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Jiang G, Gao Y, Zhou N, Wang B. CRISPR-powered RNA sensing in vivo. Trends Biotechnol 2024:S0167-7799(24)00094-5. [PMID: 38734565 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2024.04.002] [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: 01/25/2024] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
RNA sensing in vivo evaluates past or ongoing endogenous RNA disturbances, which is crucial for identifying cell types and states and diagnosing diseases. Recently, the CRISPR-driven genetic circuits have offered promising solutions to burgeoning challenges in RNA sensing. This review delves into the cutting-edge developments of CRISPR-powered RNA sensors in vivo, reclassifying these RNA sensors into four categories based on their working mechanisms, including programmable reassembly of split single-guide RNA (sgRNA), RNA-triggered RNA processing and protein cleavage, miRNA-triggered RNA interference (RNAi), and strand displacement reactions. Then, we discuss the advantages and challenges of existing methodologies in diverse application scenarios and anticipate and analyze obstacles and opportunities in forthcoming practical implementations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guo Jiang
- College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang, China; ZJU-Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 311200, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yuanli Gao
- College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang, China; ZJU-Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 311200, Zhejiang, China; School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3FF, UK
| | - Nan Zhou
- College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang, China; ZJU-Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 311200, Zhejiang, China
| | - Baojun Wang
- College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang, China; ZJU-Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 311200, Zhejiang, China.
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2
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Pacesa M, Pelea O, Jinek M. Past, present, and future of CRISPR genome editing technologies. Cell 2024; 187:1076-1100. [PMID: 38428389 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2024.01.042] [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: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
Genome editing has been a transformative force in the life sciences and human medicine, offering unprecedented opportunities to dissect complex biological processes and treat the underlying causes of many genetic diseases. CRISPR-based technologies, with their remarkable efficiency and easy programmability, stand at the forefront of this revolution. In this Review, we discuss the current state of CRISPR gene editing technologies in both research and therapy, highlighting limitations that constrain them and the technological innovations that have been developed in recent years to address them. Additionally, we examine and summarize the current landscape of gene editing applications in the context of human health and therapeutics. Finally, we outline potential future developments that could shape gene editing technologies and their applications in the coming years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Pacesa
- Laboratory of Protein Design and Immunoengineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne and Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Station 19, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Oana Pelea
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Martin Jinek
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
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3
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Bamidele N, Zhang H, Dong X, Cheng H, Gaston N, Feinzig H, Cao H, Kelly K, Watts JK, Xie J, Gao G, Sontheimer EJ. Domain-inlaid Nme2Cas9 adenine base editors with improved activity and targeting scope. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1458. [PMID: 38368418 PMCID: PMC10874451 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45763-5] [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: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Nme2Cas9 has been established as a genome editing platform with compact size, high accuracy, and broad targeting range, including single-AAV-deliverable adenine base editors. Here, we engineer Nme2Cas9 to further increase the activity and targeting scope of compact Nme2Cas9 base editors. We first use domain insertion to position the deaminase domain nearer the displaced DNA strand in the target-bound complex. These domain-inlaid Nme2Cas9 variants exhibit shifted editing windows and increased activity in comparison to the N-terminally fused Nme2-ABE. We next expand the editing scope by swapping the Nme2Cas9 PAM-interacting domain with that of SmuCas9, which we had previously defined as recognizing a single-cytidine PAM. We then use these enhancements to introduce therapeutically relevant edits in a variety of cell types. Finally, we validate domain-inlaid Nme2-ABEs for single-AAV delivery in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan Bamidele
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Han Zhang
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | | | - Haoyang Cheng
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Nicholas Gaston
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Hailey Feinzig
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Hanbing Cao
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Karen Kelly
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Jonathan K Watts
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- NeuroNexus Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Jun Xie
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Viral Vector Core, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical, School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Li Weibo Institute for Rare Diseases Research, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Guangping Gao
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Viral Vector Core, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical, School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Li Weibo Institute for Rare Diseases Research, 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.
- Li Weibo Institute for Rare Diseases Research, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA.
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Massachusetts, MA, 01605, USA.
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4
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Hu C, Myers MT, Zhou X, Hou Z, Lozen ML, Nam KH, Zhang Y, Ke A. Exploiting activation and inactivation mechanisms in type I-C CRISPR-Cas3 for genome-editing applications. Mol Cell 2024; 84:463-475.e5. [PMID: 38242128 PMCID: PMC10857747 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2023.12.034] [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: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2024]
Abstract
Type I CRISPR-Cas systems utilize the RNA-guided Cascade complex to identify matching DNA targets and the nuclease-helicase Cas3 to degrade them. Among the seven subtypes, type I-C is compact in size and highly active in creating large-sized genome deletions in human cells. Here, we use four cryoelectron microscopy snapshots to define its RNA-guided DNA binding and cleavage mechanisms in high resolution. The non-target DNA strand (NTS) is accommodated by I-C Cascade in a continuous binding groove along the juxtaposed Cas11 subunits. Binding of Cas3 further traps a flexible bulge in NTS, enabling NTS nicking. We identified two anti-CRISPR proteins AcrIC8 and AcrIC9 that strongly inhibit Neisseria lactamica I-C function. Structural analysis showed that AcrIC8 inhibits PAM recognition through allosteric inhibition, whereas AcrIC9 achieves so through direct competition. Both Acrs potently inhibit I-C-mediated genome editing and transcriptional modulation in human cells, providing the first off-switches for type I CRISPR eukaryotic genome engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunyi Hu
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, 253 Biotechnology Building, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA; Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science; Department of Biochemistry, Precision Medicine Translational Research Programme (TRP), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117597, Singapore
| | - Mason T Myers
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Xufei Zhou
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Zhonggang Hou
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Macy L Lozen
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Ki Hyun Nam
- College of General Education, Kookmin University, Seoul 02707, Republic of Korea
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
| | - Ailong Ke
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, 253 Biotechnology Building, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
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5
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D'Amato R, Taxiarchi C, Galardini M, Trusso A, Minuz RL, Grilli S, Somerville AGT, Shittu D, Khalil AS, Galizi R, Crisanti A, Simoni A, Müller R. Anti-CRISPR Anopheles mosquitoes inhibit gene drive spread under challenging behavioural conditions in large cages. Nat Commun 2024; 15:952. [PMID: 38296981 PMCID: PMC10830555 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-44907-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
CRISPR-based gene drives have the potential to spread within populations and are considered as promising vector control tools. A doublesex-targeting gene drive was able to suppress laboratory Anopheles mosquito populations in small and large cages, and it is considered for field application. Challenges related to the field-use of gene drives and the evolving regulatory framework suggest that systems able to modulate or revert the action of gene drives, could be part of post-release risk-mitigation plans. In this study, we challenge an AcrIIA4-based anti-drive to inhibit gene drive spread in age-structured Anopheles gambiae population under complex feeding and behavioural conditions. A stochastic model predicts the experimentally-observed genotype dynamics in age-structured populations in medium-sized cages and highlights the necessity of large-sized cage trials. These experiments and experimental-modelling framework demonstrate the effectiveness of the anti-drive in different scenarios, providing further corroboration for its use in controlling the spread of gene drive in Anopheles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocco D'Amato
- Genetics and Ecology Research Centre, Polo of Genomics, Genetics and Biology (Polo GGB), Terni, Italy
| | | | - Marco Galardini
- Biological Design Center, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
- Institute for Molecular Bacteriology, TWINCORE Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, a joint venture between the Hannover Medical School (MHH) and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Hannover, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence RESIST (EXC 2155), Hannover Medical School (MHH), Hannover, Germany
| | - Alessandro Trusso
- Genetics and Ecology Research Centre, Polo of Genomics, Genetics and Biology (Polo GGB), Terni, Italy
| | - Roxana L Minuz
- Genetics and Ecology Research Centre, Polo of Genomics, Genetics and Biology (Polo GGB), Terni, Italy
| | - Silvia Grilli
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | | | - Dammy Shittu
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Ahmad S Khalil
- Biological Design Center, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Roberto Galizi
- Centre for Applied Entomology and Parasitology, School of Life Sciences, Keele University, Keele, UK
| | - Andrea Crisanti
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Alekos Simoni
- Genetics and Ecology Research Centre, Polo of Genomics, Genetics and Biology (Polo GGB), Terni, Italy.
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK.
| | - Ruth Müller
- Genetics and Ecology Research Centre, Polo of Genomics, Genetics and Biology (Polo GGB), Terni, Italy.
- Unit of Entomology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium.
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6
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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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7
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Song G, Tian C, Li J, Zhang F, Peng Y, Gao X, Tian Y. Rapid characterization of anti-CRISPR proteins and optogenetically engineered variants using a versatile plasmid interference system. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:12381-12396. [PMID: 37930830 PMCID: PMC10711425 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad995] [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: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Anti-CRISPR (Acr) proteins are encoded by mobile genetic elements to overcome the CRISPR immunity of prokaryotes, displaying promises as controllable tools for modulating CRISPR-based applications. However, characterizing novel anti-CRISPR proteins and exploiting Acr-related technologies is a rather long and tedious process. Here, we established a versatile plasmid interference with CRISPR interference (PICI) system in Escherichia coli for rapidly characterizing Acrs and developing Acr-based technologies. Utilizing the PICI system, we discovered two novel type II-A Acrs (AcrIIA33 and AcrIIA34), which can inhibit the activity of SpyCas9 by affecting DNA recognition of Cas9. We further constructed a circularly permuted AcrIIA4 (cpA4) protein and developed optogenetically engineered, robust AcrIIA4 (OPERA4) variants by combining cpA4 with the light-oxygen-voltage 2 (LOV2) blue light sensory domain. OPERA4 variants are robust light-dependent tools for controlling the activity of SpyCas9 by approximately 1000-fold change under switching dark-light conditions in prokaryotes. OPERA4 variants can achieve potent light-controllable genome editing in human cells as well. Together, our work provides a versatile screening system for characterizing Acrs and developing the Acr-based controllable tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoxu Song
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetic Regulation and Intervention, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Chunhong Tian
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetic Regulation and Intervention, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jiahui Li
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetic Regulation and Intervention, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Fei Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetic Regulation and Intervention, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yuxin Peng
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetic Regulation and Intervention, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xing Gao
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetic Regulation and Intervention, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Yong Tian
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetic Regulation and Intervention, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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8
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Pfeifer BA, Beitelshees M, Hill A, Bassett J, Jones CH. Harnessing synthetic biology for advancing RNA therapeutics and vaccine design. NPJ Syst Biol Appl 2023; 9:60. [PMID: 38036580 PMCID: PMC10689799 DOI: 10.1038/s41540-023-00323-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent global events have drawn into focus the diversity of options for combatting disease across a spectrum of prophylactic and therapeutic approaches. The recent success of the mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines has paved the way for RNA-based treatments to revolutionize the pharmaceutical industry. However, historical treatment options are continuously updated and reimagined in the context of novel technical developments, such as those facilitated through the application of synthetic biology. When it comes to the development of genetic forms of therapies and vaccines, synthetic biology offers diverse tools and approaches to influence the content, dosage, and breadth of treatment with the prospect of economic advantage provided in time and cost benefits. This can be achieved by utilizing the broad tools within this discipline to enhance the functionality and efficacy of pharmaceutical agent sequences. This review will describe how synthetic biology principles can augment RNA-based treatments through optimizing not only the vaccine antigen, therapeutic construct, therapeutic activity, and delivery vector. The enhancement of RNA vaccine technology through implementing synthetic biology has the potential to shape the next generation of vaccines and therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blaine A Pfeifer
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | | | - Andrew Hill
- Pfizer, 66 Hudson Boulevard, New York, NY, 10001, USA
| | - Justin Bassett
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA
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9
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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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10
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Kauke-Navarro M, Noel OF, Knoedler L, Knoedler S, Panayi AC, Stoegner VA, Huelsboemer L, Pomahac B. Novel Strategies in Transplantation: Genetic Engineering and Vascularized Composite Allotransplantation. J Surg Res 2023; 291:176-186. [PMID: 37429217 DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2023.04.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 02/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Despite the clinical success in vascularized composite allotransplantation (VCA), systemic immunosuppression remains necessary to prevent allograft rejection. Even with potent immunosuppressive regimens (tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil, and steroids), most patients experience several rejection episodes, often within the same year. The risk of systemic side effects must constantly be weighed against the risk of under-immunosuppression and, thus, acute and chronic rejection. In this context, genomic editing has emerged as a potential tool to minimize the need for toxic immunosuppressive regimens and has gained attention in the fields of solid organ transplantation and xenotransplantation. This strategy may also be relevant for the future of VCA. METHODS We discuss the topic of genetic engineering and review recent developments in this field that justify investigating tools such as clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/Cas9 in the context of VCA. RESULTS We propose specific strategies for VCA based on the most recent gene expression data. This includes the well-known strategy of tolerance induction. Specifically, targeting the interaction between antigen-presenting cells and recipient-derived T cells by CD40 knockout may be effective. The novelty for VCA is a discovery that donor-derived T lymphocytes may play a special role in allograft rejection of facial transplants. We suggest targeting these cells prior to transplantation (e.g., by ex vivo perfusion of the transplant) by knocking out genes necessary for the long-term persistence of donor-derived immune cells in the allograft. CONCLUSION Despite the demonstrated feasibility of VCA in recent years, continued improvements to immunomodulatory strategies using tools like clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/Cas9 could lead to the development of approaches that mitigate the limitations associated with rejection of this life-giving procedure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Kauke-Navarro
- Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Yale New Haven Hospital, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Olivier F Noel
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Yale New Haven Hospital, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Leonard Knoedler
- Department of Plastic, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Samuel Knoedler
- Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Adriana C Panayi
- Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Viola A Stoegner
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Yale New Haven Hospital, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut; Department of Plastic, Aesthetic, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, Burn Center, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Lioba Huelsboemer
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Yale New Haven Hospital, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut; Institute of Musculoskeletal Medicine, University Hospital Muenster, Münster, Germany
| | - Bohdan Pomahac
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Yale New Haven Hospital, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut.
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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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Hu C, Myers MT, Zhou X, Hou Z, Lozen ML, Zhang Y, Ke A. Exploiting Activation and Inactivation Mechanisms in Type I-C CRISPR-Cas3 for Genome Editing Applications. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.05.552134. [PMID: 37577534 PMCID: PMC10418205 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.05.552134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
Type I CRISPR-Cas systems utilize the RNA-guided Cascade complex to identify matching DNA targets, and the nuclease-helicase Cas3 to degrade them. Among seven subtypes, Type I-C is compact in size and highly active in creating large-sized genome deletions in human cells. Here we use four cryo-electron microscopy snapshots to define its RNA-guided DNA binding and cleavage mechanisms in high resolution. The non-target DNA strand (NTS) is accommodated by I-C Cascade in a continuous binding groove along the juxtaposed Cas11 subunits. Binding of Cas3 further traps a flexible bulge in NTS, enabling efficient NTS nicking. We identified two anti-CRISPR proteins AcrIC8 and AcrIC9, that strongly inhibit N. lactamica I-C function. Structural analysis showed that AcrIC8 inhibits PAM recognition through direct competition, whereas AcrIC9 achieves so through allosteric inhibition. Both Acrs potently inhibit I-C-mediated genome editing and transcriptional modulation in human cells, providing the first off-switches for controllable Type I CRISPR genome engineering.
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13
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Sun W, Cheng Z, Wang J, Yang J, Li X, Wang J, Chen M, Yang X, Sheng G, Lou J, Wang Y. AcrIIC4 inhibits type II-C Cas9 by preventing R-loop formation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2303675120. [PMID: 37494395 PMCID: PMC10400994 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2303675120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Anti-CRISPR (Acr) proteins are encoded by phages and other mobile genetic elements and inhibit host CRISPR-Cas immunity using versatile strategies. AcrIIC4 is a broad-spectrum Acr that inhibits the type II-C CRISPR-Cas9 system in several species by an unknown mechanism. Here, we determined a series of structures of Haemophilus parainfluenzae Cas9 (HpaCas9)-sgRNA in complex with AcrIIC4 and/or target DNA, as well as the crystal structure of AcrIIC4 alone. We found that AcrIIC4 resides in the crevice between the REC1 and REC2 domains of HpaCas9, where its extensive interactions restrict the mobility of the REC2 domain and prevent the unwinding of target double-stranded (ds) DNA at the PAM-distal end. Therefore, the full-length guide RNA:target DNA heteroduplex fails to form in the presence of AcrIIC4, preventing Cas9 nuclease activation. Altogether, our structural and biochemical studies illuminate a unique Acr mechanism that allows DNA binding to the Cas9 effector complex but blocks its cleavage by preventing R-loop formation, a key step supporting DNA cleavage by Cas9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Sun
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100101, China
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100101, China
| | - Zhi Cheng
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100101, China
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100101, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100049, China
| | - Jiuyu Wang
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100101, China
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100101, China
| | - Jing Yang
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100101, China
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100101, China
| | - Xueyan Li
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100101, China
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100101, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100049, China
| | - Jinlong Wang
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100101, China
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100101, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100049, China
| | - Minxuan Chen
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100101, China
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100101, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100049, China
| | - Xiaoqi Yang
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100101, China
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100101, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100049, China
| | - Gang Sheng
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100101, China
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100101, China
| | - Jizhong Lou
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100101, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100049, China
| | - Yanli Wang
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100101, China
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100101, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100049, China
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14
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Choudhary N, Tandi D, Verma RK, Yadav VK, Dhingra N, Ghosh T, Choudhary M, Gaur RK, Abdellatif MH, Gacem A, Eltayeb LB, Alqahtani MS, Yadav KK, Jeon BH. A comprehensive appraisal of mechanism of anti-CRISPR proteins: an advanced genome editor to amend the CRISPR gene editing. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1164461. [PMID: 37426982 PMCID: PMC10328345 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1164461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
The development of precise and controlled CRISPR-Cas tools has been made possible by the discovery of protein inhibitors of CRISPR-Cas systems, called anti-CRISPRs (Acrs). The Acr protein has the ability to control off-targeted mutations and impede Cas protein-editing operations. Acr can help with selective breeding, which could help plants and animals improve their valuable features. In this review, the Acr protein-based inhibitory mechanisms that have been adopted by several Acrs, such as (a) the interruption of CRISPR-Cas complex assembly, (b) interference with target DNA binding, (c) blocking of target DNA/RNA cleavage, and (d) enzymatic modification or degradation of signalling molecules, were discussed. In addition, this review emphasizes the applications of Acr proteins in the plant research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nisha Choudhary
- Department of Biosciences, School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Mody University of Science and Technology, Lakshmangarh, Rajasthan, India
| | - Dipty Tandi
- Department of Biosciences, School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Mody University of Science and Technology, Lakshmangarh, Rajasthan, India
| | - Rakesh Kumar Verma
- Department of Biosciences, School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Mody University of Science and Technology, Lakshmangarh, Rajasthan, India
| | - Virendra Kumar Yadav
- Department of Biosciences, School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Mody University of Science and Technology, Lakshmangarh, Rajasthan, India
| | - Naveen Dhingra
- Department of Agriculture, Medi-Caps University, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Tathagata Ghosh
- Department of Arts, School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Mody University of Science and Technology, Lakshmangarh, Rajasthan, India
| | - Mahima Choudhary
- Department of Biosciences, School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Mody University of Science and Technology, Lakshmangarh, Rajasthan, India
| | - Rajarshi K. Gaur
- Department of Biotechnology, Deen Dayal Upadhyaya (D.D.U.) Gorakhpur University, Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Magda H. Abdellatif
- Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences, Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia
| | - Amel Gacem
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Sciences, University 20 Août 1955, Skikda, Algeria
| | - Lienda Bashier Eltayeb
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam Bin AbdulAziz University-Al-Kharj, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed S. Alqahtani
- Radiological Sciences Department, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
- Research Center for Advanced Materials Sciences (RCAMS), King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
| | - Krishna Kumar Yadav
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Madhyanchal Professional University, Ratibad, India
- Environmental and Atmospheric Sciences Research Group, Scientific Research Center, Al-Ayen University, Thi-Qar, Nasiriyah, Iraq
| | - Byong-Hun Jeon
- Department of Earth Resources and Environmental Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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15
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Kraus C, Sontheimer EJ. Applications of Anti-CRISPR Proteins in Genome Editing and Biotechnology. J Mol Biol 2023; 435:168120. [PMID: 37100169 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2023.168120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023]
Abstract
In the ten years since the discovery of the first anti-CRISPR (Acr) proteins, the number of validated Acrs has expanded rapidly, as has our understanding of the diverse mechanisms they employ to suppress natural CRISPR-Cas immunity. Many, though not all, function via direct, specific interaction with Cas protein effectors. The abilities of Acr proteins to modulate the activities and properties of CRISPR-Cas effectors have been exploited for an ever-increasing spectrum of biotechnological uses, most of which involve the establishment of control over genome editing systems. This control can be used to minimize off-target editing, restrict editing based on spatial, temporal, or conditional cues, limit the spread of gene drive systems, and select for genome-edited bacteriophages. Anti-CRISPRs have also been developed to overcome bacterial immunity, facilitate viral vector production, control synthetic gene circuits, and other purposes. The impressive and ever-growing diversity of Acr inhibitory mechanisms will continue to allow the tailored applications of Acrs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Erik J Sontheimer
- RNA Therapeutics Institute; Program in Molecular Medicine, and; Li Weibo Institute for Rare Diseases Research, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA.
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16
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Bamidele N, Zhang H, Dong X, Gaston N, Cheng H, Kelly K, Watts JK, Xie J, Gao G, Sontheimer EJ. Engineering Nme2Cas9 Adenine Base Editors with Improved Activity and Targeting Scope. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.14.536905. [PMID: 37131611 PMCID: PMC10153126 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.14.536905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Nme2Cas9 has been established as a genome editing platform with compact size, high accuracy, and broad targeting range, including single-AAV-deliverable adenine base editors. Here, we have engineered Nme2Cas9 to further increase the activity and targeting scope of compact Nme2Cas9 base editors. We first used domain insertion to position the deaminase domain nearer the displaced DNA strand in the target-bound complex. These domain-inlaid Nme2Cas9 variants exhibited shifted editing windows and increased activity in comparison to the N-terminally fused Nme2-ABE. We next expanded the editing scope by swapping the Nme2Cas9 PAM-interacting domain with that of SmuCas9, which we had previously defined as recognizing a single-cytidine PAM. We used these enhancements to correct two common MECP2 mutations associated with Rett syndrome with little or no bystander editing. Finally, we validated domain-inlaid Nme2-ABEs for single-AAV delivery in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan Bamidele
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, 01605, USA
| | - Han Zhang
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, 01605, USA
| | | | - Nicholas Gaston
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, 01605, USA
| | - Haoyang Cheng
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, 01605, USA
| | - Karen Kelly
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, 01605, USA
| | - Jonathan K. Watts
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, 01605, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, 01605, USA
- NeuroNexus Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, 01605, USA
| | - Jun Xie
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Viral Vector Core, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical, School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Li Weibo Institute for Rare Diseases Research, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, 01605, USA
| | - Guangping Gao
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Viral Vector Core, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical, School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Li Weibo Institute for Rare Diseases Research, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, 01605, USA
| | - Erik J. Sontheimer
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, 01605, USA
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, 01605, USA
- Li Weibo Institute for Rare Diseases Research, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, 01605, USA
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17
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Bondy-Denomy J, Maxwell KL, Davidson AR. Anti-CRISPR Proteins. J Mol Biol 2023; 435:168058. [PMID: 36958604 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2023.168058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/25/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Bondy-Denomy
- Department of Microbiology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA. https://twitter.com/@joeBondyDenomy
| | - Karen L Maxwell
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. https://twitter.com/@theMaxwellLab
| | - Alan R Davidson
- Department of Biochemistry, Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. https://twitter.com/@ARDavidson_UofT
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18
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Hwang S, Maxwell KL. Diverse Mechanisms of CRISPR-Cas9 Inhibition by Type II Anti-CRISPR Proteins. J Mol Biol 2023; 435:168041. [PMID: 36893938 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2023.168041] [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: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 02/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023]
Abstract
Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-Cas (CRISPR-associated proteins) systems provide bacteria and archaea with an adaptive immune response against invasion by mobile genetic elements like phages, plasmids, and transposons. These systems have been repurposed as very powerful biotechnological tools for gene editing applications in both bacterial and eukaryotic systems. The discovery of natural off-switches for CRISPR-Cas systems, known as anti-CRISPR proteins, provided a mechanism for controlling CRISPR-Cas activity and opened avenues for the development of more precise editing tools. In this review, we focus on the inhibitory mechanisms of anti-CRISPRs that are active against type II CRISPR-Cas systems and briefly discuss their biotechnological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sungwon Hwang
- Department of Biochemistry. University of Toronto, 661 University Avenue, Suite 1600, Toronto, ON M5G 1M1, Canada. https://twitter.com/s1hwang_21
| | - Karen L Maxwell
- Department of Biochemistry. University of Toronto, 661 University Avenue, Suite 1600, Toronto, ON M5G 1M1, Canada.
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19
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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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20
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Raguram A, Banskota S, Liu DR. Therapeutic in vivo delivery of gene editing agents. Cell 2022; 185:2806-2827. [PMID: 35798006 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2022.03.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 134] [Impact Index Per Article: 67.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 03/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
In vivo gene editing therapies offer the potential to treat the root causes of many genetic diseases. Realizing the promise of therapeutic in vivo gene editing requires the ability to safely and efficiently deliver gene editing agents to relevant organs and tissues in vivo. Here, we review current delivery technologies that have been used to enable therapeutic in vivo gene editing, including viral vectors, lipid nanoparticles, and virus-like particles. Since no single delivery modality is likely to be appropriate for every possible application, we compare the benefits and drawbacks of each method and highlight opportunities for future improvements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aditya Raguram
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Samagya Banskota
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - David R Liu
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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21
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Abstract
Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the developed world. In recent decades, extraordinary effort has been devoted to defining the molecular and pathophysiological characteristics of the diseased heart and vasculature. Mouse models have been especially powerful in illuminating the complex signaling pathways, genetic and epigenetic regulatory circuits, and multicellular interactions that underlie cardiovascular disease. The advent of CRISPR genome editing has ushered in a new era of cardiovascular research and possibilities for genetic correction of disease. Next-generation sequencing technologies have greatly accelerated the identification of disease-causing mutations, and advances in gene editing have enabled the rapid modeling of these mutations in mice and patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells. The ability to correct the genetic drivers of cardiovascular disease through delivery of gene editing components in vivo, while still facing challenges, represents an exciting therapeutic frontier. In this review, we provide an overview of cardiovascular disease mechanisms and the potential applications of CRISPR genome editing for disease modeling and correction. We also discuss the extent to which mice can faithfully model cardiovascular disease and the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Liu
- Department of Molecular Biology, Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas
| | - Eric N Olson
- Department of Molecular Biology, Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas
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22
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Zhang H, Bamidele N, Liu P, Ojelabi O, Gao XD, Rodriguez T, Cheng H, Kelly K, Watts JK, Xie J, Gao G, Wolfe SA, Xue W, Sontheimer EJ. Adenine Base Editing In Vivo with a Single Adeno-Associated Virus Vector. GEN BIOTECHNOLOGY 2022; 1:285-299. [PMID: 35811581 PMCID: PMC9258002 DOI: 10.1089/genbio.2022.0015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
Base editors (BEs) have opened new avenues for the treatment of genetic diseases. However, advances in delivery approaches are needed to enable disease targeting of a broad range of tissues and cell types. Adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors remain one of the most promising delivery vehicles for gene therapies. Currently, most BE/guide combinations and their promoters exceed the packaging limit (∼5 kb) of AAVs. Dual-AAV delivery strategies often require high viral doses that impose safety concerns. In this study, we engineered an adenine base editor (ABE) using a compact Cas9 from Neisseria meningitidis (Nme2Cas9). Compared with the well-characterized Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9-containing ABEs, ABEs using Nme2Cas9 (Nme2-ABE) possess a distinct protospacer adjacent motif (N4CC) and editing window, exhibit fewer off-target effects, and can efficiently install therapeutically relevant mutations in both human and mouse genomes. Importantly, we show that in vivo delivery of Nme2-ABE and its guide RNA by a single AAV vector can efficiently edit mouse genomic loci and revert the disease mutation and phenotype in an adult mouse model of tyrosinemia. We anticipate that Nme2-ABE, by virtue of its compact size and broad targeting range, will enable a range of therapeutic applications with improved safety and efficacy due in part to packaging in a single-vector system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Zhang
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Nathan Bamidele
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Pengpeng Liu
- Departments of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ogooluwa Ojelabi
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Xin D. Gao
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Tomás Rodriguez
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Haoyang Cheng
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Karen Kelly
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jonathan K. Watts
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
- Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
- NeuroNexus Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jun Xie
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
- Viral Vector Core, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
- Departments of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
- Li Weibo Institute for Rare Diseases Research, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Guangping Gao
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
- Viral Vector Core, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
- Departments of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
- Li Weibo Institute for Rare Diseases Research, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Scot A. Wolfe
- Departments of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
- Li Weibo Institute for Rare Diseases Research, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Wen Xue
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
- Departments of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
- Li Weibo Institute for Rare Diseases Research, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Erik J. Sontheimer
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
- Li Weibo Institute for Rare Diseases Research, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
- Address correspondence to: Erik J. Sontheimer, RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, 368 Plantation Street, AS5-2051, Worcester, MA 01605, USA,
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23
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Synthetic RNA-based post-transcriptional expression control methods and genetic circuits. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2022; 184:114196. [PMID: 35288218 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2022.114196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
RNA-based synthetic genetic circuits provide an alternative for traditional transcription-based circuits in applications where genomic integration is to be avoided. Incorporating various post-transcriptional control methods into such circuits allows for controlling the behaviour of the circuit through the detection of certain biomolecular inputs or reconstituting defined circuit behaviours, thus manipulating cellular functions. In this review, recent developments of various types of post-transcriptional control methods in mammalian cells are discussed as well as auxiliary components that allow for the creation and development of mRNA-based switches. How such post-transcriptional switches are combined into synthetic circuits as well as their applications in biomedical and preclinical settings are also described. Finally, we examine the challenges that need to be surmounted before RNA-based synthetic circuits can be reliably deployed into clinical settings.
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24
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Challis RC, Ravindra Kumar S, Chen X, Goertsen D, Coughlin GM, Hori AM, Chuapoco MR, Otis TS, Miles TF, Gradinaru V. Adeno-Associated Virus Toolkit to Target Diverse Brain Cells. Annu Rev Neurosci 2022; 45:447-469. [PMID: 35440143 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-neuro-111020-100834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Recombinant adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) are commonly used gene delivery vehicles for neuroscience research. They have two engineerable features: the capsid (outer protein shell) and cargo (encapsulated genome). These features can be modified to enhance cell type or tissue tropism and control transgene expression, respectively. Several engineered AAV capsids with unique tropisms have been identified, including variants with enhanced central nervous system transduction, cell type specificity, and retrograde transport in neurons. Pairing these AAVs with modern gene regulatory elements and state-of-the-art reporter, sensor, and effector cargo enables highly specific transgene expression for anatomical and functional analyses of brain cells and circuits. Here, we discuss recent advances that provide a comprehensive (capsid and cargo) AAV toolkit for genetic access to molecularly defined brain cell types. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Neuroscience, Volume 45 is July 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosemary C Challis
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, USA;
| | - Sripriya Ravindra Kumar
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, USA;
| | - Xinhong Chen
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, USA;
| | - David Goertsen
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, USA;
| | - Gerard M Coughlin
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, USA;
| | - Acacia M Hori
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, USA;
| | - Miguel R Chuapoco
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, USA;
| | - Thomas S Otis
- Sainsbury Wellcome Centre, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Timothy F Miles
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, USA;
| | - Viviana Gradinaru
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, USA;
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25
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Dykstra PB, Kaplan M, Smolke CD. Engineering synthetic RNA devices for cell control. Nat Rev Genet 2022; 23:215-228. [PMID: 34983970 PMCID: PMC9554294 DOI: 10.1038/s41576-021-00436-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The versatility of RNA in sensing and interacting with small molecules, proteins and other nucleic acids while encoding genetic instructions for protein translation makes it a powerful substrate for engineering biological systems. RNA devices integrate cellular information sensing, processing and actuation of specific signals into defined functions and have yielded programmable biological systems and novel therapeutics of increasing sophistication. However, challenges centred on expanding the range of analytes that can be sensed and adding new mechanisms of action have hindered the full realization of the field's promise. Here, we describe recent advances that address these limitations and point to a significant maturation of synthetic RNA-based devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter B. Dykstra
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Matias Kaplan
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Christina D. Smolke
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.,Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA, USA.,
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26
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Augmented lipid-nanoparticle-mediated in vivo genome editing in the lungs and spleen by disrupting Cas9 activity in the liver. Nat Biomed Eng 2022; 6:157-167. [DOI: 10.1038/s41551-022-00847-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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27
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Song G, Zhang F, Tian C, Gao X, Zhu X, Fan D, Tian Y. Discovery of potent and versatile CRISPR–Cas9 inhibitors engineered for chemically controllable genome editing. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:2836-2853. [PMID: 35188577 PMCID: PMC8934645 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Revised: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Anti-CRISPR (Acr) proteins are encoded by many mobile genetic elements (MGEs) such as phages and plasmids to combat CRISPR–Cas adaptive immune systems employed by prokaryotes, which provide powerful tools for CRISPR–Cas-based applications. Here, we discovered nine distinct type II-A anti-CRISPR (AcrIIA24–32) families from Streptococcus MGEs and found that most Acrs can potently inhibit type II-A Cas9 orthologs from Streptococcus (SpyCas9, St1Cas9 or St3Cas9) in bacterial and human cells. Among these Acrs, AcrIIA26, AcrIIA27, AcrIIA30 and AcrIIA31 are able to block Cas9 binding to DNA, while AcrIIA24 abrogates DNA cleavage by Cas9. Notably, AcrIIA25.1 and AcrIIA32.1 can inhibit both DNA binding and DNA cleavage activities of SpyCas9, exhibiting unique anti-CRISPR characteristics. Importantly, we developed several chemically inducible anti-CRISPR variants based on AcrIIA25.1 and AcrIIA32.1 by comprising hybrids of Acr protein and the 4-hydroxytamoxifen-responsive intein, which enabled post-translational control of CRISPR–Cas9-mediated genome editing in human cells. Taken together, our work expands the diversity of type II-A anti-CRISPR families and the toolbox of Acr proteins for the chemically inducible control of Cas9-based applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoxu Song
- CAS Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Fei Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Chunhong Tian
- CAS Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xing Gao
- CAS Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Zhu
- CAS Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Dongdong Fan
- CAS Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Yong Tian
- CAS Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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28
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Liu Z, Chen S, Lai L, Li Z. Inhibition of base editors with anti-deaminases derived from viruses. Nat Commun 2022; 13:597. [PMID: 35105899 PMCID: PMC8807840 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-28300-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Cytosine base editors (CBEs), combining cytidine deaminases with the Cas9 nickase (nCas9), enable targeted C-to-T conversions in genomic DNA and are powerful genome-editing tools used in biotechnology and medicine. However, the overexpression of cytidine deaminases in vivo leads to unexpected potential safety risks, such as Cas9-independent off-target effects. This risk makes the development of deaminase off switches for modulating CBE activity an urgent need. Here, we report the repurpose of four virus-derived anti-deaminases (Ades) that efficiently inhibit APOBEC3 deaminase-CBEs. We demonstrate that they antagonize CBEs by inhibiting the APOBEC3 catalytic domain, relocating the deaminases to the extranuclear region or degrading the whole CBE complex. By rationally engineering the deaminase domain, other frequently used base editors, such as CGBE, A&CBE, A&CGBE, rA1-CBE and ABE8e, can be moderately inhibited by Ades, expanding the scope of their applications. As a proof of concept, the Ades in this study dramatically decrease both Cas9-dependent and Cas9-independent off-target effects of CBEs better than traditional anti-CRISPRs (Acrs). Finally, we report the creation of a cell type-specific CBE-ON switch based on a microRNA-responsive Ade vector, showing its practicality. In summary, these natural deaminase-specific Ades are tools that can be used to regulate the genome-engineering functions of BEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiquan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062, China
| | - Siyu Chen
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062, China
| | - Liangxue Lai
- Key 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 (GRMH-GDL), Guangzhou, 510005, China.
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
| | - Zhanjun Li
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062, China.
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29
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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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30
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Vyas P, Harish. Anti-CRISPR proteins as a therapeutic agent against drug-resistant bacteria. Microbiol Res 2022; 257:126963. [PMID: 35033831 DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2022.126963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2021] [Revised: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The continuous deployment of various antibiotics to treat multiple serious bacterial infections leads to multidrug resistance among the bacterial population. It has failed the standard treatment strategies through different antibacterial agents and serves as a significant threat to public health worldwide at devastating levels. The discovery of anti-CRISPR proteins catches the interest of researchers around the world as a promising therapeutic agent against drug-resistant bacteria. Anti-CRISPR proteins are known to inhibit bacterial CRISPR-Cas defense systems in multiple possible ways. The CRISPR-Cas nucleoprotein assembly provides adaptive immunity in bacteria against diverse categories of phage infections. Parallelly, phages also try to break the CRISPR-Cas barrier by producing anti-CRISPR proteins, leading to growth inhibition and bacterial lysis. This review begins with a brief description of the bacterial CRISPR-Cas system, followed by a detailed portrayal of anti-CRISPR proteins, including their discovery and evolution, mechanism of action, regulation of expression, and potential applications in the healthcare sector as an alternative therapeutic strategy to combat severe bacterial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pallavi Vyas
- Plant Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Botany, Mohanlal Sukhadia University, Udaipur, 313 001, Rajasthan, India
| | - Harish
- Plant Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Botany, Mohanlal Sukhadia University, Udaipur, 313 001, Rajasthan, India.
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31
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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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32
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Chen S, Chen D, Liu B, Haisma HJ. Modulating CRISPR/Cas9 genome-editing activity by small molecules. Drug Discov Today 2021; 27:951-966. [PMID: 34823004 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2021.11.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (CRISPR/Cas9)-mediated genome engineering has become a standard procedure for creating genetic and epigenetic changes of DNA molecules in basic biology, biotechnology, and medicine. However, its versatile applications have been hampered by its overall low precise gene modification efficiency and uncontrollable prolonged Cas9 activity. Therefore, overcoming these problems could broaden the therapeutic use of CRISPR/Cas9-based technologies. Here, we review small molecules with the clinical potential to precisely modulate CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome-editing activity and discuss their mechanisms of action. Based on these data, we suggest that direct-acting small molecules for Cas9 are more suitable for precisely regulating Cas9 activity. These findings provide useful information for the identification of novel small-molecule enhancers and inhibitors of Cas9 and Cas9-associated endonucleases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siwei Chen
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Biology, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, Groningen 9713 AV, the Netherlands
| | - Deng Chen
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Biology, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, Groningen 9713 AV, the Netherlands
| | - Bin Liu
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Biology, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, Groningen 9713 AV, the Netherlands; RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA(1)
| | - Hidde J Haisma
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Biology, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, Groningen 9713 AV, the Netherlands.
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33
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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 2021; 220:6420709. [PMID: 34735006 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyab196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The 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 Streptococcus 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 to 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, Massachusetts 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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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: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [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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Yang L, Zhang Y, Yin P, Feng Y. Structural insights into the inactivation of the type I-F CRISPR-Cas system by anti-CRISPR proteins. RNA Biol 2021; 18:562-573. [PMID: 34606423 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2021.1985347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Phage infection is one of the major threats to prokaryotic survival, and prokaryotes in turn have evolved multiple protection approaches to fight against this challenge. Various delicate mechanisms have been discovered from this eternal arms race, among which the CRISPR-Cas systems are the prokaryotic adaptive immune systems and phages evolve diverse anti-CRISPR (Acr) proteins to evade this immunity. Until now, about 90 families of Acr proteins have been identified, out of which 24 families were verified to fight against subtype I-F CRISPR-Cas systems. Here, we review the structural and biochemical mechanisms of the characterized type I-F Acr proteins, classify their inhibition mechanisms into two major groups and provide insights for future studies of other Acr proteins. Understanding Acr proteins in this context will lead to a variety of practical applications in genome editing and also provide exciting insights into the molecular arms race between prokaryotes and phages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingguang Yang
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Bioprocess, State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China.,Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Natural Active Pharmaceutical Constituents, Department of Chemistry and Bioengineering, Yichun University, Yichun, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Bioprocess, State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Peipei Yin
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Bioprocess, State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China.,Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Natural Active Pharmaceutical Constituents, Department of Chemistry and Bioengineering, Yichun University, Yichun, China
| | - Yue Feng
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Bioprocess, State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China
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Zhang Y, Marchisio MA. Type II anti-CRISPR proteins as a new tool for synthetic biology. RNA Biol 2021; 18:1085-1098. [PMID: 32991234 PMCID: PMC8244766 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2020.1827803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2020] [Revised: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-Cas (CRISPR-associated proteins) system represents, in prokaryotes, an adaptive and inheritable immune response against invading DNA. The discovery of anti-CRISPR proteins (Acrs), which are inhibitors of CRISPR-Cas, mainly encoded by phages and prophages, showed a co-evolution history between prokaryotes and phages. In the past decade, the CRISPR-Cas systems together with the corresponding Acrs have been turned into a genetic-engineering tool. Among the six types of CRISPR-Cas characterized so far, type II CRISPR-Cas system is the most popular in biotechnology. Here, we discuss about the discovery, the reported inhibitory mechanisms, and the applications in both gene editing and gene transcriptional regulation of type II Acrs. Moreover, we provide insights into future potential research and feasible applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yadan Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
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Jia N, Patel DJ. Structure-based functional mechanisms and biotechnology applications of anti-CRISPR proteins. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2021; 22:563-579. [PMID: 34089013 DOI: 10.1038/s41580-021-00371-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
CRISPR loci and Cas proteins provide adaptive immunity in prokaryotes against invading bacteriophages and plasmids. In response, bacteriophages have evolved a broad spectrum of anti-CRISPR proteins (anti-CRISPRs) to counteract and overcome this immunity pathway. Numerous anti-CRISPRs have been identified to date, which suppress single-subunit Cas effectors (in CRISPR class 2, type II, V and VI systems) and multisubunit Cascade effectors (in CRISPR class 1, type I and III systems). Crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy structural studies of anti-CRISPRs bound to effector complexes, complemented by functional experiments in vitro and in vivo, have identified four major CRISPR-Cas suppression mechanisms: inhibition of CRISPR-Cas complex assembly, blocking of target binding, prevention of target cleavage, and degradation of cyclic oligonucleotide signalling molecules. In this Review, we discuss novel mechanistic insights into anti-CRISPR function that have emerged from X-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy studies, and how these structures in combination with function studies provide valuable tools for the ever-growing CRISPR-Cas biotechnology toolbox, to be used for precise and robust genome editing and other applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Jia
- Structural Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA. .,Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Dinshaw J Patel
- Structural Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
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Barkau CL, O'Reilly D, Eddington SB, Damha MJ, Gagnon KT. Small nucleic acids and the path to the clinic for anti-CRISPR. Biochem Pharmacol 2021; 189:114492. [PMID: 33647260 PMCID: PMC8725204 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2021.114492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2020] [Revised: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
CRISPR-based therapeutics have entered clinical trials but no methods to inhibit Cas enzymes have been demonstrated in a clinical setting. The ability to inhibit CRISPR-based gene editing or gene targeting drugs should be considered a critical step in establishing safety standards for many CRISPR-Cas therapeutics. Inhibitors can act as a failsafe or as an adjuvant to reduce off-target effects in patients. In this review we discuss the need for clinical inhibition of CRISPR-Cas systems and three existing inhibitor technologies: anti-CRISPR (Acr) proteins, small molecule Cas inhibitors, and small nucleic acid-based CRISPR inhibitors, CRISPR SNuBs. Due to their unique properties and the recent successes of other nucleic acid-based therapeutics, CRISPR SNuBs appear poised for clinical application in the near-term.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher L Barkau
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA
| | - Daniel O'Reilly
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Seth B Eddington
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA
| | - Masad J Damha
- Department of Chemistry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0B8, Canada
| | - Keith T Gagnon
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA.
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Palaz F, Kalkan AK, Can Ö, Demir AN, Tozluyurt A, Özcan A, Ozsoz M. CRISPR-Cas13 System as a Promising and Versatile Tool for Cancer Diagnosis, Therapy, and Research. ACS Synth Biol 2021; 10:1245-1267. [PMID: 34037380 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.1c00107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Over the past decades, significant progress has been made in targeted cancer therapy. In precision oncology, molecular profiling of cancer patients enables the use of targeted cancer therapeutics. However, current diagnostic methods for molecular analysis of cancer are costly and require sophisticated equipment. Moreover, targeted cancer therapeutics such as monoclonal antibodies and small-molecule drugs may cause off-target effects and they are available for only a minority of cancer driver proteins. Therefore, there is still a need for versatile, efficient, and precise tools for cancer diagnostics and targeted cancer treatment. In recent years, the CRISPR-based genome and transcriptome engineering toolbox has expanded rapidly. Particularly, the RNA-targeting CRISPR-Cas13 system has unique biochemical properties, making Cas13 a promising tool for cancer diagnosis, therapy, and research. Cas13-based diagnostic methods allow early detection and monitoring of cancer markers from liquid biopsy samples without the need for complex instrumentation. In addition, Cas13 can be used for targeted cancer therapy through degrading and manipulating cancer-associated transcripts with high efficiency and specificity. Moreover, Cas13-mediated programmable RNA manipulation tools offer invaluable opportunities for cancer research, identification of drug-resistance mechanisms, and discovery of novel therapeutic targets. Here, we review and discuss the current use and potential applications of the CRISPR-Cas13 system in cancer diagnosis, therapy, and research. Thus, researchers will gain a deep understanding of CRISPR-Cas13 technologies, which have the potential to be used as next-generation cancer diagnostics and therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fahreddin Palaz
- Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara 06100, Turkey
| | | | - Özgür Can
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Koc University, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
| | - Ayça Nur Demir
- Faculty of Medicine, Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University, Afyonkarahisar 03100, Turkey
| | - Abdullah Tozluyurt
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara 06100, Turkey
| | - Ahsen Özcan
- Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, TUBITAK Marmara Research Center, Kocaeli 41470, Turkey
| | - Mehmet Ozsoz
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Near East University, 10 Mersin, Nicosia, Turkey
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Smart Nucleic Acids as Future Therapeutics. Trends Biotechnol 2021; 39:1289-1307. [PMID: 33980422 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2021.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Nucleic acid therapeutics (NATs) hold promise in treating undruggable diseases and are recognized as the third major category of therapeutics in addition to small molecules and antibodies. Despite the milestones that NATs have made in clinical translation over the past decade, one important challenge pertains to increasing the specificity of this class of drugs. Activating NATs exclusively in disease-causing cells is highly desirable because it will safely broaden the application of NATs to a wider range of clinical indications. Smart NATs are triggered through a photo-uncaging reaction or a specific molecular input such as a transcript, protein, or small molecule, thus complementing the current strategy of targeting cells and tissues with receptor-specific ligands to enhance specificity. This review summarizes the programmable modalities that have been incorporated into NATs to build in responsive behaviors. We discuss the various inputs, transduction mechanisms, and output response functions that have been demonstrated to date.
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Wagner HJ, Weber W, Fussenegger M. Synthetic Biology: Emerging Concepts to Design and Advance Adeno-Associated Viral Vectors for Gene Therapy. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2021; 8:2004018. [PMID: 33977059 PMCID: PMC8097373 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202004018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Revised: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Three recent approvals and over 100 ongoing clinical trials make adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based vectors the leading gene delivery vehicles in gene therapy. Pharmaceutical companies are investing in this small and nonpathogenic gene shuttle to increase the therapeutic portfolios within the coming years. This prospect of marking a new era in gene therapy has fostered both investigations of the fundamental AAV biology as well as engineering studies to enhance delivery vehicles. Driven by the high clinical potential, a new generation of synthetic-biologically engineered AAV vectors is on the rise. Concepts from synthetic biology enable the control and fine-tuning of vector function at different stages of cellular transduction and gene expression. It is anticipated that the emerging field of synthetic-biologically engineered AAV vectors can shape future gene therapeutic approaches and thus the design of tomorrow's gene delivery vectors. This review describes and discusses the recent trends in capsid and vector genome engineering, with particular emphasis on synthetic-biological approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna J. Wagner
- Department of Biosystems Science and EngineeringETH ZurichMattenstrasse 26Basel4058Switzerland
- Faculty of BiologyUniversity of FreiburgSchänzlestraße 1Freiburg79104Germany
- Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSSUniversity of FreiburgSchänzlestraße 18Freiburg79104Germany
| | - Wilfried Weber
- Faculty of BiologyUniversity of FreiburgSchänzlestraße 1Freiburg79104Germany
- Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSSUniversity of FreiburgSchänzlestraße 18Freiburg79104Germany
| | - Martin Fussenegger
- Department of Biosystems Science and EngineeringETH ZurichMattenstrasse 26Basel4058Switzerland
- Faculty of ScienceUniversity of BaselKlingelbergstrasse 50Basel4056Switzerland
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42
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Dasgupta I, Flotte TR, Keeler AM. CRISPR/Cas-Dependent and Nuclease-Free In Vivo Therapeutic Gene Editing. Hum Gene Ther 2021; 32:275-293. [PMID: 33750221 PMCID: PMC7987363 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2021.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Precise gene manipulation by gene editing approaches facilitates the potential to cure several debilitating genetic disorders. Gene modification stimulated by engineered nucleases induces a double-stranded break (DSB) in the target genomic locus, thereby activating DNA repair mechanisms. DSBs triggered by nucleases are repaired either by the nonhomologous end-joining or the homology-directed repair pathway, enabling efficient gene editing. While there are several ongoing ex vivo genome editing clinical trials, current research underscores the therapeutic potential of CRISPR/Cas-based (clustered regularly interspaced short palindrome repeats-associated Cas nuclease) in vivo gene editing. In this review, we provide an overview of the CRISPR/Cas-mediated in vivo genome therapy applications and explore their prospective clinical translatability to treat human monogenic disorders. In addition, we discuss the various challenges associated with in vivo genome editing technologies and strategies used to circumvent them. Despite the robust and precise nuclease-mediated gene editing, a promoterless, nuclease-independent gene targeting strategy has been utilized to evade the drawbacks of the nuclease-dependent system, such as off-target effects, immunogenicity, and cytotoxicity. Thus, the rapidly evolving paradigm of gene editing technologies will continue to foster the progress of gene therapy applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ishani Dasgupta
- Department of Pediatrics, Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Terence R. Flotte
- Department of Pediatrics, Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Allison M. Keeler
- Department of Pediatrics, Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
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Shivram H, Cress BF, Knott GJ, Doudna JA. Controlling and enhancing CRISPR systems. Nat Chem Biol 2021; 17:10-19. [PMID: 33328654 PMCID: PMC8101458 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-020-00700-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Many bacterial and archaeal organisms use clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-CRISPR associated (CRISPR-Cas) systems to defend themselves from mobile genetic elements. These CRISPR-Cas systems are classified into six types based on their composition and mechanism. CRISPR-Cas enzymes are widely used for genome editing and offer immense therapeutic opportunity to treat genetic diseases. To realize their full potential, it is important to control the timing, duration, efficiency and specificity of CRISPR-Cas enzyme activities. In this Review we discuss the mechanisms of natural CRISPR-Cas regulatory biomolecules and engineering strategies that enhance or inhibit CRISPR-Cas immunity by altering enzyme function. We also discuss the potential applications of these CRISPR regulators and highlight unanswered questions about their evolution and purpose in nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haridha Shivram
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Innovative Genomics Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Brady F Cress
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Innovative Genomics Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Gavin J Knott
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Innovative Genomics Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jennifer A Doudna
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA.
- Innovative Genomics Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA.
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA.
- California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences (QB3), University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA.
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA.
- MBIB Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA.
- Gladstone Institutes, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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44
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Chung SH, Sin TN, Ngo T, Yiu G. CRISPR Technology for Ocular Angiogenesis. Front Genome Ed 2020; 2:594984. [PMID: 34713223 PMCID: PMC8525361 DOI: 10.3389/fgeed.2020.594984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Among genome engineering tools, Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)-based approaches have been widely adopted for translational studies due to their robustness, precision, and ease of use. When delivered to diseased tissues with a viral vector such as adeno-associated virus, direct genome editing can be efficiently achieved in vivo to treat different ophthalmic conditions. While CRISPR has been actively explored as a strategy for treating inherited retinal diseases, with the first human trial recently initiated, its applications for complex, multifactorial conditions such as ocular angiogenesis has been relatively limited. Currently, neovascular retinal diseases such as retinopathy of prematurity, proliferative diabetic retinopathy, and neovascular age-related macular degeneration, which together constitute the majority of blindness in developed countries, are managed with frequent and costly injections of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) agents that are short-lived and burdensome for patients. By contrast, CRISPR technology has the potential to suppress angiogenesis permanently, with the added benefit of targeting intracellular signals or regulatory elements, cell-specific delivery, and multiplexing to disrupt different pro-angiogenic factors simultaneously. However, the prospect of permanently suppressing physiologic pathways, the unpredictability of gene editing efficacy, and concerns for off-target effects have limited enthusiasm for these approaches. Here, we review the evolution of gene therapy and advances in adapting CRISPR platforms to suppress retinal angiogenesis. We discuss different Cas9 orthologs, delivery strategies, and different genomic targets including VEGF, VEGF receptor, and HIF-1α, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of genome editing vs. conventional gene therapies for multifactorial disease processes as compared to inherited monogenic retinal disorders. Lastly, we describe barriers that must be overcome to enable effective adoption of CRISPR-based strategies for the management of ocular angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Glenn Yiu
- Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Science, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
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Rosenblum D, Gutkin A, Kedmi R, Ramishetti S, Veiga N, Jacobi AM, Schubert MS, Friedmann-Morvinski D, Cohen ZR, Behlke MA, Lieberman J, Peer D. CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing using targeted lipid nanoparticles for cancer therapy. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2020; 6:6/47/eabc9450. [PMID: 33208369 PMCID: PMC7673804 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abc9450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 240] [Impact Index Per Article: 60.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Harnessing CRISPR-Cas9 technology for cancer therapeutics has been hampered by low editing efficiency in tumors and potential toxicity of existing delivery systems. Here, we describe a safe and efficient lipid nanoparticle (LNP) for the delivery of Cas9 mRNA and sgRNAs that use a novel amino-ionizable lipid. A single intracerebral injection of CRISPR-LNPs against PLK1 (sgPLK1-cLNPs) into aggressive orthotopic glioblastoma enabled up to ~70% gene editing in vivo, which caused tumor cell apoptosis, inhibited tumor growth by 50%, and improved survival by 30%. To reach disseminated tumors, cLNPs were also engineered for antibody-targeted delivery. Intraperitoneal injections of EGFR-targeted sgPLK1-cLNPs caused their selective uptake into disseminated ovarian tumors, enabled up to ~80% gene editing in vivo, inhibited tumor growth, and increased survival by 80%. The ability to disrupt gene expression in vivo in tumors opens new avenues for cancer treatment and research and potential applications for targeted gene editing of noncancerous tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Rosenblum
- Laboratory of Precision Nanomedicine, The Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
- Department of Materials Sciences and Engineering, Iby and Aladar Fleischman Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Cancer Biology Research Center, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Anna Gutkin
- Laboratory of Precision Nanomedicine, The Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
- Department of Materials Sciences and Engineering, Iby and Aladar Fleischman Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Cancer Biology Research Center, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ranit Kedmi
- Laboratory of Precision Nanomedicine, The Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
- Department of Materials Sciences and Engineering, Iby and Aladar Fleischman Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Cancer Biology Research Center, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Molecular Pathogenesis Program, The Kimmel Center for Biology and Medicine of the Skirball Institute, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Srinivas Ramishetti
- Laboratory of Precision Nanomedicine, The Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
- Department of Materials Sciences and Engineering, Iby and Aladar Fleischman Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Cancer Biology Research Center, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Nuphar Veiga
- Laboratory of Precision Nanomedicine, The Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
- Department of Materials Sciences and Engineering, Iby and Aladar Fleischman Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Cancer Biology Research Center, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | | | | | - Dinorah Friedmann-Morvinski
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Zvi R Cohen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat-Gan, and Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Mark A Behlke
- Integrated DNA Technologies Inc., Coralville, IA 52241, USA
| | - Judy Lieberman
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, and Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Dan Peer
- Laboratory of Precision Nanomedicine, The Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel.
- Department of Materials Sciences and Engineering, Iby and Aladar Fleischman Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Cancer Biology Research Center, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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Wang D, Zhang F, Gao G. CRISPR-Based Therapeutic Genome Editing: Strategies and In Vivo Delivery by AAV Vectors. Cell 2020; 181:136-150. [PMID: 32243786 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2020.03.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 266] [Impact Index Per Article: 66.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2020] [Revised: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The development of clustered regularly interspaced short-palindromic repeat (CRISPR)-based biotechnologies has revolutionized the life sciences and introduced new therapeutic modalities with the potential to treat a wide range of diseases. Here, we describe CRISPR-based strategies to improve human health, with an emphasis on the delivery of CRISPR therapeutics directly into the human body using adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors. We also discuss challenges facing broad deployment of CRISPR-based therapeutics and highlight areas where continued discovery and technological development can further advance these revolutionary new treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Wang
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA; RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Feng Zhang
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Department of Biological Engineering, McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Guangping Gao
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA; Li Weibo Institute for Rare Diseases Research, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA; Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA.
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Garcia B, Lee J, Edraki A, Hidalgo-Reyes Y, Erwood S, Mir A, Trost CN, Seroussi U, Stanley SY, Cohn RD, Claycomb JM, Sontheimer EJ, Maxwell KL, Davidson AR. Anti-CRISPR AcrIIA5 Potently Inhibits All Cas9 Homologs Used for Genome Editing. Cell Rep 2020; 29:1739-1746.e5. [PMID: 31722192 PMCID: PMC6910239 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.10.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2019] [Revised: 08/24/2019] [Accepted: 10/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas9 systems provide powerful tools for genome editing. However, optimal employment of this technology will require control of Cas9 activity so that the timing, tissue specificity, and accuracy of editing may be precisely modulated. Anti-CRISPR proteins, which are small, naturally occurring inhibitors of CRISPR-Cas systems, are well suited for this purpose. A number of anti-CRISPR proteins have been shown to potently inhibit subgroups of CRISPR-Cas9 systems, but their maximal inhibitory activity is generally restricted to specific Cas9 homologs. Since Cas9 homologs vary in important properties, differing Cas9s may be optimal for particular genome-editing applications. To facilitate the practical exploitation of multiple Cas9 homologs, here we identify one anti-CRISPR, called AcrIIA5, that potently inhibits nine diverse type II-A and type II-C Cas9 homologs, including those currently used for genome editing. We show that the activity of AcrIIA5 results in partial in vivo cleavage of a single-guide RNA (sgRNA), suggesting that its mechanism involves RNA interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca Garcia
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1M1, Canada
| | - Jooyoung Lee
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Alireza Edraki
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Yurima Hidalgo-Reyes
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1M1, Canada
| | - Steven Erwood
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1M1, Canada; Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Aamir Mir
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Chantel N Trost
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1M1, Canada
| | - Uri Seroussi
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1M1, Canada
| | - Sabrina Y Stanley
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1M1, Canada
| | - Ronald D Cohn
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1M1, Canada; Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada; Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto and The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada
| | - Julie M Claycomb
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1M1, Canada
| | - Erik J Sontheimer
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA; Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Karen L Maxwell
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1M1, Canada.
| | - Alan R Davidson
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1M1, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1M1, Canada.
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Vu A, McCray PB. New Directions in Pulmonary Gene Therapy. Hum Gene Ther 2020; 31:921-939. [PMID: 32814451 PMCID: PMC7495918 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2020.166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The lung has long been a target for gene therapy, yet efficient delivery and phenotypic disease correction has remained challenging. Although there have been significant advancements in gene therapies of other organs, including the development of several ex vivo therapies, in vivo therapeutics of the lung have been slower to transition to the clinic. Within the past few years, the field has witnessed an explosion in the development of new gene addition and gene editing strategies for the treatment of monogenic disorders. In this review, we will summarize current developments in gene therapy for cystic fibrosis, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, and surfactant protein deficiencies. We will explore the different gene addition and gene editing strategies under investigation and review the challenges of delivery to the lung.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amber Vu
- Stead Family Department of Pediatrics, Center for Gene Therapy, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Paul B. McCray
- Stead Family Department of Pediatrics, Center for Gene Therapy, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
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Abstract
The ability to edit DNA at the nucleotide level using clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) systems is a relatively new investigative tool that is revolutionizing the analysis of many aspects of human health and disease, including orthopaedic disease. CRISPR, adapted for mammalian cell genome editing from a bacterial defence system, has been shown to be a flexible, programmable, scalable, and easy-to-use gene editing tool. Recent improvements increase the functionality of CRISPR through the engineering of specific elements of CRISPR systems, the discovery of new, naturally occurring CRISPR molecules, and modifications that take CRISPR beyond gene editing to the regulation of gene transcription and the manipulation of RNA. Here, the basics of CRISPR genome editing will be reviewed, including a description of how it has transformed some aspects of molecular musculoskeletal research, and will conclude by speculating what the future holds for the use of CRISPR-related treatments and therapies in clinical orthopaedic practice. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2020;9(7):351–359.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie Fitzgerald
- Bone and Joint Center, Henry Ford Hospital, Integrative Biosciences Center, Detroit, Michigan, USA
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50
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Mathony J, Harteveld Z, Schmelas C, Upmeier Zu Belzen J, Aschenbrenner S, Sun W, Hoffmann MD, Stengl C, Scheck A, Georgeon S, Rosset S, Wang Y, Grimm D, Eils R, Correia BE, Niopek D. Computational design of anti-CRISPR proteins with improved inhibition potency. Nat Chem Biol 2020; 16:725-730. [PMID: 32284602 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-020-0518-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2019] [Revised: 02/12/2020] [Accepted: 03/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Anti-CRISPR (Acr) proteins are powerful tools to control CRISPR-Cas technologies. However, the available Acr repertoire is limited to naturally occurring variants. Here, we applied structure-based design on AcrIIC1, a broad-spectrum CRISPR-Cas9 inhibitor, to improve its efficacy on different targets. We first show that inserting exogenous protein domains into a selected AcrIIC1 surface site dramatically enhances inhibition of Neisseria meningitidis (Nme)Cas9. Then, applying structure-guided design to the Cas9-binding surface, we converted AcrIIC1 into AcrIIC1X, a potent inhibitor of the Staphylococcus aureus (Sau)Cas9, an orthologue widely applied for in vivo genome editing. Finally, to demonstrate the utility of AcrIIC1X for genome engineering applications, we implemented a hepatocyte-specific SauCas9 ON-switch by placing AcrIIC1X expression under regulation of microRNA-122. Our work introduces designer Acrs as important biotechnological tools and provides an innovative strategy to safeguard CRISPR technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Mathony
- Synthetic Biology Group, BioQuant Center, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Digital Health Center, Berlin Institute of Health (BIH) and Charité, Berlin, Germany
| | - Zander Harteveld
- Institute of Bioengineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Carolin Schmelas
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Virology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- BioQuant Center and Cluster of Excellence CellNetworks at Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Julius Upmeier Zu Belzen
- Synthetic Biology Group, BioQuant Center, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Digital Health Center, Berlin Institute of Health (BIH) and Charité, Berlin, Germany
- Health Data Science Unit, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sabine Aschenbrenner
- Synthetic Biology Group, BioQuant Center, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Digital Health Center, Berlin Institute of Health (BIH) and Charité, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Theoretical Bioinformatics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Wei Sun
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Mareike D Hoffmann
- Synthetic Biology Group, BioQuant Center, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Theoretical Bioinformatics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christina Stengl
- Synthetic Biology Group, BioQuant Center, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Andreas Scheck
- Institute of Bioengineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Sandrine Georgeon
- Institute of Bioengineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Stéphane Rosset
- Institute of Bioengineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Yanli Wang
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Dirk Grimm
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Virology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- BioQuant Center and Cluster of Excellence CellNetworks at Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) and German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Roland Eils
- Digital Health Center, Berlin Institute of Health (BIH) and Charité, Berlin, Germany
- Health Data Science Unit, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Bruno E Correia
- Institute of Bioengineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB), Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Dominik Niopek
- Synthetic Biology Group, BioQuant Center, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
- Health Data Science Unit, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
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