1
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Song B, Bae S. Genome editing using CRISPR, CAST, and Fanzor systems. Mol Cells 2024; 47:100086. [PMID: 38909984 PMCID: PMC11278801 DOI: 10.1016/j.mocell.2024.100086] [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: 05/30/2024] [Revised: 06/14/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Genetic engineering technologies are essential not only for basic science but also for generating animal models for therapeutic applications. The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-CRISPR-associated protein (Cas) system, derived from adapted prokaryotic immune responses, has led to unprecedented advancements in the field of genome editing because of its ability to precisely target and edit genes in a guide RNA-dependent manner. The discovery of various types of CRISPR-Cas systems, such as CRISPR-associated transposons (CASTs), has resulted in the development of novel genome editing tools. Recently, research has expanded to systems associated with obligate mobile element guided activity (OMEGA) RNAs, including ancestral CRISPR-Cas and eukaryotic Fanzor systems, which are expected to complement the conventional CRISPR-Cas systems. In this review, we briefly introduce the features of various CRISPR-Cas systems and their application in diverse animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beomjong Song
- Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, Soonchunhyang University, Cheonan 33151, Republic of Korea.
| | - Sangsu Bae
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea; Medical Research Center of Genomic Medicine Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea; Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea; Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea.
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2
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Wang H, Zhou J, Lei J, Mo G, Wu Y, Liu H, Pang Z, Du M, Zhou Z, Paek C, Sun Z, Chen Y, Wang Y, Chen P, Yin L. Engineering of a compact, high-fidelity EbCas12a variant that can be packaged with its crRNA into an all-in-one AAV vector delivery system. PLoS Biol 2024; 22:e3002619. [PMID: 38814985 PMCID: PMC11139299 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
The CRISPR-associated endonuclease Cas12a has become a powerful genome-editing tool in biomedical research due to its ease of use and low off-targeting. However, the size of Cas12a severely limits clinical applications such as adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based gene therapy. Here, we characterized a novel compact Cas12a ortholog, termed EbCas12a, from the metagenome-assembled genome of a currently unclassified Erysipelotrichia. It has the PAM sequence of 5'-TTTV-3' (V = A, G, C) and the smallest size of approximately 3.47 kb among the Cas12a orthologs reported so far. In addition, enhanced EbCas12a (enEbCas12a) was also designed to have comparable editing efficiency with higher specificity to AsCas12a and LbCas12a in mammalian cells at multiple target sites. Based on the compact enEbCas12a, an all-in-one AAV delivery system with crRNA for Cas12a was developed for both in vitro and in vivo applications. Overall, the novel smallest high-fidelity enEbCas12a, this first case of the all-in-one AAV delivery for Cas12a could greatly boost future gene therapy and scientific research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongjian Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Department of Clinical Oncology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jin Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Department of Clinical Oncology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jun Lei
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Department of Clinical Oncology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Guosheng Mo
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Department of Clinical Oncology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yankang Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Department of Clinical Oncology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Huan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Department of Clinical Oncology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Ziyan Pang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Department of Clinical Oncology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Mingkun Du
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Department of Clinical Oncology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Zihao Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Department of Clinical Oncology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Chonil Paek
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Department of Clinical Oncology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Zaiqiao Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Department of Clinical Oncology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yongshun Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Department of Clinical Oncology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Department of Clinical Oncology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Peng Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Department of Clinical Oncology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Lei Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Department of Clinical Oncology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
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3
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Chen Y, Luo X, Kang R, Cui K, Ou J, Zhang X, Liang P. Current therapies for osteoarthritis and prospects of CRISPR-based genome, epigenome, and RNA editing in osteoarthritis treatment. J Genet Genomics 2024; 51:159-183. [PMID: 37516348 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgg.2023.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2023]
Abstract
Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common degenerative joint diseases worldwide, causing pain, disability, and decreased quality of life. The balance between regeneration and inflammation-induced degradation results in multiple etiologies and complex pathogenesis of OA. Currently, there is a lack of effective therapeutic strategies for OA treatment. With the development of CRISPR-based genome, epigenome, and RNA editing tools, OA treatment has been improved by targeting genetic risk factors, activating chondrogenic elements, and modulating inflammatory regulators. Supported by cell therapy and in vivo delivery vectors, genome, epigenome, and RNA editing tools may provide a promising approach for personalized OA therapy. This review summarizes CRISPR-based genome, epigenome, and RNA editing tools that can be applied to the treatment of OA and provides insights into the development of CRISPR-based therapeutics for OA treatment. Moreover, in-depth evaluations of the efficacy and safety of these tools in human OA treatment are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxi Chen
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510275, China
| | - Xiao Luo
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510275, China
| | - Rui Kang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510275, China
| | - Kaixin Cui
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510275, China
| | - Jianping Ou
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510630, China
| | - Xiya Zhang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510630, China.
| | - Puping Liang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510275, China.
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4
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Riepe C, Wąchalska M, Deol KK, Amaya AK, Porteus MH, Olzmann JA, Kopito RR. Small-molecule correctors divert CFTR-F508del from ERAD by stabilizing sequential folding states. Mol Biol Cell 2024; 35:ar15. [PMID: 38019608 PMCID: PMC10881158 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e23-08-0336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Over 80% of people with cystic fibrosis (CF) carry the F508del mutation in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), a chloride ion channel at the apical plasma membrane (PM) of epithelial cells. F508del impairs CFTR folding causing it to be destroyed by endoplasmic reticulum associated degradation (ERAD). Small-molecule correctors, which act as pharmacological chaperones to divert CFTR-F508del from ERAD, are the primary strategy for treating CF, yet corrector development continues with only a rudimentary understanding of how ERAD targets CFTR-F508del. We conducted genome-wide CRISPR/Cas9 knockout screens to systematically identify the molecular machinery that underlies CFTR-F508del ERAD. Although the ER-resident ubiquitin ligase, RNF5 was the top E3 hit, knocking out RNF5 only modestly reduced CFTR-F508del degradation. Sublibrary screens in an RNF5 knockout background identified RNF185 as a redundant ligase and demonstrated that CFTR-F508del ERAD is robust. Gene-drug interaction experiments illustrated that correctors tezacaftor (VX-661) and elexacaftor (VX-445) stabilize sequential, RNF5-resistant folding states. We propose that binding of correctors to nascent CFTR-F508del alters its folding landscape by stabilizing folding states that are not substrates for RNF5-mediated ubiquitylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celeste Riepe
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Magda Wąchalska
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Kirandeep K. Deol
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
- Department of Nutritional Sciences and Toxicology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub Network, San Francisco, CA 94158
| | - Anais K. Amaya
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
| | | | - James A. Olzmann
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
- Department of Nutritional Sciences and Toxicology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub Network, San Francisco, CA 94158
| | - Ron R. Kopito
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
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Gebhardt CM, Niopek D. Anti-CRISPR Proteins and Their Application to Control CRISPR Effectors in Mammalian Systems. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2774:205-231. [PMID: 38441767 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3718-0_14] [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: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas effectors are powerful tools for genome and transcriptome targeting and editing. Naturally, these protein-RNA complexes are part of the microbial innate immune system, which emerged from the evolutionary arms race between microbes and phages. This coevolution has also given rise to so-called anti-CRISPR (Acr) proteins that counteract the CRISPR-Cas adaptive immunity. Acrs constitutively block cognate CRISPR-Cas effectors, e.g., by interfering with guide RNA binding, target DNA/RNA recognition, or target cleavage. In addition to their important role in microbiology and evolution, Acrs have recently gained particular attention for being useful tools and switches to regulate or fine-tune the activity of CRISPR-Cas effectors. Due to their commonly small size, high inhibition potency, and structural and mechanistic versatility, Acrs offer a wide range of potential applications for controlling CRISPR effectors in heterologous systems, including mammalian cells.Here, we review the diverse applications of Acrs in mammalian cells and organisms and discuss the underlying engineering strategies. These applications include (i) persistent blockage of CRISPR-Cas function to create write-protected cells, (ii) reduction of CRISPR-Cas off-target editing, (iii) focusing CRISPR-Cas activity to specific cell types and tissues, (iv) spatiotemporal control of CRISPR effectors based on engineered, opto-, or chemogenetic Acrs, and (v) the use of Acrs for selective binding and detection of CRISPR-Cas effectors in complex samples. We will also highlight potential future applications of Acrs in a biomedical context and point out present challenges that need to be overcome on the way.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolin Maja Gebhardt
- Centre for Synthetic Biology, Department of Biology, Technical University Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Dominik Niopek
- Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology (IPMB), Faculty of Engineering Sciences, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.
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6
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Raza A, Tabassum J, Fakhar AZ, Sharif R, Chen H, Zhang C, Ju L, Fotopoulos V, Siddique KHM, Singh RK, Zhuang W, Varshney RK. Smart reprograming of plants against salinity stress using modern biotechnological tools. Crit Rev Biotechnol 2023; 43:1035-1062. [PMID: 35968922 DOI: 10.1080/07388551.2022.2093695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Climate change gives rise to numerous environmental stresses, including soil salinity. Salinity/salt stress is the second biggest abiotic factor affecting agricultural productivity worldwide by damaging numerous physiological, biochemical, and molecular processes. In particular, salinity affects plant growth, development, and productivity. Salinity responses include modulation of ion homeostasis, antioxidant defense system induction, and biosynthesis of numerous phytohormones and osmoprotectants to protect plants from osmotic stress by decreasing ion toxicity and augmented reactive oxygen species scavenging. As most crop plants are sensitive to salinity, improving salt tolerance is crucial in sustaining global agricultural productivity. In response to salinity, plants trigger stress-related genes, proteins, and the accumulation of metabolites to cope with the adverse consequence of salinity. Therefore, this review presents an overview of salinity stress in crop plants. We highlight advances in modern biotechnological tools, such as omics (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics) approaches and different genome editing tools (ZFN, TALEN, and CRISPR/Cas system) for improving salinity tolerance in plants and accomplish the goal of "zero hunger," a worldwide sustainable development goal proposed by the FAO.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Raza
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Genetics, Breeding and Multiple Utilization of Crops, Oil Crops Research Institute, Center of Legume Crop Genetics and Systems Biology/College of Agriculture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University (FAFU), Fuzhou, China
| | - Javaria Tabassum
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology, China National Rice Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science (CAAS), Zhejiang, China
| | - Ali Zeeshan Fakhar
- National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE), Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Rahat Sharif
- Department of Horticulture, College of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Hua Chen
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Genetics, Breeding and Multiple Utilization of Crops, Oil Crops Research Institute, Center of Legume Crop Genetics and Systems Biology/College of Agriculture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University (FAFU), Fuzhou, China
| | - Chong Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Genetics, Breeding and Multiple Utilization of Crops, Oil Crops Research Institute, Center of Legume Crop Genetics and Systems Biology/College of Agriculture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University (FAFU), Fuzhou, China
| | - Luo Ju
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology, China National Rice Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science (CAAS), Zhejiang, China
| | - Vasileios Fotopoulos
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, Biotechnology & Food Science, Cyprus University of Technology, Lemesos, Cyprus
| | - Kadambot H M Siddique
- The UWA Institute of Agriculture, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Perth, Australia
| | - Rakesh K Singh
- Crop Diversification and Genetics, International Center for Biosaline Agriculture, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Weijian Zhuang
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Genetics, Breeding and Multiple Utilization of Crops, Oil Crops Research Institute, Center of Legume Crop Genetics and Systems Biology/College of Agriculture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University (FAFU), Fuzhou, China
| | - Rajeev K Varshney
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Genetics, Breeding and Multiple Utilization of Crops, Oil Crops Research Institute, Center of Legume Crop Genetics and Systems Biology/College of Agriculture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University (FAFU), Fuzhou, China
- Center of Excellence in Genomics & Systems Biology, International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Hyderabad, India
- Murdoch's Centre for Crop and Food Innovation, State Agricultural Biotechnology Centre, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Australia
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7
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Tyumentseva M, Tyumentsev A, Akimkin V. CRISPR/Cas9 Landscape: Current State and Future Perspectives. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16077. [PMID: 38003266 PMCID: PMC10671331 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242216077] [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: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats)/Cas9 is a unique genome editing tool that can be easily used in a wide range of applications, including functional genomics, transcriptomics, epigenetics, biotechnology, plant engineering, livestock breeding, gene therapy, diagnostics, and so on. This review is focused on the current CRISPR/Cas9 landscape, e.g., on Cas9 variants with improved properties, on Cas9-derived and fusion proteins, on Cas9 delivery methods, on pre-existing immunity against CRISPR/Cas9 proteins, anti-CRISPR proteins, and their possible roles in CRISPR/Cas9 function improvement. Moreover, this review presents a detailed outline of CRISPR/Cas9-based diagnostics and therapeutic approaches. Finally, the review addresses the future expansion of genome editors' toolbox with Cas9 orthologs and other CRISPR/Cas proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Tyumentseva
- Central Research Institute of Epidemiology, Novogireevskaya Str., 3a, 111123 Moscow, Russia; (A.T.); (V.A.)
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Trasanidou D, Potocnik A, Barendse P, Mohanraju P, Bouzetos E, Karpouzis E, Desmet A, van Kranenburg R, van der Oost J, Staals RHJ, Mougiakos I. Characterization of the AcrIIC1 anti‒CRISPR protein for Cas9‒based genome engineering in E. coli. Commun Biol 2023; 6:1042. [PMID: 37833505 PMCID: PMC10576004 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05418-5] [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: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Anti-CRISPR proteins (Acrs) block the activity of CRISPR-associated (Cas) proteins, either by inhibiting DNA interference or by preventing crRNA loading and complex formation. Although the main use of Acrs in genome engineering applications is to lower the cleavage activity of Cas proteins, they can also be instrumental for various other CRISPR-based applications. Here, we explore the genome editing potential of the thermoactive type II-C Cas9 variants from Geobacillus thermodenitrificans T12 (ThermoCas9) and Geobacillus stearothermophilus (GeoCas9) in Escherichia coli. We then demonstrate that the AcrIIC1 protein from Neisseria meningitidis robustly inhibits their DNA cleavage activity, but not their DNA binding capacity. Finally, we exploit these AcrIIC1:Cas9 complexes for gene silencing and base-editing, developing Acr base-editing tools. With these tools we pave the way for future engineering applications in mesophilic and thermophilic bacteria combining the activities of Acr and CRISPR-Cas proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Despoina Trasanidou
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Ana Potocnik
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Patrick Barendse
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Prarthana Mohanraju
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Evgenios Bouzetos
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Efthymios Karpouzis
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Amber Desmet
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Richard van Kranenburg
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Corbion, Gorinchem, The Netherlands
| | - John van der Oost
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Raymond H J Staals
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Ioannis Mougiakos
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
- SNIPR Biome, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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Li L, Vasan L, Kartono B, Clifford K, Attarpour A, Sharma R, Mandrozos M, Kim A, Zhao W, Belotserkovsky A, Verkuyl C, Schmitt-Ulms G. Advances in Recombinant Adeno-Associated Virus Vectors for Neurodegenerative Diseases. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2725. [PMID: 37893099 PMCID: PMC10603849 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11102725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vectors are gene therapy delivery tools that offer a promising platform for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Keeping up with developments in this fast-moving area of research is a challenge. This review was thus written with the intention to introduce this field of study to those who are new to it and direct others who are struggling to stay abreast of the literature towards notable recent studies. In ten sections, we briefly highlight early milestones within this field and its first clinical success stories. We showcase current clinical trials, which focus on gene replacement, gene augmentation, or gene suppression strategies. Next, we discuss ongoing efforts to improve the tropism of rAAV vectors for brain applications and introduce pre-clinical research directed toward harnessing rAAV vectors for gene editing applications. Subsequently, we present common genetic elements coded by the single-stranded DNA of rAAV vectors, their so-called payloads. Our focus is on recent advances that are bound to increase treatment efficacies. As needed, we included studies outside the neurodegenerative disease field that showcased improved pre-clinical designs of all-in-one rAAV vectors for gene editing applications. Finally, we discuss risks associated with off-target effects and inadvertent immunogenicity that these technologies harbor as well as the mitigation strategies available to date to make their application safer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leyao Li
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building, 1 King’s College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, Krembil Discovery Centre, 6th Floor, 60 Leonard Avenue, Toronto, ON M5T 0S8, Canada
| | - Lakshmy Vasan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building, 6th Floor, 1 King’s College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Bryan Kartono
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, Krembil Discovery Centre, 6th Floor, 60 Leonard Avenue, Toronto, ON M5T 0S8, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building, 6th Floor, 1 King’s College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Kevan Clifford
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building, 1 King’s College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), 250 College St., Toronto, ON M5T 1R8, Canada
| | - Ahmadreza Attarpour
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, 101 College St., Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Raghav Sharma
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, Krembil Discovery Centre, 6th Floor, 60 Leonard Avenue, Toronto, ON M5T 0S8, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building, 6th Floor, 1 King’s College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Matthew Mandrozos
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building, 6th Floor, 1 King’s College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Ain Kim
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, Krembil Discovery Centre, 6th Floor, 60 Leonard Avenue, Toronto, ON M5T 0S8, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building, 6th Floor, 1 King’s College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Wenda Zhao
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, Krembil Discovery Centre, 6th Floor, 60 Leonard Avenue, Toronto, ON M5T 0S8, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building, 6th Floor, 1 King’s College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Ari Belotserkovsky
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, Krembil Discovery Centre, 6th Floor, 60 Leonard Avenue, Toronto, ON M5T 0S8, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building, 6th Floor, 1 King’s College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Claire Verkuyl
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, Krembil Discovery Centre, 6th Floor, 60 Leonard Avenue, Toronto, ON M5T 0S8, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building, 6th Floor, 1 King’s College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Gerold Schmitt-Ulms
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, Krembil Discovery Centre, 6th Floor, 60 Leonard Avenue, Toronto, ON M5T 0S8, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building, 6th Floor, 1 King’s College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
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10
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Molugu K, Khajanchi N, Lazzarotto CR, Tsai SQ, Saha K. Trichostatin A for Efficient CRISPR-Cas9 Gene Editing of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells. CRISPR J 2023; 6:473-485. [PMID: 37676985 PMCID: PMC10611976 DOI: 10.1089/crispr.2023.0033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Genome-edited human-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have broad applications in disease modeling, drug discovery, and regenerative medicine. Despite the development of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-Cas9 system, the gene editing process is inefficient and can take several weeks to months to generate edited iPSC clones. We developed a strategy to improve the efficiency of the iPSC gene editing process via application of a small-molecule, trichostatin A (TSA), a Class I and II histone deacetylase inhibitor. We observed that TSA decreased global chromatin condensation and further resulted in increased gene-editing efficiency of iPSCs by twofold to fourfold while concurrently ensuring no increased off-target effects. The edited iPSCs could be clonally expanded while maintaining genomic integrity and pluripotency. The rapid generation of therapeutically relevant gene-edited iPSCs could be enabled by these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaivalya Molugu
- Biophysics Graduate Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA; St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
- Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA; St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Namita Khajanchi
- Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA; St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
- Department of Biomedical and Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA; and St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Cicera R. Lazzarotto
- Department of Hematology, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Shengdar Q. Tsai
- Department of Hematology, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Krishanu Saha
- Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA; St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
- Department of Biomedical and Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA; and St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
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11
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Li X, Liao F, Gao J, Song G, Zhang C, Ji N, Wang X, Wen J, He J, Wei Y, Zhang H, Li Z, Yu G, Yin H. Inhibitory mechanism of CRISPR-Cas9 by AcrIIC4. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:9442-9451. [PMID: 37587688 PMCID: PMC10516666 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023] Open
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas systems act as the adaptive immune systems of bacteria and archaea, targeting and destroying invading foreign mobile genetic elements (MGEs) such as phages. MGEs have also evolved anti-CRISPR (Acr) proteins to inactivate the CRISPR-Cas systems. Recently, AcrIIC4, identified from Haemophilus parainfluenzae phage, has been reported to inhibit the endonuclease activity of Cas9 from Neisseria meningitidis (NmeCas9), but the inhibition mechanism is not clear. Here, we biochemically and structurally investigated the anti-CRISPR activity of AcrIIC4. AcrIIC4 folds into a helix bundle composed of three helices, which associates with the REC lobe of NmeCas9 and sgRNA. The REC2 domain of NmeCas9 is locked by AcrIIC4, perturbing the conformational dynamics required for the target DNA binding and cleavage. Furthermore, mutation of the key residues in the AcrIIC4-NmeCas9 and AcrIIC4-sgRNA interfaces largely abolishes the inhibitory effects of AcrIIC4. Our study offers new insights into the mechanism of AcrIIC4-mediated suppression of NmeCas9 and provides guidelines for the design of regulatory tools for Cas9-based gene editing applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuzichao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), The Province and Ministry Co-sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Fumeng Liao
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), The Province and Ministry Co-sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Jiaqi Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), The Province and Ministry Co-sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Guangyong Song
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), The Province and Ministry Co-sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Chendi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, China
| | - Nan Ji
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), The Province and Ministry Co-sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Xiaoshen Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), The Province and Ministry Co-sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Jing Wen
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), The Province and Ministry Co-sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Jia He
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), The Province and Ministry Co-sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Yong Wei
- The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Heng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), The Province and Ministry Co-sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Zhuang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, China
| | - Guimei Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), The Province and Ministry Co-sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Hang Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), The Province and Ministry Co-sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
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12
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Riepe C, Wąchalska M, Deol KK, Amaya AK, Porteus MH, Olzmann JA, Kopito RR. Small molecule correctors divert CFTR-F508del from ERAD by stabilizing sequential folding states. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.15.556420. [PMID: 37745470 PMCID: PMC10515913 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.15.556420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Over 80% of people with cystic fibrosis (CF) carry the F508del mutation in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), a chloride ion channel at the apical plasma membrane (PM) of epithelial cells. F508del impairs CFTR folding causing it to be destroyed by endoplasmic reticulum associated degradation (ERAD). Small molecule correctors, which act as pharmacological chaperones to divert CFTR-F508del from ERAD, are the primary strategy for treating CF, yet corrector development continues with only a rudimentary understanding of how ERAD targets CFTR-F508del. We conducted genome-wide CRISPR/Cas9 knockout screens to systematically identify the molecular machinery that underlies CFTR-F508del ERAD. Although the ER-resident ubiquitin ligase, RNF5 was the top E3 hit, knocking out RNF5 only modestly reduced CFTR-F508del degradation. Sublibrary screens in an RNF5 knockout background identified RNF185 as a redundant ligase, demonstrating that CFTR-F508del ERAD is highly buffered. Gene-drug interaction experiments demonstrated that correctors tezacaftor (VX-661) and elexacaftor (VX-445) stabilize sequential, RNF5-resistant folding states. We propose that binding of correctors to nascent CFTR-F508del alters its folding landscape by stabilizing folding states that are not substrates for RNF5-mediated ubiquitylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celeste Riepe
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA 94305
| | - Magda Wąchalska
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA 94305
| | - Kirandeep K. Deol
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA USA 94720
- Department of Nutritional Sciences and Toxicology, University of California, Berkeley, CA USA 94720
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA, USA 94158
| | - Anais K. Amaya
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA 94305
| | | | - James A. Olzmann
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA USA 94720
- Department of Nutritional Sciences and Toxicology, University of California, Berkeley, CA USA 94720
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA, USA 94158
| | - Ron R. Kopito
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA 94305
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13
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Mak MCE, Gurung R, Foo RSY. Applications of Genome Editing Technologies in CAD Research and Therapy with a Focus on Atherosclerosis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14057. [PMID: 37762360 PMCID: PMC10531628 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241814057] [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: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases, particularly coronary artery disease (CAD), remain the leading cause of death worldwide in recent years, with myocardial infarction (MI) being the most common form of CAD. Atherosclerosis has been highlighted as one of the drivers of CAD, and much research has been carried out to understand and treat this disease. However, there remains much to be better understood and developed in treating this disease. Genome editing technologies have been widely used to establish models of disease as well as to treat various genetic disorders at their root. In this review, we aim to highlight the various ways genome editing technologies can be applied to establish models of atherosclerosis, as well as their therapeutic roles in both atherosclerosis and the clinical implications of CAD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rijan Gurung
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 14 Medical Drive, MD6, #08-01, Singapore 117599, Singapore; (M.C.E.M.); (R.S.Y.F.)
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14
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Dickson KA, Field N, Blackman T, Ma Y, Xie T, Kurangil E, Idrees S, Rathnayake SNH, Mahbub RM, Faiz A, Marsh DJ. CRISPR single base-editing: in silico predictions to variant clonal cell lines. Hum Mol Genet 2023; 32:2704-2716. [PMID: 37369005 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddad105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Engineering single base edits using CRISPR technology including specific deaminases and single-guide RNA (sgRNA) is a rapidly evolving field. Different types of base edits can be constructed, with cytidine base editors (CBEs) facilitating transition of C-to-T variants, adenine base editors (ABEs) enabling transition of A-to-G variants, C-to-G transversion base editors (CGBEs) and recently adenine transversion editors (AYBE) that create A-to-C and A-to-T variants. The base-editing machine learning algorithm BE-Hive predicts which sgRNA and base editor combinations have the strongest likelihood of achieving desired base edits. We have used BE-Hive and TP53 mutation data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) ovarian cancer cohort to predict which mutations can be engineered, or reverted to wild-type (WT) sequence, using CBEs, ABEs or CGBEs. We have developed and automated a ranking system to assist in selecting optimally designed sgRNA that considers the presence of a suitable protospacer adjacent motif (PAM), the frequency of predicted bystander edits, editing efficiency and target base change. We have generated single constructs containing ABE or CBE editing machinery, an sgRNA cloning backbone and an enhanced green fluorescent protein tag (EGFP), removing the need for co-transfection of multiple plasmids. We have tested our ranking system and new plasmid constructs to engineer the p53 mutants Y220C, R282W and R248Q into WT p53 cells and shown that these mutants cannot activate four p53 target genes, mimicking the behaviour of endogenous p53 mutations. This field will continue to rapidly progress, requiring new strategies such as we propose to ensure desired base-editing outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristie-Ann Dickson
- Translational Oncology Group, Faculty of Science, School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Natisha Field
- Translational Oncology Group, Faculty of Science, School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Tiane Blackman
- Translational Oncology Group, Faculty of Science, School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Yue Ma
- Translational Oncology Group, Faculty of Science, School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Tao Xie
- Translational Oncology Group, Faculty of Science, School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Ecem Kurangil
- Translational Oncology Group, Faculty of Science, School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Sobia Idrees
- Faculty of Science, School of Life Sciences, Centre for Inflammation, Centenary Institute and the University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Senani N H Rathnayake
- Respiratory Bioinformatics and Molecular Biology (RBMB), Faculty of Science, School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Rashad M Mahbub
- Respiratory Bioinformatics and Molecular Biology (RBMB), Faculty of Science, School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Alen Faiz
- Respiratory Bioinformatics and Molecular Biology (RBMB), Faculty of Science, School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Deborah J Marsh
- Translational Oncology Group, Faculty of Science, School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
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15
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Aldag P, Rutkauskas M, Madariaga-Marcos J, Songailiene I, Sinkunas T, Kemmerich F, Kauert D, Siksnys V, Seidel R. Dynamic interplay between target search and recognition for a Type I CRISPR-Cas system. Nat Commun 2023; 14:3654. [PMID: 37339984 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38790-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023] Open
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas effector complexes enable the defense against foreign nucleic acids and have recently been exploited as molecular tools for precise genome editing at a target locus. To bind and cleave their target, the CRISPR-Cas effectors have to interrogate the entire genome for the presence of a matching sequence. Here we dissect the target search and recognition process of the Type I CRISPR-Cas complex Cascade by simultaneously monitoring DNA binding and R-loop formation by the complex. We directly quantify the effect of DNA supercoiling on the target recognition probability and demonstrate that Cascade uses facilitated diffusion for its target search. We show that target search and target recognition are tightly linked and that DNA supercoiling and limited 1D diffusion need to be considered when understanding target recognition and target search by CRISPR-Cas enzymes and engineering more efficient and precise variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Aldag
- Peter Debye Institute for Soft Matter Physics, Universität Leipzig, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Marius Rutkauskas
- Peter Debye Institute for Soft Matter Physics, Universität Leipzig, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | | | - Inga Songailiene
- Institute of Biotechnology, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Saulėtekis ave. 7, Vilnius, 10257, Lithuania
| | - Tomas Sinkunas
- Institute of Biotechnology, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Saulėtekis ave. 7, Vilnius, 10257, Lithuania
| | - Felix Kemmerich
- Peter Debye Institute for Soft Matter Physics, Universität Leipzig, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Dominik Kauert
- Peter Debye Institute for Soft Matter Physics, Universität Leipzig, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Virginijus Siksnys
- Institute of Biotechnology, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Saulėtekis ave. 7, Vilnius, 10257, Lithuania.
| | - Ralf Seidel
- Peter Debye Institute for Soft Matter Physics, Universität Leipzig, 04103, Leipzig, Germany.
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16
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Huang X, Zhou J, Yang D, Zhang J, Xia X, Chen YE, Xu J. Decoding CRISPR-Cas PAM recognition with UniDesign. Brief Bioinform 2023; 24:bbad133. [PMID: 37078688 PMCID: PMC10199764 DOI: 10.1093/bib/bbad133] [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: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The critical first step in Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)-associated (CRISPR-Cas) protein-mediated gene editing is recognizing a preferred protospacer adjacent motif (PAM) on target DNAs by the protein's PAM-interacting amino acids (PIAAs). Thus, accurate computational modeling of PAM recognition is useful in assisting CRISPR-Cas engineering to relax or tighten PAM requirements for subsequent applications. Here, we describe a universal computational protein design framework (UniDesign) for designing protein-nucleic acid interactions. As a proof of concept, we applied UniDesign to decode the PAM-PIAA interactions for eight Cas9 and two Cas12a proteins. We show that, given native PIAAs, the UniDesign-predicted PAMs are largely identical to the natural PAMs of all Cas proteins. In turn, given natural PAMs, the computationally redesigned PIAA residues largely recapitulated the native PIAAs (74% and 86% in terms of identity and similarity, respectively). These results demonstrate that UniDesign faithfully captures the mutual preference between natural PAMs and native PIAAs, suggesting it is a useful tool for engineering CRISPR-Cas and other nucleic acid-interacting proteins. UniDesign is open-sourced at https://github.com/tommyhuangthu/UniDesign.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqiang Huang
- Center for Advanced Models for Translational Sciences and Therapeutics, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, 2800 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Jun Zhou
- Center for Advanced Models for Translational Sciences and Therapeutics, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, 2800 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Dongshan Yang
- Center for Advanced Models for Translational Sciences and Therapeutics, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, 2800 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Jifeng Zhang
- Center for Advanced Models for Translational Sciences and Therapeutics, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, 2800 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Xiaofeng Xia
- Research & Development, ATGC Inc., 100 E Lancaster Avenue, LIMR Building Lab 129, Wynnewood, PA 19096, USA
| | - Yuqing Eugene Chen
- Center for Advanced Models for Translational Sciences and Therapeutics, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, 2800 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Jie Xu
- Center for Advanced Models for Translational Sciences and Therapeutics, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, 2800 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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17
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Seo SY, Min S, Lee S, Seo JH, Park J, Kim HK, Song M, Baek D, Cho SR, Kim HH. Massively parallel evaluation and computational prediction of the activities and specificities of 17 small Cas9s. Nat Methods 2023:10.1038/s41592-023-01875-2. [PMID: 37188955 DOI: 10.1038/s41592-023-01875-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Recently, various small Cas9 orthologs and variants have been reported for use in in vivo delivery applications. Although small Cas9s are particularly suited for this purpose, selecting the most optimal small Cas9 for use at a specific target sequence continues to be challenging. Here, to this end, we have systematically compared the activities of 17 small Cas9s for thousands of target sequences. For each small Cas9, we have characterized the protospacer adjacent motif and determined optimal single guide RNA expression formats and scaffold sequence. High-throughput comparative analyses revealed distinct high- and low-activity groups of small Cas9s. We also developed DeepSmallCas9, a set of computational models predicting the activities of the small Cas9s at matched and mismatched target sequences. Together, this analysis and these computational models provide a useful guide for researchers to select the most suitable small Cas9 for specific applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sang-Yeon Seo
- Department of Pharmacology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Graduate School of Medical Science, Brain Korea 21 Project, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | | | - Sungtae Lee
- Department of Pharmacology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung Hwa Seo
- Graduate School of Medical Science, Brain Korea 21 Project, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department and Research Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jinman Park
- Department of Pharmacology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Graduate School of Medical Science, Brain Korea 21 Project, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hui Kwon Kim
- Department of Pharmacology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Graduate School of Medical Science, Brain Korea 21 Project, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Center for Nanomedicine, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Graduate Program of Nano Biomedical Engineering (NanoBME), Advanced Science Institute, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Integrative Biotechnology, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Myungjae Song
- Department of Pharmacology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Graduate School of Medical Science, Brain Korea 21 Project, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Dawoon Baek
- Department and Research Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung-Rae Cho
- Graduate School of Medical Science, Brain Korea 21 Project, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department and Research Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Graduate Program of Biomedical Engineering, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyongbum Henry Kim
- Department of Pharmacology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- Graduate School of Medical Science, Brain Korea 21 Project, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- Center for Nanomedicine, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- Graduate Program of Nano Biomedical Engineering (NanoBME), Advanced Science Institute, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- Institute for Immunology and Immunological Diseases, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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18
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Zhou L, Yao S. Recent advances in therapeutic CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing: mechanisms and applications. MOLECULAR BIOMEDICINE 2023; 4:10. [PMID: 37027099 PMCID: PMC10080534 DOI: 10.1186/s43556-023-00115-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently, clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-Cas9 derived editing tools had significantly improved our ability to make desired changes in the genome. Wild-type Cas9 protein recognizes the target genomic loci and induced local double strand breaks (DSBs) in the guidance of small RNA molecule. In mammalian cells, the DSBs are mainly repaired by endogenous non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) pathway, which is error prone and results in the formation of indels. The indels can be harnessed to interrupt gene coding sequences or regulation elements. The DSBs can also be fixed by homology directed repair (HDR) pathway to introduce desired changes, such as base substitution and fragment insertion, when proper donor templates are provided, albeit in a less efficient manner. Besides making DSBs, Cas9 protein can be mutated to serve as a DNA binding platform to recruit functional modulators to the target loci, performing local transcriptional regulation, epigenetic remolding, base editing or prime editing. These Cas9 derived editing tools, especially base editors and prime editors, can introduce precise changes into the target loci at a single-base resolution and in an efficient and irreversible manner. Such features make these editing tools very promising for therapeutic applications. This review focuses on the evolution and mechanisms of CRISPR-Cas9 derived editing tools and their applications in the field of gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lifang Zhou
- Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Renmin Nanlu 17, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Shaohua Yao
- Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Renmin Nanlu 17, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China.
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19
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Sufyan M, Daraz U, Hyder S, Zulfiqar U, Iqbal R, Eldin SM, Rafiq F, Mahmood N, Shahzad K, Uzair M, Fiaz S, Ali I. An overview of genome engineering in plants, including its scope, technologies, progress and grand challenges. Funct Integr Genomics 2023; 23:119. [PMID: 37022538 DOI: 10.1007/s10142-023-01036-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2022] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023]
Abstract
Genome editing is a useful, adaptable, and favored technique for both functional genomics and crop enhancement. Over the years, rapidly evolving genome editing technologies, including clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated protein (CRISPR/Cas), transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs), and zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs), have shown broad application prospects in gene function research and improvement of critical agronomic traits in many crops. These technologies have also opened up opportunities for plant breeding. These techniques provide excellent chances for the quick modification of crops and the advancement of plant science in the future. The current review describes various genome editing techniques and how they function, particularly CRISPR/Cas9 systems, which can contribute significantly to the most accurate characterization of genomic rearrangement and plant gene functions as well as the enhancement of critical traits in field crops. To accelerate the use of gene-editing technologies for crop enhancement, the speed editing strategy of gene-family members was designed. As it permits genome editing in numerous biological systems, the CRISPR technology provides a valuable edge in this regard that particularly captures the attention of scientists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Sufyan
- College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Umar Daraz
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, Center for Grassland Microbiome, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Sajjad Hyder
- Department of Botant, Government College Women University, Sialkot, Pakistan
| | - Usman Zulfiqar
- Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture and Environment, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, 63100, Pakistan
| | - Rashid Iqbal
- Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture and Environment, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, 63100, Pakistan.
| | - Sayed M Eldin
- Center of Research, Faculty of Engineering, Future University in Egypt, New Cairo, 11835, Egypt
| | - Farzana Rafiq
- School of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, NCEPU, Beijing, China
| | - Naveed Mahmood
- College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Khurram Shahzad
- Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, CAS, Beijing, China
| | - Muhammad Uzair
- National Institute for Genomics and Advanced Biotechnology, Park Road, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Sajid Fiaz
- Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, The University of Haripur, Haripur, 22620, Pakistan
| | - Iftikhar Ali
- Center for Plant Sciences and Biodiversity, University of Swat, Charbagh, 19120, Pakistan.
- Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
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20
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Saeed S, Khan SU, Khan WU, Abdel-Maksoud MA, Mubarak AS, Mohammed MA, Kiani FA, Wahab A, Shah MW, Saleem MH. Genome Editing Technology: A New Frontier for the Treatment and Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases. Curr Probl Cardiol 2023; 48:101692. [PMID: 36898595 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2023.101692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023]
Abstract
Over the past two decades, genome-editing technique has proven to be a robust editing method that revolutionizes the field of biomedicine. At the genetic level, it can be efficiently utilized to generate various disease-resistance models to elucidate the mechanism of human diseases. It also develops an outstanding tool and enables the generation of genetically modified organisms for the treatment and prevention of various diseases. The versatile and novel CRISPR/Cas9 system mitigates the challenges of various GETs such as ZFNs, and TALENs. For this reason, it has become a ground-breaking technology potentially employed to manipulate the desired gene of interest. Interestingly, this system has been broadly utilized due to its tremendous applications for treating and preventing tumors and various rare disorders; however, its applications for treating CVDs remain in infancy. More recently, two newly developed GETs, such as base editing and prime editing, have further broadened the accuracy range to treat CVDs under consideration. Furthermore, recently emerged CRISPR tools have been potentially applied in vivo and in vitro to treat CVDs. To the best of our knowledge, we strongly enlightened the applications of the CRISPR/Cas9 system that opened a new window in the field of cardiovascular research and, in detail, discussed the challenges and limitations of CVDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumbul Saeed
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, P.R, China
| | - Shahid Ullah Khan
- Women Medical and Dental College, Khyber Medical University, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Wasim Ullah Khan
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, PR China.
| | - Mostafa A Abdel-Maksoud
- Botany and Microbiology Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ayman S Mubarak
- Botany and Microbiology Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed Aufy Mohammed
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Faisal Ayub Kiani
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, 60800, Pakistan
| | - Abdul Wahab
- Department of Pharmacy, Kohat University of Science and Technology, Kohat, Khyber, Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | | | - Muhammad Hamzah Saleem
- Office of Academic Research, Office of VP for Research & Graduate Studies, Qatar University, Doha 2713, Qatar
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21
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Meng X, Wu TG, Lou QY, Niu KY, Jiang L, Xiao QZ, Xu T, Zhang L. Optimization of CRISPR-Cas system for clinical cancer therapy. Bioeng Transl Med 2023; 8:e10474. [PMID: 36925702 PMCID: PMC10013785 DOI: 10.1002/btm2.10474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a genetic disease caused by alterations in genome and epigenome and is one of the leading causes for death worldwide. The exploration of disease development and therapeutic strategies at the genetic level have become the key to the treatment of cancer and other genetic diseases. The functional analysis of genes and mutations has been slow and laborious. Therefore, there is an urgent need for alternative approaches to improve the current status of cancer research. Gene editing technologies provide technical support for efficient gene disruption and modification in vivo and in vitro, in particular the use of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-Cas systems. Currently, the applications of CRISPR-Cas systems in cancer rely on different Cas effector proteins and the design of guide RNAs. Furthermore, effective vector delivery must be met for the CRISPR-Cas systems to enter human clinical trials. In this review article, we describe the mechanism of the CRISPR-Cas systems and highlight the applications of class II Cas effector proteins. We also propose a synthetic biology approach to modify the CRISPR-Cas systems, and summarize various delivery approaches facilitating the clinical application of the CRISPR-Cas systems. By modifying the CRISPR-Cas system and optimizing its in vivo delivery, promising and effective treatments for cancers using the CRISPR-Cas system are emerging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Meng
- College & Hospital of Stomatology Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases Research of Anhui Province Hefei People's Republic of China
| | - Tian-Gang Wu
- College & Hospital of Stomatology Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases Research of Anhui Province Hefei People's Republic of China
| | - Qiu-Yue Lou
- Anhui Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention Hefei People's Republic of China
| | - Kai-Yuan Niu
- Clinical Pharmacology, William Harvey Research Institute (WHRI), Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) Heart Centre (G23) London UK.,Department of Otolaryngology The Third Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University Hefei China
| | - Lei Jiang
- College & Hospital of Stomatology Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases Research of Anhui Province Hefei People's Republic of China
| | - Qing-Zhong Xiao
- Clinical Pharmacology, William Harvey Research Institute (WHRI), Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) Heart Centre (G23) London UK
| | - Tao Xu
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui Key Laboratory of Bioactivity of Natural Products Anhui Medical University Hefei China.,Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province Hefei China
| | - Lei Zhang
- College & Hospital of Stomatology Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases Research of Anhui Province Hefei People's Republic of China.,Department of Periodontology Anhui Stomatology Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University Hefei China
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22
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Sun W, Zhao X, Wang J, Yang X, Cheng Z, Liu S, Wang J, Sheng G, Wang Y. Anti-CRISPR AcrIIC5 is a dsDNA mimic that inhibits type II-C Cas9 effectors by blocking PAM recognition. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:1984-1995. [PMID: 36744495 PMCID: PMC9976890 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Anti-CRISPR proteins are encoded by phages to inhibit the CRISPR-Cas systems of the hosts. AcrIIC5 inhibits several naturally high-fidelity type II-C Cas9 enzymes, including orthologs from Neisseria meningitidis (Nme1Cas9) and Simonsiella muelleri (SmuCas9). Here, we solve the structure of AcrIIC5 in complex with Nme1Cas9 and sgRNA. We show that AcrIIC5 adopts a novel fold to mimic the size and charge distribution of double-stranded DNA, and uses its negatively charged grooves to bind and occlude the protospacer adjacent motif (PAM) binding site in the target DNA cleft of Cas9. AcrIIC5 is positioned into the crevice between the WED and PI domains of Cas9, and one end of the anti-CRISPR interacts with the phosphate lock loop and a linker between the RuvC and BH domains. We employ biochemical and mutational analyses to build a model for AcrIIC5's mechanism of action, and identify residues on both the anti-CRISPR and Cas9 that are important for their interaction and inhibition. Together, the structure and mechanism of AcrIIC5 reveal convergent evolution among disparate anti-CRISPR proteins that use a DNA-mimic strategy to inhibit diverse CRISPR-Cas surveillance complexes, and provide new insights into a tool for potent inhibition of type II-C Cas9 orthologs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Sun
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Xiaolong Zhao
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Jinlong Wang
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xiaoqi Yang
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zhi Cheng
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Shuo Liu
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jiuyu Wang
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Gang Sheng
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Yanli Wang
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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23
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Kuzmin AA, Tomilin AN. Building Blocks of Artificial CRISPR-Based Systems beyond Nucleases. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24:ijms24010397. [PMID: 36613839 PMCID: PMC9820447 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Tools developed in the fields of genome engineering, precise gene regulation, and synthetic gene networks have an increasing number of applications. When shared with the scientific community, these tools can be used to further unlock the potential of precision medicine and tissue engineering. A large number of different genetic elements, as well as modifications, have been used to create many different systems and to validate some technical concepts. New studies have tended to optimize or improve existing elements or approaches to create complex synthetic systems, especially those based on the relatively new CRISPR technology. In order to maximize the output of newly developed approaches and to move from proof-of-principle experiments to applications in regenerative medicine, it is important to navigate efficiently through the vast number of genetic elements to choose those most suitable for specific needs. In this review, we have collected information regarding the main genetic elements and their modifications, which can be useful in different synthetic systems with an emphasis of those based on CRISPR technology. We have indicated the most suitable elements and approaches to choose or combine in planning experiments, while providing their deeper understanding, and have also stated some pitfalls that should be avoided.
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24
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Barragán-Álvarez CP, Flores-Fernandez JM, Hernández-Pérez OR, Ávila-Gónzalez D, Díaz NF, Padilla-Camberos E, Dublan-García O, Gómez-Oliván LM, Diaz-Martinez NE. Recent advances in the use of CRISPR/Cas for understanding the early development of molecular gaps in glial cells. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:947769. [PMID: 36120556 PMCID: PMC9479146 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.947769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Glial cells are non-neuronal elements of the nervous system (NS) and play a central role in its development, maturation, and homeostasis. Glial cell interest has increased, leading to the discovery of novel study fields. The CRISPR/Cas system has been widely employed for NS understanding. Its use to study glial cells gives crucial information about their mechanisms and role in the central nervous system (CNS) and neurodegenerative disorders. Furthermore, the increasingly accelerated discovery of genes associated with the multiple implications of glial cells could be studied and complemented with the novel screening methods of high-content and single-cell screens at the genome-scale as Perturb-Seq, CRISP-seq, and CROPseq. Besides, the emerging methods, GESTALT, and LINNAEUS, employed to generate large-scale cell lineage maps have yielded invaluable information about processes involved in neurogenesis. These advances offer new therapeutic approaches to finding critical unanswered questions about glial cells and their fundamental role in the nervous system. Furthermore, they help to better understanding the significance of glial cells and their role in developmental biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Patricia Barragán-Álvarez
- Laboratorio de Reprogramación Celular y Bioingeniería de Tejidos, Biotecnología Médica y Farmacéutica, Centro de Investigación y Asistencia en Tecnología y Diseño Del Estado de Jalisco, Guadalajara, Mexico
| | - José Miguel Flores-Fernandez
- Departamento de Investigación e Innovación, Universidad Tecnológica de Oriental, Oriental, Mexico
- Department of Biochemistry & Centre for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | | | - Daniela Ávila-Gónzalez
- Laboratorio de Reprogramación Celular y Bioingeniería de Tejidos, Biotecnología Médica y Farmacéutica, Centro de Investigación y Asistencia en Tecnología y Diseño Del Estado de Jalisco, Guadalajara, Mexico
- Departamento de Fisiología y Desarrollo Celular, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología, México City, Mexico
| | - Nestor Fabian Díaz
- Departamento de Fisiología y Desarrollo Celular, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología, México City, Mexico
| | - Eduardo Padilla-Camberos
- Laboratorio de Reprogramación Celular y Bioingeniería de Tejidos, Biotecnología Médica y Farmacéutica, Centro de Investigación y Asistencia en Tecnología y Diseño Del Estado de Jalisco, Guadalajara, Mexico
| | - Octavio Dublan-García
- Laboratorio de Alimentos y Toxicología Ambiental, Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma Del Estado de México, Toluca, México
| | - Leobardo Manuel Gómez-Oliván
- Laboratorio de Alimentos y Toxicología Ambiental, Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma Del Estado de México, Toluca, México
| | - Nestor Emmanuel Diaz-Martinez
- Laboratorio de Reprogramación Celular y Bioingeniería de Tejidos, Biotecnología Médica y Farmacéutica, Centro de Investigación y Asistencia en Tecnología y Diseño Del Estado de Jalisco, Guadalajara, Mexico
- *Correspondence: Nestor Emmanuel Diaz-Martinez,
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25
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Nishiga M, Liu C, Qi LS, Wu JC. The use of new CRISPR tools in cardiovascular research and medicine. Nat Rev Cardiol 2022; 19:505-521. [PMID: 35145236 PMCID: PMC10283450 DOI: 10.1038/s41569-021-00669-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Many novel CRISPR-based genome-editing tools, with a wide variety of applications, have been developed in the past few years. The original CRISPR-Cas9 system was developed as a tool to alter genomic sequences in living organisms in a simple way. However, the functions of new CRISPR tools are not limited to conventional genome editing mediated by non-homologous end-joining or homology-directed repair but expand into gene-expression control, epigenome editing, single-nucleotide editing, RNA editing and live-cell imaging. Furthermore, genetic perturbation screening by multiplexing guide RNAs is gaining popularity as a method to identify causative genes and pathways in an unbiased manner. New CRISPR tools can also be applied to ex vivo or in vivo therapeutic genome editing for the treatment of conditions such as hyperlipidaemia. In this Review, we first provide an overview of the diverse new CRISPR tools that have been developed to date. Second, we summarize how these new CRISPR tools are being used to study biological processes and disease mechanisms in cardiovascular research and medicine. Finally, we discuss the prospect of therapeutic genome editing by CRISPR tools to cure genetic cardiovascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masataka Nishiga
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
| | - Chun Liu
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Lei S Qi
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Chemical & Systems Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- ChEM-H Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Joseph C Wu
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
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26
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Recent Advances in Improving Gene-Editing Specificity through CRISPR–Cas9 Nuclease Engineering. Cells 2022; 11:cells11142186. [PMID: 35883629 PMCID: PMC9319960 DOI: 10.3390/cells11142186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
CRISPR–Cas9 is the state-of-the-art programmable genome-editing tool widely used in many areas. For safe therapeutic applications in clinical medicine, its off-target effect must be dramatically minimized. In recent years, extensive studies have been conducted to improve the gene-editing specificity of the most popular CRISPR–Cas9 nucleases using different strategies. In this review, we summarize and discuss these strategies and achievements, with a major focus on improving the gene-editing specificity through Cas9 protein engineering.
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27
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Kostyusheva A, Brezgin S, Babin Y, Vasilyeva I, Glebe D, Kostyushev D, Chulanov V. CRISPR-Cas systems for diagnosing infectious diseases. Methods 2022; 203:431-446. [PMID: 33839288 PMCID: PMC8032595 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2021.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Infectious diseases are a global health problem affecting billions of people. Developing rapid and sensitive diagnostic tools is key for successful patient management and curbing disease spread. Currently available diagnostics are very specific and sensitive but time-consuming and require expensive laboratory settings and well-trained personnel; thus, they are not available in resource-limited areas, for the purposes of large-scale screenings and in case of outbreaks and epidemics. Developing new, rapid, and affordable point-of-care diagnostic assays is urgently needed. This review focuses on CRISPR-based technologies and their perspectives to become platforms for point-of-care nucleic acid detection methods and as deployable diagnostic platforms that could help to identify and curb outbreaks and emerging epidemics. We describe the mechanisms and function of different classes and types of CRISPR-Cas systems, including pros and cons for developing molecular diagnostic tests and applications of each type to detect a wide range of infectious agents. Many Cas proteins (Cas3, Cas9, Cas12, Cas13, Cas14 etc.) have been leveraged to create highly accurate and sensitive diagnostic tools combined with technologies of signal amplification and fluorescent, potentiometric, colorimetric, lateral flow assay detection and other. In particular, the most advanced platforms -- SHERLOCK/v2, DETECTR, CARMEN or CRISPR-Chip -- enable detection of attomolar amounts of pathogenic nucleic acids with specificity comparable to that of PCR but with minimal technical settings. Further developing CRISPR-based diagnostic tools promises to dramatically transform molecular diagnostics, making them easily affordable and accessible virtually anywhere in the world. The burden of socially significant diseases, frequent outbreaks, recent epidemics (MERS, SARS and the ongoing COVID-19) and outbreaks of zoonotic viruses (African Swine Fever Virus etc.) urgently need the developing and distribution of express-diagnostic tools. Recently devised CRISPR-technologies represent the unprecedented opportunity to reshape epidemiological surveillance and molecular diagnostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasiya Kostyusheva
- National Medical Research Center of Tuberculosis and Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Health, Moscow, Russia.
| | - Sergey Brezgin
- National Medical Research Center of Tuberculosis and Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Health, Moscow, Russia,Institute of Immunology, Moscow, Russia
| | - Yurii Babin
- National Medical Research Center of Tuberculosis and Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Health, Moscow, Russia
| | - Irina Vasilyeva
- National Medical Research Center of Tuberculosis and Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Health, Moscow, Russia
| | - Dieter Glebe
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Dmitry Kostyushev
- National Medical Research Center of Tuberculosis and Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Health, Moscow, Russia,Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi, Russia
| | - Vladimir Chulanov
- National Medical Research Center of Tuberculosis and Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Health, Moscow, Russia,Sechenov University, Moscow, Russia
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28
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Gophna U, Altman-Price N. Horizontal Gene Transfer in Archaea-From Mechanisms to Genome Evolution. Annu Rev Microbiol 2022; 76:481-502. [PMID: 35667126 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-micro-040820-124627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Archaea remains the least-studied and least-characterized domain of life despite its significance not just to the ecology of our planet but also to the evolution of eukaryotes. It is therefore unsurprising that research into horizontal gene transfer (HGT) in archaea has lagged behind that of bacteria. Indeed, several archaeal lineages may owe their very existence to large-scale HGT events, and thus understanding both the molecular mechanisms and the evolutionary impact of HGT in archaea is highly important. Furthermore, some mechanisms of gene exchange, such as plasmids that transmit themselves via membrane vesicles and the formation of cytoplasmic bridges that allows transfer of both chromosomal and plasmid DNA, may be archaea specific. This review summarizes what we know about HGT in archaea, and the barriers that restrict it, highlighting exciting recent discoveries and pointing out opportunities for future research. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Microbiology, Volume 76 is September 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uri Gophna
- The Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; ,
| | - Neta Altman-Price
- The Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; , .,Department of Natural and Life Sciences, The Open University of Israel, Raanana, Israel
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29
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Zhang Y, Ge H, Marchisio MA. A Mutated Nme1Cas9 Is a Functional Alternative RNase to Both LwaCas13a and RfxCas13d in the Yeast S. cerevisiae. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:922949. [PMID: 35721864 PMCID: PMC9201564 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.922949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
CRISPR–Cas systems provide powerful biological tools for genetic manipulation and gene expression regulation. Class 2 systems, comprising type II, type V, and type VI, have the significant advantage to require a single effector Cas protein (Cas9, Cas12, and Cas13 respectively) to cleave nucleic acids upon binding the crRNA. Both Cas9 and Cas12 recognize DNA and induce a double-strand break in it. In contrast, Cas13 bind and cleave RNA exclusively. However, some Cas9 homologs have shown RNase activity as well. Here, we harnessed Nme1Cas9, LwaCas13a, and RfxCas13d to carry out gene downregulation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae by triggering mRNA degradation. To avoid potential DNA damage, we mutated Nme1Cas9 into d16ANme1Cas9 that lost the nuclease activity of the RuvC domain but retained the active HNH domain, able to act on the target DNA strand and, therefore, on the corresponding transcript. Our results showed that d16ANme1Cas9 is a functional RNase in vivo, although with moderate activity since it provoked a fluorescence reduction from 21% to 32%. Interestingly, d16ANme1Cas9 works in a PAM-independent way nor demands helper PAMmer molecules. LwaCas13a and RfxCas13d appeared substantially unfunctional in S. cerevisiae, though they were shown to perform well in mammalian cells. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report about the working in vivo of a variant of Nme1Cas9 as an RNase and the issues connected with the usage of Cas13 proteins in S. cerevisiae.
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Kouhen M, García-Caparrós P, Twyman RM, Abdelly C, Mahmoudi H, Schillberg S, Debez A. Improving environmental stress resilience in crops by genome editing: insights from extremophile plants. Crit Rev Biotechnol 2022; 43:559-574. [PMID: 35606905 DOI: 10.1080/07388551.2022.2042481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
In basic and applied sciences, genome editing has become an indispensable tool, especially the versatile and adaptable CRISPR/Cas9 system. Using CRISPR/Cas9 in plants has enabled modifications of many valuable traits, including environmental stress tolerance, an essential aspect when it comes to ensuring food security under climate change pressure. The CRISPR toolbox enables faster and more precise plant breeding by facilitating: multiplex gene editing, gene pyramiding, and de novo domestication. In this paper, we discuss the most recent advances in CRISPR/Cas9 and alternative CRISPR-based systems, along with the technical challenges that remain to be overcome. A revision of the latest proof-of-concept and functional characterization studies has indeed provided more insight into the quantitative traits affecting crop yield and stress tolerance. Additionally, we focus on the applications of CRISPR/Cas9 technology in regard to extremophile plants, due to their significance on: industrial, ecological and economic levels. These still unexplored genetic resources could provide the means to harden our crops against the threat of climate change, thus ensuring food security over the next century.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Kouhen
- Centre of Biotechnology of Borj-Cedria (CBBC), Laboratory of Extremophile Plants (LPE), Hammam-Lif, Tunisia.,Department of Biosciences and Territory, University of Molise, Pesche, Italy
| | - Pedro García-Caparrós
- Agronomy Department of Superior School Engineering, University of Almeria, CIAIMBITAL, Almería, Spain
| | | | - Chedly Abdelly
- Centre of Biotechnology of Borj-Cedria (CBBC), Laboratory of Extremophile Plants (LPE), Hammam-Lif, Tunisia
| | - Henda Mahmoudi
- International Center for Biosaline Agriculture, Academic City, Near Zayed University, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Stefan Schillberg
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Aachen, Germany
| | - Ahmed Debez
- Centre of Biotechnology of Borj-Cedria (CBBC), Laboratory of Extremophile Plants (LPE), Hammam-Lif, Tunisia
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Eslami-Mossallam B, Klein M, Smagt CVD, Sanden KVD, Jones SK, Hawkins JA, Finkelstein IJ, Depken M. A kinetic model predicts SpCas9 activity, improves off-target classification, and reveals the physical basis of targeting fidelity. Nat Commun 2022; 13:1367. [PMID: 35292641 PMCID: PMC8924176 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-28994-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The S. pyogenes (Sp) Cas9 endonuclease is an important gene-editing tool. SpCas9 is directed to target sites based on complementarity to a complexed single-guide RNA (sgRNA). However, SpCas9-sgRNA also binds and cleaves genomic off-targets with only partial complementarity. To date, we lack the ability to predict cleavage and binding activity quantitatively, and rely on binary classification schemes to identify strong off-targets. We report a quantitative kinetic model that captures the SpCas9-mediated strand-replacement reaction in free-energy terms. The model predicts binding and cleavage activity as a function of time, target, and experimental conditions. Trained and validated on high-throughput bulk-biochemical data, our model predicts the intermediate R-loop state recently observed in single-molecule experiments, as well as the associated conversion rates. Finally, we show that our quantitative activity predictor can be reduced to a binary off-target classifier that outperforms the established state-of-the-art. Our approach is extensible, and can characterize any CRISPR-Cas nuclease - benchmarking natural and future high-fidelity variants against SpCas9; elucidating determinants of CRISPR fidelity; and revealing pathways to increased specificity and efficiency in engineered systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Behrouz Eslami-Mossallam
- Kavli Institute of NanoScience and Department of BionanoScience, Delft University of Technology, Delft, 2629HZ, the Netherlands
- Dept. Building Physics and Systems, TNO Building and Construction Research, Leeghwaterstraat 44, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Misha Klein
- Kavli Institute of NanoScience and Department of BionanoScience, Delft University of Technology, Delft, 2629HZ, the Netherlands
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, and LaserLaB Amsterdam, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1081, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Constantijn V D Smagt
- Kavli Institute of NanoScience and Department of BionanoScience, Delft University of Technology, Delft, 2629HZ, the Netherlands
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, and LaserLaB Amsterdam, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1081, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Koen V D Sanden
- Kavli Institute of NanoScience and Department of BionanoScience, Delft University of Technology, Delft, 2629HZ, the Netherlands
| | - Stephen K Jones
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
- Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
- Center for Systems and Synthetic Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
- VU LSC-EMBL Partnership for Genome Editing Technologies, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - John A Hawkins
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
- Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
- Center for Systems and Synthetic Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
- Oden Institute for Computational Engineering and Science, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Genome Biology Department, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ilya J Finkelstein
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
- Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
- Center for Systems and Synthetic Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Martin Depken
- Kavli Institute of NanoScience and Department of BionanoScience, Delft University of Technology, Delft, 2629HZ, the Netherlands.
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Xu R, Qin R, Xie H, Li J, Liu X, Zhu M, Sun Y, Yu Y, Lu P, Wei P. Genome editing with type II-C CRISPR-Cas9 systems from Neisseria meningitidis in rice. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2022; 20:350-359. [PMID: 34582079 PMCID: PMC8753361 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.13716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Revised: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Two type II-C Cas9 orthologs (Nm1Cas9 and Nm2Cas9) were recently identified from Neisseria meningitidis and have been extensively used in mammalian cells, but whether these NmCas9 orthologs or other type II-C Cas9 proteins can mediate genome editing in plants remains unclear. In this study, we developed and optimized targeted mutagenesis systems from NmCas9s for plants. Efficient genome editing at the target with N4 GATT and N4 CC protospacer adjacent motifs (PAMs) was achieved with Nm1Cas9 and Nm2Cas9 respectively. These results indicated that a highly active editing system could be developed from type II-C Cas9s with distinct PAM preferences, thus providing a reliable strategy to extend the scope of genome editing in plants. Base editors (BEs) were further developed from the NmCas9s. The editing efficiency of adenine BEs (ABEs) of TadA*-7.10 and cytosine BEs (CBEs) of rat APOBEC1 (rAPO1) or human APOBEC3a (hA3A) were extremely limited, whereas ABEs of TadA-8e and CBEs of Petromyzon marinus cytidine deaminase 1 (PmCDA1) exhibited markedly improved performance on the same targets. In addition, we found that fusion of a single-stranded DNA-binding domain from the human Rad51 protein enhanced the base editing capability of rAPO1-CBEs of NmCas9s. Together, our results suggest that the engineering of NmCas9s or other type II-C Cas9s can provide useful alternatives for crop genome editing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rongfang Xu
- College of AgronomyAnhui Agricultural UniversityHefeiChina
- Key Laboratory of Rice Genetic Breeding of Anhui ProvinceRice Research InstituteAnhui Academy of Agricultural SciencesHefeiChina
| | - Ruiying Qin
- Key Laboratory of Rice Genetic Breeding of Anhui ProvinceRice Research InstituteAnhui Academy of Agricultural SciencesHefeiChina
| | - Hongjun Xie
- Key Laboratory of Indica Rice Genetics and Breeding in the middle and Lower Reaches of Yangtze River ValleyMinistry of AgricultureHunan Rice Research InstituteChangshaChina
| | - Juan Li
- Key Laboratory of Rice Genetic Breeding of Anhui ProvinceRice Research InstituteAnhui Academy of Agricultural SciencesHefeiChina
| | - Xiaoshuang Liu
- College of AgronomyAnhui Agricultural UniversityHefeiChina
- Key Laboratory of Rice Genetic Breeding of Anhui ProvinceRice Research InstituteAnhui Academy of Agricultural SciencesHefeiChina
| | - Mingdong Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Indica Rice Genetics and Breeding in the middle and Lower Reaches of Yangtze River ValleyMinistry of AgricultureHunan Rice Research InstituteChangshaChina
| | - Yang Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and ImprovementKey Laboratory of Plant Stress BiologySchool of Life SciencesHenan UniversityKaifengChina
| | - Yinghong Yu
- Key Laboratory of Indica Rice Genetics and Breeding in the middle and Lower Reaches of Yangtze River ValleyMinistry of AgricultureHunan Rice Research InstituteChangshaChina
| | - Pingli Lu
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Enzymology and Mechanism of Major DiseasesCollege of Life SciencesAnhui Normal UniversityWuhuChina
| | - Pengcheng Wei
- College of AgronomyAnhui Agricultural UniversityHefeiChina
- Key Laboratory of Rice Genetic Breeding of Anhui ProvinceRice Research InstituteAnhui Academy of Agricultural SciencesHefeiChina
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Chakravarti R, Lenka SK, Gautam A, Singh R, Ravichandiran V, Roy S, Ghosh D. A Review on CRISPR-Mediated Epigenome Editing: A Future Directive for Therapeutic Management of Cancer. Curr Drug Targets 2022; 23:836-853. [DOI: 10.2174/1389450123666220117105531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Abstract:
Recent studies have shed light on the role of epigenetic marks in certain diseases like cancer, type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM), obesity, and cardiovascular dysfunction, to name a few. Epigenetic marks like DNA methylation and histone acetylation are randomly altered in the disease state. It has been seen that methylation of DNA and histones can result in down-regulation of gene expression, whereas histone acetylation, ubiquitination, and phosphorylation are linked to enhanced expression of genes. How can we precisely target such epigenetic aberrations to prevent the advent of diseases? The answer lies in the amalgamation of the efficient genome editing technique, CRISPR, with certain effector molecules that can alter the status of epigenetic marks as well as employ certain transcriptional activators or repressors. In this review, we have discussed the rationale of epigenetic editing as a therapeutic strategy and how CRISPR-Cas9 technology coupled with epigenetic effector tags can efficiently edit epigenetic targets. In the later part, we have discussed how certain epigenetic effectors are tagged with dCas9 to elicit epigenetic changes in cancer. Increased interest in exploring the epigenetic background of cancer and non-communicable diseases like type II diabetes mellitus and obesity accompanied with technological breakthroughs has made it possible to perform large-scale epigenome studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rudra Chakravarti
- Department of Natural Products, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Kolkata, India
| | - Swadhin Kumar Lenka
- Department of Natural Products, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Kolkata, India
| | - Anupam Gautam
- Institute for Bioinformatics and Medical Informatics, University of Tübingen, Sand 14, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Rajveer Singh
- Department of Natural Products, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Kolkata, India
| | - Velayutham Ravichandiran
- Department of Natural Products, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Kolkata, India
| | - Syamal Roy
- CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Jadavpur, Kolkata, India
| | - Dipanjan Ghosh
- Department of Natural Products, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Kolkata, India
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Takasugi PR, Wang S, Truong KT, Drage EP, Kanishka SN, Higbee MA, Bamidele N, Ojelabi O, Sontheimer EJ, Gagnon JA. Orthogonal CRISPR-Cas tools for genome editing, inhibition, and CRISPR recording in zebrafish embryos. Genetics 2022; 220:iyab196. [PMID: 34735006 PMCID: PMC8733422 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyab196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-Cas universe continues to expand. The type II CRISPR-Cas system from Streptococcus pyogenes (SpyCas9) is the most widely used for genome editing due to its high efficiency in cells and organisms. However, concentrating on a single CRISPR-Cas system imposes limits on target selection and multiplexed genome engineering. We hypothesized that CRISPR-Cas systems originating from different bacterial species could operate simultaneously and independently due to their distinct single-guide RNAs (sgRNAs) or CRISPR-RNAs (crRNAs), and protospacer adjacent motifs (PAMs). Additionally, we hypothesized that CRISPR-Cas activity in zebrafish could be regulated through the expression of inhibitory anti-CRISPR (Acr) proteins. Here, we use a simple mutagenesis approach to demonstrate that CRISPR-Cas systems from S. pyogenes (SpyCas9), Streptococcus aureus (SauCas9), Lachnospiraceae bacterium (LbaCas12a, previously known as LbCpf1) are orthogonal systems capable of operating simultaneously in zebrafish. CRISPR systems from Acidaminococcus sp. (AspCas12a, previously known as AsCpf1) and Neisseria meningitidis (Nme2Cas9) were also active in embryos. We implemented multichannel CRISPR recording using three CRISPR systems and show that LbaCas12a may provide superior information density compared with previous methods. We also demonstrate that type II Acrs (anti-CRISPRs) are effective inhibitors of SpyCas9 in zebrafish. Our results indicate that at least five CRISPR-Cas systems and two anti-CRISPR proteins are functional in zebrafish embryos. These orthogonal CRISPR-Cas systems and Acr proteins will enable combinatorial and intersectional strategies for spatiotemporal control of genome editing and genetic recording in animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paige R Takasugi
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Shengzhou Wang
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Kimberly T Truong
- Department of Mathematics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Evan P Drage
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Sahar N Kanishka
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Marissa A Higbee
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Nathan Bamidele
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Ogooluwa Ojelabi
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Erik J Sontheimer
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - James A Gagnon
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
- Henry Eyring Center for Cell & Genome Science, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
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Zhang F, Huang Z. Mechanistic insights into the versatile class II CRISPR toolbox. Trends Biochem Sci 2021; 47:433-450. [PMID: 34920928 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2021.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2021] [Revised: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The constantly expanding group of class II CRISPR-Cas (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-associated) effectors and their engineered variants exhibit distinct editing modes and efficiency, fidelity, target range, and molecular size. Their enormous diversity of capabilities provides a formidable toolkit for a large array of technologies. We review the structural and biochemical mechanisms of versatile effector proteins from class II CRISPR-Cas systems to provide mechanistic insights into their target specificity, protospacer adjacent motif (PAM) restriction, and activity regulation, and discuss possible strategies to enhance genome-engineering tools in terms of accuracy, efficiency, applicability, and controllability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Zhang
- HIT Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150080, China
| | - Zhiwei Huang
- HIT Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150080, China.
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Self-inactivating, all-in-one AAV vectors for precision Cas9 genome editing via homology-directed repair in vivo. Nat Commun 2021; 12:6267. [PMID: 34725353 PMCID: PMC8560862 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26518-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors are important delivery platforms for therapeutic genome editing but are severely constrained by cargo limits. Simultaneous delivery of multiple vectors can limit dose and efficacy and increase safety risks. Here, we describe single-vector, ~4.8-kb AAV platforms that express Nme2Cas9 and either two sgRNAs for segmental deletions, or a single sgRNA with a homology-directed repair (HDR) template. We also use anti-CRISPR proteins to enable production of vectors that self-inactivate via Nme2Cas9 cleavage. We further introduce a nanopore-based sequencing platform that is designed to profile rAAV genomes and serves as a quality control measure for vector homogeneity. We demonstrate that these platforms can effectively treat two disease models [type I hereditary tyrosinemia (HT-I) and mucopolysaccharidosis type I (MPS-I)] in mice by HDR-based correction of the disease allele. These results will enable the engineering of single-vector AAVs that can achieve diverse therapeutic genome editing outcomes. Long-term expression of Cas9 following precision genome editing in vivo may lead to undesirable consequences. Here we show that a single-vector, self-inactivating AAV system containing Cas9 nuclease, guide, and DNA donor can use homology-directed repair to correct disease mutations in vivo.
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Ma S, Lv J, Feng Z, Rong Z, Lin Y. Get ready for the CRISPR/Cas system: A beginner's guide to the engineering and design of guide RNAs. J Gene Med 2021; 23:e3377. [PMID: 34270141 DOI: 10.1002/jgm.3377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2021] [Revised: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) system is a state-of-the-art tool for versatile genome editing that has advanced basic research dramatically, with great potential for clinic applications. The system consists of two key molecules: a CRISPR-associated (Cas) effector nuclease and a single guide RNA. The simplicity of the system has enabled the development of a wide spectrum of derivative methods. Almost any laboratory can utilize these methods, although new users may initially be confused when faced with the potentially overwhelming abundance of choices. Cas nucleases and their engineering have been systematically reviewed previously. In the present review, we discuss single guide RNA engineering and design strategies that facilitate more efficient, more specific and safer gene editing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shufeng Ma
- Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, National Clinical Research Center of Kidney Disease, Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research (Ministry of Education), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Nephrology, Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jie Lv
- Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, National Clinical Research Center of Kidney Disease, Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research (Ministry of Education), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zinan Feng
- Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, National Clinical Research Center of Kidney Disease, Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research (Ministry of Education), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhili Rong
- Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, National Clinical Research Center of Kidney Disease, Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research (Ministry of Education), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Dermatology Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Bioland Laboratory (Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory), Guangzhou, China
| | - Ying Lin
- Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, National Clinical Research Center of Kidney Disease, Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research (Ministry of Education), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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Ghanta KS, Chen Z, Mir A, Dokshin GA, Krishnamurthy PM, Yoon Y, Gallant J, Xu P, Zhang XO, Ozturk AR, Shin M, Idrizi F, Liu P, Gneid H, Edraki A, Lawson ND, Rivera-Pérez JA, Sontheimer EJ, Watts JK, Mello CC. 5'-Modifications improve potency and efficacy of DNA donors for precision genome editing. eLife 2021; 10:e72216. [PMID: 34665130 PMCID: PMC8568340 DOI: 10.7554/elife.72216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Nuclease-directed genome editing is a powerful tool for investigating physiology and has great promise as a therapeutic approach to correct mutations that cause disease. In its most precise form, genome editing can use cellular homology-directed repair (HDR) pathways to insert information from an exogenously supplied DNA-repair template (donor) directly into a targeted genomic location. Unfortunately, particularly for long insertions, toxicity and delivery considerations associated with repair template DNA can limit HDR efficacy. Here, we explore chemical modifications to both double-stranded and single-stranded DNA-repair templates. We describe 5'-terminal modifications, including in its simplest form the incorporation of triethylene glycol (TEG) moieties, that consistently increase the frequency of precision editing in the germlines of three animal models (Caenorhabditis elegans, zebrafish, mice) and in cultured human cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krishna S Ghanta
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical SchoolWorcesterUnited States
| | - Zexiang Chen
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical SchoolWorcesterUnited States
| | - Aamir Mir
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical SchoolWorcesterUnited States
| | - Gregoriy A Dokshin
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical SchoolWorcesterUnited States
| | | | - Yeonsoo Yoon
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Genes and Development, University of Massachusetts Medical SchoolWorcesterUnited States
| | - Judith Gallant
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Genes and Development, University of Massachusetts Medical SchoolWorcesterUnited States
| | - Ping Xu
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Genes and Development, University of Massachusetts Medical SchoolWorcesterUnited States
| | - Xiao-Ou Zhang
- Program in Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical SchoolWorcesterUnited States
| | - Ahmet Rasit Ozturk
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical SchoolWorcesterUnited States
| | - Masahiro Shin
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical SchoolWorcesterUnited States
| | - Feston Idrizi
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical SchoolWorcesterUnited States
| | - Pengpeng Liu
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical SchoolWorcesterUnited States
| | - Hassan Gneid
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical SchoolWorcesterUnited States
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Massachusetts Medical SchoolWorcesterUnited States
| | - Alireza Edraki
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical SchoolWorcesterUnited States
| | - Nathan D Lawson
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical SchoolWorcesterUnited States
- Li Weibo Institute for Rare Diseases Research, University of Massachusetts Medical SchoolWorcesterUnited States
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical SchoolWorcesterUnited States
| | - Jaime A Rivera-Pérez
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Genes and Development, University of Massachusetts Medical SchoolWorcesterUnited States
- Li Weibo Institute for Rare Diseases Research, University of Massachusetts Medical SchoolWorcesterUnited States
| | - Erik J Sontheimer
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical SchoolWorcesterUnited States
- Li Weibo Institute for Rare Diseases Research, University of Massachusetts Medical SchoolWorcesterUnited States
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical SchoolWorcesterUnited States
| | - Jonathan K Watts
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical SchoolWorcesterUnited States
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Massachusetts Medical SchoolWorcesterUnited States
- Li Weibo Institute for Rare Diseases Research, University of Massachusetts Medical SchoolWorcesterUnited States
| | - Craig C Mello
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical SchoolWorcesterUnited States
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical SchoolWorcesterUnited States
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical SchoolWorcesterUnited States
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Kozovska Z, Rajcaniova S, Munteanu P, Dzacovska S, Demkova L. CRISPR: History and perspectives to the future. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 141:111917. [PMID: 34328110 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Revised: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
This review summarizes the information about the history and future of the CRISPR/Cas9 method. Genome editing can be perceived as a group of technologies that allow scientists to change the DNA of an organism. These technologies involve the deletion, insertion, or modification of the genome at a specific site in a DNA sequence. Gene therapy in humans has a perspective to be used to eliminate the gene responsible for a particular genetic disorder. The review focuses on the key elements of this promising method and the possibility of its application in the treatment of cancer and genetic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z Kozovska
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Cancer Research Institute, Biomedical Research Center, University Science Park for Biomedicine, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, 84505 Bratislava, Slovakia.
| | - S Rajcaniova
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology of Drugs Faculty of Pharmacy, Comenius University, Odbojarov 10, 83232 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - P Munteanu
- Institute of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of chemical and food technology, Slovak Technical University, Radlinského 9, 81237 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - S Dzacovska
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University, Ilkovicova 6, 84215 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - L Demkova
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Cancer Research Institute, Biomedical Research Center, University Science Park for Biomedicine, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, 84505 Bratislava, Slovakia
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40
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Balderston S, Taulbee JJ, Celaya E, Fung K, Jiao A, Smith K, Hajian R, Gasiunas G, Kutanovas S, Kim D, Parkinson J, Dickerson K, Ripoll JJ, Peytavi R, Lu HW, Barron F, Goldsmith BR, Collins PG, Conboy IM, Siksnys V, Aran K. Discrimination of single-point mutations in unamplified genomic DNA via Cas9 immobilized on a graphene field-effect transistor. Nat Biomed Eng 2021; 5:713-725. [PMID: 33820980 DOI: 10.1038/s41551-021-00706-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Simple and fast methods for the detection of target genes with single-nucleotide specificity could open up genetic research and diagnostics beyond laboratory settings. We recently reported a biosensor for the electronic detection of unamplified target genes using liquid-gated graphene field-effect transistors employing an RNA-guided catalytically deactivated CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) anchored to a graphene monolayer. Here, using unamplified genomic samples from patients and by measuring multiple types of electrical response, we show that the biosensors can discriminate within one hour between wild-type and homozygous mutant alleles differing by a single nucleotide. We also show that biosensors using a guide RNA-Cas9 orthologue complex targeting genes within the protospacer-adjacent motif discriminated between homozygous and heterozygous DNA samples from patients with sickle cell disease, and that the biosensors can also be used to rapidly screen for guide RNA-Cas9 complexes that maximize gene-targeting efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Balderston
- Keck Graduate Institute, The Claremont Colleges, Claremont, CA, USA
- Cardea, San Diego, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Kandace Fung
- Keck Graduate Institute, The Claremont Colleges, Claremont, CA, USA
| | | | - Kasey Smith
- Keck Graduate Institute, The Claremont Colleges, Claremont, CA, USA
| | - Reza Hajian
- Keck Graduate Institute, The Claremont Colleges, Claremont, CA, USA
- Cardea, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Giedrius Gasiunas
- CasZyme, Vilnius, Lithuania
- Institute of Biotechnology, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | | | - Daehwan Kim
- University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Hsiang-Wei Lu
- Keck Graduate Institute, The Claremont Colleges, Claremont, CA, USA
- Cardea, San Diego, CA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Virginijus Siksnys
- CasZyme, Vilnius, Lithuania
- Institute of Biotechnology, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Kiana Aran
- Keck Graduate Institute, The Claremont Colleges, Claremont, CA, USA.
- Cardea, San Diego, CA, USA.
- University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA.
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41
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CRISPR-Cas technology based genome editing for modification of salinity stress tolerance responses in rice (Oryza sativa L.). Mol Biol Rep 2021; 48:3605-3615. [PMID: 33950408 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-021-06375-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-CRISPR associated protein (Cas) technology is an effective tool for site-specific genome editing, used to precisely induce mutagenesis in different plant species including rice. Salinity is one of the most stressful environmental constraints affecting agricultural productivity worldwide. As plant adaptation to salinity stress is under polygenic control therefore, 51 rice genes have been identified that play crucial role in response to salinity. This review offers an exclusive overview of genes identified in rice genome for salinity stress tolerance. This will provide an idea to produce rice varieties with enhanced salt tolerance using the potentially efficient CRISPR-Cas technology. Several undesirable off-target effects of CRISPR-Cas technology and their possible solutions have also been highlighted.
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42
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Murugan K, Suresh SK, Seetharam AS, Severin AJ, Sashital DG. Systematic in vitro specificity profiling reveals nicking defects in natural and engineered CRISPR-Cas9 variants. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:4037-4053. [PMID: 33744974 PMCID: PMC8053117 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Cas9 is an RNA-guided endonuclease in the bacterial CRISPR-Cas immune system and a popular tool for genome editing. The commonly used Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9 (SpCas9) is relatively non-specific and prone to off-target genome editing. Other Cas9 orthologs and engineered variants of SpCas9 have been reported to be more specific. However, previous studies have focused on specificity of double-strand break (DSB) or indel formation, potentially overlooking alternative cleavage activities of these Cas9 variants. In this study, we employed in vitro cleavage assays of target libraries coupled with high-throughput sequencing to systematically compare cleavage activities and specificities of two natural Cas9 variants (SpCas9 and Staphylococcus aureus Cas9) and three engineered SpCas9 variants (SpCas9 HF1, HypaCas9 and HiFi Cas9). We observed that all Cas9s tested could cleave target sequences with up to five mismatches. However, the rate of cleavage of both on-target and off-target sequences varied based on target sequence and Cas9 variant. In addition, SaCas9 and engineered SpCas9 variants nick targets with multiple mismatches but have a defect in generating a DSB, while SpCas9 creates DSBs at these targets. Overall, these differences in cleavage rates and DSB formation may contribute to varied specificities observed in genome editing studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karthik Murugan
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
- Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology Interdepartmental Program, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
| | - Shravanti K Suresh
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
| | - Arun S Seetharam
- Genome Informatics Facility, Office of Biotechnology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
| | - Andrew J Severin
- Genome Informatics Facility, Office of Biotechnology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
| | - Dipali G Sashital
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
- Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology Interdepartmental Program, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
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43
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Singh R, Chandel S, Ghosh A, Dey D, Chakravarti R, Roy S, Ravichandiran V, Ghosh D. Application of CRISPR/Cas System in the Metabolic Engineering of Small Molecules. Mol Biotechnol 2021; 63:459-476. [PMID: 33774733 DOI: 10.1007/s12033-021-00310-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) and their associated Cas protein technology area is rapidly growing technique for genome editing and modulation of transcription of several microbes. Successful engineering in microbes requires an emphasis on the aspect of efficiency and targeted aiming, which can be employed using CRISPR/Cas system. Hence, this type of system is used to modify the genome of several microbes such as yeast and bacteria. In recent years, CRISPR/Cas systems have been chosen for metabolic engineering in microbes due to their specificity, orthogonality, and efficacy. Therefore, we need to review the scheme which was acquired for the execution of the CRISPR/Cas system for the modification and metabolic engineering in yeast and bacteria. In this review, we highlighted the application of the CRISPR/Cas system which has been used for the production of small molecules in the microbial system that is chemically and biologically important.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajveer Singh
- Department of Natural Products, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Kolkata, 700054, India
| | - Shivani Chandel
- Department of Natural Products, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Kolkata, 700054, India
| | - Arijit Ghosh
- Department of Chemistry, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, 700009, India
| | - Dhritiman Dey
- Department of Natural Products, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Kolkata, 700054, India
| | - Rudra Chakravarti
- Department of Natural Products, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Kolkata, 700054, India
| | - Syamal Roy
- Department of Natural Products, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Kolkata, 700054, India
| | - V Ravichandiran
- Department of Natural Products, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Kolkata, 700054, India
| | - Dipanjan Ghosh
- Department of Natural Products, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Kolkata, 700054, India.
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44
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Hoffmann MD, Mathony J, Upmeier Zu Belzen J, Harteveld Z, Aschenbrenner S, Stengl C, Grimm D, Correia BE, Eils R, Niopek D. Optogenetic control of Neisseria meningitidis Cas9 genome editing using an engineered, light-switchable anti-CRISPR protein. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:e29. [PMID: 33330940 PMCID: PMC7969004 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkaa1198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2019] [Revised: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Optogenetic control of CRISPR–Cas9 systems has significantly improved our ability to perform genome perturbations in living cells with high precision in time and space. As new Cas orthologues with advantageous properties are rapidly being discovered and engineered, the need for straightforward strategies to control their activity via exogenous stimuli persists. The Cas9 from Neisseria meningitidis (Nme) is a particularly small and target-specific Cas9 orthologue, and thus of high interest for in vivo genome editing applications. Here, we report the first optogenetic tool to control NmeCas9 activity in mammalian cells via an engineered, light-dependent anti-CRISPR (Acr) protein. Building on our previous Acr engineering work, we created hybrids between the NmeCas9 inhibitor AcrIIC3 and the LOV2 blue light sensory domain from Avena sativa. Two AcrIIC3-LOV2 hybrids from our collection potently blocked NmeCas9 activity in the dark, while permitting robust genome editing at various endogenous loci upon blue light irradiation. Structural analysis revealed that, within these hybrids, the LOV2 domain is located in striking proximity to the Cas9 binding surface. Together, our work demonstrates optogenetic regulation of a type II-C CRISPR effector and might suggest a new route for the design of optogenetic Acrs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mareike D Hoffmann
- Dept. of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Medical Faculty, University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jan Mathony
- Centre for Synthetic Biology, Technical University of Darmstadt, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany.,Department of Biology, Technical University of Darmstadt,64287 Darmstadt, Germany.,PhD Student, BZH graduate school, Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Zander Harteveld
- Institute of Bioengineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne CH-1015, Switzerland.,Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB), Lausanne CH-1015, Switzerland
| | - Sabine Aschenbrenner
- Centre for Synthetic Biology, Technical University of Darmstadt, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany.,Department of Biology, Technical University of Darmstadt,64287 Darmstadt, Germany
| | | | - Dirk Grimm
- Dept. of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Medical Faculty, University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.,BioQuant, Cluster of Excellence CellNetworks, University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) and German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), partner site Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Bruno E Correia
- Institute of Bioengineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne CH-1015, Switzerland.,Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB), Lausanne CH-1015, Switzerland
| | - Roland Eils
- Digital Health Center, Berlin Institute of Health (BIH) and Charité, Berlin 10178, Germany.,Health Data Science Unit, BioQuant and Medical Faculty of Heidelberg University, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Dominik Niopek
- Centre for Synthetic Biology, Technical University of Darmstadt, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany.,Department of Biology, Technical University of Darmstadt,64287 Darmstadt, Germany
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45
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Rodríguez TC, Dadafarin S, Pratt HE, Liu P, Amrani N, Zhu LJ. Genome-wide detection and analysis of CRISPR-Cas off-targets. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2021; 181:31-43. [PMID: 34127199 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2021.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The clustered, regularly interspersed, short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) technology is revolutionizing biological studies and holds tremendous promise for treating human diseases. However, a significant limitation of this technology is that modifications can occur on off-target sites lacking perfect complementarity to the single guide RNA (sgRNA) or canonical protospacer-adjacent motif (PAM) sequence. Several in vivo and in vitro genome-wide off-target profiling approaches have been developed to inform on the fidelity of gene editing. Of these, GUIDE-seq has become one of the most widely adopted and reproducible methods. To allow users to easily analyze GUIDE-seq data generated on any sequencing platform, we developed an open-source pipeline, GS-Preprocess, that takes standard base-call output in bcl format and generate all required input data for off-target identification using bioconductor package GUIDEseq for off-target identification. Furthermore, we created a Docker image with GS-Proprocess, GUIDE-seq, and all its R and system dependencies already installed. The bundled pipeline will empower end users to streamline the analysis of GUIDE-seq data and motivate their use of higher throughput sequencing with increased multiplexing for GUIDE-seq experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomás C Rodríguez
- University of Massachusetts Medical School Medical Scientist Training Program, Worcester, MA, United States; RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States.
| | - Sina Dadafarin
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, United States
| | - Henry E Pratt
- University of Massachusetts Medical School Medical Scientist Training Program, Worcester, MA, United States; Program in Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - PengPeng Liu
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Nadia Amrani
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Lihua Julie Zhu
- Program in Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States; Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States.
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46
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Rahman MM, Tollefsbol TO. Targeting cancer epigenetics with CRISPR-dCAS9: Principles and prospects. Methods 2021; 187:77-91. [PMID: 32315755 PMCID: PMC7572534 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2020.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2020] [Revised: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer therapeutics is an ever-evolving field due to incessant demands for effective and precise treatment options. Over the last few decades, cancer treatment strategies have shifted somewhat from surgery to targeted precision medicine. CRISPR-dCas9 is an emerging version of precision cancer therapy that has been adapted from the prokaryotic CRISPR-Cas system. Once ligated to epigenetic effectors (EE), CRISPR-dCas9 can function as an epigenetic editing tool and CRISPR-dCas9-EE complexes could be exploited to alter cancerous epigenetic features associated with different cancer hallmarks. In this article, we discuss the rationale of epigenetic editing as a therapeutic strategy against cancer. We also outline how sgRNA-dCas9 was derived from the CRISPR-Cas system. In addition, the current status of sgRNA-dCas9 use (in vivo and in vitro) in cancer is updated with a molecular illustration of CRISPR-dCas9-mediated epigenetic and transcriptional modulation. As sgRNA-dCas9 is still at the developmental phase, challenges are inherent to its use. We evaluate major challenges in targeting cancer with sgRNA-dCas9 such as off-target effects, lack of sgRNA designing rubrics, target site selection dilemmas and deficient sgRNA-dCas9 delivery systems. Finally, we appraise the sgRNA-dCas9 as a prospective cancer therapeutic by summarizing ongoing improvements of sgRNA-dCas9 methodology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Mijanur Rahman
- Department of Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1300 University Boulevard, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
| | - Trygve O Tollefsbol
- Department of Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1300 University Boulevard, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; Comprehensive Center for Healthy Aging, University of Alabama Birmingham, 1530 3rd Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama Birmingham, 1802 6th Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; Nutrition Obesity Research Center, University of Alabama Birmingham, 1675 University Boulevard, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; Comprehensive Diabetes Center, University of Alabama Birmingham, 1825 University Boulevard, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
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47
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Wu H, Chen X, Zhang M, Wang X, Chen Y, Qian C, Wu J, Xu J. Versatile detection with CRISPR/Cas system from applications to challenges. Trends Analyt Chem 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trac.2020.116150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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48
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Collias D, Beisel CL. CRISPR technologies and the search for the PAM-free nuclease. Nat Commun 2021; 12:555. [PMID: 33483498 PMCID: PMC7822910 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-20633-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 132] [Impact Index Per Article: 44.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The ever-expanding set of CRISPR technologies and their programmable RNA-guided nucleases exhibit remarkable flexibility in DNA targeting. However, this flexibility comes with an ever-present constraint: the requirement for a protospacer adjacent motif (PAM) flanking each target. While PAMs play an essential role in self/nonself discrimination by CRISPR-Cas immune systems, this constraint has launched a far-reaching expedition for nucleases with relaxed PAM requirements. Here, we review ongoing efforts toward realizing PAM-free nucleases through natural ortholog mining and protein engineering. We also address potential consequences of fully eliminating PAM recognition and instead propose an alternative nuclease repertoire covering all possible PAM sequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daphne Collias
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695-7905, USA
| | - Chase L Beisel
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695-7905, USA.
- Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research (HIRI)/Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), 97080, Würzburg, Germany.
- Medical Faculty, University of Würzburg, 97080, Würzburg, Germany.
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49
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Sgro A, Blancafort P. Epigenome engineering: new technologies for precision medicine. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 48:12453-12482. [PMID: 33196851 PMCID: PMC7736826 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkaa1000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Revised: 10/10/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Chromatin adopts different configurations that are regulated by reversible covalent modifications, referred to as epigenetic marks. Epigenetic inhibitors have been approved for clinical use to restore epigenetic aberrations that result in silencing of tumor-suppressor genes, oncogene addictions, and enhancement of immune responses. However, these drugs suffer from major limitations, such as a lack of locus selectivity and potential toxicities. Technological advances have opened a new era of precision molecular medicine to reprogram cellular physiology. The locus-specificity of CRISPR/dCas9/12a to manipulate the epigenome is rapidly becoming a highly promising strategy for personalized medicine. This review focuses on new state-of-the-art epigenome editing approaches to modify the epigenome of neoplasms and other disease models towards a more 'normal-like state', having characteristics of normal tissue counterparts. We highlight biomolecular engineering methodologies to assemble, regulate, and deliver multiple epigenetic effectors that maximize the longevity of the therapeutic effect, and we discuss limitations of the platforms such as targeting efficiency and intracellular delivery for future clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agustin Sgro
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory, The Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Nedlands, Western Australia 6009, Australia.,School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Perth, Western Australia 6009, Australia
| | - Pilar Blancafort
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory, The Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Nedlands, Western Australia 6009, Australia.,School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Perth, Western Australia 6009, Australia.,The Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute, The University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
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50
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Liu Z, Chen S, Jia Y, Shan H, Chen M, Song Y, Lai L, Li Z. Efficient and high-fidelity base editor with expanded PAM compatibility for cytidine dinucleotide. SCIENCE CHINA-LIFE SCIENCES 2021; 64:1355-1367. [PMID: 33420918 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-020-1775-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Cytidine base editor (CBE), which is composed of a cytidine deaminase fused to Cas9 nickase, has been widely used to induce C-to-T conversions in a wide range of organisms. However, the targeting scope of current CBEs is largely restricted to protospacer adjacent motif (PAM) sequences containing G, T, or A bases. In this study, we developed a new base editor termed "nNme2-CBE" with excellent PAM compatibility for cytidine dinucleotide, significantly expanding the genome-targeting scope of CBEs. Using nNme2-CBE, targeted editing efficiencies of 29.0%-55.0% and 17.3%-52.5% were generated in human cells and rabbit embryos, respectively. In contrast to conventional nSp-CBE, the nNme2-CBE is a natural high-fidelity base editing platform with minimal DNA off-targeting detected in vivo. Significantly increased efficiency in GC context and precision were determined by combining nNme2Cas9 with rationally engineered cytidine deaminases. In addition, the Founder rabbits with accurate single-base substitutions at Fgf5 gene loci were successfully generated by using the nNme2-CBE system. These novel nNme2-CBEs with expanded PAM compatibility and high fidelity will expand the base editing toolset for efficient gene modification and therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiquan Liu
- Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062, China
| | - Siyu Chen
- Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062, China
| | - Yingqi Jia
- Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062, China
| | - Huanhuan Shan
- Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062, China
| | - Mao Chen
- Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062, China
| | - Yuning Song
- Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062, China
| | - Liangxue Lai
- Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062, China. .,CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, South China Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China. .,Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guang Dong Laboratory, Guangzhou, 510005, China. .,Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
| | - Zhanjun Li
- Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062, China.
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