remains elusive, microbiota induced epigenetic mechanisms like DNA methylation and histone modifications may be key. This review presents our perspective on the epigenome as a mediator for host-microbiota cross talk, as well as methodology to study epigenetics, the role of dysbiosis in disease, and how the gut microbiome-host axis may be used in personal medicine.
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19
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Cui M, Sun T, Li S, Pan H, Liu J, Zhang X, Li L, Li S, Wei C, Yu C, Yang C, Ma N, Ma B, Lu S, Chang J, Zhang W, Wang H. NIR light-responsive bacteria with live bio-glue coatings for precise colonization in the gut. Cell Rep 2021; 36:109690. [PMID: 34525358 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Revised: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Recombinant bacterial colonization plays an indispensable role in disease prevention, alleviation, and treatment. Successful application mainly depends on whether bacteria can efficiently spatiotemporally colonize the host gut. However, a primary limitation of existing methods is the lack of precise spatiotemporal regulation, resulting in uncontrolled methods that are less effective. Herein, we design upconversion microgels (UCMs) to convert near-infrared light (NIR) into blue light to activate recombinant light-responsive bacteria (Lresb) in vivo, where autocrine "functional cellular glues" made of adhesive proteins assist Lresb inefficiently colonizing the gut. The programmable engineering platform is further developed for the controlled and effective colonization of Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 (EcN) in the gut. The colonizing bacteria effectively alleviate DSS-induced colitis in mice. We anticipate that this approach could facilitate the clinical application of engineered microbial therapeutics to accurately and effectively regulate host health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meihui Cui
- School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Tao Sun
- Center for Biosafety Research and Strategy, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China; Laboratory of Synthetic Microbiology, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Shubin Li
- Laboratory of Synthetic Microbiology, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Huizhuo Pan
- School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Jing Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Xinyu Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Lianyue Li
- School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Shanshan Li
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300401, China
| | - Chunyang Wei
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300401, China
| | - Chengzhuang Yu
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300401, China
| | - Chun Yang
- School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Ning Ma
- School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Binglin Ma
- School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Shenjunjie Lu
- School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Jin Chang
- School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Weiwen Zhang
- Center for Biosafety Research and Strategy, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China; Laboratory of Synthetic Microbiology, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Hanjie Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China.
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20
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Hartwig O, Shetab Boushehri MA, Shalaby KS, Loretz B, Lamprecht A, Lehr CM. Drug delivery to the inflamed intestinal mucosa - targeting technologies and human cell culture models for better therapies of IBD. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2021; 175:113828. [PMID: 34157320 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2021.113828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Revised: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Current treatment strategies for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) seek to alleviate the undesirable symptoms of the disorder. Despite the higher specificity of newer generation therapeutics, e.g. monoclonal antibodies, adverse effects still arise from their interference with non-specific systemic immune cascades. To circumvent such undesirable effects, both conventional and newer therapeutic options can benefit from various targeting strategies. Of course, both the development and the assessment of the efficiency of such targeted delivery systems necessitate the use of suitable in vivo and in vitro models representing relevant pathophysiological manifestations of the disorder. Accordingly, the current review seeks to provide a comprehensive discussion of the available preclinical models with emphasis on human in vitro models of IBD, along with their potentials and limitations. This is followed by an elaboration on the advancements in the field of biology- and nanotechnology-based targeted drug delivery systems and the potential rooms for improvement to facilitate their clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Hartwig
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS) - Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), D-66123 Saarbrücken, Germany; Department of Pharmacy, Saarland University, D-66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
| | | | - Karim S Shalaby
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Bonn, D-53121 Bonn, Germany; Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Brigitta Loretz
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS) - Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), D-66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Alf Lamprecht
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Bonn, D-53121 Bonn, Germany.
| | - Claus-Michael Lehr
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS) - Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), D-66123 Saarbrücken, Germany; Department of Pharmacy, Saarland University, D-66123 Saarbrücken, Germany.
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21
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Dacquay LC, McMillen DR. Improving the design of an oxidative stress sensing biosensor in yeast. FEMS Yeast Res 2021; 21:6232160. [PMID: 33864457 PMCID: PMC8088429 DOI: 10.1093/femsyr/foab025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcription factor (TF)-based biosensors have proven useful for increasing biomanufacturing yields, large-scale functional screening, and in environmental monitoring. Most yeast TF-based biosensors are built from natural promoters, resulting in large DNA parts retaining considerable homology to the host genome, which can complicate biological engineering efforts. There is a need to explore smaller, synthetic biosensors to expand the options for regulating gene expression in yeast. Here, we present a systematic approach to improving the design of an existing oxidative stress sensing biosensor in Saccharomyces cerevisiae based on the Yap1 transcription factor. Starting from a synthetic core promoter, we optimized the activity of a Yap1-dependent promoter through rational modification of a minimalist Yap1 upstream activating sequence. Our novel promoter achieves dynamic ranges of activation surpassing those of the previously engineered Yap1-dependent promoter, while reducing it to only 171 base pairs. We demonstrate that coupling the promoter to a positive-feedback-regulated TF further improves the biosensor by increasing its dynamic range of activation and reducing its limit of detection. We have illustrated the robustness and transferability of the biosensor by reproducing its activity in an unconventional probiotic yeast strain, Saccharomyces boulardii. Our findings can provide guidance in the general process of TF-based biosensor design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louis C Dacquay
- Dept of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, 25 Harbord St, Toronto, ON M5S 3G5, Canada.,Department of Chemical and Physical Sciences, University of Toronto Mississauga, 3359 Mississauga Rd, Mississauga ON L5L 1C6, Canada
| | - David R McMillen
- Dept of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, 25 Harbord St, Toronto, ON M5S 3G5, Canada.,Department of Chemical and Physical Sciences, University of Toronto Mississauga, 3359 Mississauga Rd, Mississauga ON L5L 1C6, Canada.,Departments of Chemistry and Physics, University of Toronto, 80 St. George St., Toronto ON M5S 3H6, Canada
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22
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Buss MT, Ramesh P, English MA, Lee-Gosselin A, Shapiro MG. Spatial Control of Probiotic Bacteria in the Gastrointestinal Tract Assisted by Magnetic Particles. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2021; 33:e2007473. [PMID: 33709508 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202007473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Engineered probiotics have the potential to diagnose and treat a variety of gastrointestinal (GI) diseases. However, these exogenous bacterial agents have limited ability to effectively colonize specific regions of the GI tract due to a lack of external control over their localization and persistence. Magnetic fields are well suited to providing such control, since they freely penetrate biological tissues. However, they are difficult to apply with sufficient strength to directly manipulate magnetically labeled cells in deep tissue such as the GI tract. Here, it is demonstrated that a composite biomagnetic material consisting of microscale magnetic particles and probiotic bacteria, when orally administered and combined with an externally applied magnetic field, enables the trapping and retention of probiotic bacteria within the GI tract of mice. This technology improves the ability of these probiotic agents to accumulate at specific locations and stably colonize without antibiotic treatment. By enhancing the ability of GI-targeted probiotics to be at the right place at the right time, cellular localization assisted by magnetic particles (CLAMP) adds external physical control to an important emerging class of microbial theranostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marjorie T Buss
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - Pradeep Ramesh
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - Max Atticus English
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - Audrey Lee-Gosselin
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - Mikhail G Shapiro
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
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23
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Dacquay LC, Tsang D, Chan D, Parkinson J, Philpott DJ, McMillen DR. E.coli Nissle increases transcription of flagella assembly and formate hydrogenlyase genes in response to colitis. Gut Microbes 2021; 13:1994832. [PMID: 34751631 PMCID: PMC8583297 DOI: 10.1080/19490976.2021.1994832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Revised: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Escherichia coli Nissle (EcN), a probiotic bacterium, has been employed in treating inflammatory bowel disease, but the nature of its therapeutic effect is not fully understood. Intestinal inflammation alters the environment, exposing the microbial population to new stresses and eliciting transcriptional responses. We administered EcN to germ-free mice and then compared its transcriptional response between DSS-treated and untreated conditions using RNA-seq analysis to identify 187 differentially expressed genes (119 upregulated, 68 downregulated) and verifying a subset with qRT-PCR. The upregulated genes included many involved in flagella biosynthesis and motility, as well as several members of the formate hydrogenlyase complex. Despite prior evidence that these pathways are both transcriptionally regulated by nitric oxide, in vitro tests did not establish that nitric oxide exposure alone elicited the transcriptional response. The results provide new information on the transcriptional response of EcN to inflammation and establish a basis for further investigation of its anti-inflammatory activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louis C Dacquay
- Departments of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Cell and Systems Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Derek Tsang
- Departments of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Cell and Systems Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Donny Chan
- Departments of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Cell and Systems Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - John Parkinson
- Departments of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Cell and Systems Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Dana J Philpott
- Departments of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Cell and Systems Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - David R McMillen
- Departments of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Cell and Systems Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
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24
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Kang M, Choe D, Kim K, Cho BK, Cho S. Synthetic Biology Approaches in The Development of Engineered Therapeutic Microbes. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21228744. [PMID: 33228099 PMCID: PMC7699352 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21228744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Revised: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the intimate relationship between microbes and human health has been uncovered, microbes have been in the spotlight as therapeutic targets for several diseases. Microbes contribute to a wide range of diseases, such as gastrointestinal disorders, diabetes and cancer. However, as host-microbiome interactions have not been fully elucidated, treatments such as probiotic administration and fecal transplantations that are used to modulate the microbial community often cause nonspecific results with serious safety concerns. As an alternative, synthetic biology can be used to rewire microbial networks such that the microbes can function as therapeutic agents. Genetic sensors can be transformed to detect biomarkers associated with disease occurrence and progression. Moreover, microbes can be reprogrammed to produce various therapeutic molecules from the host and bacterial proteins, such as cytokines, enzymes and signaling molecules, in response to a disturbed physiological state of the host. These therapeutic treatment systems are composed of several genetic parts, either identified in bacterial endogenous regulation systems or developed through synthetic design. Such genetic components are connected to form complex genetic logic circuits for sophisticated therapy. In this review, we discussed the synthetic biology strategies that can be used to construct engineered therapeutic microbes for improved microbiome-based treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minjeong Kang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Korea; (M.K.); (D.C.); (K.K.)
| | - Donghui Choe
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Korea; (M.K.); (D.C.); (K.K.)
| | - Kangsan Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Korea; (M.K.); (D.C.); (K.K.)
| | - Byung-Kwan Cho
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Korea; (M.K.); (D.C.); (K.K.)
- Innovative Biomaterials Research Center, KI for the BioCentury, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Korea
- Intelligent Synthetic Biology Center, Daejeon 34141, Korea
- Correspondence: (B.-K.C.); (S.C.)
| | - Suhyung Cho
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Korea; (M.K.); (D.C.); (K.K.)
- Innovative Biomaterials Research Center, KI for the BioCentury, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Korea
- Correspondence: (B.-K.C.); (S.C.)
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25
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Hauk P, Stephens K, Virgile C, VanArsdale E, Pottash AE, Schardt JS, Jay SM, Sintim HO, Bentley WE. Homologous Quorum Sensing Regulatory Circuit: A Dual-Input Genetic Controller for Modulating Quorum Sensing-Mediated Protein Expression in E. coli. ACS Synth Biol 2020; 9:2692-2702. [PMID: 32822530 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.0c00179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
We developed a hybrid synthetic circuit that co-opts the genetic regulation of the native bacterial quorum sensing autoinducer-2 and imposes an extra external controller for maintaining tightly controlled gene expression. This dual-input genetic controller was mathematically modeled and, by design, can be operated in three modes: a constitutive mode that enables consistent and high levels of expression; a tightly repressed mode in which there is very little background expression; and an inducible mode in which concentrations of two signals (arabinose and autoinducer-2) determine the net amplification of the gene(s)-of-interest. We demonstrate the utility of the circuit for the controlled expression of human granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor in an engineered probiotic E. coli. This dual-input genetic controller is the first homologous AI-2 quorum sensing circuit that has the ability to be operated in three different modes. We believe it has the potential for wide-ranging biotechnological applications due its versatile features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pricila Hauk
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, College Park, Maryland 20742, United States
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, United States
| | - Kristina Stephens
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, College Park, Maryland 20742, United States
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, United States
- Robert E. Fischell Institute for Biomedical Devices, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, United States
| | - Chelsea Virgile
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, College Park, Maryland 20742, United States
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, United States
| | - Eric VanArsdale
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, College Park, Maryland 20742, United States
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, United States
- Robert E. Fischell Institute for Biomedical Devices, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, United States
| | - Alex Eli Pottash
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, United States
| | - John S. Schardt
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, United States
| | - Steven M. Jay
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, United States
| | - Herman O. Sintim
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Drug Discovery, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - William E. Bentley
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, College Park, Maryland 20742, United States
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, United States
- Robert E. Fischell Institute for Biomedical Devices, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, United States
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26
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Tack DS, Romantseva EF, Tonner PD, Pressman A, Rammohan J, Strychalski EA. Measurements drive progress in directed evolution for precise engineering of biological systems. CURRENT OPINION IN SYSTEMS BIOLOGY 2020; 23:32-37. [PMID: 34611570 PMCID: PMC8489032 DOI: 10.1016/j.coisb.2020.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Precise engineering of biological systems requires quantitative, high-throughput measurements, exemplified by progress in directed evolution. New approaches allow high-throughput measurements of phenotypes and their corresponding genotypes. When integrated into directed evolution, these quantitative approaches enable the precise engineering of biological function. At the same time, the increasingly routine availability of large, high-quality data sets supports the integration of machine learning with directed evolution. Together, these advances herald striking capabilities for engineering biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Drew S Tack
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, 20898, USA
| | | | - Peter D Tonner
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, 20898, USA
| | - Abe Pressman
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, 20898, USA
| | - Jayan Rammohan
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, 20898, USA
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27
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Abstract
The ability to detect disease early and deliver precision therapy would be transformative for the treatment of human illnesses. To achieve these goals, biosensors that can pinpoint when and where diseases emerge are needed. Rapid advances in synthetic biology are enabling us to exploit the information-processing abilities of living cells to diagnose disease and then treat it in a controlled fashion. For example, living sensors could be designed to precisely sense disease biomarkers, such as by-products of inflammation, and to respond by delivering targeted therapeutics in situ. Here, we provide an overview of ongoing efforts in microbial biosensor design, highlight translational opportunities, and discuss challenges for enabling sense-and-respond precision medicines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Eugenia Inda
- MIT Synthetic Biology Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
- Research Laboratory of Electronics, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
| | - Timothy K. Lu
- MIT Synthetic Biology Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
- Research Laboratory of Electronics, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
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28
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Pourmollaei S, Barzegari A, Farshbaf-Khalili A, Nouri M, Fattahi A, Shahnazi M, Dittrich R. Anticancer effect of bacteria on cervical cancer: Molecular aspects and therapeutic implications. Life Sci 2020; 246:117413. [PMID: 32035929 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2020.117413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2019] [Revised: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Cervical cancer is the second common cancer and the third leading cause of cancer deaths among women in less developed countries. It has been indicated that changes in vaginal microbiome play an important role in the occurrence and development of cervical cancer. However, studies have shown that probiotics play an effective role in fighting cancer by affecting pathogenic bacteria, inducing cancer cells apoptosis, and other anticancer activities. Therefore, the purpose of the present study is reviewing the anticancer effect of cervicovaginal bacteria and their potential for cervical cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soraya Pourmollaei
- Department of Midwifery, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Students' Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Abolfazl Barzegari
- Research Center of Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Azizeh Farshbaf-Khalili
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Research Centre, Aging Research Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mohammad Nouri
- Department of Reproductive Biology, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Stem Cell Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Amir Fattahi
- Department of Reproductive Biology, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Women's Reproductive Health Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Erlangen University Hospital, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany.
| | - Mahnaz Shahnazi
- Department of Midwifery, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
| | - Ralf Dittrich
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Erlangen University Hospital, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany
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29
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Abstract
The engineering of living cells and microbes is ushering in a new era of cancer therapy. Due to recent microbiome studies indicating the prevalence of bacteria within the human body and specifically in tumor tissue, bacteria have generated significant interest as potential targets for cancer therapy. Notably, a multitude of empirical studies over the past decades have demonstrated that administered bacteria home and grow in tumors due to reduced immune surveillance of tumor necrotic cores. Given their specificity for tumors, bacteria present a unique opportunity to be engineered as intelligent delivery vehicles for cancer therapy with synthetic biology techniques. In this review, we discuss the history, current state, and future challenges associated with using bacteria as a cancer therapy.
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30
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Inda ME, Broset E, Lu TK, de la Fuente-Nunez C. Emerging Frontiers in Microbiome Engineering. Trends Immunol 2019; 40:952-973. [PMID: 31601521 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2019.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2019] [Revised: 08/15/2019] [Accepted: 08/15/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The gut microbiome has a significant impact on health and disease and can actively contribute to obesity, diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, cardiovascular disease, and neurological disorders. We do not yet have the necessary tools to fine-tune the microbial communities that constitute the microbiome, though such tools could unlock extensive benefits to human health. Here, we provide an overview of the current state of technological tools that may be used for microbiome engineering. These tools can enable investigators to define the parameters of a healthy microbiome and to determine how gut bacteria may contribute to the etiology of a variety of diseases. These tools may also allow us to explore the exciting prospect of developing targeted therapies and personalized treatments for microbiome-linked diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Eugenia Inda
- Synthetic Biology Group, MIT Synthetic Biology Center, Department of Biological Engineering and Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Research Laboratory of Electronics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Esther Broset
- Machine Biology Group, Departments of Psychiatry and Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, and Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Grupo de Genética de Micobacterias, Departamento de Microbiología y Medicina Preventiva, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50009, Spain
| | - Timothy K Lu
- Synthetic Biology Group, MIT Synthetic Biology Center, Department of Biological Engineering and Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Research Laboratory of Electronics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
| | - Cesar de la Fuente-Nunez
- Machine Biology Group, Departments of Psychiatry and Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, and Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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31
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Schwartz DJ, Rebeck ON, Dantas G. Complex interactions between the microbiome and cancer immune therapy. Crit Rev Clin Lab Sci 2019; 56:567-585. [PMID: 31526274 DOI: 10.1080/10408363.2019.1660303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Immuno-oncology has rapidly grown in the last thirty years, and immunotherapeutic agents are now approved to treat many disparate cancers. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are employed to augment cytotoxic anti-cancer activity by inhibiting negative regulatory elements of the immune system. Modulating the immune system to target neoplasms has improved survivability of numerous cancers in many individuals, but forecasting outcomes post therapy is difficult due to insufficient predictive biomarkers. Recently, the tumor and gastrointestinal microbiome and immune milieu have been investigated as predictors and influencers of cancer immune therapy. In this review, we discuss: (1) ways to measure the microbiome including relevant bioinformatic analyses, (2) recent developments in animal studies and human clinical trials utilizing gut microbial composition and function as biomarkers of cancer immune therapy response and toxicity, and (3) using prebiotics, probiotics, postbiotics, antibiotics, and fecal microbiota transplant (FMT) to modulate immune therapy. We discuss the respective benefits of 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene and shotgun metagenomic sequencing including important considerations in obtaining samples and in designing and interpreting human and animal microbiome studies. We then focus on studies discussing the differences in response to ICIs in relation to the microbiome and inflammatory mediators. ICIs cause colitis in up to 25% of individuals, and colitis is often refractory to common immunosuppressive medications. Researchers have measured microbiota composition prior to ICI therapy and correlated baseline microbiota composition with efficacy and colitis. Certain bacterial taxa that appear to enhance therapeutic benefit are also implicated in increased susceptibility to colitis, alluding to a delicate balance between pro-inflammatory tumor killing and anti-inflammatory protection from colitis. Pre-clinical and clinical models have trialed probiotic administration, e.g. Bifidobacterium spp. or FMT, to treat colitis when immune suppressive agents fail. We are excited about the future of modulating the microbiome to predict and influence cancer outcomes. Furthermore, novel therapies employed for other illnesses including bacteriophage and genetically-engineered microbes can be adapted in the future to promote increased advancements in cancer treatment and side effect management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Drew J Schwartz
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, Washington University School of Medicine , St. Louis , MO , USA.,The Edison Family Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine , St. Louis , MO , USA
| | - Olivia N Rebeck
- The Edison Family Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine , St. Louis , MO , USA
| | - Gautam Dantas
- The Edison Family Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine , St. Louis , MO , USA.,Department of Molecular Microbiology and Microbial Pathogenesis, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis , MO , USA.,Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis , MO , USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis , St. Louis , MO , USA
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32
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Liao MJ, Din MO, Tsimring L, Hasty J. Rock-paper-scissors: Engineered population dynamics increase genetic stability. Science 2019; 365:1045-1049. [PMID: 31488693 PMCID: PMC6988775 DOI: 10.1126/science.aaw0542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2018] [Accepted: 07/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Advances in synthetic biology have led to an arsenal of proof-of-principle bacterial circuits that can be leveraged for applications ranging from therapeutics to bioproduction. A unifying challenge for most applications is the presence of selective pressures that lead to high mutation rates for engineered bacteria. A common strategy is to develop cloning technologies aimed at increasing the fixation time for deleterious mutations in single cells. We adopt a complementary approach that is guided by ecological interactions, whereby cyclical population control is engineered to stabilize the functionality of intracellular gene circuits. Three strains of Escherichia coli were designed such that each strain could kill or be killed by one of the other two strains. The resulting "rock-paper-scissors" dynamic demonstrates rapid cycling of strains in microfluidic devices and leads to an increase in the stability of gene circuit functionality in cell culture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Liao
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- BioCircuits Institute, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - M Omar Din
- BioCircuits Institute, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Lev Tsimring
- BioCircuits Institute, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- San Diego Center for Systems Biology, University of California-San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Jeff Hasty
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
- BioCircuits Institute, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- San Diego Center for Systems Biology, University of California-San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
- Molecular Biology Section, Division of Biological Science, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
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33
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Miro-Blanch J, Yanes O. Epigenetic Regulation at the Interplay Between Gut Microbiota and Host Metabolism. Front Genet 2019; 10:638. [PMID: 31338107 PMCID: PMC6628876 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2019.00638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2019] [Accepted: 06/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Gut microbiota communities have coevolved for millions of years in a symbiotic relationship with their mammalian hosts. Elucidating and understanding the molecular mechanisms by which microbiota interacts with its host and how this contributes to the homeostasis of the host is crucial. One of these molecular relationships is the so-called chemical crosstalk between microbiota and host metabolisms, including the poorly explored epigenetic regulation of host tissues by the metabolic activity of gut microbiota in response to changes in diet. DNA methylation and histone modifications are epigenetic marks partly regulated by enzymes such as methylases and acetylases, whose activity depend on host and microbiota metabolites that act as substrates and cofactors for these reactions. However, providing a complete mechanistic description of the regulatory interactions between both metabolisms and the impact on the expression of host genes through an epigenetic modulation, remains elusive. This article presents our perspective on how metabolomic, metagenomic, transcriptomic, and epigenomic data can be used to investigate the "microbiota-nutrient metabolism-epigenetics axis." We also discuss the implications and opportunities this knowledge may have for basic and applied science, such as the impact on the way we structure future research, understand, and prevent diseases like type 2 diabetes or obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joan Miro-Blanch
- Metabolomics Platform, IISPV, Department of Electronic Engineering, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Spain
- Spanish Biomedical Research Center in Diabetes and Associated Metabolic Disorders (CIBERDEM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Oscar Yanes
- Metabolomics Platform, IISPV, Department of Electronic Engineering, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Spain
- Spanish Biomedical Research Center in Diabetes and Associated Metabolic Disorders (CIBERDEM), Madrid, Spain
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34
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Schmidl SR, Ekness F, Sofjan K, Daeffler KNM, Brink KR, Landry BP, Gerhardt KP, Dyulgyarov N, Sheth RU, Tabor JJ. Rewiring bacterial two-component systems by modular DNA-binding domain swapping. Nat Chem Biol 2019; 15:690-698. [PMID: 31110305 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-019-0286-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2018] [Accepted: 04/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Two-component systems (TCSs) are the largest family of multi-step signal transduction pathways and valuable sensors for synthetic biology. However, most TCSs remain uncharacterized or difficult to harness for applications. Major challenges are that many TCS output promoters are unknown, subject to cross-regulation, or silent in heterologous hosts. Here, we demonstrate that the two largest families of response regulator DNA-binding domains can be interchanged with remarkable flexibility, enabling the corresponding TCSs to be rewired to synthetic output promoters. We exploit this plasticity to eliminate cross-regulation, un-silence a gram-negative TCS in a gram-positive host, and engineer a system with over 1,300-fold activation. Finally, we apply DNA-binding domain swapping to screen uncharacterized Shewanella oneidensis TCSs in Escherichia coli, leading to the discovery of a previously uncharacterized pH sensor. This work should accelerate fundamental TCS studies and enable the engineering of a large family of genetically encoded sensors with diverse applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian R Schmidl
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA.,RELLIS campus, Texas A&M University, Bryan, TX, USA
| | - Felix Ekness
- PhD Program in Systems, Synthetic, and Physical Biology, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Katri Sofjan
- Department of Biosciences, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Kathryn R Brink
- PhD Program in Systems, Synthetic, and Physical Biology, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Brian P Landry
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Karl P Gerhardt
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Ravi U Sheth
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jeffrey J Tabor
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA. .,PhD Program in Systems, Synthetic, and Physical Biology, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA. .,Department of Biosciences, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA.
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35
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Blocking HIV-1 Infection by Chromosomal Integrative Expression of Human CD4 on the Surface of Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC 4356. J Virol 2019; 93:JVI.01830-18. [PMID: 30728264 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01830-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2018] [Accepted: 01/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Lactobacillus bacteria are potential delivery vehicles for biopharmaceutical molecules because they are well-recognized as safe microorganisms that naturally inhabit the human body. The goal of this study was to employ these lactobacilli to combat human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection and transmission. By using a chromosomal integration method, we engineered Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC 4356 to display human CD4, the HIV-1 receptor, on the cell surface. Since human CD4 can bind to any infectious HIV-1 particles, the engineered lactobacilli can potentially capture HIV-1 of different subtypes and prevent infection. Our data demonstrate that the CD4-carrying bacteria are able to adsorb HIV-1 particles and reduce infection significantly in vitro and also block intrarectal HIV-1 infection in a humanized mouse model in preliminary tests in vivo Our results support the potential of this approach to decrease the efficiency of HIV-1 sexual transmission.IMPORTANCE In the absence of an effective vaccine, alternative approaches to block HIV-1 infection and transmission with commensal bacteria expressing antiviral proteins are being considered. This report provides a proof-of-concept by using Lactobacillus bacteria stably expressing the HIV-1 receptor CD4 to capture and neutralize HIV-1 in vitro and in a humanized mouse model. The stable expression of antiviral proteins, such as CD4, following genomic integration of the corresponding genes into this Lactobacillus strain may contribute to the prevention of HIV-1 sexual transmission.
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36
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Amedei A, Boem F. I've Gut A Feeling: Microbiota Impacting the Conceptual and Experimental Perspectives of Personalized Medicine. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:E3756. [PMID: 30486338 PMCID: PMC6321351 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19123756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2018] [Revised: 10/31/2018] [Accepted: 11/16/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, the human microbiota has gained increasing relevance both in research and clinical fields. Increasing studies seem to suggest the centrality of the microbiota and its composition both in the development and maintenance of what we call "health" and in generating and/or favoring (those cases in which the microbiota's complex relational architecture is dysregulated) the onset of pathological conditions. The complex relationships between the microbiota and human beings, which invest core notions of biomedicine such as "health" and "individual," do concern not only problems of an empirical nature but seem to require the need to adopt new concepts and new perspectives in order to be properly analysed and utilized, especially for their therapeutic implementation. In this contribution we report and discuss some of the theoretical proposals and innovations (from the ecological component to the notion of polygenomic organism) aimed at producing this change of perspective. In conclusion, we summarily analyze what impact and what new challenges these new approaches might have on personalized/person centred/precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amedeo Amedei
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla, 03 50134, Firenze, Italy.
- Department of Biomedicine, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Careggi (AOUC), Largo Brambilla, 03 50134, Firenze, Italy.
| | - Federico Boem
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla, 03 50134, Firenze, Italy.
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37
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Abstract
Measuring biological data across time and space is critical for understanding complex biological processes and for various biosurveillance applications. However, such data are often inaccessible or difficult to directly obtain. Less invasive, more robust and higher-throughput biological recording tools are needed to profile cells and their environments. DNA-based cellular recording is an emerging and powerful framework for tracking intracellular and extracellular biological events over time across living cells and populations. Here, we review and assess DNA recorders that utilize CRISPR nucleases, integrases and base-editing strategies, as well as recombinase and polymerase-based methods. Quantitative characterization, modelling and evaluation of these DNA-recording modalities can guide their design and implementation for specific application areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravi U Sheth
- Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Integrated Program in Cellular, Molecular and Biomedical Studies, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Harris H Wang
- Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
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38
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Pedrolli DB, Ribeiro NV, Squizato PN, de Jesus VN, Cozetto DA. Engineering Microbial Living Therapeutics: The Synthetic Biology Toolbox. Trends Biotechnol 2018; 37:100-115. [PMID: 30318171 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2018.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2018] [Revised: 09/10/2018] [Accepted: 09/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Microbes can be engineered to act like living therapeutics designed to perform specific actions in the human body. From fighting and preventing infections to eliminating tumors and treating metabolic disorders, engineered living systems are the next generation of therapeutics. In recent years, synthetic biologists have greatly expanded the genetic toolbox for microbial living therapeutics, adding sensors, regulators, memory circuits, delivery devices, and kill switches. These advances have paved the way for successful engineering of fully functional living therapeutics, with sensing, production, and biocontainment devices. However, some important tools are still missing from the box. In this review, we cover the most recent biological parts and approaches developed and describe the missing tools needed to build robust living therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle B Pedrolli
- Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Bioprocess and Biotechnology, 14800-903 Araraquara, Brazil; Members of Team AQA Unesp at iGEM 2017.
| | - Nathan V Ribeiro
- Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Bioprocess and Biotechnology, 14800-903 Araraquara, Brazil; Members of Team AQA Unesp at iGEM 2017
| | - Patrick N Squizato
- Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Bioprocess and Biotechnology, 14800-903 Araraquara, Brazil; Members of Team AQA Unesp at iGEM 2017
| | - Victor N de Jesus
- Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Bioprocess and Biotechnology, 14800-903 Araraquara, Brazil; Members of Team AQA Unesp at iGEM 2017
| | - Daniel A Cozetto
- Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Bioprocess and Biotechnology, 14800-903 Araraquara, Brazil; Members of Team AQA Unesp at iGEM 2017
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39
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Landry BP, Palanki R, Dyulgyarov N, Hartsough LA, Tabor JJ. Phosphatase activity tunes two-component system sensor detection threshold. Nat Commun 2018; 9:1433. [PMID: 29650958 PMCID: PMC5897336 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-03929-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2018] [Accepted: 03/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Two-component systems (TCSs) are the largest family of multi-step signal transduction pathways in biology, and a major source of sensors for biotechnology. However, the input concentrations to which biosensors respond are often mismatched with application requirements. Here, we utilize a mathematical model to show that TCS detection thresholds increase with the phosphatase activity of the sensor histidine kinase. We experimentally validate this result in engineered Bacillus subtilis nitrate and E. coli aspartate TCS sensors by tuning their detection threshold up to two orders of magnitude. We go on to apply our TCS tuning method to recently described tetrathionate and thiosulfate sensors by mutating a widely conserved residue previously shown to impact phosphatase activity. Finally, we apply TCS tuning to engineer B. subtilis to sense and report a wide range of fertilizer concentrations in soil. This work will enable the engineering of tailor-made biosensors for diverse synthetic biology applications. Two-component systems are a major family of signal transduction pathways and a rich source of sensors for biotechnology. Here, the authors develop a general method for rationally tuning two-component system input detection thresholds via specific point mutations in sensor histidine kinase proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian P Landry
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, 6100 Main St., Houston, 77005, TX, USA
| | - Rohan Palanki
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, 6100 Main St., Houston, 77005, TX, USA
| | - Nikola Dyulgyarov
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, 6100 Main St., Houston, 77005, TX, USA
| | - Lucas A Hartsough
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, 6100 Main St., Houston, 77005, TX, USA
| | - Jeffrey J Tabor
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, 6100 Main St., Houston, 77005, TX, USA. .,Department of Biosciences, Rice University, 6100 Main St., Houston, 77005, TX, USA.
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40
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Cheng HY, Masiello CA, Del Valle I, Gao X, Bennett GN, Silberg JJ. Ratiometric Gas Reporting: A Nondisruptive Approach To Monitor Gene Expression in Soils. ACS Synth Biol 2018; 7:903-911. [PMID: 29366321 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.7b00405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Fluorescent proteins are ubiquitous tools that are used to monitor the dynamic functions of natural and synthetic genetic circuits. However, these visual reporters can only be used in transparent settings, a limitation that complicates nondisruptive measurements of gene expression within many matrices, such as soils and sediments. We describe a new ratiometric gas reporting method for nondisruptively monitoring gene expression within hard-to-image environmental matrices. With this approach, C2H4 is continuously synthesized by ethylene forming enzyme to provide information on viable cell number, and CH3Br is conditionally synthesized by placing a methyl halide transferase gene under the control of a conditional promoter. We show that ratiometric gas reporting enables the creation of Escherichia coli biosensors that report on acylhomoserine lactone (AHL) autoinducers used for quorum sensing by Gram-negative bacteria. Using these biosensors, we find that an agricultural soil decreases the bioavailable concentration of a long-chain AHL up to 100-fold. We also demonstrate that these biosensors can be used in soil to nondisruptively monitor AHLs synthesized by Rhizobium leguminosarum and degraded by Bacillus thuringiensis. Finally, we show that this new reporting approach can be used in Shewanella oneidensis, a bacterium that lives in sediments.
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