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Khorshid Sokhangouy S, Alizadeh F, Lotfi M, Sharif S, Ashouri A, Yoosefi Y, Bozorg Qomi S, Abbaszadegan MR. Recent advances in CRISPR-Cas systems for colorectal cancer research and therapeutics. Expert Rev Mol Diagn 2024; 24:677-702. [PMID: 39132997 DOI: 10.1080/14737159.2024.2388777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2024] [Indexed: 08/13/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Colon cancer, ranked as the fourth leading global cause of cancer death, exhibits a complex progression marked by genetic variations. Over the past decade, the utilization of diverse CRISPR systems has propelled accelerated research into colorectal cancer (CRC) treatment. AREAS COVERED CRISPR/Cas9, a key player in this research, identifies new oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes (TSGs), and drug-resistance genes. Additionally, it facilitates the construction of experimental models, conducts genome-wide library screening, and develops new therapeutic targets, especially for targeted knockout in vivo or molecular targeted drug delivery, contributing to personalized treatments and significantly enhancing the care of colon cancer patients. In this review, we provide insights into the mechanism of the CRISPR/Cas9 system, offering a comprehensive exploration of its applications in CRC, spanning screening, modeling, gene functions, diagnosis, and gene therapy. While acknowledging its transformative potential, the article highlights the challenges and limitations of CRISPR systems. EXPERT OPINION The application of CRISPR/Cas9 in CRC research provides a promising avenue for personalized treatments. Its potential for identifying key genes and enabling experimental models and genome-wide screening enhances patient care. This review underscores the significance of CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology across basic research, diagnosis, and the treatment landscape of colon cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Farzaneh Alizadeh
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Medical Genetics Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Malihe Lotfi
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Medical Genetics Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Samaneh Sharif
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Medical Genetics Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Atefeh Ashouri
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Medical Genetics Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Yasamin Yoosefi
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Saeed Bozorg Qomi
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Abbaszadegan
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Immunology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
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Chuang CH, Dorsch M, Dujardin P, Silas S, Ueffing K, Hölken JM, Yang D, Winslow MM, Grüner BM. Altered Mitochondria Functionality Defines a Metastatic Cell State in Lung Cancer and Creates an Exploitable Vulnerability. Cancer Res 2021; 81:567-579. [PMID: 33239425 PMCID: PMC8137518 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-20-1865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Revised: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Lung cancer is a prevalent and lethal cancer type that leads to more deaths than the next four major cancer types combined. Metastatic cancer spread is responsible for most cancer-related deaths but the cellular changes that enable cancer cells to leave the primary tumor and establish inoperable and lethal metastases remain poorly understood. To uncover genes that are specifically required to sustain metastasis survival or growth, we performed a genome-scale pooled lentiviral-shRNA library screen in cells that represent nonmetastatic and metastatic states of lung adenocarcinoma. Mitochondrial ribosome and mitochondria-associated genes were identified as top gene sets associated with metastasis-specific lethality. Metastasis-derived cell lines in vitro and metastases analyzed ex vivo from an autochthonous lung cancer mouse model had lower mitochondrial membrane potential and reduced mitochondrial functionality than nonmetastatic primary tumors. Electron microscopy of metastases uncovered irregular mitochondria with bridging and loss of normal membrane structure. Consistent with these findings, compounds that inhibit mitochondrial translation or replication had a greater effect on the growth of metastasis-derived cells. Finally, mice with established tumors developed fewer metastases upon treatment with phenformin in vivo. These results suggest that the metastatic cell state in lung adenocarcinoma is associated with a specifically altered mitochondrial functionality that can be therapeutically exploited. SIGNIFICANCE: This study characterizes altered mitochondria functionality of the metastatic cell state in lung cancer and opens new avenues for metastasis-specific therapeutic targeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen-Hua Chuang
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Madeleine Dorsch
- Department of Medical Oncology, West German Cancer Center, University Hospital Essen at the University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Philip Dujardin
- Department of Medical Oncology, West German Cancer Center, University Hospital Essen at the University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Sukrit Silas
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Kristina Ueffing
- Department of Medical Oncology, West German Cancer Center, University Hospital Essen at the University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Johanna M Hölken
- Department of Medical Oncology, West German Cancer Center, University Hospital Essen at the University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Dian Yang
- Cancer Biology Program, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Monte M Winslow
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
- Cancer Biology Program, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
- Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Barbara M Grüner
- Department of Medical Oncology, West German Cancer Center, University Hospital Essen at the University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) partner site Essen, Essen, Germany
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Grand Moursel L, Visser M, Servant G, Durmus S, Zuurmond AM. CRISPRing future medicines. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2021; 16:463-473. [PMID: 33322954 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2021.1850687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: The ability to engineer mammalian genomes in a quick and cost-effective way has led to rapid adaptation of CRISPR technology in biomedical research. CRISPR-based engineering has the potential to accelerate drug discovery, to support the reduction of high attrition rate in drug development and to enhance development of cell and gene-based therapies.Areas covered: How CRISPR technology is transforming drug discovery is discussed in this review. From target identification to target validation in both in vitro and in vivo models, CRISPR technology is positively impacting the early stages of drug development by providing a straightforward way to genome engineering. This property also attracted attention for CRISPR application in the cell and gene therapy area.Expert opinion: CRISPR technology is rapidly becoming the preferred tool for genome engineering and nowadays it is hard to imagine the drug discovery pipeline without this technology. With the years to come, CRISPR technology will undoubtedly be further refined and will flourish into a mature technology that will play a key role in supporting genome engineering requirements in the drug discovery pipeline as well as in cell and gene therapy development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mijke Visser
- Charles River Laboratories, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Selvi Durmus
- Charles River Laboratories, Leiden, The Netherlands
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Lee CH, Grey F. Systems Virology and Human Cytomegalovirus: Using High Throughput Approaches to Identify Novel Host-Virus Interactions During Lytic Infection. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:280. [PMID: 32587832 PMCID: PMC7298070 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.00280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a highly prevalent herpesvirus, persistently infecting between 30 and 100% of the population, depending on socio-economic status (Fields et al., 2013). HCMV remains an important clinical pathogen accounting for more than 60% of complications associated with solid organ transplant patients (Kotton, 2013; Kowalsky et al., 2013; Bruminhent and Razonable, 2014). It is also the leading cause of infectious congenital birth defects and has been linked to chronic inflammation and immune aging (Ballard et al., 1979; Griffith et al., 2016; Jergovic et al., 2019). There is currently no effective vaccine and HCMV antivirals have significant side effects. As current antivirals target viral genes, the virus can develop resistance, reducing drug efficacy. There is therefore an urgent need for new antiviral agents that are effective against HCMV, have better toxicity profiles and are less vulnerable to the emergence of resistant strains. Targeting of host factors that are critical to virus replication is a potential strategy for the development of novel antivirals that circumvent the development of viral resistance. Systematic high throughput approaches provide powerful methods for the identification of novel host-virus interactions. As well as contributing to our basic understanding of virus and cell biology, such studies provide potential targets for the development of novel antiviral agents. High-throughput studies, such as RNA sequencing, proteomics, and RNA interference screens, are useful tools to identify HCMV-induced global changes in host mRNA and protein expression levels and host factors important for virus replication. Here, we summarize new findings on HCMV lytic infection from high-throughput studies since 2014 and how screening approaches have evolved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen-Hsuin Lee
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Roslin Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Finn Grey
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Roslin Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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CRISPR-cas9: a powerful tool towards precision medicine in cancer treatment. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2020; 41:583-587. [PMID: 31792341 PMCID: PMC7468325 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-019-0322-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2019] [Accepted: 10/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a highly heterogeneous disease in term of molecular signature even though it is originated from the same tissue type. Cancer heterogeneity may occur during its development or treatment, which is the main cause resulting in drug resistance and recurrence. Precision medicine refers to matching the right medicine to the right patients based on their molecular signatures. Therefore, a thorough understanding of the mechanism of tumorigenesis and drug resistance is essential to precision medicine. CRISPR-cas9 system is a powerful tool for gene editing and CRISPR-based high-throughput screening has been widely applied especially in searching for tumor-driven or synergistic lethal genes aiming to overcome drug resistance. In this review, we describe the progress of CRISPR-cas9-based unbiased screening in precision medicine including identification of new drug targets, biomarkers and elucidation of mechanisms leading to drug resistance. The existing challenges as well as the future directions are also discussed.
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Brioschi M, Banfi C. The application of gene silencing in proteomics: from laboratory to clinic. Expert Rev Proteomics 2018; 15:717-732. [PMID: 30205712 DOI: 10.1080/14789450.2018.1521275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Since the completion of genome sequencing, gene silencing technologies have emerged as powerful tools to study gene functions in various biological processes, both in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, they have also been proposed as therapeutic agents to inhibit selected genes in a variety of pathological conditions, such as cancer, neurodegenerative, and cardiovascular diseases. Area covered: This review summarizes the mechanisms of action and applications of genome editing tools, from RNA interference to clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-based systems, in research and in clinics. We describe their essential role in high-throughput genetic screens and, in particular, in functional proteomics studies, to identify diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets. Indeed, gene silencing and proteomics have been extensively integrated to study global proteome changes, posttranslational modifications, and protein-protein interactions. Expert commentary: Functional proteomics approaches that leverage gene silencing tools have been successfully applied to examine the role of several genes in various contexts, leading to a deeper knowledge of biological pathways and disease mechanisms. Recent developments of gene silencing tools have improved their performance, also in terms of off-targets effects reduction, paving the way for a wider therapeutic application of these systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maura Brioschi
- a Unit of Proteomics , Centro Cardiologico Monzino IRCCS , Milano , Italy
| | - Cristina Banfi
- a Unit of Proteomics , Centro Cardiologico Monzino IRCCS , Milano , Italy
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Schaefer C, Mallela N, Seggewiß J, Lechtape B, Omran H, Dirksen U, Korsching E, Potratz J. Target discovery screens using pooled shRNA libraries and next-generation sequencing: A model workflow and analytical algorithm. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0191570. [PMID: 29385199 PMCID: PMC5792015 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0191570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2017] [Accepted: 01/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
In the search for novel therapeutic targets, RNA interference screening has become a valuable tool. High-throughput technologies are now broadly accessible but their assay development from baseline remains resource-intensive and challenging. Focusing on this assay development process, we here describe a target discovery screen using pooled shRNA libraries and next-generation sequencing (NGS) deconvolution in a cell line model of Ewing sarcoma. In a strategy designed for comparative and synthetic lethal studies, we screened for targets specific to the A673 Ewing sarcoma cell line. Methods, results and pitfalls are described for the entire multi-step screening procedure, from lentiviral shRNA delivery to bioinformatics analysis, illustrating a complete model workflow. We demonstrate that successful studies are feasible from the first assay performance and independent of specialized screening units. Furthermore, we show that a resource-saving screen depth of 100-fold average shRNA representation can suffice to generate reproducible target hits despite heterogeneity in the derived datasets. Because statistical analysis methods are debatable for such datasets, we created ProFED, an analysis package designed to facilitate descriptive data analysis and hit calling using an aim-oriented profile filtering approach. In its versatile design, this open-source online tool provides fast and easy analysis of shRNA and other count-based datasets to complement other analytical algorithms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christiane Schaefer
- Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Nikhil Mallela
- Institute of Bioinformatics, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Jochen Seggewiß
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Birgit Lechtape
- Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Heymut Omran
- General Pediatrics, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Uta Dirksen
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Pediatrics III, West German Cancer Center, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Center Essen, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Eberhard Korsching
- Institute of Bioinformatics, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Jenny Potratz
- Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
- General Pediatrics, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
- * E-mail:
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Nazir M, Senkowski W, Nyberg F, Blom K, Edqvist PH, Jarvius M, Andersson C, Gustafsson MG, Nygren P, Larsson R, Fryknäs M. Targeting tumor cells based on Phosphodiesterase 3A expression. Exp Cell Res 2017; 361:308-315. [DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2017.10.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2017] [Revised: 10/24/2017] [Accepted: 10/25/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Québatte M, Dehio C. Systems-level interference strategies to decipher host factors involved in bacterial pathogen interaction: from RNAi to CRISPRi. Curr Opin Microbiol 2017; 39:34-41. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2017.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2017] [Revised: 08/02/2017] [Accepted: 08/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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Effects of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated (Cas) protein 9 system-Based Deletion of miR-451 in Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells on Their Self-Renewal and Hematopoietic Differentiation. Tissue Eng Regen Med 2017; 14:179-185. [PMID: 30603475 DOI: 10.1007/s13770-017-0031-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2016] [Revised: 05/17/2016] [Accepted: 05/24/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) are a useful source of cells for exploring the role of genes related with early developmental processes and specific diseases due to their ability to differentiate into all somatic cell types. Recently, the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated (Cas) protein 9 system has proven to be a robust tool for targeted genetic modification. Here, we generated miR-451-deficient PSCs using the CRISPR/Cas9 system with PCR-based homologous recombination donor and investigated the impact of its deletion on self-renewal and hematopoietic development. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated miR-451 knockout did not alter the gene expressions of pluripotency, cellular morphology, and cell cycle, but led to impaired erythrocyte development. These findings propose that a combination of PSCs and CRISPR/Cas9 system could be useful to promote biomedical applications of PSCs by elucidating the function and manipulating of specific miRNAs during lineage specification and commitment.
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Abstract
The allure of phenotypic screening, combined with the industry preference for target-based approaches, has prompted the development of innovative chemical biology technologies that facilitate the identification of new therapeutic targets for accelerated drug discovery. A chemogenomic library is a collection of selective small-molecule pharmacological agents, and a hit from such a set in a phenotypic screen suggests that the annotated target or targets of that pharmacological agent may be involved in perturbing the observable phenotype. In this Review, we describe opportunities for chemogenomic screening to considerably expedite the conversion of phenotypic screening projects into target-based drug discovery approaches. Other applications are explored, including drug repositioning, predictive toxicology and the discovery of novel pharmacological modalities.
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Wilson JL, Dalin S, Gosline S, Hemann M, Fraenkel E, Lauffenburger DA. Pathway-based network modeling finds hidden genes in shRNA screen for regulators of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Integr Biol (Camb) 2016; 8:761-74. [PMID: 27315426 PMCID: PMC5224708 DOI: 10.1039/c6ib00040a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2016] [Accepted: 05/31/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Data integration stands to improve interpretation of RNAi screens which, as a result of off-target effects, typically yield numerous gene hits of which only a few validate. These off-target effects can result from seed matches to unintended gene targets (reagent-based) or cellular pathways, which can compensate for gene perturbations (biology-based). We focus on the biology-based effects and use network modeling tools to discover pathways de novo around RNAi hits. By looking at hits in a functional context, we can uncover novel biology not identified from any individual 'omics measurement. We leverage multiple 'omic measurements using the Simultaneous Analysis of Multiple Networks (SAMNet) computational framework to model a genome scale shRNA screen investigating Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) progression in vivo. Our network model is enriched for cellular processes associated with hematopoietic differentiation and homeostasis even though none of the individual 'omic sets showed this enrichment. The model identifies genes associated with the TGF-beta pathway and predicts a role in ALL progression for many genes without this functional annotation. We further experimentally validate the hidden genes - Wwp1, a ubiquitin ligase, and Hgs, a multi-vesicular body associated protein - for their role in ALL progression. Our ALL pathway model includes genes with roles in multiple types of leukemia and roles in hematological development. We identify a tumor suppressor role for Wwp1 in ALL progression. This work demonstrates that network integration approaches can compensate for off-target effects, and that these methods can uncover novel biology retroactively on existing screening data. We anticipate that this framework will be valuable to multiple functional genomic technologies - siRNA, shRNA, and CRISPR - generally, and will improve the utility of functional genomic studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer L. Wilson
- Department of Biological Engineering , Massachusetts Institute of Technology , 77 Massachusetts Avenue , 16-343 , Cambridge MA 02139 , USA . ; ; Tel: +1-617-252-1629
| | - Simona Dalin
- Department of Biology , Massachusetts Institute of Technology , Cambridge MA 02139 , USA
| | - Sara Gosline
- Department of Biological Engineering , Massachusetts Institute of Technology , 77 Massachusetts Avenue , 16-343 , Cambridge MA 02139 , USA . ; ; Tel: +1-617-252-1629
| | - Michael Hemann
- Department of Biology , Massachusetts Institute of Technology , Cambridge MA 02139 , USA
| | - Ernest Fraenkel
- Department of Biological Engineering , Massachusetts Institute of Technology , 77 Massachusetts Avenue , 16-343 , Cambridge MA 02139 , USA . ; ; Tel: +1-617-252-1629
- Department of Biology , Massachusetts Institute of Technology , Cambridge MA 02139 , USA
| | - Douglas A. Lauffenburger
- Department of Biological Engineering , Massachusetts Institute of Technology , 77 Massachusetts Avenue , 16-343 , Cambridge MA 02139 , USA . ; ; Tel: +1-617-252-1629
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Christel CJ, Schmied P, Jagusch V, Schrödel S, Thirion C, Schmitt K, Salomon M. Versatile Viral Vector Strategies for Postscreening Target Validation and RNAi ON-Target Control. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015; 20:976-84. [PMID: 25873558 DOI: 10.1177/1087057115581803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2014] [Accepted: 03/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Our approach aims to optimize postscreening target validation strategies using viral vector-driven RNA interference (RNAi) cell models. The RNAiONE validation platform is an array of plasmid-based expression vectors that each drives tandem expression of the gene of interest (GOI) with one small hairpin RNA (shRNA) from a set of computed candidate sequences. The best-performing shRNA (>85% silencing efficiency) is then integrated in an inducible, all-in-one lentiviral vector to transduce pharmacologically relevant cell types that endogenously express the GOI. VariCHECK is used subsequently to combine the inducible knockdown with an equally inducible rescue of the GOI for ON-target phenotype verification. The complete RNAiONE-VariCHECK system relies on three key elements to ensure high predictability: (1) maximized silencing efficiencies by a focused shRNA validation process, (2) homogeneity of the RNAi cell pools by application of sophisticated viral vector technologies, and (3) exploiting the advantages of inducible expression systems. By using a reversible expression system, our strategy adds critical information to hot candidates from RNAi screens and avoids potential side effects that may be caused by other, irreversible genomic manipulation methods such as transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALEN) or clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/Cas9 (CRISPR/Cas). This approach will add credibility to top-hit screening candidates and protect researchers from costly misinterpretations early in the preclinical drug development process.
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Barrangou R, Birmingham A, Wiemann S, Beijersbergen RL, Hornung V, Smith AVB. Advances in CRISPR-Cas9 genome engineering: lessons learned from RNA interference. Nucleic Acids Res 2015; 43:3407-19. [PMID: 25800748 PMCID: PMC4402539 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkv226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2015] [Accepted: 03/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The discovery that the machinery of the Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)-Cas9 bacterial immune system can be re-purposed to easily create deletions, insertions and replacements in the mammalian genome has revolutionized the field of genome engineering and re-invigorated the field of gene therapy. Many parallels have been drawn between the newly discovered CRISPR-Cas9 system and the RNA interference (RNAi) pathway in terms of their utility for understanding and interrogating gene function in mammalian cells. Given this similarity, the CRISPR-Cas9 field stands to benefit immensely from lessons learned during the development of RNAi technology. We examine how the history of RNAi can inform today's challenges in CRISPR-Cas9 genome engineering such as efficiency, specificity, high-throughput screening and delivery for in vivo and therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodolphe Barrangou
- Department of Food, Bioprocessing and Nutrition Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | | | - Stefan Wiemann
- Division of Molecular Genome Analysis, and Genomic & Proteomics Core Facility, German Cancer Research Center, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Veit Hornung
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, University Hospital, University of Bonn, 53128 Bonn, Germany
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Shen H, McHale CM, Smith MT, Zhang L. Functional genomic screening approaches in mechanistic toxicology and potential future applications of CRISPR-Cas9. MUTATION RESEARCH-REVIEWS IN MUTATION RESEARCH 2015; 764:31-42. [PMID: 26041264 DOI: 10.1016/j.mrrev.2015.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2014] [Revised: 01/14/2015] [Accepted: 01/16/2015] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Characterizing variability in the extent and nature of responses to environmental exposures is a critical aspect of human health risk assessment. Chemical toxicants act by many different mechanisms, however, and the genes involved in adverse outcome pathways (AOPs) and AOP networks are not yet characterized. Functional genomic approaches can reveal both toxicity pathways and susceptibility genes, through knockdown or knockout of all non-essential genes in a cell of interest, and identification of genes associated with a toxicity phenotype following toxicant exposure. Screening approaches in yeast and human near-haploid leukemic KBM7 cells have identified roles for genes and pathways involved in response to many toxicants but are limited by partial homology among yeast and human genes and limited relevance to normal diploid cells. RNA interference (RNAi) suppresses mRNA expression level but is limited by off-target effects (OTEs) and incomplete knockdown. The recently developed gene editing approach called clustered regularly interspaced short palindrome repeats-associated nuclease (CRISPR)-Cas9, can precisely knock-out most regions of the genome at the DNA level with fewer OTEs than RNAi, in multiple human cell types, thus overcoming the limitations of the other approaches. It has been used to identify genes involved in the response to chemical and microbial toxicants in several human cell types and could readily be extended to the systematic screening of large numbers of environmental chemicals. CRISPR-Cas9 can also repress and activate gene expression, including that of non-coding RNA, with near-saturation, thus offering the potential to more fully characterize AOPs and AOP networks. Finally, CRISPR-Cas9 can generate complex animal models in which to conduct preclinical toxicity testing at the level of individual genotypes or haplotypes. Therefore, CRISPR-Cas9 is a powerful and flexible functional genomic screening approach that can be harnessed to provide unprecedented mechanistic insight in the field of modern toxicology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua Shen
- Superfund Research Program, Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Cliona M McHale
- Superfund Research Program, Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Martyn T Smith
- Superfund Research Program, Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Luoping Zhang
- Superfund Research Program, Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
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Abstract
Targeted therapies in personalized medicine require the knowledge about the molecular changes within the patient that cause the disease. With the beginning of the new century, a plethora of new technologies became available to detect these changes and use this information as starting point for drug development. Next-generation genome sequencing and sophisticated genome-wide functional genomics' methods have led to a significant increase in the identification of novel drug target candidates and understanding of the relevance of these genomic and molecular changes for the diseases. As functional genomic tool for target identification, high-throughput gene silencing through RNA interference screening has become the established method. RNAi is discussed with its advantages and challenges in this chapter. Furthermore the potential of CRISPR/Cas9, a gene-editing method that has recently been adapted for use as functional screening tool, will be briefly reviewed.
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