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Ma J, Zhang W, Rahimialiabadi S, Ganesh NU, Sun Z, Parvez S, Peterson RT, Yeh JRJ. Instantaneous visual genotyping and facile site-specific transgenesis via CRISPR-Cas9 and phiC31 integrase. Biol Open 2024; 13:bio061666. [PMID: 39225039 PMCID: PMC11391820 DOI: 10.1242/bio.061666] [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: 07/27/2024] [Accepted: 08/01/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Here, we introduce 'TICIT', targeted integration by CRISPR-Cas9 and integrase technologies, which utilizes the site-specific DNA recombinase - phiC31 integrase - to insert large DNA fragments into CRISPR-Cas9 target loci. This technique, which relies on first knocking in a 39-basepair phiC31 landing site via CRISPR-Cas9, enables researchers to repeatedly perform site-specific transgenesis at the exact genomic location with high precision and efficiency. We applied this approach to devise a method for the instantaneous determination of a zebrafish's genotype simply by examining its color. When a zebrafish mutant line must be propagated as heterozygotes due to homozygous lethality, employing this method allows facile identification of a population of homozygous mutant embryos even before the mutant phenotypes manifest. Thus, it should facilitate various downstream applications, such as large-scale chemical screens. We demonstrated that TICIT could also create reporter fish driven by an endogenous promoter. Further, we identified a landing site in the tyrosinase gene that could support transgene expression in a broad spectrum of tissue and cell types. In sum, TICIT enables site-specific DNA integration without requiring complex donor DNA construction. It can yield consistent transgene expression, facilitate diverse applications in zebrafish, and may be applicable to cells in culture and other model organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junyan Ma
- Department of Basic Medical Science, Quanzhou Medical College, Quanzhou, Fujian 362011, China
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA and Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Weiting Zhang
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA and Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Simin Rahimialiabadi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Nikkitha Umesh Ganesh
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA and Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Zhengwang Sun
- Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Saba Parvez
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Randall T Peterson
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Jing-Ruey Joanna Yeh
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA and Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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2
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Lalonde RL, Wells HH, Kemmler CL, Nieuwenhuize S, Lerma R, Burger A, Mosimann C. pIGLET: Safe harbor landing sites for reproducible and efficient transgenesis in zebrafish. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadn6603. [PMID: 38838146 PMCID: PMC11152119 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adn6603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
Standard zebrafish transgenesis involves random transgene integration with resource-intensive screening. While phiC31 integrase-based attP/attB recombination has streamlined transgenesis in mice and Drosophila, validated attP-based landing sites for universal applications are lacking in zebrafish. Here, we developed phiC31 Integrase Genomic Loci Engineered for Transgenesis (pIGLET) as transgenesis approach, with two attP landing sites pIGLET14a and pIGLET24b from well-validated Tol2 transgenes. Both sites facilitate diverse transgenesis applications including reporters and Cre/loxP transgenes. The pIGLET14a and pIGLET24b landing sites consistently yield 25 to 50% germline transmission, substantially reducing the resources needed for transgenic line generation. Transgenesis into these sites enables reproducible expression patterns in F0 zebrafish embryos for enhancer discovery and testing of gene regulatory variants. Together, our new landing sites streamline targeted, reproducible zebrafish transgenesis as a robust platform for various applications while minimizing the workload for generating transgenic lines.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Cassie L. Kemmler
- University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Department of Pediatrics, Section of Developmental Biology, 12801 E 17th Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Susan Nieuwenhuize
- University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Department of Pediatrics, Section of Developmental Biology, 12801 E 17th Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Raymundo Lerma
- University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Department of Pediatrics, Section of Developmental Biology, 12801 E 17th Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
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3
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Lalonde RL, Wells HH, Kemmler CL, Nieuwenhuize S, Lerma R, Burger A, Mosimann C. pIGLET: Safe harbor landing sites for reproducible and efficient transgenesis in zebrafish. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.08.570868. [PMID: 38106217 PMCID: PMC10723424 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.08.570868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Standard methods for transgenesis in zebrafish depend on random transgene integration into the genome followed by resource-intensive screening and validation. Targeted vector integration into validated genomic loci using phiC31 integrase-based attP/attB recombination has transformed mouse and Drosophila transgenesis. However, while the phiC31 system functions in zebrafish, validated loci carrying attP-based landing or safe harbor sites suitable for universal transgenesis applications in zebrafish have not been established. Here, using CRISPR-Cas9, we converted two well-validated single insertion Tol2-based zebrafish transgenes with long-standing genetic stability into two attP landing sites, called phiC31 Integrase Genomic Loci Engineered for Transgenesis (pIGLET). Generating fluorescent reporters, loxP-based Switch lines, CreERT2 drivers, and gene-regulatory variant reporters in the pIGLET14a and pIGLET24b landing site alleles, we document their suitability for transgenesis applications across cell types and developmental stages. For both landing sites, we routinely achieve 25-50% germline transmission of targeted transgene integrations, drastically reducing the number of required animals and necessary resources to generate individual transgenic lines. We document that phiC31 integrase-based transgenesis into pIGLET14a and pIGLET24b reproducibly results in representative reporter expression patterns in injected F0 zebrafish embryos suitable for enhancer discovery and qualitative and quantitative comparison of gene-regulatory element variants. Taken together, our new phiC31 integrase-based transgene landing sites establish reproducible, targeted zebrafish transgenesis for numerous applications while greatly reducing the workload of generating new transgenic zebrafish lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert L. Lalonde
- University of Colorado, School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Department of Pediatrics, Section of Developmental Biology, 12801 E 17th Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Harrison H. Wells
- University of Colorado, School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Department of Pediatrics, Section of Developmental Biology, 12801 E 17th Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Cassie L. Kemmler
- University of Colorado, School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Department of Pediatrics, Section of Developmental Biology, 12801 E 17th Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Susan Nieuwenhuize
- University of Colorado, School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Department of Pediatrics, Section of Developmental Biology, 12801 E 17th Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Raymundo Lerma
- University of Colorado, School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Department of Pediatrics, Section of Developmental Biology, 12801 E 17th Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Alexa Burger
- University of Colorado, School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Department of Pediatrics, Section of Developmental Biology, 12801 E 17th Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Christian Mosimann
- University of Colorado, School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Department of Pediatrics, Section of Developmental Biology, 12801 E 17th Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
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4
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Gödecke N, Herrmann S, Weichelt V, Wirth D. A Ubiquitous Chromatin Opening Element and DNA Demethylation Facilitate Doxycycline-Controlled Expression during Differentiation and in Transgenic Mice. ACS Synth Biol 2023; 12:482-491. [PMID: 36755406 PMCID: PMC9942253 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.2c00450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic expression cassettes provide the ability to control transgene expression in experimental animal models through external triggers, enabling the study of gene function and the modulation of endogenous regulatory networks in vivo. The performance of synthetic expression cassettes in transgenic animals critically depends on the regulatory properties of the respective chromosomal integration sites, which are affected by the remodeling of the chromatin structure during development. The epigenetic status may affect the transcriptional activity of the synthetic cassettes and even lead to transcriptional silencing, depending on the chromosomal sites and the tissue. In this study, we investigated the influence of the ubiquitous chromosome opening element (UCOE) HNRPA2B1-CBX3 and its subfragments A2UCOE and CBX3 on doxycycline-controlled expression modules within the chromosomal Rosa26 locus. While HNRPA2B1-CBX3 and A2UCOE reduced the expression of the synthetic cassettes in mouse embryonic stem cells, CBX3 stabilized the expression and facilitated doxycycline-controlled expression after in vitro differentiation. In transgenic mice, the CBX3 element protected the cassettes from overt silencing although the expression was moderate and only partially controlled by doxycycline. We demonstrate that CBX3-flanked synthetic cassettes can be activated by decitabine-mediated blockade of DNA methylation or by specific recruitment of the catalytic demethylation domain of the ten-eleven translocation protein TET1 to the synthetic promoter. This suggests that CBX3 renders the synthetic cassettes permissive for subsequent epigenetic activation, thereby supporting doxycycline-controlled expression. Together, this study reveals a strategy for overcoming epigenetic constraints of synthetic expression cassettes, facilitating externally controlled transgene expression in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natascha Gödecke
- RG
Model Systems for Infection and Immunity, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Sabrina Herrmann
- RG
Model Systems for Infection and Immunity, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Viola Weichelt
- RG
Model Systems for Infection and Immunity, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Dagmar Wirth
- RG
Model Systems for Infection and Immunity, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany,Institute
of Experimental Hematology, Medical University
Hannover (MHH), 30625 Hannover, Germany,
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5
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Biggs D, Chen CM, Davies B. Targeted Integration of Transgenes at the Mouse Gt(ROSA)26Sor Locus. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2631:299-323. [PMID: 36995674 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2990-1_13] [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: 04/27/2023]
Abstract
The targeting of transgenic constructs at single copy into neutral genomic loci avoids the unpredictable outcomes associated with conventional random integration approaches. The Gt(ROSA)26Sor locus on chromosome 6 has been used many times for the integration of transgenic constructs and is known to be permissive for transgene expression and disruption of the gene is not associated with a known phenotype. Furthermore, the transcript made from the Gt(ROSA)26Sor locus is ubiquitously expressed and subsequently the locus can be used to drive the ubiquitous expression of transgenes.Here we report a protocol for the generation of targeted transgenic alleles at Gt(ROSA)26Sor, taking as an example a conditional overexpression allele, by PhiC31 integrase/recombinase-mediated cassette exchange of an engineered Gt(ROSA)26Sor locus in mouse embryonic stem cells. The overexpression allele is initially silenced by the presence of a loxP flanked stop sequence but can be strongly activated through the action of Cre recombinase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Biggs
- Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Chiann-Mun Chen
- Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Benjamin Davies
- Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK.
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6
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Kuzmin AA, Tomilin AN. Building Blocks of Artificial CRISPR-Based Systems beyond Nucleases. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24:ijms24010397. [PMID: 36613839 PMCID: PMC9820447 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Tools developed in the fields of genome engineering, precise gene regulation, and synthetic gene networks have an increasing number of applications. When shared with the scientific community, these tools can be used to further unlock the potential of precision medicine and tissue engineering. A large number of different genetic elements, as well as modifications, have been used to create many different systems and to validate some technical concepts. New studies have tended to optimize or improve existing elements or approaches to create complex synthetic systems, especially those based on the relatively new CRISPR technology. In order to maximize the output of newly developed approaches and to move from proof-of-principle experiments to applications in regenerative medicine, it is important to navigate efficiently through the vast number of genetic elements to choose those most suitable for specific needs. In this review, we have collected information regarding the main genetic elements and their modifications, which can be useful in different synthetic systems with an emphasis of those based on CRISPR technology. We have indicated the most suitable elements and approaches to choose or combine in planning experiments, while providing their deeper understanding, and have also stated some pitfalls that should be avoided.
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7
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Cabrera A, Edelstein HI, Glykofrydis F, Love KS, Palacios S, Tycko J, Zhang M, Lensch S, Shields CE, Livingston M, Weiss R, Zhao H, Haynes KA, Morsut L, Chen YY, Khalil AS, Wong WW, Collins JJ, Rosser SJ, Polizzi K, Elowitz MB, Fussenegger M, Hilton IB, Leonard JN, Bintu L, Galloway KE, Deans TL. The sound of silence: Transgene silencing in mammalian cell engineering. Cell Syst 2022; 13:950-973. [PMID: 36549273 PMCID: PMC9880859 DOI: 10.1016/j.cels.2022.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
To elucidate principles operating in native biological systems and to develop novel biotechnologies, synthetic biology aims to build and integrate synthetic gene circuits within native transcriptional networks. The utility of synthetic gene circuits for cell engineering relies on the ability to control the expression of all constituent transgene components. Transgene silencing, defined as the loss of expression over time, persists as an obstacle for engineering primary cells and stem cells with transgenic cargos. In this review, we highlight the challenge that transgene silencing poses to the robust engineering of mammalian cells, outline potential molecular mechanisms of silencing, and present approaches for preventing transgene silencing. We conclude with a perspective identifying future research directions for improving the performance of synthetic gene circuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan Cabrera
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA; Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Hailey I Edelstein
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA; The Eli and Edythe Broad CIRM Center, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Fokion Glykofrydis
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033-9080, USA
| | - Kasey S Love
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Sebastian Palacios
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Josh Tycko
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Meng Zhang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Sarah Lensch
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Cara E Shields
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Mark Livingston
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Ron Weiss
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Synthetic Biology Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Huimin Zhao
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Karmella A Haynes
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Leonardo Morsut
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033-9080, USA
| | - Yvonne Y Chen
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy Center at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Ahmad S Khalil
- Biological Design Center and Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Wilson W Wong
- Biological Design Center and Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - James J Collins
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033-9080, USA; Synthetic Biology Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA; Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA; Harvard-MIT Program in Health Sciences and Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Susan J Rosser
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Karen Polizzi
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London, UK; Imperial College Centre for Synthetic Biology, South Kensington Campus, London, UK
| | - Michael B Elowitz
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Martin Fussenegger
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, Basel 4058, Switzerland; Faculty of Science, University of Basel, Mattenstrasse 26, Basel 4058, Switzerland
| | - Isaac B Hilton
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA
| | - Joshua N Leonard
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA; The Eli and Edythe Broad CIRM Center, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Lacramioara Bintu
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Kate E Galloway
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Tara L Deans
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA.
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8
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Episomes and Transposases-Utilities to Maintain Transgene Expression from Nonviral Vectors. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13101872. [PMID: 36292757 PMCID: PMC9601623 DOI: 10.3390/genes13101872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The efficient delivery and stable transgene expression are critical for applications in gene therapy. While carefully selected and engineered viral vectors allowed for remarkable clinical successes, they still bear significant safety risks. Thus, nonviral vectors are a sound alternative and avoid genotoxicity and adverse immunological reactions. Nonviral vector systems have been extensively studied and refined during the last decades. Emerging knowledge of the epigenetic regulation of replication and spatial chromatin organisation, as well as new technologies, such as Crispr/Cas, were employed to enhance the performance of different nonviral vector systems. Thus, nonviral vectors are in focus and hold some promising perspectives for future applications in gene therapy. This review addresses three prominent nonviral vector systems: the Sleeping Beauty transposase, S/MAR-based episomes, and viral plasmid replicon-based EBV vectors. Exemplarily, we review different utilities, modifications, and new concepts that were pursued to overcome limitations regarding stable transgene expression and mitotic stability. New insights into the nuclear localisation of nonviral vector molecules and the potential consequences thereof are highlighted. Finally, we discuss the remaining limitations and provide an outlook on possible future developments in nonviral vector technology.
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9
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Rashbrook VS, Brash JT, Ruhrberg C. Cre toxicity in mouse models of cardiovascular physiology and disease. NATURE CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH 2022; 1:806-816. [PMID: 37692772 PMCID: PMC7615056 DOI: 10.1038/s44161-022-00125-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
The Cre-LoxP system provides a widely used method for studying gene requirements in the mouse as the main mammalian genetic model organism. To define the molecular and cellular mechanisms that underlie cardiovascular development, function and disease, various mouse strains have been engineered that allow Cre-LoxP-mediated gene targeting within specific cell types of the cardiovascular system. Despite the usefulness of this system, evidence is accumulating that Cre activity can have toxic effects in cells, independently of its ability to recombine pairs of engineered LoxP sites in target genes. Here, we have gathered published evidence for Cre toxicity in cells and tissues relevant to cardiovascular biology and provide an overview of mechanisms proposed to underlie Cre toxicity. Based on this knowledge, we propose that each study utilising the Cre-LoxP system to investigate gene function in the cardiovascular system should incorporate appropriate controls to account for Cre toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria S. Rashbrook
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, 11-43 Bath Street, London EC1V 9EL, UK
| | - James T. Brash
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, 11-43 Bath Street, London EC1V 9EL, UK
| | - Christiana Ruhrberg
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, 11-43 Bath Street, London EC1V 9EL, UK
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10
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Kaur G, Porter CBM, Ashenberg O, Lee J, Riesenfeld SJ, Hofree M, Aggelakopoulou M, Subramanian A, Kuttikkatte SB, Attfield KE, Desel CAE, Davies JL, Evans HG, Avraham-Davidi I, Nguyen LT, Dionne DA, Neumann AE, Jensen LT, Barber TR, Soilleux E, Carrington M, McVean G, Rozenblatt-Rosen O, Regev A, Fugger L. Mouse fetal growth restriction through parental and fetal immune gene variation and intercellular communications cascade. Nat Commun 2022; 13:4398. [PMID: 35906236 PMCID: PMC9338297 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32171-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Fetal growth restriction (FGR) affects 5-10% of pregnancies, and can have serious consequences for both mother and child. Prevention and treatment are limited because FGR pathogenesis is poorly understood. Genetic studies implicate KIR and HLA genes in FGR, however, linkage disequilibrium, genetic influence from both parents, and challenges with investigating human pregnancies make the risk alleles and their functional effects difficult to map. Here, we demonstrate that the interaction between the maternal KIR2DL1, expressed on uterine natural killer (NK) cells, and the paternally inherited HLA-C*0501, expressed on fetal trophoblast cells, leads to FGR in a humanized mouse model. We show that the KIR2DL1 and C*0501 interaction leads to pathogenic uterine arterial remodeling and modulation of uterine NK cell function. This initial effect cascades to altered transcriptional expression and intercellular communication at the maternal-fetal interface. These findings provide mechanistic insight into specific FGR risk alleles, and provide avenues of prevention and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gurman Kaur
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Klarman Cell Observatory, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Caroline B M Porter
- Klarman Cell Observatory, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Orr Ashenberg
- Klarman Cell Observatory, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jack Lee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Samantha J Riesenfeld
- Klarman Cell Observatory, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Matan Hofree
- Klarman Cell Observatory, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Maria Aggelakopoulou
- Oxford Centre for Neuroinflammation, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Subita Balaram Kuttikkatte
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Kathrine E Attfield
- Oxford Centre for Neuroinflammation, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Christiane A E Desel
- Oxford Centre for Neuroinflammation, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- University Department of Neurology, University Hospital Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Jessica L Davies
- Oxford Centre for Neuroinflammation, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Hayley G Evans
- Oxford Centre for Neuroinflammation, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Inbal Avraham-Davidi
- Klarman Cell Observatory, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Lan T Nguyen
- Klarman Cell Observatory, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Danielle A Dionne
- Klarman Cell Observatory, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | - Lise Torp Jensen
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Thomas R Barber
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Elizabeth Soilleux
- Department of Pathology, Tennis Court Rd, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, England
| | - Mary Carrington
- Basic Science Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research in the Laboratory of Integrative Cancer Immunology, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Gil McVean
- Big Data Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Information and Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Orit Rozenblatt-Rosen
- Klarman Cell Observatory, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Genentech, 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Aviv Regev
- Klarman Cell Observatory, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Biology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD, USA.
- Genentech, 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Lars Fugger
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
- Oxford Centre for Neuroinflammation, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.
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11
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Malaguti M, Portero Migueles R, Annoh J, Sadurska D, Blin G, Lowell S. SyNPL: Synthetic Notch pluripotent cell lines to monitor and manipulate cell interactions in vitro and in vivo. Development 2022; 149:275525. [PMID: 35616331 PMCID: PMC9270970 DOI: 10.1242/dev.200226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Cell-cell interactions govern differentiation and cell competition in pluripotent cells during early development, but the investigation of such processes is hindered by a lack of efficient analysis tools. Here, we introduce SyNPL: clonal pluripotent stem cell lines that employ optimised Synthetic Notch (SynNotch) technology to report cell-cell interactions between engineered ‘sender’ and ‘receiver’ cells in cultured pluripotent cells and chimaeric mouse embryos. A modular design makes it straightforward to adapt the system for programming differentiation decisions non-cell-autonomously in receiver cells in response to direct contact with sender cells. We demonstrate the utility of this system by enforcing neuronal differentiation at the boundary between two cell populations. In summary, we provide a new adaptation of SynNotch technology that could be used to identify cell interactions and to profile changes in gene or protein expression that result from direct cell-cell contact with defined cell populations in culture and in early embryos, and that can be customised to generate synthetic patterning of cell fate decisions. Summary: Optimised Synthetic Notch circuitry in mouse pluripotent stem cells provides a modular tool with which to monitor cell-cell interactions and program synthetic patterning of cell fates in culture and in embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mattias Malaguti
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Rosa Portero Migueles
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Jennifer Annoh
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Daina Sadurska
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Guillaume Blin
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Sally Lowell
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK
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12
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Verdone BM, Cicardi ME, Wen X, Sriramoji S, Russell K, Markandaiah SS, Jensen BK, Krishnamurthy K, Haeusler AR, Pasinelli P, Trotti D. A mouse model with widespread expression of the C9orf72-linked glycine-arginine dipeptide displays non-lethal ALS/FTD-like phenotypes. Sci Rep 2022; 12:5644. [PMID: 35379876 PMCID: PMC8979946 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-09593-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Translation of the hexanucleotide G4C2 expansion associated with C9orf72 amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia (ALS/FTD) produces five different dipeptide repeat protein (DPR) species that can confer toxicity. There is yet much to learn about the contribution of a single DPR to disease pathogenesis. We show here that a short repeat length is sufficient for the DPR poly-GR to confer neurotoxicity in vitro, a phenomenon previously unobserved. This toxicity is also reported in vivo in our novel knock-in mouse model characterized by widespread central nervous system (CNS) expression of the short-length poly-GR. We observe sex-specific chronic ALS/FTD-like phenotypes in these mice, including mild motor neuron loss, but no TDP-43 mis-localization, as well as motor and cognitive impairments. We suggest that this model can serve as the foundation for phenotypic exacerbation through second-hit forms of stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandie Morris Verdone
- Jefferson Weinberg ALS Center, Department of Neuroscience, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Maria Elena Cicardi
- Jefferson Weinberg ALS Center, Department of Neuroscience, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Xinmei Wen
- Jefferson Weinberg ALS Center, Department of Neuroscience, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Sindhu Sriramoji
- Jefferson Weinberg ALS Center, Department of Neuroscience, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Katelyn Russell
- Jefferson Weinberg ALS Center, Department of Neuroscience, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Shashirekha S Markandaiah
- Jefferson Weinberg ALS Center, Department of Neuroscience, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Brigid K Jensen
- Jefferson Weinberg ALS Center, Department of Neuroscience, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Karthik Krishnamurthy
- Jefferson Weinberg ALS Center, Department of Neuroscience, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Aaron R Haeusler
- Jefferson Weinberg ALS Center, Department of Neuroscience, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Piera Pasinelli
- Jefferson Weinberg ALS Center, Department of Neuroscience, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Davide Trotti
- Jefferson Weinberg ALS Center, Department of Neuroscience, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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13
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Efficient targeted transgenesis of large donor DNA into multiple mouse genetic backgrounds using bacteriophage Bxb1 integrase. Sci Rep 2022; 12:5424. [PMID: 35361849 PMCID: PMC8971409 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-09445-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of mouse models of human disease and synthetic biology research by targeted transgenesis of large DNA constructs represent a significant genetic engineering hurdle. We developed an efficient, precise, single-copy integration of large transgenes directly into zygotes using multiple mouse genetic backgrounds. We used in vivo Bxb1 mediated recombinase-mediated cassette exchange (RMCE) with a transgene “landing pad” composed of dual heterologous Bxb1 attachment (att) sites in cis, within the Gt(ROSA)26Sor safe harbor locus. RMCE of donor was achieved by microinjection of vector DNA carrying cognate attachment sites flanking the donor transgene with Bxb1-integrase mRNA. This approach achieves perfect vector-free integration of donor constructs at efficiencies > 40% with up to ~ 43 kb transgenes. Coupled with a nanopore-based Cas9-targeted sequencing (nCATS), complete verification of precise insertion sequence was achieved. As a proof-of-concept we describe the development of C57BL/6J and NSG Krt18-ACE2 models for SARS-CoV2 research with verified heterozygous N1 animals within ~ 4 months. Additionally, we created a series of mice with diverse backgrounds carrying a single att site including FVB/NJ, PWK/PhJ, NOD/ShiLtJ, CAST/EiJ and DBA/2J allowing for rapid transgene insertion. Combined, this system enables predictable, rapid development with simplified characterization of precisely targeted transgenic animals across multiple genetic backgrounds.
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14
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Dolskiy AA, Gudymo AS, Taranov OS, Grishchenko IV, Shitik EM, Prokopov DY, Soldatov VO, Sobolevskaya EV, Bodnev SA, Danilchenko NV, Moiseeva AA, Torzhkova PY, Bulanovich YA, Onhonova GS, Ivleva EK, Kubekina MV, Belykh AE, Tregubchak TV, Ryzhikov AB, Gavrilova EV, Maksyutov RA, Deykin AV, Yudkin DV. The Tissue Distribution of SARS-CoV-2 in Transgenic Mice With Inducible Ubiquitous Expression of hACE2. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 8:821506. [PMID: 35118120 PMCID: PMC8804232 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.821506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The novel coronavirus disease COVID-19 has become one of the most socially significant infections. One of the main models for COVID-19 pathogenesis study and anti-COVID-19 drug development is laboratory animals sensitive to the virus. Herein, we report SARS-CoV-2 infection in novel transgenic mice conditionally expressing human ACE2 (hACE2), with a focus on viral distribution after intranasal inoculation. Transgenic mice carrying hACE2 under the floxed STOP cassette [(hACE2-LoxP(STOP)] were mated with two types of Cre-ERT2 strains (UBC-Cre and Rosa-Cre). The resulting offspring with temporal control of transgene expression were treated with tamoxifen to induce the removal of the floxed STOP cassette, which prevented hACE2 expression. Before and after intranasal inoculation, the mice were weighed and clinically examined. On Days 5 and 10, the mice were sacrificed for isolation of internal organs and the further assessment of SARS-CoV-2 distribution. Intranasal SARS-CoV-2 inoculation in hACE2-LoxP(STOP)×UBC-Cre offspring resulted in weight loss and death in 6 out of 8 mice. Immunostaining and focus formation assays revealed the most significant viral load in the lung, brain, heart and intestine samples. In contrast, hACE2-LoxP(STOP) × Rosa-Cre offspring easily tolerated the infection, and SARS-CoV-2 was detected only in the brain and lungs, whereas other studied tissues had null or negligible levels of the virus. Histological examination revealed severe alterations in the lungs, and mild changes were observed in the brain tissues. Notably, no changes were observed in mice without tamoxifen treatment. Thus, this novel murine model with the Cre-dependent activation of hACE2 provides a useful and safe tool for COVID-19 studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander A. Dolskiy
- State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology “Vector”, Rospotrebnadzor, World-Class Genomic Research Center for Biological Safety and Technological Independence, Federal Scientific and Technical Program on the Development of Genetic Technologies, Koltsovo, Russia
- *Correspondence: Alexander A. Dolskiy,
| | - Andrey S. Gudymo
- State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology “Vector”, Rospotrebnadzor, World-Class Genomic Research Center for Biological Safety and Technological Independence, Federal Scientific and Technical Program on the Development of Genetic Technologies, Koltsovo, Russia
| | - Oleg S. Taranov
- State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology “Vector”, Rospotrebnadzor, World-Class Genomic Research Center for Biological Safety and Technological Independence, Federal Scientific and Technical Program on the Development of Genetic Technologies, Koltsovo, Russia
| | - Irina V. Grishchenko
- State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology “Vector”, Rospotrebnadzor, World-Class Genomic Research Center for Biological Safety and Technological Independence, Federal Scientific and Technical Program on the Development of Genetic Technologies, Koltsovo, Russia
| | - Ekaterina M. Shitik
- State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology “Vector”, Rospotrebnadzor, World-Class Genomic Research Center for Biological Safety and Technological Independence, Federal Scientific and Technical Program on the Development of Genetic Technologies, Koltsovo, Russia
| | - Dmitry Yu Prokopov
- State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology “Vector”, Rospotrebnadzor, World-Class Genomic Research Center for Biological Safety and Technological Independence, Federal Scientific and Technical Program on the Development of Genetic Technologies, Koltsovo, Russia
| | - Vladislav O. Soldatov
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
- Laboratory of Genome Editing for Veterinary and Biomedicine, Belgorod State National Research University, Belgorod, Russia
| | - Elvira V. Sobolevskaya
- State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology “Vector”, Rospotrebnadzor, World-Class Genomic Research Center for Biological Safety and Technological Independence, Federal Scientific and Technical Program on the Development of Genetic Technologies, Koltsovo, Russia
| | - Sergey A. Bodnev
- State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology “Vector”, Rospotrebnadzor, World-Class Genomic Research Center for Biological Safety and Technological Independence, Federal Scientific and Technical Program on the Development of Genetic Technologies, Koltsovo, Russia
| | - Natalia V. Danilchenko
- State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology “Vector”, Rospotrebnadzor, World-Class Genomic Research Center for Biological Safety and Technological Independence, Federal Scientific and Technical Program on the Development of Genetic Technologies, Koltsovo, Russia
| | - Anastasia A. Moiseeva
- State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology “Vector”, Rospotrebnadzor, World-Class Genomic Research Center for Biological Safety and Technological Independence, Federal Scientific and Technical Program on the Development of Genetic Technologies, Koltsovo, Russia
| | - Polina Y. Torzhkova
- State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology “Vector”, Rospotrebnadzor, World-Class Genomic Research Center for Biological Safety and Technological Independence, Federal Scientific and Technical Program on the Development of Genetic Technologies, Koltsovo, Russia
| | - Yulia A. Bulanovich
- State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology “Vector”, Rospotrebnadzor, World-Class Genomic Research Center for Biological Safety and Technological Independence, Federal Scientific and Technical Program on the Development of Genetic Technologies, Koltsovo, Russia
| | - Galina S. Onhonova
- State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology “Vector”, Rospotrebnadzor, World-Class Genomic Research Center for Biological Safety and Technological Independence, Federal Scientific and Technical Program on the Development of Genetic Technologies, Koltsovo, Russia
| | - Elena K. Ivleva
- State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology “Vector”, Rospotrebnadzor, World-Class Genomic Research Center for Biological Safety and Technological Independence, Federal Scientific and Technical Program on the Development of Genetic Technologies, Koltsovo, Russia
| | - Marina V. Kubekina
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Andrey E. Belykh
- Research Institute of General Pathology, Kursk State Medical University, Kursk, Russia
| | - Tatiana V. Tregubchak
- State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology “Vector”, Rospotrebnadzor, World-Class Genomic Research Center for Biological Safety and Technological Independence, Federal Scientific and Technical Program on the Development of Genetic Technologies, Koltsovo, Russia
| | - Alexander B. Ryzhikov
- State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology “Vector”, Rospotrebnadzor, World-Class Genomic Research Center for Biological Safety and Technological Independence, Federal Scientific and Technical Program on the Development of Genetic Technologies, Koltsovo, Russia
| | - Elena V. Gavrilova
- State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology “Vector”, Rospotrebnadzor, World-Class Genomic Research Center for Biological Safety and Technological Independence, Federal Scientific and Technical Program on the Development of Genetic Technologies, Koltsovo, Russia
| | - Rinat A. Maksyutov
- State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology “Vector”, Rospotrebnadzor, World-Class Genomic Research Center for Biological Safety and Technological Independence, Federal Scientific and Technical Program on the Development of Genetic Technologies, Koltsovo, Russia
| | - Alexey V. Deykin
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
- Laboratory of Genome Editing for Veterinary and Biomedicine, Belgorod State National Research University, Belgorod, Russia
| | - Dmitry V. Yudkin
- State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology “Vector”, Rospotrebnadzor, World-Class Genomic Research Center for Biological Safety and Technological Independence, Federal Scientific and Technical Program on the Development of Genetic Technologies, Koltsovo, Russia
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15
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Zervou S, McAndrew DJ, Whittington HJ, Lake HA, Park KC, Cha KM, Ostrowski PJ, Eykyn TR, Schneider JE, Neubauer S, Lygate CA. Subtle Role for Adenylate Kinase 1 in Maintaining Normal Basal Contractile Function and Metabolism in the Murine Heart. Front Physiol 2021; 12:623969. [PMID: 33867998 PMCID: PMC8044416 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.623969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Aims Adenylate kinase 1 (AK1) catalyses the reaction 2ADP ↔ ATP + AMP, extracting extra energy under metabolic stress and promoting energetic homeostasis. We hypothesised that increased AK1 activity would have negligible effects at rest, but protect against ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Methods and Results Cardiac-specific AK1 overexpressing mice (AK1-OE) had 31% higher AK1 activity (P = 0.009), with unchanged total creatine kinase and citrate synthase activities. Male AK1-OE exhibited mild in vivo dysfunction at baseline with lower LV pressure, impaired relaxation, and contractile reserve. LV weight was 19% higher in AK1-OE males due to higher tissue water content in the absence of hypertrophy or fibrosis. AK1-OE hearts had significantly raised creatine, unaltered total adenine nucleotides, and 20% higher AMP levels (P = 0.05), but AMP-activated protein kinase was not activated (P = 0.85). 1H-NMR revealed significant differences in LV metabolite levels compared to wild-type, with aspartate, tyrosine, sphingomyelin, cholesterol all elevated, whereas taurine and triglycerides were significantly lower. Ex vivo global no-flow I/R, caused four-of-seven AK1-OE hearts to develop terminal arrhythmia (cf. zero WT), yet surviving AK1-OE hearts had improved functional recovery. However, AK1-OE did not influence infarct size in vivo and arrhythmias were only observed ex vivo, probably as an artefact of adenine nucleotide loss during cannulation. Conclusion Modest elevation of AK1 may improve functional recovery following I/R, but has unexpected impact on LV weight, function and metabolite levels under basal resting conditions, suggesting a more nuanced role for AK1 underpinning myocardial energy homeostasis and not just as a response to stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sevasti Zervou
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,British Heart Foundation Centre for Research Excellence, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Debra J McAndrew
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,British Heart Foundation Centre for Research Excellence, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Hannah J Whittington
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,British Heart Foundation Centre for Research Excellence, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Hannah A Lake
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,British Heart Foundation Centre for Research Excellence, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Kyung Chan Park
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,British Heart Foundation Centre for Research Excellence, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,Department of Physiology Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Kuan Minn Cha
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,British Heart Foundation Centre for Research Excellence, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Philip J Ostrowski
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,British Heart Foundation Centre for Research Excellence, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas R Eykyn
- British Heart Foundation Centre for Research Excellence, King's College London, St. Thomas Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jürgen E Schneider
- Experimental and Preclinical Imaging Centre (ePIC), Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Stefan Neubauer
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,British Heart Foundation Centre for Research Excellence, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Craig A Lygate
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,British Heart Foundation Centre for Research Excellence, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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16
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Kruse RL, Barzi M, Legras X, Pankowicz FP, Furey N, Liao L, Xu J, Bissig-Choisat B, Slagle BL, Bissig KD. A hepatitis B virus transgenic mouse model with a conditional, recombinant, episomal genome. JHEP Rep 2021; 3:100252. [PMID: 33733079 PMCID: PMC7940981 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2021.100252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Revised: 12/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Background & Aims Development of new and more effective therapies against hepatitis B virus (HBV) is limited by the lack of suitable small animal models. The HBV transgenic mouse model containing an integrated overlength 1.3-mer construct has yielded crucial insights, but this model unfortunately lacks covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA), the episomal HBV transcriptional template, and cannot be cured given that HBV is integrated in every cell. Methods To solve these 2 problems, we generated a novel transgenic mouse (HBV1.1X), which generates an excisable circular HBV genome using Cre/LoxP technology. This model possesses a HBV1.1-mer cassette knocked into the ROSA26 locus and is designed for stable expression of viral proteins from birth, like the current HBV transgenic mouse model, before genomic excision with the introduction of Cre recombinase. Results We demonstrated induction of recombinant cccDNA (rcccDNA) formation via viral or transgenic Cre expression in HBV1.1X mice, and the ability to regulate HBsAg and HBc expression with Cre in mice. Tamoxifen-inducible Cre could markedly downregulate baseline HBsAg levels from the integrated HBV genome. To demonstrate clearance of HBV from HBV1.1X mice, we administered adenovirus expressing Cre, which permanently and significantly reduced HBsAg and core antigen levels in the murine liver via rcccDNA excision and a subsequent immune response. Conclusions The HBV1.1X model is the first Cre-regulatable HBV transgenic mouse model and should be of value to mimic chronic HBV infection, with neonatal expression and tolerance of HBV antigens, and on-demand modulation of HBV expression. Lay summary Hepatitis B virus (HBV) can only naturally infect humans and chimpanzees. Mouse models have been developed with the HBV genome integrated into mouse chromosomes, but this prevents mice from being cured. We developed a new transgenic mouse model that allows for HBV to be excised from mouse chromosomes to form a recombinant circular DNA molecule resembling the natural circular HBV genome. HBV expression could be reduced in these mice, enabling curative therapies to be tested in this new mouse model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert L Kruse
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston Methodist Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Medical Scientist Training Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Mercedes Barzi
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Medical Genetics, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.,Y.T. and Alice Chen Pediatric Genetics and Genomics Research Center, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Xavier Legras
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Medical Genetics, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.,Y.T. and Alice Chen Pediatric Genetics and Genomics Research Center, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Francis P Pankowicz
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston Methodist Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Nika Furey
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston Methodist Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Division of Medical Genetics, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.,Y.T. and Alice Chen Pediatric Genetics and Genomics Research Center, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Lan Liao
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Janming Xu
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Beatrice Bissig-Choisat
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston Methodist Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Division of Medical Genetics, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.,Y.T. and Alice Chen Pediatric Genetics and Genomics Research Center, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Betty L Slagle
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Karl-Dimiter Bissig
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston Methodist Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Division of Medical Genetics, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.,Y.T. and Alice Chen Pediatric Genetics and Genomics Research Center, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.,Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Duke Center for Virology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.,Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
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17
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Ijaz F, Ikegami K. Knock-in of Labeled Proteins into 5'UTR Enables Highly Efficient Generation of Stable Cell Lines. Cell Struct Funct 2021; 46:21-35. [PMID: 33504736 PMCID: PMC10511053 DOI: 10.1247/csf.21002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Stable cell lines and animal models expressing tagged proteins are important tools for studying behaviors of cells and molecules. Several molecular biology technologies have been applied with varying degrees of success and efficiencies to establish cell lines expressing tagged proteins. Here we applied CRISPR/Cas9 for the knock-in of tagged proteins into the 5'UTR of the endogenous gene loci. With this 5'UTR-targeting knock-in strategy, stable cell lines expressing Arl13b-Venus, Reep6-HA, and EGFP-alpha-tubulin were established with high efficiencies ranging from 50 to 80% in antibiotic selected cells. The localization of the knock-in proteins were identical to that of the endogenous proteins in wild-type cells and showed homogenous expression. Moreover, the expression of knock-in EGFP-alpha-tubulin from the endogenous promoter was stable over long-term culture. We further demonstrated that the fluorescent signals were enough for a long time time-lapse imaging. The fluorescent signals were distinctly visible during the whole duration of the time-lapse imaging and showed specific subcellular localizations. Altogether, our strategy demonstrates that 5'UTR is an amenable site to generate cell lines for the stable expression of tagged proteins from endogenous loci in mammalian cells.Key words: CRISPR/Cas9, knock-in, primary cilium, UTR, tubulin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faryal Ijaz
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Koji Ikegami
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
- JST, PRESTO, Kawaguchi, Japan
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18
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Gheghiani L, Wang L, Zhang Y, Moore XTR, Zhang J, Smith SC, Tian Y, Wang L, Turner K, Jackson-Cook CK, Mukhopadhyay ND, Fu Z. PLK1 Induces Chromosomal Instability and Overrides Cell-Cycle Checkpoints to Drive Tumorigenesis. Cancer Res 2021; 81:1293-1307. [PMID: 33376114 PMCID: PMC8026515 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-20-1377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Revised: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) is an essential cell-cycle regulator that is frequently overexpressed in various human cancers. To determine whether Plk1 overexpression drives tumorigenesis, we established transgenic mouse lines that ubiquitously express increased levels of Plk1. High Plk1 levels were a driving force for different types of spontaneous tumors. Increased Plk1 levels resulted in multiple defects in mitosis and cytokinesis, supernumerary centrosomes, and compromised cell-cycle checkpoints, allowing accumulation of chromosomal instability (CIN), which resulted in aneuploidy and tumor formation. Clinically, higher expression of PLK1 positively associated with an increase in genome-wide copy-number alterations in multiple human cancers. This study provides in vivo evidence that aberrant expression of PLK1 triggers CIN and tumorigenesis and highlights potential therapeutic opportunities for CIN-positive cancers. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings establish roles for PLK1 as a potent proto-oncogene and a CIN gene and provide insights for the development of effective treatment regimens across PLK1-overexpressing and CIN-positive cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lilia Gheghiani
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, VCU Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Lei Wang
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, VCU Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Youwei Zhang
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, VCU Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Xavier T R Moore
- Department of Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Jinglei Zhang
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, VCU Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Steven C Smith
- Department of Pathology, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Yijun Tian
- Department of Tumor Biology, Moffitt Cancer Center, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida
| | - Liang Wang
- Department of Tumor Biology, Moffitt Cancer Center, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida
| | - Kristi Turner
- Department of Pathology, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Colleen K Jackson-Cook
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, VCU Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia
- Department of Pathology, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Nitai D Mukhopadhyay
- Department of Biostatistics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Zheng Fu
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, VCU Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia.
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19
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Rissanen I, Stass R, Krumm SA, Seow J, Hulswit RJG, Paesen GC, Hepojoki J, Vapalahti O, Lundkvist Å, Reynard O, Volchkov V, Doores KJ, Huiskonen JT, Bowden TA. Molecular rationale for antibody-mediated targeting of the hantavirus fusion glycoprotein. eLife 2020; 9:e58242. [PMID: 33349334 PMCID: PMC7755396 DOI: 10.7554/elife.58242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The intricate lattice of Gn and Gc glycoprotein spike complexes on the hantavirus envelope facilitates host-cell entry and is the primary target of the neutralizing antibody-mediated immune response. Through study of a neutralizing monoclonal antibody termed mAb P-4G2, which neutralizes the zoonotic pathogen Puumala virus (PUUV), we provide a molecular-level basis for antibody-mediated targeting of the hantaviral glycoprotein lattice. Crystallographic analysis demonstrates that P-4G2 binds to a multi-domain site on PUUV Gc and may preclude fusogenic rearrangements of the glycoprotein that are required for host-cell entry. Furthermore, cryo-electron microscopy of PUUV-like particles in the presence of P-4G2 reveals a lattice-independent configuration of the Gc, demonstrating that P-4G2 perturbs the (Gn-Gc)4 lattice. This work provides a structure-based blueprint for rationalizing antibody-mediated targeting of hantaviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilona Rissanen
- Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science HiLIFE, University of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland
- Molecular and Integrative Biosciences Research Programme, The Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland
| | - Robert Stass
- Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
| | - Stefanie A Krumm
- Department of Infectious Diseases, King's College London, Guy's HospitalLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Jeffrey Seow
- Department of Infectious Diseases, King's College London, Guy's HospitalLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Ruben JG Hulswit
- Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
| | - Guido C Paesen
- Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
| | - Jussi Hepojoki
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of ZürichZürichSwitzerland
- Department of Virology, Medicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland
| | - Olli Vapalahti
- Departments of Virology and Veterinary Biosciences, University of Helsinki and HUSLAB, Helsinki University HospitalHelsinkiFinland
| | - Åke Lundkvist
- Zoonosis Science Center, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala UniversityUppsalaSweden
| | - Olivier Reynard
- CIRI, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, INSERM U1111, CNRS UMR5308, Université LyonLyonFrance
| | - Viktor Volchkov
- CIRI, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, INSERM U1111, CNRS UMR5308, Université LyonLyonFrance
| | - Katie J Doores
- Department of Infectious Diseases, King's College London, Guy's HospitalLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Juha T Huiskonen
- Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science HiLIFE, University of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland
- Molecular and Integrative Biosciences Research Programme, The Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland
| | - Thomas A Bowden
- Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
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20
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Efficient photoactivatable Dre recombinase for cell type-specific spatiotemporal control of genome engineering in the mouse. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:33426-33435. [PMID: 33318209 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2003991117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Precise genetic engineering in specific cell types within an intact organism is intriguing yet challenging, especially in a spatiotemporal manner without the interference caused by chemical inducers. Here we engineered a photoactivatable Dre recombinase based on the identification of an optimal split site and demonstrated that it efficiently regulated transgene expression in mouse tissues spatiotemporally upon blue light illumination. Moreover, through a double-floxed inverted open reading frame strategy, we developed a Cre-activated light-inducible Dre (CALID) system. Taking advantage of well-defined cell-type-specific promoters or a well-established Cre transgenic mouse strain, we demonstrated that the CALID system was able to activate endogenous reporter expression for either bulk or sparse labeling of CaMKIIα-positive excitatory neurons and parvalbumin interneurons in the brain. This flexible and tunable system could be a powerful tool for the dissection and modulation of developmental and genetic complexity in a wide range of biological systems.
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21
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Genetic code expansion in mammalian cells: A plasmid system comparison. Bioorg Med Chem 2020; 28:115772. [PMID: 33069552 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2020.115772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Revised: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Genetic code expansion with unnatural amino acids (UAAs) has significantly broadened the chemical repertoire of proteins. Applications of this method in mammalian cells include probing of molecular interactions, conditional control of biological processes, and new strategies for therapeutics and vaccines. A number of methods have been developed for transient UAA mutagenesis in mammalian cells, each with unique features and advantages. All have in common a need to deliver genes encoding additional protein biosynthetic machinery (an orthogonal tRNA/tRNA synthetase pair) and a gene for the protein of interest. In this study, we present a comparative evaluation of select plasmid-based genetic code expansion systems and a detailed analysis of suppression efficiency with different UAAs and in different cell lines.
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22
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Zhao B, Chaturvedi P, Zimmerman DL, Belmont AS. Efficient and Reproducible Multigene Expression after Single-Step Transfection Using Improved BAC Transgenesis and Engineering Toolkit. ACS Synth Biol 2020; 9:1100-1116. [PMID: 32216371 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.9b00457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Achieving stable expression of a single transgene in mammalian cells remains challenging; even more challenging is obtaining simultaneous stable expression of multiple transgenes at reproducible, relative expression levels. Previously, we attained copy-number-dependent, chromosome-position-independent expression of reporter minigenes by embedding them within a BAC "scaffold" containing the mouse Msh3-Dhfr locus (DHFR BAC). Here, we extend this "BAC TG-EMBED" approach. First, we report a toolkit of endogenous promoters capable of driving transgene expression over a 0.01- to 5-fold expression range relative to the CMV promoter, allowing fine-tuning of relative expression levels of multiple reporter genes. Second, we demonstrate little variation in expression level and long-term expression stability of a reporter gene embedded in BACs containing either transcriptionally active or inactive genomic regions, making the choice of BAC scaffolds more flexible. Third, we present a novel BAC assembly scheme, "BAC-MAGIC", for inserting multiple transgenes into BAC scaffolds, which is much more time-efficient than traditional galK-based methods. As a proof-of-principle for our improved BAC TG-EMBED toolkit, we simultaneously fluorescently labeled three nuclear compartments at reproducible, relative intensity levels in 94% of stable clones after a single transfection using a DHFR BAC scaffold containing 4 transgenes assembled with BAC-MAGIC. Our extended BAC TG-EMBED toolkit and BAC-MAGIC method provide an efficient, versatile platform for stable simultaneous expression of multiple transgenes at reproducible, relative levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Binhui Zhao
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana−Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Pankaj Chaturvedi
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana−Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - David L. Zimmerman
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana−Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Andrew S. Belmont
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana−Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana−Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
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23
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Morikawa K, Furuhashi K, de Sena-Tomas C, Garcia-Garcia AL, Bekdash R, Klein AD, Gallerani N, Yamamoto HE, Park SHE, Collins GS, Kawano F, Sato M, Lin CS, Targoff KL, Au E, Salling MC, Yazawa M. Photoactivatable Cre recombinase 3.0 for in vivo mouse applications. Nat Commun 2020; 11:2141. [PMID: 32358538 PMCID: PMC7195411 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-16030-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2019] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Optogenetic genome engineering tools enable spatiotemporal control of gene expression and provide new insight into biological function. Here, we report the new version of genetically encoded photoactivatable (PA) Cre recombinase, PA-Cre 3.0. To improve PA-Cre technology, we compare light-dimerization tools and optimize for mammalian expression using a CAG promoter, Magnets, and 2A self-cleaving peptide. To prevent background recombination caused by the high sequence similarity in the dimerization domains, we modify the codons for mouse gene targeting and viral production. Overall, these modifications significantly reduce dark leak activity and improve blue-light induction developing our new version, PA-Cre 3.0. As a resource, we have generated and validated AAV-PA-Cre 3.0 as well as two mouse lines that can conditionally express PA-Cre 3.0. Together these new tools will facilitate further biological and biomedical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kumi Morikawa
- Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA.,Department of Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA.,Department of Life Science and Biotechnology, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Furuhashi
- Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA.,Columbia Center for Translational Immunology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Carmen de Sena-Tomas
- Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Alvaro L Garcia-Garcia
- Department of Psychiatry, Division of Systems Neuroscience, New York State Psychiatric Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Ramsey Bekdash
- Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA.,Department of Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA.,Department of Pharmacology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Alison D Klein
- Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA.,Department of Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Nicholas Gallerani
- Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA.,Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Hannah E Yamamoto
- Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA.,Department of Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA.,Barnard College, New York, NY, 10027, USA
| | - Seon-Hye E Park
- Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA.,Department of Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390-911, USA
| | - Grant S Collins
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA
| | - Fuun Kawano
- Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA.,Department of Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA.,Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Moritoshi Sato
- Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.,Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Saitama, Japan
| | - Chyuan-Sheng Lin
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA.,Transgenic Mouse Shared Resource, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Kimara L Targoff
- Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Edmund Au
- Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA.,Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA.,Columbia Translational Neuroscience Initiative Scholar, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Michael C Salling
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA.,Department of Anesthesiology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Masayuki Yazawa
- Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA. .,Department of Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA. .,Department of Pharmacology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA. .,Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Saitama, Japan.
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24
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Rubey M, Chhabra NF, Gradinger D, Sanz-Moreno A, Lickert H, Przemeck GKH, Hrabě de Angelis M. DLL1- and DLL4-Mediated Notch Signaling Is Essential for Adult Pancreatic Islet Homeostasis. Diabetes 2020; 69:915-926. [PMID: 32029480 DOI: 10.2337/db19-0795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Genes of the Notch signaling pathway are expressed in different cell types and organs at different time points during embryonic development and adulthood. The Notch ligand Delta-like 1 (DLL1) controls the decision between endocrine and exocrine fates of multipotent progenitors in the developing pancreas, and loss of Dll1 leads to premature endocrine differentiation. However, the role of Delta-Notch signaling in adult tissue homeostasis is not well understood. Here, we describe the spatial expression pattern of Notch pathway components in adult murine pancreatic islets and show that DLL1 and DLL4 are specifically expressed in β-cells, whereas JAGGED1 is expressed in α-cells. We show that mice lacking both DLL1 and DLL4 in adult β-cells display improved glucose tolerance, increased glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, and hyperglucagonemia. In contrast, overexpression of the intracellular domain of DLL1 in adult murine pancreatic β-cells results in impaired glucose tolerance and reduced insulin secretion, both in vitro and in vivo. These results suggest that Notch ligands play specific roles in the adult pancreas and highlight a novel function of the Delta/Notch pathway in β-cell insulin secretion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Rubey
- Institute of Experimental Genetics and German Mouse Clinic, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
- German Center for Diabetes Research, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Nirav Florian Chhabra
- Institute of Experimental Genetics and German Mouse Clinic, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
- German Center for Diabetes Research, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Daniel Gradinger
- Institute of Experimental Genetics and German Mouse Clinic, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
- German Center for Diabetes Research, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Adrián Sanz-Moreno
- Institute of Experimental Genetics and German Mouse Clinic, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Heiko Lickert
- German Center for Diabetes Research, Neuherberg, Germany
- Institute of Diabetes and Regeneration Research and Institute of Stem Cell Research, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
- Medical Faculty, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Gerhard K H Przemeck
- Institute of Experimental Genetics and German Mouse Clinic, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
- German Center for Diabetes Research, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Martin Hrabě de Angelis
- Institute of Experimental Genetics and German Mouse Clinic, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
- German Center for Diabetes Research, Neuherberg, Germany
- Centre of Life and Food Sciences, Weihenstephan, Technische Universität München, Freising, Germany
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25
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ASK1 inhibits browning of white adipose tissue in obesity. Nat Commun 2020; 11:1642. [PMID: 32242025 PMCID: PMC7118089 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-15483-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2018] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Increasing energy expenditure via induction of adipose tissue browning has become an appealing strategy to treat obesity and associated metabolic complications. Herein, we identify adipocyte-expressed apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) as regulator of adipose tissue browning. High fat diet-fed adipocyte-specific ASK1 knockout mice reveal increased UCP1 protein levels in inguinal adipose tissue concomitant with elevated energy expenditure, reduced obesity and ameliorated glucose tolerance compared to control littermates. In addition, ASK1-depletion blunts LPS-mediated downregulation of isoproterenol-induced UCP1 in subcutaneous fat both in vitro and in vivo. Conversely, adipocyte-specific ASK1 overexpression in chow-fed mice attenuates cold-induced UCP1 protein levels in inguinal fat. Mechanistically, ASK1 phosphorylates interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) resulting in reduced Ucp1 expression. Taken together, our studies unravel a role of ASK1 in mediating the inhibitory effect of caloric surplus or LPS-treatment on adipose tissue browning. Adipocyte ASK1 might be a pharmacological target to combat obesity and associated morbidities.
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26
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Zhao Y, Ren J, Hillier J, Lu W, Jones EY. Antiepileptic Drug Carbamazepine Binds to a Novel Pocket on the Wnt Receptor Frizzled-8. J Med Chem 2020; 63:3252-3260. [PMID: 32049522 PMCID: PMC7104226 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.9b02020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Misregulation of Wnt signaling is common in human cancer. The development of small molecule inhibitors against the Wnt receptor, frizzled (FZD), may have potential in cancer therapy. During small molecule screens, we observed binding of carbamazepine to the cysteine-rich domain (CRD) of the Wnt receptor FZD8 using surface plasmon resonance (SPR). Cellular functional assays demonstrated that carbamazepine can suppress FZD8-mediated Wnt/β-catenin signaling. We determined the crystal structure of the complex at 1.7 Å resolution, which reveals that carbamazepine binds at a novel pocket on the FZD8 CRD. The unique residue Tyr52 discriminates FZD8 from the closely related FZD5 and other FZDs for carbamazepine binding. The first small molecule-bound FZD structure provides a basis for anti-FZD drug development. Furthermore, the observed carbamazepine-mediated Wnt signaling inhibition may help to explain the phenomenon of bone loss and increased adipogenesis in some patients during long-term carbamazepine treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuguang Zhao
- Division of Structural
Biology,
Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University
of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7BN, United Kingdom
| | - Jingshan Ren
- Division of Structural
Biology,
Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University
of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7BN, United Kingdom
| | - James Hillier
- Division of Structural
Biology,
Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University
of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7BN, United Kingdom
| | - Weixian Lu
- Division of Structural
Biology,
Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University
of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7BN, United Kingdom
| | - E. Yvonne Jones
- Division of Structural
Biology,
Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University
of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7BN, United Kingdom
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27
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Zhao Y, Ren J, Hillier J, Jones M, Lu W, Jones EY. Structural characterization of melatonin as an inhibitor of the Wnt deacylase Notum. J Pineal Res 2020; 68:e12630. [PMID: 31876313 PMCID: PMC7027535 DOI: 10.1111/jpi.12630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2019] [Revised: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 12/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The hormone melatonin, secreted from the pineal gland, mediates multiple physiological effects including modulation of Wnt/β-catenin signalling. The Wnt palmitoleate lipid modification is essential for its signalling activity, while the carboxylesterase Notum can remove the lipid from Wnt and inactivate it. Notum enzyme inhibition can therefore upregulate Wnt signalling. While searching for Notum inhibitors by crystallographic fragment screening, a hit compound N-[2-(5-fluoro-1H-indol-3-yl)ethyl]acetamide that is structurally similar to melatonin came to our attention. We then soaked melatonin and its precursor N-acetylserotonin into Notum crystals and obtained high-resolution structures (≤1.5 Å) of their complexes. In each of the structures, two compound molecules bind with Notum: one at the enzyme's catalytic pocket, overlapping the space occupied by the acyl tail of the Wnt palmitoleate lipid, and the other at the edge of the pocket opposite the substrate entrance. Although the inhibitory activity of melatonin shown by in vitro enzyme assays is low (IC50 75 µmol/L), the structural information reported here provides a basis for the design of potent and brain accessible drugs for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, in which upregulation of Wnt signalling may be beneficial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuguang Zhao
- Division of Structural BiologyWellcome Centre for Human GeneticsUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - Jingshan Ren
- Division of Structural BiologyWellcome Centre for Human GeneticsUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - James Hillier
- Division of Structural BiologyWellcome Centre for Human GeneticsUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - Margaret Jones
- Division of Structural BiologyWellcome Centre for Human GeneticsUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - Weixian Lu
- Division of Structural BiologyWellcome Centre for Human GeneticsUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - Edith Yvonne Jones
- Division of Structural BiologyWellcome Centre for Human GeneticsUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
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28
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Kuzmin AA, Ermakova VV, Sinenko SA, Ponomartsev SV, Starkova TY, Skvortsova EV, Cherepanova O, Tomilin AN. Genetic tool for fate mapping of Oct4 (Pou5f1)-expressing cells and their progeny past the pluripotency stage. Stem Cell Res Ther 2019; 10:391. [PMID: 31843009 PMCID: PMC6916430 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-019-1520-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2019] [Revised: 12/02/2019] [Accepted: 12/04/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Methods based on site-specific recombinases are widely used in studying gene activities in vivo and in vitro. In these studies, constitutively active or inducible variants of these recombinases are expressed under the control of either lineage-specific or ubiquitous promoters. However, there is a need for more advanced schemes that combine these features with possibilities to choose a time point from which lineage tracing starts in an autonomous fashion. For example, the key mammalian germline gatekeeper gene Oct4 (Pou5f1) is expressed in the peri-implantation epiblast which gives rise to all cells within embryos. Thus the above techniques are hardly applicable to Oct4 tracing past the epiblast stage, and the establishment of genetic tools addressing such a limitation is a highly relevant pursuit. Methods The CRISPR/Cas9 tool was used to manipulate the genome of mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs), and various cell culture technics—to maintain and differentiate ESCs to neural cell, lentivirus-based reprogramming technique—to generate induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Results In this paper, we have developed a two-component genetic system (referred to as O4S) that allows tracing Oct4 gene activity past the epiblast stage of development. The first component represents a knock-in of an ubiquitous promoter-driven inducible Cre, serving as a stop signal for downstream tdTomato. Upon activation of Cre activity with 4-hydroxytamoxifen (4-OHT) at any given time point, the recombinase excises a stop signal and poses the second component of the system—the FlpO recombinase, knocked into 3’UTR of Oct4, to be expressed upon activation of the latter gene. Oct4-driven expression of FlpO, in turn, triggers the tdTomato expression and thus, permanently marks Oct4+ cells and their progeny. We have validated the O4S system in cultured ESCs and shown that it is capable, for example, to timely capture an activation of Oct4 gene during the reprogramming of somatic cells into iPSCs. Conclusions The developed O4S system can be used to detect Oct4 activation event, both permanent and transient, in somatic cell types outside the germline. The approach can be equally adjusted to other genes, provided the first component of the system is placed under transcriptional control of these genes, thus, making it a valuable tool for cell fate mapping in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrey A Kuzmin
- Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russian Federation
| | - Veronika V Ermakova
- Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russian Federation
| | - Sergey A Sinenko
- Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russian Federation
| | - Sergey V Ponomartsev
- Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russian Federation
| | - Tatiana Y Starkova
- Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russian Federation
| | - Elena V Skvortsova
- Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russian Federation
| | | | - Alexey N Tomilin
- Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russian Federation. .,St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russian Federation.
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Álvarez-Aznar A, Martínez-Corral I, Daubel N, Betsholtz C, Mäkinen T, Gaengel K. Tamoxifen-independent recombination of reporter genes limits lineage tracing and mosaic analysis using CreER T2 lines. Transgenic Res 2019; 29:53-68. [PMID: 31641921 PMCID: PMC7000517 DOI: 10.1007/s11248-019-00177-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2019] [Accepted: 10/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The CreERT2/loxP system is widely used to induce conditional gene deletion in mice. One of the main advantages of the system is that Cre-mediated recombination can be controlled in time through Tamoxifen administration. This has allowed researchers to study the function of embryonic lethal genes at later developmental timepoints. In addition, CreERT2 mouse lines are commonly used in combination with reporter genes for lineage tracing and mosaic analysis. In order for these experiments to be reliable, it is crucial that the cell labeling approach only marks the desired cell population and their progeny, as unfaithful expression of reporter genes in other cell types or even unintended labeling of the correct cell population at an undesired time point could lead to wrong conclusions. Here we report that all CreERT2 mouse lines that we have studied exhibit a certain degree of Tamoxifen-independent, basal, Cre activity. Using Ai14 and Ai3, two commonly used fluorescent reporter genes, we show that those basal Cre activity levels are sufficient to label a significant amount of cells in a variety of tissues during embryogenesis, postnatal development and adulthood. This unintended labelling of cells imposes a serious problem for lineage tracing and mosaic analysis experiments. Importantly, however, we find that reporter constructs differ greatly in their susceptibility to basal CreERT2 activity. While Ai14 and Ai3 easily recombine under basal CreERT2 activity levels, mTmG and R26R-EYFP rarely become activated under these conditions and are therefore better suited for cell tracking experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Álvarez-Aznar
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, Dag Hammarskjöldsväg 20, 75185, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - I Martínez-Corral
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, Dag Hammarskjöldsväg 20, 75185, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - N Daubel
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, Dag Hammarskjöldsväg 20, 75185, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - C Betsholtz
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, Dag Hammarskjöldsväg 20, 75185, Uppsala, Sweden.,Integrated Cardio Metabolic Centre (ICMC), Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Novum, Blickagången 6, 141 57, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - T Mäkinen
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, Dag Hammarskjöldsväg 20, 75185, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - K Gaengel
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, Dag Hammarskjöldsväg 20, 75185, Uppsala, Sweden.
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30
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Whittington HJ, Ostrowski PJ, McAndrew DJ, Cao F, Shaw A, Eykyn TR, Lake HA, Tyler J, Schneider JE, Neubauer S, Zervou S, Lygate CA. Over-expression of mitochondrial creatine kinase in the murine heart improves functional recovery and protects against injury following ischaemia-reperfusion. Cardiovasc Res 2019; 114:858-869. [PMID: 29509881 PMCID: PMC5909653 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvy054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2017] [Accepted: 03/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Aims Mitochondrial creatine kinase (MtCK) couples ATP production via oxidative phosphorylation to phosphocreatine in the cytosol, which acts as a mobile energy store available for regeneration of ATP at times of high demand. We hypothesized that elevating MtCK would be beneficial in ischaemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. Methods and results Mice were created over-expressing the sarcomeric MtCK gene with αMHC promoter at the Rosa26 locus (MtCK-OE) and compared with wild-type (WT) littermates. MtCK activity was 27% higher than WT, with no change in other CK isoenzymes or creatine levels. Electron microscopy confirmed normal mitochondrial cell density and mitochondrial localization of transgenic protein. Respiration in isolated mitochondria was unaltered and metabolomic analysis by 1 H-NMR suggests that cellular metabolism was not grossly affected by transgene expression. There were no significant differences in cardiac structure or function under baseline conditions by cine-MRI or LV haemodynamics. In Langendorff-perfused hearts subjected to 20 min ischaemia and 30 min reperfusion, MtCK-OE exhibited less ischaemic contracture, and improved functional recovery (Rate pressure product 58% above WT; P < 0.001). These hearts had reduced myocardial infarct size, which was confirmed in vivo: 55 ± 4% in WT vs. 29 ± 4% in MtCK-OE; P < 0.0001). Isolated cardiomyocytes from MtCK-OE hearts exhibited delayed opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) compared to WT, which was confirmed by reduced mitochondrial swelling in response to calcium. There was no detectable change in the structural integrity of the mitochondrial membrane. Conclusions Modest elevation of MtCK activity in the heart does not adversely affect cellular metabolism, mitochondrial or in vivo cardiac function, but modifies mPTP opening to protect against I/R injury and improve functional recovery. Our findings support MtCK as a prime therapeutic target in myocardial ischaemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah J Whittington
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, The Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, and the BHF Centre of Research Excellence, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK
| | - Philip J Ostrowski
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, The Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, and the BHF Centre of Research Excellence, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK
| | - Debra J McAndrew
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, The Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, and the BHF Centre of Research Excellence, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK
| | - Fang Cao
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, The Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, and the BHF Centre of Research Excellence, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK
| | - Andrew Shaw
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, The Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, and the BHF Centre of Research Excellence, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK
| | - Thomas R Eykyn
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, King's Health Partners, St Thomas' Hospital, London, UK
| | - Hannah A Lake
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, The Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, and the BHF Centre of Research Excellence, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK
| | - Jack Tyler
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, The Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, and the BHF Centre of Research Excellence, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK
| | - Jurgen E Schneider
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, The Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, and the BHF Centre of Research Excellence, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK.,Experimental and Preclinical Imaging Centre (ePIC), Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Stefan Neubauer
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, The Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, and the BHF Centre of Research Excellence, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK
| | - Sevasti Zervou
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, The Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, and the BHF Centre of Research Excellence, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK
| | - Craig A Lygate
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, The Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, and the BHF Centre of Research Excellence, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK
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Jia F, Lv P, Miao H, Shi X, Mei H, Li L, Xu X, Tao S, Xu F. Optimization of the Fluorescent Protein Expression Level Based on Pseudorabies Virus Bartha Strain for Neural Circuit Tracing. Front Neuroanat 2019; 13:63. [PMID: 31281245 PMCID: PMC6597954 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2019.00063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2019] [Accepted: 06/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Mapping the neural circuits facilitates understanding the brain’s working mechanism. Pseudorabies virus (PRV; Bartha stain) as a tracer can infect neurons and retrogradely transport in neural circuits. To illuminate the network, tracers expressing reporter genes at a high level are needed. In this study, we optimized the expression level of reporter genes and constructed two new retrograde trans-multisynaptic tracers PRV531 and PRV724, which separately express more robust green and red fluorescent proteins than the existing retrograde tracers PRV152 and PRV614. PRV531 and PRV724 can be used for mapping the neural circuit of the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS). Overall, our work adds two valuable tracers to the toolbox for mapping neural circuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Jia
- State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China.,Brain Research Center, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China.,University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Pei Lv
- Brain Research Center, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Huan Miao
- Brain Research Center, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiangwei Shi
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hongjun Mei
- Department of Orthopaedics, The Fifth Hospital of Wuhan, Wuhan, China
| | - Li Li
- Brain Research Center, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaoqin Xu
- Brain Research Center, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Sijue Tao
- Brain Research Center, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Fuqiang Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China.,Brain Research Center, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China.,University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
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32
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Hertz L, Ruppenthal S, Simionato G, Quint S, Kihm A, Abay A, Petkova-Kirova P, Boehm U, Weissgerber P, Wagner C, Laschke MW, Kaestner L. The Evolution of Erythrocytes Becoming Red in Respect to Fluorescence. Front Physiol 2019; 10:753. [PMID: 31275166 PMCID: PMC6593091 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2019.00753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2019] [Accepted: 05/31/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Very young red blood cells, namely reticulocytes, can be quite easily recognized and labeled by cluster of differentiation antibodies (CD71, transferrin receptor) or by staining remnant RNA with thiazol orange. In contrast, age specific erythrocyte labeling is more difficult in later periods of their life time. While erythrocytes contain band 4.1 protein, a molecular clock, so far it has not been possible to read this clock on individual cells. One concept to track erythrocytes during their life time is to mark them when they are young, either directly in vivo or ex vivo followed by a transfusion. Several methods like biotinylation, use of isotopes or fluorescent labeling have proved to be useful experimental approaches but also have several inherent disadvantages. Genetic engineering of mice provides additional options to express fluorescent proteins in erythrocytes. To allow co-staining with popular green fluorescent dyes like Fluo-4 or other fluorescein-based dyes, we bred a mouse line expressing a tandem red fluorescent protein (tdRFP). Within this Brief Research Report, we provide the initial characterisation of this mouse line and show application examples ranging from transfusion experiments and intravital microscopy to multicolour flow cytometry and confocal imaging. We provide a versatile new tool for erythrocyte research and discuss a range of experimental opportunities to study membrane processes and other aspects of erythrocyte development and aging with help of these animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Hertz
- Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Sandra Ruppenthal
- Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Greta Simionato
- Theoretical Medicine and Biosciences, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany.,Experimental Physics, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Stephan Quint
- Experimental Physics, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Alexander Kihm
- Experimental Physics, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Asena Abay
- Experimental Physics, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | | | - Ulrich Boehm
- Center for Molecular Signaling (PZMS), Institute for Pharmacology, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Petra Weissgerber
- Center for Molecular Signaling (PZMS), Institute for Pharmacology, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Christian Wagner
- Experimental Physics, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany.,Physics and Materials Science Research Unit, University of Luxembourg, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
| | - Matthias W Laschke
- Institute for Clinical and Experimental Surgery, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Lars Kaestner
- Theoretical Medicine and Biosciences, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany.,Experimental Physics, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
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33
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Kang K, Huang L, Li Q, Liao X, Dang Q, Yang Y, Luo J, Zeng Y, Li L, Gou D. An improved Tet-on system in microRNA overexpression and CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing. J Anim Sci Biotechnol 2019; 10:43. [PMID: 31198556 PMCID: PMC6556963 DOI: 10.1186/s40104-019-0354-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2018] [Accepted: 04/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Tetracycline (Tet)-regulated expression system has become a widely applied tool to control gene activity. This study aimed to improve the Tet-on system with superior regulatory characteristics. Results By comprehensively comparing factors of transactivators, Tet-responsive elements (TREs), orientations of induced expression cassette, and promoters controlling the transactivator, we developed an optimal Tet-on system with enhanced inducible efficiency and lower leakiness. With the system, we successfully performed effective inducible and reversible expression of microRNA, and presented a more precise and easily reproducible fine-tuning for confirming the target of a miRNA. Finally, the system was applied in CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of nuclear factor of activated T cells-5 (NFAT5), a protective transcription factor in cellular osmoregulation. Conclusions This study established an improved Tet-on system for powerful and stringent gene regulation in functional genetic studies. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s40104-019-0354-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kang Kang
- 1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Carson International Cancer Center, Shenzhen University Health Sciences Center, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518060 People's Republic of China
| | - Lian Huang
- 2Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Agriculture, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100 People's Republic of China
| | - Qing Li
- 3Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Microbial Genetic Engineering, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Xueyuan Ave 1066, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518060 People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoyun Liao
- 3Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Microbial Genetic Engineering, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Xueyuan Ave 1066, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518060 People's Republic of China
| | - Quanjin Dang
- 3Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Microbial Genetic Engineering, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Xueyuan Ave 1066, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518060 People's Republic of China
| | - Yi Yang
- 1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Carson International Cancer Center, Shenzhen University Health Sciences Center, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518060 People's Republic of China
| | - Jun Luo
- 2Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Agriculture, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100 People's Republic of China
| | - Yan Zeng
- 3Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Microbial Genetic Engineering, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Xueyuan Ave 1066, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518060 People's Republic of China
| | - Li Li
- 3Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Microbial Genetic Engineering, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Xueyuan Ave 1066, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518060 People's Republic of China
| | - Deming Gou
- 1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Carson International Cancer Center, Shenzhen University Health Sciences Center, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518060 People's Republic of China.,3Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Microbial Genetic Engineering, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Xueyuan Ave 1066, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518060 People's Republic of China
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Pristovšek N, Nallapareddy S, Grav LM, Hefzi H, Lewis NE, Rugbjerg P, Hansen HG, Lee GM, Andersen MR, Kildegaard HF. Systematic Evaluation of Site-Specific Recombinant Gene Expression for Programmable Mammalian Cell Engineering. ACS Synth Biol 2019; 8:758-774. [PMID: 30807689 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.8b00453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Many branches of biology depend on stable and predictable recombinant gene expression, which has been achieved in recent years through targeted integration of the recombinant gene into defined integration sites. However, transcriptional levels of recombinant genes in characterized integration sites are controlled by multiple components of the integrated expression cassette. Lack of readily available tools has inhibited meaningful experimental investigation of the interplay between the integration site and the expression cassette components. Here we show in a systematic manner how multiple components contribute to final net expression of recombinant genes in a characterized integration site. We develop a CRISPR/Cas9-based toolbox for construction of mammalian cell lines with targeted integration of a landing pad, containing a recombinant gene under defined 5' proximal regulatory elements. Generated site-specific recombinant cell lines can be used in a streamlined recombinase-mediated cassette exchange for fast screening of different expression cassettes. Using the developed toolbox, we show that different 5' proximal regulatory elements generate distinct and robust recombinant gene expression patterns in defined integration sites of CHO cells with a wide range of transcriptional outputs. This approach facilitates the generation of user-defined and product-specific gene expression patterns for programmable mammalian cell engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuša Pristovšek
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet, Building 220, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Saranya Nallapareddy
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet, Building 220, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Lise Marie Grav
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet, Building 220, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Hooman Hefzi
- Departments of Pediatrics and Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Nathan E. Lewis
- Departments of Pediatrics and Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Peter Rugbjerg
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet, Building 220, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Henning Gram Hansen
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet, Building 220, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Gyun Min Lee
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet, Building 220, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
- Department of Biological Sciences, KAIST, 291 Daehak-ro,
Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 305-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Mikael Rørdam Andersen
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Søltofts Plads, Building 223, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Helene Faustrup Kildegaard
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet, Building 220, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
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35
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Single-copy expression of an amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-linked TDP-43 mutation (M337V) in BAC transgenic mice leads to altered stress granule dynamics and progressive motor dysfunction. Neurobiol Dis 2019; 121:148-162. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2018.09.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2018] [Revised: 09/10/2018] [Accepted: 09/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
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36
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Zhao Y, Ren J, Lu W, Harlos K, Jones EY. Structure of the Wnt signaling enhancer LYPD6 and its interactions with the Wnt coreceptor LRP6. FEBS Lett 2018; 592:3152-3162. [PMID: 30069874 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.13212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2018] [Revised: 07/12/2018] [Accepted: 07/27/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Ly6/urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) (LU) domain containing 6 (LYPD6) is a Wnt signaling enhancer that promotes phosphorylation of the Wnt coreceptor low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 6 (LRP6). It also binds the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR). We report here the 1.25 Å resolution structure of the LYPD6 extracellular LU domain and map its interaction with LRP6 by mutagenesis and surface plasmon resonance. The LYPD6LU structure reveals a 'trifingered protein domain' fold with the middle fingertip bearing an 'NxI' motif, a tripeptide motif associated with LRP5/6 binding by Wnt inhibitors. Of the Ly6 protein family members, only LYPD6 has an NxI motif. Since mutations in the LYPD6 NxI motif abolish or severely reduce interaction with LRP6, our results indicate its key role in the interaction of LYPD6 with LRP6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuguang Zhao
- Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, UK
| | - Jingshan Ren
- Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, UK
| | - Weixian Lu
- Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, UK
| | - Karl Harlos
- Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, UK
| | - Edith Yvonne Jones
- Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, UK
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Mid-facial developmental defects caused by the widely used LacZ reporter gene when expressed in neural crest-derived cells. Transgenic Res 2018; 27:551-558. [PMID: 30136095 DOI: 10.1007/s11248-018-0091-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2018] [Accepted: 08/17/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Reporter genes play important roles in transgenic research. LacZ is a widely used reporter gene that encodes Escherichia coli β-galactosidase, an enzyme that is well known for its ability to hydrolyze X-gal into a blue product. It is unknown whether transgenic LacZ has any adverse effects. R26R reporter mice, containing a LacZ reporter gene, were generated to monitor the in vivo recombination activity of various transgenic Cre recombinase via X-gal staining. P0-Cre is expressed in neural crest-derived cells, which give rise to the majority of the craniofacial bones. Herein, we report that 12% of the R26R reporter mice harboring P0-Cre had unexpected mid-facial developmental defects manifested by the asymmetrical growth of some facial bones, thus resulting in tilted mid-facial structure, shorter skull length, and malocclusion. Histological examination showed a disorganization of the frontomaxillary suture, which may at least partly explain the morphological defect in affected transgenic mice. Our data calls for the consideration of the potential in vivo adverse effects caused by transgenic β-galactosidase.
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Saito Y, Nakamura K, Yoshida M, Sugiyama H, Takano M, Nagase S, Morita H, Kusano KF, Ito H. HCN4-Overexpressing Mouse Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocytes Generate a New Rapid Rhythm in Rats with Bradycardia. Int Heart J 2018; 59:601-606. [PMID: 29628472 DOI: 10.1536/ihj.17-241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
A biological pacemaker is expected to solve the persisting problems of an artificial cardiac pacemaker including short battery life, lead breaks, infection, and electromagnetic interference. We previously reported HCN4 overexpression enhances pacemaking ability of mouse embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (mESC-CMs) in vitro. However, the effect of these cells on bradycardia in vivo has remained unclear. Therefore, we transplanted HCN4-overexpressing mESC-CMs into bradycardia model animals and investigated whether they could function as a biological pacemaker. The rabbit Hcn4 gene was transfected into mouse embryonic stem cells and induced HCN4-overexpressing mESC-CMs. Non-cardiomyocytes were removed under serum/glucose-free and lactate-supplemented conditions. Cardiac balls containing 5 × 103 mESC-CMs were made by using the hanging drop method. One hundred cardiac balls were injected into the left ventricular free wall of complete atrioventricular block (CAVB) model rats. Heart beats were evaluated using an implantable telemetry system 7 to 30 days after cell transplantation. The result showed that ectopic ventricular beats that were faster than the intrinsic escape rhythm were often observed in CAVB model rats transplanted with HCN4-overexpressing mESC-CMs. On the other hand, the rats transplanted with non-overexpressing mESC-CMs showed sporadic single premature ventricular contraction but not sustained ectopic ventricular rhythms. These results indicated that HCN4-overexpressing mESC-CMs produce rapid ectopic ventricular rhythms as a biological pacemaker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yukihiro Saito
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences
| | - Kazufumi Nakamura
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences
| | - Masashi Yoshida
- Department of Chronic Kidney Disease and Cardiovascular Disease, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences
| | - Hiroki Sugiyama
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences
| | - Makoto Takano
- Department of Physiology, Kurume University School of Medicine
| | - Satoshi Nagase
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center
| | - Hiroshi Morita
- Department of Cardiovascular Therapeutics, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences
| | - Kengo F Kusano
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences.,Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center
| | - Hiroshi Ito
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences
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Kozhevnikova EN, Leshchenko AE, Pindyurin AV. An Inducible DamID System for Profiling Interactions of Nuclear Lamina Protein Component Lamin B1 with Chromosomes in Mouse Cells. BIOCHEMISTRY. BIOKHIMIIA 2018; 83:586-594. [PMID: 29738692 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297918050115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2017] [Revised: 12/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
At the level of DNA organization into chromatin, there are mechanisms that define gene expression profiles in specialized cell types. Genes within chromatin regions that are located at the nuclear periphery are generally expressed at lower levels; however, the nature of this phenomenon remains unclear. These parts of chromatin interact with nuclear lamina proteins like Lamin B1 and, therefore, can be identified in a given cell type by chromatin profiling of these proteins. In this study, we created and tested a Dam Identification (DamID) system induced by Cre recombinase using Lamin B1 and mouse embryonic fibroblasts. This inducible system will help to generate genome-wide profiles of chromatin proteins in given cell types and tissues with no need to dissect tissues from organs or separate cells from tissues, which is achieved by using specific regulatory DNA elements and due to the high sensitivity of the method.
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Affiliation(s)
- E N Kozhevnikova
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia.
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia
| | - A E Leshchenko
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia
| | - A V Pindyurin
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia
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Stephens CJ, Kashentseva E, Everett W, Kaliberova L, Curiel DT. Targeted in vivo knock-in of human alpha-1-antitrypsin cDNA using adenoviral delivery of CRISPR/Cas9. Gene Ther 2018; 25:139-156. [PMID: 29588497 PMCID: PMC5919923 DOI: 10.1038/s41434-018-0003-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2017] [Revised: 01/08/2018] [Accepted: 01/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Serum deficiency diseases such as alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency are characterized by reduced function of serum proteins, caused by deleterious genetic mutations. These diseases are promising targets for genetic interventions. Gene therapies using viral vectors have been used to introduce correct copies of the disease-causing gene in preclinical and clinical studies. However, these studies highlighted that disease-alleviating gene expression is lost over time. Integration into a specific chromosomal site could provide lasting therapeutic expression to overcome this major limitation. Additionally, targeted integration could avoid detrimental mutagenesis associated with integrative vectors, such as tumorigenesis or functional gene perturbation. To test if adenoviral vectors can facilitate long-term gene expression through targeted integration, we somatically incorporated the human alpha-1-antitrypsin gene into the ROSA26 "safe harbor" locus in murine livers, using CRISPR/Cas9. We found adenoviral-mediated delivery of CRISPR/Cas9 achieved gene editing outcomes persisting over 200 days. Furthermore, gene knock-in maintained greater levels of the serum protein than provided by episomal expression. Importantly, our "knock-in" approach is generalizable to other serum proteins and supports in vivo cDNA replacement therapy to achieve stable gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Calvin J Stephens
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Biology Division, School of Medicine, Washington University in Saint Louis, 660 South Euclid Avenue, Campus Box 8224, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Molecular Genetics and Genomics Program, Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, Washington University in Saint Louis, 660 South Euclid Avenue, Campus Box 8226, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Elena Kashentseva
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Biology Division, School of Medicine, Washington University in Saint Louis, 660 South Euclid Avenue, Campus Box 8224, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - William Everett
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Biology Division, School of Medicine, Washington University in Saint Louis, 660 South Euclid Avenue, Campus Box 8224, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Lyudmila Kaliberova
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Biology Division, School of Medicine, Washington University in Saint Louis, 660 South Euclid Avenue, Campus Box 8224, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - David T Curiel
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Biology Division, School of Medicine, Washington University in Saint Louis, 660 South Euclid Avenue, Campus Box 8224, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Biologic Therapeutics Center, School of Medicine, Washington University in Saint Louis, 660 South Euclid Avenue, Campus Box 8224, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
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41
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Fani Maleki A, Sekhavati MH. Application of phiC31 integrase system in stem cells biology and technology: a review. FRONTIERS IN LIFE SCIENCE 2018. [DOI: 10.1080/21553769.2018.1447516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Adham Fani Maleki
- Embryonic and Stem Cell Biology and Biotechnology Research Group, Institute of Biotechnology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mohammad Hadi Sekhavati
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
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42
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Li S, Chen L, Peng X, Wang C, Qin B, Tan D, Han C, Yang H, Ren X, Liu F, Xu C, Zhou X. Overview of the reporter genes and reporter mouse models. Animal Model Exp Med 2018; 1:29-35. [PMID: 30891544 PMCID: PMC6357428 DOI: 10.1002/ame2.12008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2017] [Accepted: 01/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Reporter genes are widely applied in biotechnology and biomedical research owning to their easy observation and lack of toxicity. Taking advantage of the reporter genes in conjunction with imaging technologies, a large number of reporter mouse models have been generated. Reporter mouse models provide systems that enable the studies of live cell imaging, cell lineage tracing, immunological research and cancers etc. in vivo. In this review, we describe the types of different reporter genes and reporter mouse models including, random reporter strains, Cre reporter strains and ROSA26 reporter strains. Collectively, these reporter mouse models have broadened scientific inquires and provided potential strategies for generation of novel reporter animal models with enhanced capabilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shun Li
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular VirologyShanghai Public Health Clinical CenterMinistry of Education and HealthFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Li‐xiang Chen
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular VirologyShanghai Public Health Clinical CenterMinistry of Education and HealthFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Xiu‐hua Peng
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular VirologyShanghai Public Health Clinical CenterMinistry of Education and HealthFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Chao Wang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular VirologyShanghai Public Health Clinical CenterMinistry of Education and HealthFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Bo‐yin Qin
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular VirologyShanghai Public Health Clinical CenterMinistry of Education and HealthFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Dan Tan
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular VirologyShanghai Public Health Clinical CenterMinistry of Education and HealthFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Cheng‐xiao Han
- School of Agriculture and BiologyShanghai Jiao Tong UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Hua Yang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular VirologyShanghai Public Health Clinical CenterMinistry of Education and HealthFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Xiao‐nan Ren
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular VirologyShanghai Public Health Clinical CenterMinistry of Education and HealthFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Fang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular VirologyShanghai Public Health Clinical CenterMinistry of Education and HealthFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Chun‐hua Xu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular VirologyShanghai Public Health Clinical CenterMinistry of Education and HealthFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Xiao‐hui Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular VirologyShanghai Public Health Clinical CenterMinistry of Education and HealthFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
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Jones T, Jones PL. A cre-inducible DUX4 transgenic mouse model for investigating facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0192657. [PMID: 29415061 PMCID: PMC5802938 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0192657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2017] [Accepted: 01/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The Double homeobox 4 (DUX4) gene is an important regulator of early human development and its aberrant expression is causal for facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD). The DUX4-full length (DUX4-fl) mRNA splice isoform encodes a transcriptional activator; however, DUX4 and its unique DNA binding preferences are specific to old-world primates. Regardless, the somatic cytotoxicity caused by DUX4 expression is conserved when expressed in cells and animals ranging from fly to mouse. Thus, viable animal models based on DUX4-fl expression have been difficult to generate due in large part to overt developmental toxicity of low DUX4-fl expression from leaky transgenes. We have overcome this obstacle and here we report the generation and initial characterization of a line of conditional floxed DUX4-fl transgenic mice, FLExDUX4, that is viable and fertile. In the absence of cre, these mice express a very low level of DUX4-fl mRNA from the transgene, resulting in mild phenotypes. However, when crossed with appropriate cre-driver lines of mice, the double transgenic offspring readily express DUX4-fl mRNA, protein, and target genes with the spatiotemporal pattern of nuclear cre expression dictated by the chosen system. When cre is expressed from the ACTA1 skeletal muscle-specific promoter, the double transgenic animals exhibit a developmental myopathy. When crossed with tamoxifen-inducible cre lines, DUX4-mediated pathology can be induced in adult animals. Thus, the appearance and progression of pathology can be controlled to provide readily screenable phenotypes useful for assessing therapeutic approaches targeting DUX4-fl mRNA and protein. Overall, the FLExDUX4 line of mice is quite versatile and will allow new investigations into mechanisms of DUX4-mediated pathophysiology as well as much-needed pre-clinical testing of DUX4-targeted FSHD interventions in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takako Jones
- Department of Pharmacology, Center for Molecular Medicine, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Reno, Nevada, United States of America
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Peter L. Jones
- Department of Pharmacology, Center for Molecular Medicine, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Reno, Nevada, United States of America
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
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Deleting the mouse Hsd17b1 gene results in a hypomorphic Naglu allele and a phenotype mimicking a lysosomal storage disease. Sci Rep 2017; 7:16406. [PMID: 29180785 PMCID: PMC5703720 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-16618-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2017] [Accepted: 11/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
HSD17B1 is a steroid metabolising enzyme. We have previously generated knockout mice that had the entire coding region of Hsd17b1 replaced with lacZ-neo cassette (Hsd17b1-LacZ/Neo mice). This resulted in a 90% reduction of HSD17B1 activity, associated with severe subfertility in the knockout females. The present study indicates that Hsd17b1-LacZ/Neo male mice have a metabolic phenotype, including reduced adipose mass, increased lean mass and lipid accumulation in the liver. During the characterisation of this metabolic phenotype, it became evident that the expression of the Naglu gene, located closely upstream of Hsd17b1, was severely reduced in all tissues analysed. Similar results were obtained from Hsd17b1-LacZ mice after removing the neo cassette from the locus or by crossing the Hsd17b1-LacZ/Neo mice with transgenic mice constitutively expressing human HSD17B1. The deficiency of Naglu caused the accumulation of glycosaminoglycans in all studied mouse models lacking the Hsd17b1 gene. The metabolic phenotypes of the Hsd17b1 knockout mouse models were recapitulated in Naglu knockout mice. Based on the data we propose that the Hsd17b1 gene includes a regulatory element controlling Naglu expression and the metabolic phenotype in mice lacking the Hsd17b1 genomic region is caused by the reduced expression of Naglu rather than the lack of Hsd17b1.
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45
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Ackford JG, Corredor JC, Pei Y, Krell PJ, Bédécarrats G, Nagy É. Foreign gene expression and induction of antibody response by recombinant fowl adenovirus-9-based vectors with exogenous promoters. Vaccine 2017; 35:4974-4982. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2017.07.087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2017] [Revised: 06/20/2017] [Accepted: 07/23/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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46
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The CpG-sites of the CBX3 ubiquitous chromatin opening element are critical structural determinants for the anti-silencing function. Sci Rep 2017; 7:7919. [PMID: 28801671 PMCID: PMC5554207 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-04212-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2017] [Accepted: 05/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Suppression of therapeutic transgene expression from retroviral gene therapy vectors by epigenetic defence mechanisms represents a problem that is particularly encountered in pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) and their differentiated progeny. Transgene expression in these cells, however, can be stabilised by CpG-rich ubiquitous chromatin opening elements (UCOEs). In this context we recently demonstrated profound anti-silencing properties for the small (679 bp) CBX3-UCO element and we now confirmed this observation in the context of the defined murine chromosomal loci ROSA26 and TIGRE. Moreover, since the structural basis for the anti-silencing activity of UCOEs has remained poorly defined, we interrogated various CBX3 subfragments in the context of lentiviral vectors and murine PSCs. We demonstrated marked though distinct anti-silencing activity in the pluripotent state and during PSC-differentiation for several of the CBX3 subfragments. This activity was significantly correlated with CpG content as well as endogenous transcriptional activity. Interestingly, also a scrambled CBX3 version with preserved CpG-sites retained the anti-silencing activity despite the lack of endogenous promoter activity. Our data therefore highlight the importance of CpG-sites and transcriptional activity for UCOE functionality and suggest contributions from different mechanisms to the overall anti-silencing function of the CBX3 element.
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47
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Gfi1 Cre mice have early onset progressive hearing loss and induce recombination in numerous inner ear non-hair cells. Sci Rep 2017; 7:42079. [PMID: 28181545 PMCID: PMC5299610 DOI: 10.1038/srep42079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2016] [Accepted: 01/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Studies of developmental and functional biology largely rely on conditional expression of genes in a cell type-specific manner. Therefore, the importance of specificity and lack of inherent phenotypes for Cre-driver animals cannot be overemphasized. The Gfi1Cre mouse is commonly used for conditional hair cell-specific gene deletion/reporter gene activation in the inner ear. Here, using immunofluorescence and flow cytometry, we show that the Gfi1Cre mice produce a pattern of recombination that is not strictly limited to hair cells within the inner ear. We observe a broad expression of Cre recombinase in the Gfi1Cre mouse neonatal inner ear, primarily in inner ear resident macrophages, which outnumber the hair cells. We further show that heterozygous Gfi1Cre mice exhibit an early onset progressive hearing loss as compared with their wild-type littermates. Importantly, vestibular function remains intact in heterozygotes up to 10 months, the latest time point tested. Finally, we detect minor, but statistically significant, changes in expression of hair cell-enriched transcripts in the Gfi1Cre heterozygous mice cochleae compared with their wild-type littermate controls. Given the broad use of the Gfi1Cre mice, both for gene deletion and reporter gene activation, these data are significant and necessary for proper planning and interpretation of experiments.
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48
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Szibor M, Dhandapani PK, Dufour E, Holmström KM, Zhuang Y, Salwig I, Wittig I, Heidler J, Gizatullina Z, Gainutdinov T, Fuchs H, Gailus-Durner V, de Angelis MH, Nandania J, Velagapudi V, Wietelmann A, Rustin P, Gellerich FN, Jacobs HT, Braun T. Broad AOX expression in a genetically tractable mouse model does not disturb normal physiology. Dis Model Mech 2017; 10:163-171. [PMID: 28067626 PMCID: PMC5312010 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.027839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2016] [Accepted: 11/30/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Plants and many lower organisms, but not mammals, express alternative oxidases (AOXs) that branch the mitochondrial respiratory chain, transferring electrons directly from ubiquinol to oxygen without proton pumping. Thus, they maintain electron flow under conditions when the classical respiratory chain is impaired, limiting excess production of oxygen radicals and supporting redox and metabolic homeostasis. AOX from Ciona intestinalis has been used to study and mitigate mitochondrial impairments in mammalian cell lines, Drosophila disease models and, most recently, in the mouse, where multiple lentivector-AOX transgenes conferred substantial expression in specific tissues. Here, we describe a genetically tractable mouse model in which Ciona AOX has been targeted to the Rosa26 locus for ubiquitous expression. The AOXRosa26 mouse exhibited only subtle phenotypic effects on respiratory complex formation, oxygen consumption or the global metabolome, and showed an essentially normal physiology. AOX conferred robust resistance to inhibitors of the respiratory chain in organello; moreover, animals exposed to a systemically applied LD50 dose of cyanide did not succumb. The AOXRosa26 mouse is a useful tool to investigate respiratory control mechanisms and to decipher mitochondrial disease aetiology in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marten Szibor
- Institute of Biotechnology, FI-00014 University of Helsinki, Finland
- BioMediTech and Tampere University Hospital, FI-33014 University of Tampere, Finland
- Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Cardiac Development and Remodelling (Department I), Bad Nauheim D-61231, Germany
| | - Praveen K Dhandapani
- Institute of Biotechnology, FI-00014 University of Helsinki, Finland
- BioMediTech and Tampere University Hospital, FI-33014 University of Tampere, Finland
| | - Eric Dufour
- BioMediTech and Tampere University Hospital, FI-33014 University of Tampere, Finland
| | - Kira M Holmström
- Institute of Biotechnology, FI-00014 University of Helsinki, Finland
- BioMediTech and Tampere University Hospital, FI-33014 University of Tampere, Finland
| | - Yuan Zhuang
- Institute of Biotechnology, FI-00014 University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Isabelle Salwig
- Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Cardiac Development and Remodelling (Department I), Bad Nauheim D-61231, Germany
| | - Ilka Wittig
- Functional Proteomics, SFB 815 Core Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main D-60590, Germany
- German Center of Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner site RheinMain, Frankfurt, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence "Macromolecular Complexes", Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main D-60590, Germany
| | - Juliana Heidler
- Functional Proteomics, SFB 815 Core Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main D-60590, Germany
| | | | | | - Helmut Fuchs
- German Mouse Clinic, Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health GmbH, Ingolstaedter Landstrasse 1, Neuherberg 85764, Germany
| | - Valérie Gailus-Durner
- German Mouse Clinic, Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health GmbH, Ingolstaedter Landstrasse 1, Neuherberg 85764, Germany
| | - Martin Hrabě de Angelis
- German Mouse Clinic, Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health GmbH, Ingolstaedter Landstrasse 1, Neuherberg 85764, Germany
- Chair of Experimental Genetics, Center of Life and Food Sciences Weihenstephan, TU Munich, Emil-Erlenmeyer-Forum 2, Freising-Weihenstephan 85350, Germany
- Member of German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Ingolstaedter Landstrasse 1, Neuherberg 85764, Germany
| | - Jatin Nandania
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland, FI-00014 University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Vidya Velagapudi
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland, FI-00014 University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Astrid Wietelmann
- Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Cardiac Development and Remodelling (Department I), Bad Nauheim D-61231, Germany
| | - Pierre Rustin
- INSERM UMR 1141 and Université Paris 7, Hôpital Robert Debré, Paris 75019, France
| | - Frank N Gellerich
- Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg D-39118, Germany
- Department of Neurology, Otto-von-Guericke-University, Magdeburg D-39120, Germany
| | - Howard T Jacobs
- Institute of Biotechnology, FI-00014 University of Helsinki, Finland
- BioMediTech and Tampere University Hospital, FI-33014 University of Tampere, Finland
| | - Thomas Braun
- Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Cardiac Development and Remodelling (Department I), Bad Nauheim D-61231, Germany
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49
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Cebrian-Serrano A, Zha S, Hanssen L, Biggs D, Preece C, Davies B. Maternal Supply of Cas9 to Zygotes Facilitates the Efficient Generation of Site-Specific Mutant Mouse Models. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0169887. [PMID: 28081254 PMCID: PMC5231326 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0169887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2016] [Accepted: 12/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Genome manipulation in the mouse via microinjection of CRISPR/Cas9 site-specific nucleases has allowed the production time for genetically modified mouse models to be significantly reduced. Successful genome manipulation in the mouse has already been reported using Cas9 supplied by microinjection of a DNA construct, in vitro transcribed mRNA and recombinant protein. Recently the use of transgenic strains of mice overexpressing Cas9 has been shown to facilitate site-specific mutagenesis via maternal supply to zygotes and this route may provide an alternative to exogenous supply. We have investigated the feasibility of supplying Cas9 genetically in more detail and for this purpose we report the generation of a transgenic mice which overexpress Cas9 ubiquitously, via a CAG-Cas9 transgene targeted to the Gt(ROSA26)Sor locus. We show that zygotes prepared from female mice harbouring this transgene are sufficiently loaded with maternally contributed Cas9 for efficient production of embryos and mice harbouring indel, genomic deletion and knock-in alleles by microinjection of guide RNAs and templates alone. We compare the mutagenesis rates and efficacy of mutagenesis using this genetic supply with exogenous Cas9 supply by either mRNA or protein microinjection. In general, we report increased generation rates of knock-in alleles and show that the levels of mutagenesis at certain genome target sites are significantly higher and more consistent when Cas9 is supplied genetically relative to exogenous supply.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Shijun Zha
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Lars Hanssen
- MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel Biggs
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher Preece
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Benjamin Davies
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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50
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Sper RB, Koh S, Zhang X, Simpson S, Collins B, Sommer J, Petters RM, Caballero I, Platt JL, Piedrahita JA. Generation of a Stable Transgenic Swine Model Expressing a Porcine Histone 2B-eGFP Fusion Protein for Cell Tracking and Chromosome Dynamics Studies. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0169242. [PMID: 28081156 PMCID: PMC5230777 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0169242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2016] [Accepted: 12/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Transgenic pigs have become an attractive research model in the field of translational research, regenerative medicine, and stem cell therapy due to their anatomic, genetic and physiological similarities with humans. The development of fluorescent proteins as molecular tags has allowed investigators to track cell migration and engraftment levels after transplantation. Here we describe the development of two transgenic pig models via SCNT expressing a fusion protein composed of eGFP and porcine Histone 2B (pH2B). This fusion protein is targeted to the nucleosomes resulting a nuclear/chromatin eGFP signal. The first model (I) was generated via random insertion of pH2B-eGFP driven by the CAG promoter (chicken beta actin promoter and rabbit Globin poly A; pCAG-pH2B-eGFP) and protected by human interferon-β matrix attachment regions (MARs). Despite the consistent, high, and ubiquitous expression of the fusion protein pH2B-eGFP in all tissues analyzed, two independently generated Model I transgenic lines developed neurodegenerative symptoms including Wallerian degeneration between 3-5 months of age, requiring euthanasia. A second transgenic model (II) was developed via CRISPR-Cas9 mediated homology-directed repair (HDR) of IRES-pH2B-eGFP into the endogenous β-actin (ACTB) locus. Model II transgenic animals showed ubiquitous expression of pH2B-eGFP on all tissues analyzed. Unlike the pCAG-pH2B-eGFP/MAR line, all Model II animals were healthy and multiple pregnancies have been established with progeny showing the expected Mendelian ratio for the transmission of the pH2B-eGFP. Expression of pH2B-eGFP was used to examine the timing of the maternal to zygotic transition after IVF, and to examine chromosome segregation of SCNT embryos. To our knowledge this is the first viable transgenic pig model with chromatin-associated eGFP allowing both cell tracking and the study of chromatin dynamics in a large animal model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renan B. Sper
- Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Sehwon Koh
- Department of Surgery and Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Xia Zhang
- Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Sean Simpson
- Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Bruce Collins
- Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Jeff Sommer
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Robert M. Petters
- Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Ignacio Caballero
- Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Jeff L. Platt
- Department of Surgery and Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Jorge A. Piedrahita
- Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States of America
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