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Rüllke M, Meyer F, Schmitz K, Blase H, Tamayo E, Benz JP. A novel luciferase-based reporter tool to monitor the dynamics of carbon catabolite repression in filamentous fungi. Microb Biotechnol 2024; 17:e70012. [PMID: 39269439 PMCID: PMC11395683 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.70012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 08/25/2024] [Indexed: 09/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Filamentous fungi with their diverse inventory of carbohydrate-active enzymes promise a holistic usage of lignocellulosic residues. A major challenge for application is the inherent repression of enzyme production by carbon catabolite repression (CCR). In the presence of preferred carbon sources, the transcription factor CreA/CRE-1 binds to specific but conserved motifs in promoters of genes involved in sugar metabolism, but the status of CCR is notoriously difficult to quantify. To allow for a real-time evaluation of CreA/CRE-1-mediated CCR at the transcriptional level, we developed a luciferase-based construct, representing a dynamic, highly responsive reporter system that is inhibited by monosaccharides in a quantitative fashion. Using this tool, CreA/CRE-1-dependent CCR triggered by several monosaccharides could be measured in Neurospora crassa, Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus nidulans over the course of hours, demonstrating distinct and dynamic regulatory processes. Furthermore, we used the reporter to visualize the direct impacts of multiple CreA truncations on CCR induction. Our reporter thus offers a widely applicable quantitative approach to evaluate CreA/CRE-1-mediated CCR across diverse fungal species and will help to elucidate the multifaceted effects of CCR on fungal physiology for both basic research and industrial strain engineering endeavours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcel Rüllke
- Fungal Biotechnology in Wood Science, Holzforschung München, TUM School of Life SciencesTechnical University of MunichFreisingGermany
| | - Franziska Meyer
- Fungal Biotechnology in Wood Science, Holzforschung München, TUM School of Life SciencesTechnical University of MunichFreisingGermany
| | - Kevin Schmitz
- Fungal Biotechnology in Wood Science, Holzforschung München, TUM School of Life SciencesTechnical University of MunichFreisingGermany
| | - Hannes Blase
- Fungal Biotechnology in Wood Science, Holzforschung München, TUM School of Life SciencesTechnical University of MunichFreisingGermany
| | - Elisabeth Tamayo
- Fungal Biotechnology in Wood Science, Holzforschung München, TUM School of Life SciencesTechnical University of MunichFreisingGermany
| | - J. Philipp Benz
- Fungal Biotechnology in Wood Science, Holzforschung München, TUM School of Life SciencesTechnical University of MunichFreisingGermany
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2
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Maini Rekdal V, van der Luijt CRB, Chen Y, Kakumanu R, Baidoo EEK, Petzold CJ, Cruz-Morales P, Keasling JD. Edible mycelium bioengineered for enhanced nutritional value and sensory appeal using a modular synthetic biology toolkit. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2099. [PMID: 38485948 PMCID: PMC10940619 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46314-8] [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: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Filamentous fungi are critical in the transition to a more sustainable food system. While genetic modification of these organisms has promise for enhancing the nutritional value, sensory appeal, and scalability of fungal foods, genetic tools and demonstrated use cases for bioengineered food production by edible strains are lacking. Here, we develop a modular synthetic biology toolkit for Aspergillus oryzae, an edible fungus used in fermented foods, protein production, and meat alternatives. Our toolkit includes a CRISPR-Cas9 method for gene integration, neutral loci, and tunable promoters. We use these tools to elevate intracellular levels of the nutraceutical ergothioneine and the flavor-and color molecule heme in the edible biomass. The strain overproducing heme is red in color and is readily formulated into imitation meat patties with minimal processing. These findings highlight the promise of synthetic biology to enhance fungal foods and provide useful genetic tools for applications in food production and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vayu Maini Rekdal
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
- Miller Institute for Basic Research in Science, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA, 94608, USA
| | - Casper R B van der Luijt
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA, 94608, USA
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, 2800, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
- Department of Food Science, University of Copenhagen, 1958, Frederiksberg, Denmark
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Biological Systems and Engineering Division, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Yan Chen
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA, 94608, USA
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Biological Systems and Engineering Division, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Ramu Kakumanu
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA, 94608, USA
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Biological Systems and Engineering Division, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Edward E K Baidoo
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA, 94608, USA
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Biological Systems and Engineering Division, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Christopher J Petzold
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA, 94608, USA
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Biological Systems and Engineering Division, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Pablo Cruz-Morales
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, 2800, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Jay D Keasling
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA.
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA, 94608, USA.
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, 2800, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark.
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Biological Systems and Engineering Division, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA.
- California Institute of Quantitative Biosciences (QB3), University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA.
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA.
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3
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Chang PK. A Simple CRISPR/Cas9 System for Efficiently Targeting Genes of Aspergillus Section Flavi Species, Aspergillus nidulans, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus terreus, and Aspergillus niger. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0464822. [PMID: 36651760 PMCID: PMC9927283 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.04648-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
For Aspergillus flavus, a pathogen of considerable economic and health concern, successful gene knockout work for more than a decade has relied nearly exclusively on using nonhomologous end-joining pathway (NHEJ)-deficient recipients via forced double-crossover recombination of homologous sequences. In this study, a simple CRISPR/Cas9 (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated nuclease) genome editing system that gave extremely high (>95%) gene-targeting frequencies in A. flavus was developed. It contained a shortened Aspergillus nidulans AMA1 autonomously replicating sequence that maintained good transformation frequencies and Aspergillus oryzae ptrA as the selection marker for pyrithiamine resistance. Expression of the codon-optimized cas9 gene was driven by the A. nidulans gpdA promoter and trpC terminator. Expression of single guide RNA (sgRNA) cassettes was controlled by the A. flavus U6 promoter and terminator. The high transformation and gene-targeting frequencies of this system made generation of A. flavus gene knockouts with or without phenotypic changes effortless. Additionally, multiple-gene knockouts of A. flavus conidial pigment genes (olgA/copT/wA or olgA/yA/wA) were quickly generated by a sequential approach. Cotransforming sgRNA vectors targeting A. flavus kojA, yA, and wA gave 52%, 40%, and 8% of single-, double-, and triple-gene knockouts, respectively. The system was readily applicable to other section Flavi aspergilli (A. parasiticus, A. oryzae, A. sojae, A. nomius, A. bombycis, and A. pseudotamarii) with comparable transformation and gene-targeting efficiencies. Moreover, it gave satisfactory gene-targeting efficiencies (>90%) in A. nidulans (section Nidulantes), A. fumigatus (section Fumigati), A. terreus (section Terrei), and A. niger (section Nigri). It likely will have a broad application in aspergilli. IMPORTANCE CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing systems have been developed for many aspergilli. Reported gene-targeting efficiencies vary greatly and are dependent on delivery methods, repair mechanisms of induced double-stranded breaks, selection markers, and genetic backgrounds of transformation recipient strains. They are also mostly strain specific or species specific. This developed system is highly efficient and allows knocking out multiple genes in A. flavus efficiently either by sequential transformation or by cotransformation of individual sgRNA vectors if desired. It is readily applicable to section Flavi species and aspergilli in other sections ("section" is a taxonomic rank between genus and species). This cross-Aspergillus section system is for wild-type isolates and does not require homologous donor DNAs to be added, NHEJ-deficient strains to be created, or forced recycling of knockout recipients to be performed for multiple-gene targeting. Hence, it simplifies and expedites the gene-targeting process significantly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Perng-Kuang Chang
- Southern Regional Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
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4
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Cai G, Lin Z, Shi S. Development and expansion of the CRISPR/Cas9 toolboxes for powerful genome engineering in yeast. Enzyme Microb Technol 2022; 159:110056. [PMID: 35561628 DOI: 10.1016/j.enzmictec.2022.110056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Yeasts represent a group of the microorganisms most frequently seen in biotechnology. Recently, the class 2 type II CRISPR system (CRISPR/Cas9) has become the principal toolbox for genome editing. By efficiently implementing genetic manipulations such as gene integration/knockout, base editor, and transcription regulation, the development of biotechnological applications in yeasts has been extensively promoted. The genome-level tools based on CRISPR/Cas9, used for screening and identifying functional genes/gene clusters, are also advancing. In general, CRISPR/Cas9-assisted editing tools have gradually become standardized and function as host-orthogonal genetic systems, which results in time-saving for strain engineering and biotechnological application processes. In this review, we summarize the key points of the basic elements in the CRISPR/Cas9 system, including Cas9 variants, guide RNA, donors, and effectors. With a focus on yeast, we have also introduced the development of various CRISPR/Cas9 systems and discussed their future possibilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guang Cai
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, PR China
| | - Zhenquan Lin
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, PR China
| | - Shuobo Shi
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, PR China.
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5
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Pant S, Ritika, Nag P, Ghati A, Chakraborty D, Maximiano MR, Franco OL, Mandal AK, Kuila A. Employment of the CRISPR/Cas9 system to improve cellulase production in Trichoderma reesei. Biotechnol Adv 2022; 60:108022. [PMID: 35870723 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2022.108022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Trichoderma reesei has been explored intensively in the laboratory and on an industrial scale for its highly potent cellulase secretion machinery since its characterization over 70 years ago. Emergence of new genetic tools over the past decade has strengthened the understanding of mechanism involved in transcription of cellulase genes in fungi and provided a boost to edit them at molecular level. Since several transcriptional factors work synergistically for cellulase expression in fungi; engineering of cellulase secretome for enhanced cellulase titer require combined manipulation of these factors. In the same context, CRISPR/Cas9 has emerged as a powerful, versatile genetic engineering tool for multiplex gene editing in fungi. It is true that considerable efforts with CRISPR technologies have largely developed fungal genetic engineering, but its application in fungi is still challenging and limited. The present review illustrates the precision, strengths and challenges of using CRISPR/Cas9 technology for cellulase engineering in T. reesei, highlighting key strategies that could be employed for strain improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shailja Pant
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Banasthali Vidyapith, Rajasthan 304022, India
| | - Ritika
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Banasthali Vidyapith, Rajasthan 304022, India
| | - Piyali Nag
- Department of Microbiology, Barrackpore Rastraguru Surendranath College, Barrackpore, Kolkata 700120, India
| | - Amit Ghati
- Department of Microbiology, Barrackpore Rastraguru Surendranath College, Barrackpore, Kolkata 700120, India.
| | - Dipjyoti Chakraborty
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Banasthali Vidyapith, Rajasthan 304022, India
| | - Mariana Rocha Maximiano
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil; S-Inova Biotech, Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | - Octavio Luiz Franco
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil; S-Inova Biotech, Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | - Amit Kumar Mandal
- Centre for Nanotechnology Sciences & Chemical Biology Laboratory, Department of Sericulture, Raiganj University, Raiganj, 733134, India
| | - Arindam Kuila
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Banasthali Vidyapith, Rajasthan 304022, India.
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Abdulrachman D, Champreda V, Eurwilaichitr L, Chantasingh D, Pootanakit K. Efficient multiplex CRISPR/Cpf1 (Cas12a) genome editing system in Aspergillus aculeatus TBRC 277. J Biotechnol 2022; 355:53-64. [PMID: 35788357 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2022.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Revised: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
CRISPR/Cas technology is a versatile tool for genome engineering in many organisms, including filamentous fungi. Cpf1 is a multi-domain protein of class 2 (type V) RNA-guided CRISPR/Cas endonuclease, and is an alternative platform with distinct features when compared to Cas9. However, application of this technology in filamentous fungi is limited. Here, we present a single CRISPR/Cpf1 plasmid system in Aspergillus aculeatus strain TBRC 277, an industrially relevant cell factory. We first evaluated the functionality of three Cpf1 orthologs from Acidaminococcus sp. BV3L6 (AsCpf1), Francisella tularensis subsp. novicida U112 (FnCpf1), and Lachnospiraceae bacterium (LbCpf1), in RNA-guided site-specific DNA cleavage at the pksP locus. FnCpf1 showed the highest editing efficiency (93%) among the three Cpf1s. It was further investigated for its ability to delete a 1.7kb and a 0.5kb from pksP and pyrG genes, respectively, using two protospacers targeting these gene loci in a single crRNA array. Lastly, simultaneous editing of three sites within TBRC 277 genome was performed using three guide sequences targeting these two genes as well as an additional gene, kusA, which resulted in combined editing efficiency of 40%. The editing of the NHEJ pathway by targeting kusA to generate a NHEJ-deficient strain of A. aculeatus TBRC 277 improved gene targeting efficiency and yielded more precise gene-editing than that of using wild-type strain. This promising genome-editing system can be used for strain improvement in industrial applications such as production of valuable bioproducts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dede Abdulrachman
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol University, Salaya, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
| | - Verawat Champreda
- Enzyme Technology Laboratory, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), Thailand Science Park, Pathumthani, Thailand
| | - Lily Eurwilaichitr
- Thailand Bioresource Research Center (TBRC), National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), Thailand Science Park, Pathumthani, Thailand
| | - Duriya Chantasingh
- Enzyme Technology Laboratory, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), Thailand Science Park, Pathumthani, Thailand.
| | - Kusol Pootanakit
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol University, Salaya, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand.
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7
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Li LX, Yu LY, Wang B, Pan L. Impact of overexpressing NADH kinase on glucoamylase production in Aspergillus niger. J Ind Microbiol Biotechnol 2022; 49:6602362. [PMID: 35665816 PMCID: PMC9338884 DOI: 10.1093/jimb/kuac015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Glucoamylase has a wide range of applications in the production of glucose, antibiotics, amino acids, and other fermentation industries. Fungal glucoamylase, in particular, has attracted much attention because of its wide application in different industries, among which Aspergillus niger is the most popular strain producing glucoamylase. The low availability of NADPH was found to be one of the limiting factors for the overproduction of glucoamylase. In this study, 3 NADH kinases (AN03, AN14, and AN17) and malic enzyme (maeA) were overexpressed in aconidial A. niger by CRISPR/Cas9 technology, significantly increasing the size of the NADPH pool, resulting in the activity of glucoamylase was improved by about 70%, 50%, 90%, and 70%, respectively; the total secreted protein was increased by about 25%, 22%, 52%, and 26%, respectively. Furthermore, the combination of the mitochondrial NADH kinase (AN17) and the malic enzyme (maeA) increased glucoamylase activity by a further 19%. This study provided an effective strategy for enhancing glucoamylase production of A. niger.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin-Xiang Li
- School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou 510006, Guangdong, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Fermentation and Enzyme Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Le-Yi Yu
- School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou 510006, Guangdong, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Fermentation and Enzyme Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Bin Wang
- School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou 510006, Guangdong, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Fermentation and Enzyme Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Li Pan
- School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou 510006, Guangdong, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Fermentation and Enzyme Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
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8
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9
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CRISPR/Cas9-Based Genome Editing and Its Application in Aspergillus Species. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8050467. [PMID: 35628723 PMCID: PMC9143064 DOI: 10.3390/jof8050467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2022] [Revised: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus, a genus of filamentous fungi, is extensively distributed in nature and plays crucial roles in the decomposition of organic materials as an important environmental microorganism as well as in the traditional fermentation and food processing industries. Furthermore, due to their strong potential to secrete a large variety of hydrolytic enzymes and other natural products by manipulating gene expression and/or introducing new biosynthetic pathways, several Aspergillus species have been widely exploited as microbial cell factories. In recent years, with the development of next-generation genome sequencing technology and genetic engineering methods, the production and utilization of various homo-/heterologous-proteins and natural products in Aspergillus species have been well studied. As a newly developed genome editing technology, the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (CRISPR/Cas9) system has been used to edit and modify genes in Aspergilli. So far, the CRISPR/Cas9-based approach has been widely employed to improve the efficiency of gene modification in the strain type Aspergillus nidulans and other industrially important and pathogenic Aspergillus species, including Aspergillus oryzae, Aspergillus niger, and Aspergillus fumigatus. This review highlights the current development of CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing technology and its application in basic research and the production of recombination proteins and natural products in the Aspergillus species.
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Li Q, Lu J, Zhang G, Liu S, Zhou J, Du G, Chen J. Recent advances in the development of Aspergillus for protein production. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2022; 348:126768. [PMID: 35091037 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2022.126768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Aspergillus had been widely used in the industrial production of recombinant proteins. In addition to the safety and broad substrate utilization spectrum, its efficient post-translational modification and strong protein secretion capacity have significant advantages for developing an excellent protein-producing cell factory in industrial production. However, the difficulties in genetic manipulation of Aspergillus and varying expression levels of different heterologous proteins hampered its further development and application. Recently, the development of CRISPR genome editing and high-throughput screening platforms has facilitated the Aspergillus development of a wide range of modifications and applications. Meanwhile, multi-omics analysis and multiplexed genetic engineering have promoted effective knowledge mining. This paper provides a comprehensive and updated review of these advances, including high-throughput screening, genome editing, protein expression modules, and fermentation optimization. It also highlights and discusses the latest significant progress, aiming to provide a practical guide for implementing Aspergillus as an efficient protein-producing cell factory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinghua Li
- Science Center for Future Foods, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; National Engineering Research Center for Cereal Fermentation and Food Biomanufacturing, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Jinchang Lu
- Science Center for Future Foods, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; National Engineering Research Center for Cereal Fermentation and Food Biomanufacturing, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Guoqiang Zhang
- Science Center for Future Foods, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; National Engineering Research Center for Cereal Fermentation and Food Biomanufacturing, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China.
| | - Song Liu
- Science Center for Future Foods, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; National Engineering Research Center for Cereal Fermentation and Food Biomanufacturing, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; School of Biotechnology and Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Jingwen Zhou
- Science Center for Future Foods, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; National Engineering Research Center for Cereal Fermentation and Food Biomanufacturing, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; School of Biotechnology and Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Guocheng Du
- Science Center for Future Foods, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; School of Biotechnology and Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; The Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Jian Chen
- Science Center for Future Foods, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; National Engineering Research Center for Cereal Fermentation and Food Biomanufacturing, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; School of Biotechnology and Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; The Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
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11
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Ferrara M, Gallo A, Cervini C, Gambacorta L, Solfrizzo M, Baker SE, Perrone G. Evidence of the Involvement of a Cyclase Gene in the Biosynthesis of Ochratoxin A in Aspergillus carbonarius. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:toxins13120892. [PMID: 34941729 PMCID: PMC8705981 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13120892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a well-known mycotoxin with wide distribution in food and feed. Fungal genome sequencing has great utility for identifying secondary metabolites gene clusters for known and novel compounds. A comparative analysis of the OTA-biosynthetic cluster in A. steynii, A. westerdijkiae, A. niger, A. carbonarius, and P. nordicum has revealed a high synteny in OTA cluster organization in five structural genes (otaA, otaB, ota, otaR1, and otaD). Moreover, a recent detailed comparative genome analysis of Aspergilli OTA producers led to the identification of a cyclase gene, otaY, located in the OTA cluster between the otaA and otaB genes, encoding for a predicted protein with high similarity to SnoaLs domain. These proteins have been shown to catalyze ring closure steps in the biosynthesis of polyketide antibiotics produced in Streptomyces. In the present study, we demonstrated an upregulation of the cyclase gene in A. carbonarius under OTA permissive conditions, consistent with the expression trends of the other OTA cluster genes and their role in OTA biosynthesis by complete gene deletion. Our results pointed out the involvement of a cyclase gene in OTA biosynthetic pathway for the first time. They represent a step forward in the understanding of the molecular basis of OTA biosynthesis in A. carbonarius.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Ferrara
- Institute of Sciences of Food Production (ISPA), National Research Council (CNR), 70126 Bari, Italy; (L.G.); (M.S.); (G.P.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Antonia Gallo
- Institute of Sciences of Food Production (ISPA), National Research Council (CNR), 73100 Lecce, Italy;
| | - Carla Cervini
- Applied Mycology Group, Environment and AgriFood Theme, Cranfield University, Cranfield MK43 0AL, UK;
| | - Lucia Gambacorta
- Institute of Sciences of Food Production (ISPA), National Research Council (CNR), 70126 Bari, Italy; (L.G.); (M.S.); (G.P.)
| | - Michele Solfrizzo
- Institute of Sciences of Food Production (ISPA), National Research Council (CNR), 70126 Bari, Italy; (L.G.); (M.S.); (G.P.)
| | - Scott E. Baker
- Functional and Systems Biology Group, Environmental Molecular Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99354, USA;
- DOE Joint Bioenergy Institute, Emeryville, CA 94608, USA
| | - Giancarlo Perrone
- Institute of Sciences of Food Production (ISPA), National Research Council (CNR), 70126 Bari, Italy; (L.G.); (M.S.); (G.P.)
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Abstract
The resistance markers could ensure the entry of the CRISPR/Cas9 system into Aspergillus niger cells instead of gene editing. To increase the efficiency of positive colony screening on the primary transformation plates, we designed a visualized multigene editing system (VMS) via a unique tRNA-guide RNA (gRNA) array containing the gRNAs of a pigment gene albA and target genes. Disruption of albA produces white colonies, and the sequences of the endogenous tRNAAla, tRNAPhe, tRNAArg, tRNAIle, and tRNALeu enhance gRNA release. The disruption efficiencies of multigene were analyzed in the A. niger strain AG11 using ammA, amyA, prtT, kusA, and glaA as reporters. In white colonies on the primary transformation plates, the disruption rates of one-, two-, three-, four-, and five-target genes reached 89.2, 70.91, 50, 22.41, and 4.17%, respectively. The VMS developed here provides an effective method for screening homokaryotic multigene editing strains of A. niger.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cen Li
- National Engineering Laboratory for Cereal Fermentation Technology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
- Science Center for Future Foods, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
- School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Jingwen Zhou
- National Engineering Laboratory for Cereal Fermentation Technology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
- Science Center for Future Foods, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
- School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
- Jiangsu Provisional Research Center for Bioactive Product Processing Technology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Shengqi Rao
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Guocheng Du
- National Engineering Laboratory for Cereal Fermentation Technology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
- Science Center for Future Foods, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
- School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Song Liu
- National Engineering Laboratory for Cereal Fermentation Technology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
- Science Center for Future Foods, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
- School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
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Review of advances in the development of laccases for the valorization of lignin to enable the production of lignocellulosic biofuels and bioproducts. Biotechnol Adv 2021; 54:107809. [PMID: 34333091 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2021.107809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Revised: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Development and deployment of commercial biorefineries based on conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into biofuels and bioproducts faces many challenges that must be addressed before they are commercially viable. One of the biggest challenges faced is the efficient and scalable valorization of lignin, one of the three major components of the plant cell wall. Lignin is the most abundant aromatic biopolymer on earth, and its presence hinders the extraction of cellulose and hemicellulose that is essential to biochemical conversion of lignocellulose to fuels and chemicals. There has been a significant amount of work over the past 20 years that has sought to develop innovative processes designed to extract and recycle lignin into valuable compounds and help reduce the overall costs of the biorefinery process. Due to the complex matrix of lignin, which is essential for plant survival, the development of a reliable and efficient lignin conversion technology has been difficult to achieve. One approach that has received significant interest relies on the use of enzymes, notably laccases, a class of multi‑copper green oxidative enzymes that catalyze bond breaking in lignin to produce smaller oligomers. In this review, we first assess the different innovations of lignin valorization using laccases within the context of a biorefinery process, and then assess the latest economical advances that these innovations offered. Finally, we review laccase characterization and optimization, as well as the prospects and bottlenecks of this class of enzymes within the industrial and biorefining sectors.
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Anyaogu DC, Hansen AH, Hoof JB, Majewska NI, Contesini FJ, Paul JT, Nielsen KF, Hobley TJ, Yang S, Zhang H, Betenbaugh M, Mortensen UH. Glycoengineering of Aspergillus nidulans to produce precursors for humanized N-glycan structures. Metab Eng 2021; 67:153-163. [PMID: 34174425 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymben.2021.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Revised: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Filamentous fungi secrete protein with a very high efficiency, and this potential can be exploited advantageously to produce therapeutic proteins at low costs. A significant barrier to this goal is posed by the fact that fungal N-glycosylation varies substantially from that of humans. Inappropriate N-glycosylation of therapeutics results in reduced product quality, including poor efficacy, decreased serum half-life, and undesirable immune reactions. One solution to this problem is to reprogram the glycosylation pathway of filamentous fungi to decorate proteins with glycans that match, or can be remodeled into, those that are accepted by humans. In yeast, deletion of ALG3 leads to the accumulation of Man5GlcNAc2 glycan structures that can act as a precursor for remodeling. However, in Aspergilli, deletion of the ALG3 homolog algC leads to an N-glycan pool where the majority of the structures contain more hexose residues than the Man3-5GlcNAc2 species that can serve as substrates for humanized glycan structures. Hence, additional strain optimization is required. In this report, we have used gene deletions in combination with enzymatic and chemical glycan treatments to investigate N-glycosylation in the model fungus Aspergillus nidulans. In vitro analyses showed that only some of the N-glycan structures produced by a mutant A. nidulans strain, which is devoid of any of the known ER mannose transferases, can be trimmed into desirable Man3GlcNAc2 glycan structures, as substantial amounts of glycan structures appear to be capped by glucose residues. In agreement with this view, deletion of the ALG6 homolog algF, which encodes the putative α-1,3- glucosyltransferase that adds the first glucose residue to the growing ER glycan structure, dramatically reduces the amounts of Hex6-7HexNAc2 structures. Similarly, these structures are also sensitive to overexpression of the genes encoding the heterodimeric α-glucosidase II complex. Without the glucose caps, a new set of large N-glycan structures was formed. Formation of this set is mostly, perhaps entirely, due to mannosylation, as overexpression of the gene encoding mannosidase activity led to their elimination. Based on our new insights into the N-glycan processing in A. nidulans, an A. nidulans mutant strain was constructed in which more than 70% of the glycoforms appear to be Man3-5GlcNAc2 species, which may serve as precursors for further engineering in order to create more complex human-like N-glycan structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Chinyere Anyaogu
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Søltofts Plads, Building 223, 2800 kgs, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Anders Holmgaard Hansen
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet Building 220, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Jakob Blæsbjerg Hoof
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Søltofts Plads, Building 223, 2800 kgs, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Natalia I Majewska
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
| | - Fabiano Jares Contesini
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Søltofts Plads, Building 223, 2800 kgs, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Jackson T Paul
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
| | - Kristian Fog Nielsen
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Søltofts Plads, Building 223, 2800 kgs, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Timothy John Hobley
- National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Søltofts Plads, Building 222, 2800 Kgs, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Shuang Yang
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Hui Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Michael Betenbaugh
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA.
| | - Uffe Hasbro Mortensen
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Søltofts Plads, Building 223, 2800 kgs, Lyngby, Denmark.
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15
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Miao Y, Xia Y, Kong Y, Zhu H, Mei H, Li P, Feng H, Xun W, Xu Z, Zhang N, Liu D, Shen Q, Zhang R. Overcoming diverse homologous recombinations and single chimeric guide RNA competitive inhibition enhances Cas9-based cyclical multiple genes coediting in filamentous fungi. Environ Microbiol 2021; 23:2937-2954. [PMID: 33754479 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.15477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Deciphering the complex cellular behaviours and advancing the biotechnology applications of filamentous fungi increase the requirement for genetically manipulating a large number of target genes. The current strategies cannot cyclically coedit multiple genes simultaneously. In this study, we firstly revealed the existence of diverse homologous recombination (HR) types in marker-free editing of filamentous fungi, and then, demonstrated that sgRNA efficiency-mediated competitive inhibition resulted in the low integration of multiple genetic sites during coediting, which are the two major obstacles to limit the efficiency of cyclically coediting of multiple genes. To overcome these obstacles, we developed a biased cutting strategy by Cas9 to greatly enhance the desired HR type and applied a new selection marker labelling strategy for multiple donor DNAs, in which only the donor DNA with the lowest sgRNA efficiency was labelled. Combined with these strategies, we successfully developed a convenient method for cyclically coediting multiple genes in different filamentous fungi. In addition, diverse HRs resulted in a useful and convenient one-step approach for gene functional study combining both gene disruption and complementation. This research provided both a useful one-step approach for gene functional study and an efficient strategy for cyclically coediting multiple genes in filamentous fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youzhi Miao
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab for Organic Solid Waste Utilization, National Engineering Research Center for Organic-based Fertilizers, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Solid Organic Waste Resource Utilization, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Yanwei Xia
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab for Organic Solid Waste Utilization, National Engineering Research Center for Organic-based Fertilizers, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Solid Organic Waste Resource Utilization, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Yanqiong Kong
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab for Organic Solid Waste Utilization, National Engineering Research Center for Organic-based Fertilizers, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Solid Organic Waste Resource Utilization, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Han Zhu
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab for Organic Solid Waste Utilization, National Engineering Research Center for Organic-based Fertilizers, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Solid Organic Waste Resource Utilization, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Huiling Mei
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab for Organic Solid Waste Utilization, National Engineering Research Center for Organic-based Fertilizers, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Solid Organic Waste Resource Utilization, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Pan Li
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources Collection and Preservation, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Haichao Feng
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab for Organic Solid Waste Utilization, National Engineering Research Center for Organic-based Fertilizers, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Solid Organic Waste Resource Utilization, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Weibing Xun
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab for Organic Solid Waste Utilization, National Engineering Research Center for Organic-based Fertilizers, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Solid Organic Waste Resource Utilization, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Zhihui Xu
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab for Organic Solid Waste Utilization, National Engineering Research Center for Organic-based Fertilizers, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Solid Organic Waste Resource Utilization, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Nan Zhang
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab for Organic Solid Waste Utilization, National Engineering Research Center for Organic-based Fertilizers, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Solid Organic Waste Resource Utilization, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Dongyang Liu
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab for Organic Solid Waste Utilization, National Engineering Research Center for Organic-based Fertilizers, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Solid Organic Waste Resource Utilization, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Qirong Shen
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab for Organic Solid Waste Utilization, National Engineering Research Center for Organic-based Fertilizers, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Solid Organic Waste Resource Utilization, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Ruifu Zhang
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab for Organic Solid Waste Utilization, National Engineering Research Center for Organic-based Fertilizers, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Solid Organic Waste Resource Utilization, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources Collection and Preservation, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
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16
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Jiang C, Lv G, Tu Y, Cheng X, Duan Y, Zeng B, He B. Applications of CRISPR/Cas9 in the Synthesis of Secondary Metabolites in Filamentous Fungi. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:638096. [PMID: 33643273 PMCID: PMC7905030 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.638096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Filamentous fungi possess the capacity to produce a wide array of secondary metabolites with diverse biological activities and structures, such as lovastatin and swainsonine. With the advent of the post-genomic era, increasing amounts of cryptic or uncharacterized secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters are continually being discovered. However, owing to the longstanding lack of versatile, comparatively simple, and highly efficient genetic manipulation techniques, the broader exploration of industrially important secondary metabolites has been hampered thus far. With the emergence of CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing technology, this dilemma may be alleviated, as this advanced technique has revolutionized genetic research and enabled the exploitation and discovery of new bioactive compounds from filamentous fungi. In this review, we introduce the CRISPR/Cas9 system in detail and summarize the latest applications of CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing in filamentous fungi. We also briefly introduce the specific applications of the CRISPR/Cas9 system and CRISPRa in the improvement of secondary metabolite contents and discovery of novel biologically active compounds in filamentous fungi, with specific examples noted. Additionally, we highlight and discuss some of the challenges and deficiencies of using the CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing technology in research on the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites as well as future application of CRISPR/Cas9 strategy in filamentous fungi are highlighted and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunmiao Jiang
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Bioprocess Engineering and Co-Innovation Center for In-Vitro Diagnostic Reagents and Devices of Jiangxi Province, College of Life Sciences, Jiangxi Science and Technology Normal University, Nanchang, China
| | - Gongbo Lv
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Bioprocess Engineering and Co-Innovation Center for In-Vitro Diagnostic Reagents and Devices of Jiangxi Province, College of Life Sciences, Jiangxi Science and Technology Normal University, Nanchang, China
| | - Yayi Tu
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Bioprocess Engineering and Co-Innovation Center for In-Vitro Diagnostic Reagents and Devices of Jiangxi Province, College of Life Sciences, Jiangxi Science and Technology Normal University, Nanchang, China
| | - Xiaojie Cheng
- College of Life Sciences, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yitian Duan
- School of Information, Renmin University of China, Beijing, China
| | - Bin Zeng
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Bioprocess Engineering and Co-Innovation Center for In-Vitro Diagnostic Reagents and Devices of Jiangxi Province, College of Life Sciences, Jiangxi Science and Technology Normal University, Nanchang, China.,College of Pharmacy, Shenzhen Technology University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Bin He
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Bioprocess Engineering and Co-Innovation Center for In-Vitro Diagnostic Reagents and Devices of Jiangxi Province, College of Life Sciences, Jiangxi Science and Technology Normal University, Nanchang, China
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17
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Abdulrachman D, Eurwilaichitr L, Champreda V, Chantasingh D, Pootanakit K. Development of a CRISPR/Cpf1 system for targeted gene disruption in Aspergillus aculeatus TBRC 277. BMC Biotechnol 2021; 21:15. [PMID: 33573639 PMCID: PMC7879532 DOI: 10.1186/s12896-021-00669-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND CRISPR-Cas genome editing technologies have revolutionized biotechnological research particularly in functional genomics and synthetic biology. As an alternative to the most studied and well-developed CRISPR/Cas9, a new class 2 (type V) CRISPR-Cas system called Cpf1 has emerged as another versatile platform for precision genome modification in a wide range of organisms including filamentous fungi. RESULTS In this study, we developed AMA1-based single CRISPR/Cpf1 expression vector that targets pyrG gene in Aspergillus aculeatus TBRC 277, a wild type filamentous fungus and potential enzyme-producing cell factory. The results showed that the Cpf1 codon optimized from Francisella tularensis subsp. novicida U112, FnCpf1, works efficiently to facilitate RNA-guided site-specific DNA cleavage. Specifically, we set up three different guide crRNAs targeting pyrG gene and demonstrated that FnCpf1 was able to induce site-specific double-strand breaks (DSBs) followed by an endogenous non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) DNA repair pathway which caused insertions or deletions (indels) at these site-specific loci. CONCLUSIONS The use of FnCpf1 as an alternative class II (type V) nuclease was reported for the first time in A. aculeatus TBRC 277 species. The CRISPR/Cpf1 system developed in this study highlights the feasibility of CRISPR/Cpf1 technology and could be envisioned to further increase the utility of the CRISPR/Cpf1 in facilitating strain improvements as well as functional genomics of filamentous fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dede Abdulrachman
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol University, Salaya, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
| | - Lily Eurwilaichitr
- Thailand Bioresource Research Center (TBRC), National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), Thailand Science Park, Khlong Luang District, Pathumthani, Thailand
| | - Verawat Champreda
- Enzyme Technology Laboratory, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), Thailand Science Park, Khlong Luang District, Pathumthani, Thailand
| | - Duriya Chantasingh
- Enzyme Technology Laboratory, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), Thailand Science Park, Khlong Luang District, Pathumthani, Thailand.
| | - Kusol Pootanakit
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol University, Salaya, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand.
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18
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19
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Wang Q, Zhao Q, Liu Q, He X, Zhong Y, Qin Y, Gao L, Liu G, Qu Y. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing in Penicillium oxalicum and Trichoderma reesei using 5S rRNA promoter-driven guide RNAs. Biotechnol Lett 2021; 43:495-502. [PMID: 33048255 DOI: 10.1007/s10529-020-03024-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To construct convenient CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing systems in industrial enzyme-producing fungi Penicillium oxalicum and Trichoderma reesei. RESULTS Employing the 5S rRNA promoter from Aspergillus niger for guide RNA expression, the β-glucosidase gene bgl2 in P. oxalicum was deleted using a donor DNA carrying 40-bp homology arms or a donor containing no selectable marker gene. Using a markerless donor DNA as editing template, precise replacement of a small region was achieved in the creA gene. In T. reesei, the A. niger 5S rRNA promoter was less efficient than that in P. oxalicum when used for gene editing. Using a native 5S rRNA promoter, stop codons were introduced into the lae1 coding region using a markerless donor DNA with an editing efficiency of 36.67%. CONCLUSIONS Efficient genome editing systems were developed in filamentous fungi P. oxalicum and T. reesei by using heterologous or native 5S rRNA promoters for guide RNA expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, National Glycoengineering Research Center, Shandong University, 27 Binhai Road, Qingdao, 266237, China
| | - Qinqin Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, National Glycoengineering Research Center, Shandong University, 27 Binhai Road, Qingdao, 266237, China
| | - Qin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, National Glycoengineering Research Center, Shandong University, 27 Binhai Road, Qingdao, 266237, China
| | - Xin He
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, National Glycoengineering Research Center, Shandong University, 27 Binhai Road, Qingdao, 266237, China
| | - Yaohua Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, National Glycoengineering Research Center, Shandong University, 27 Binhai Road, Qingdao, 266237, China
| | - Yuqi Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, National Glycoengineering Research Center, Shandong University, 27 Binhai Road, Qingdao, 266237, China
| | - Liwei Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, National Glycoengineering Research Center, Shandong University, 27 Binhai Road, Qingdao, 266237, China.
| | - Guodong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, National Glycoengineering Research Center, Shandong University, 27 Binhai Road, Qingdao, 266237, China.
| | - Yinbo Qu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, National Glycoengineering Research Center, Shandong University, 27 Binhai Road, Qingdao, 266237, China
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20
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21
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Son YE, Park HS. Genetic Manipulation and Transformation Methods for Aspergillus spp. MYCOBIOLOGY 2020; 49:95-104. [PMID: 37970179 PMCID: PMC10635212 DOI: 10.1080/12298093.2020.1838115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Revised: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
Species of the genus Aspergillus have a variety of effects on humans and have been considered industrial cell factories due to their prominent ability for manufacturing several products such as heterologous proteins, secondary metabolites, and organic acids. Scientists are trying to improve fungal strains and re-design metabolic processes through advanced genetic manipulation techniques and gene delivery systems to enhance their industrial efficiency and utility. In this review, we describe the current status of the genetic manipulation techniques and transformation methods for species of the genus Aspergillus. The host strains, selective markers, and experimental materials required for the genetic manipulation and fungal transformation are described in detail. Furthermore, the advantages and disadvantages of these techniques are described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye-Eun Son
- School of Food Science and Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee-Soo Park
- School of Food Science and Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
- Department of Integrative Biology, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
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22
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Abstract
Aspergilli have been widely used in the production of organic acids, enzymes, and secondary metabolites for almost a century. Today, several GRAS (generally recognized as safe) Aspergillus species hold a central role in the field of industrial biotechnology with multiple profitable applications. Since the 1990s, research has focused on the use of Aspergillus species in the development of cell factories for the production of recombinant proteins mainly due to their natively high secretion capacity. Advances in the Aspergillus-specific molecular toolkit and combination of several engineering strategies (e.g., protease-deficient strains and fusions to carrier proteins) resulted in strains able to generate high titers of recombinant fungal proteins. However, the production of non-fungal proteins appears to still be inefficient due to bottlenecks in fungal expression and secretion machinery. After a brief overview of the different heterologous expression systems currently available, this review focuses on the filamentous fungi belonging to the genus Aspergillus and their use in recombinant protein production. We describe key steps in protein synthesis and secretion that may limit production efficiency in Aspergillus systems and present genetic engineering approaches and bioprocessing strategies that have been adopted in order to improve recombinant protein titers and expand the potential of Aspergilli as competitive production platforms.
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Li C, Zhou J, Du G, Chen J, Takahashi S, Liu S. Developing Aspergillus niger as a cell factory for food enzyme production. Biotechnol Adv 2020; 44:107630. [PMID: 32919011 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2020.107630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Revised: 09/05/2020] [Accepted: 09/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Aspergillus niger has become one of the most important hosts for food enzyme production due to its unique food safety characteristics and excellent protein secretion systems. A series of food enzymes such as glucoamylase have been commercially produced by A. niger strains, making this species a suitable platform for the engineered of strains with improved enzyme production. However, difficulties in genetic manipulations and shortage of expression strategies limit the progress in this regard. Moreover, several mycotoxins have recently been detected in some A. niger strains, which raises the necessity for a regulatory approval process for food enzyme production. With robust strains, processing engineering strategies are also needed for producing the enzymes on a large scale, which is also challenging for A. niger, since its culture is aerobic, and non-Newtonian fluid properties are developed during submerged culture, making mixing and aeration very energy-intensive. In this article, the progress and challenges of developing A. niger for the production of food enzymes are reviewed, including its genetic manipulations, strategies for more efficient production of food enzymes, and elimination of mycotoxins for product safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cen Li
- National Engineering Laboratory for Cereal Fermentation Technology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; School of Biotechnology and Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China.
| | - Jingwen Zhou
- National Engineering Laboratory for Cereal Fermentation Technology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; School of Biotechnology and Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; Jiangsu Provisional Research Center for Bioactive Product Processing Technology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China.
| | - Guocheng Du
- School of Biotechnology and Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; The Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China.
| | - Jian Chen
- National Engineering Laboratory for Cereal Fermentation Technology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; School of Biotechnology and Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; Jiangsu Provisional Research Center for Bioactive Product Processing Technology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China.
| | - Shunji Takahashi
- Natural Product Biosynthesis Research Unit, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan.
| | - Song Liu
- National Engineering Laboratory for Cereal Fermentation Technology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; School of Biotechnology and Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China.
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Xue A, Robbins N, Cowen LE. Advances in fungal chemical genomics for the discovery of new antifungal agents. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2020; 1496:5-22. [PMID: 32860238 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.14484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Revised: 08/09/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Invasive fungal infections have escalated from a rare curiosity to a major cause of human mortality around the globe. This is in part due to a scarcity in the number of antifungal drugs available to combat mycotic disease, making the discovery of novel bioactive compounds and determining their mode of action of utmost importance. The development and application of chemical genomic assays using the model yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has provided powerful methods to identify the mechanism of action of diverse molecules in a living cell. Furthermore, complementary assays are continually being developed in fungal pathogens, most notably Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans, to elucidate compound mechanism of action directly in the pathogen of interest. Collectively, the suite of chemical genetic assays that have been developed in multiple fungal species enables the identification of candidate drug target genes, as well as genes involved in buffering drug target pathways, and genes involved in general cellular responses to small molecules. In this review, we examine current yeast chemical genomic assays and highlight how such resources provide powerful tools that can be utilized to bolster the antifungal pipeline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Xue
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nicole Robbins
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Leah E Cowen
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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25
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Fatma Z, Schultz JC, Zhao H. Recent advances in domesticating non‐model microorganisms. Biotechnol Prog 2020; 36:e3008. [DOI: 10.1002/btpr.3008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2020] [Revised: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 04/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Zia Fatma
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology University of Illinois at Urbana‐Champaign Urbana Illinois USA
| | - J. Carl Schultz
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology University of Illinois at Urbana‐Champaign Urbana Illinois USA
| | - Huimin Zhao
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology University of Illinois at Urbana‐Champaign Urbana Illinois USA
- Departments of Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Bioengineering University of Illinois at Urbana‐Champaign Urbana Illinois USA
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26
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Markina NM, Kotlobay AA, Tsarkova AS. Heterologous Metabolic Pathways: Strategies for Optimal Expression in Eukaryotic Hosts. Acta Naturae 2020; 12:28-39. [PMID: 32742725 PMCID: PMC7385092 DOI: 10.32607/actanaturae.10966] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Heterologous pathways are linked series of biochemical reactions occurring in a host organism after the introduction of foreign genes. Incorporation of metabolic pathways into host organisms is a major strategy used to increase the production of valuable secondary metabolites. Unfortunately, simple introduction of the pathway genes into the heterologous host in most cases does not result in successful heterologous expression. Extensive modification of heterologous genes and the corresponding enzymes on many different levels is required to achieve high target metabolite production rates. This review summarizes the essential techniques used to create heterologous biochemical pathways, with a focus on the key challenges arising in the process and the major strategies for overcoming them.
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Affiliation(s)
- N. M. Markina
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 117997 Russia
- Planta LLC, Moscow, 121205 Russia
| | - A. A. Kotlobay
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 117997 Russia
| | - A. S. Tsarkova
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 117997 Russia
- Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, 117997 Russia
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Gabriel R, Prinz J, Jecmenica M, Romero-Vazquez C, Chou P, Harth S, Floerl L, Curran L, Oostlander A, Matz L, Fritsche S, Gorman J, Schuerg T, Fleißner A, Singer SW. Development of genetic tools for the thermophilic filamentous fungus Thermoascus aurantiacus. BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS 2020; 13:167. [PMID: 33062053 PMCID: PMC7547499 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-020-01804-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/20/2020] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fungal enzymes are vital for industrial biotechnology, including the conversion of plant biomass to biofuels and bio-based chemicals. In recent years, there is increasing interest in using enzymes from thermophilic fungi, which often have higher reaction rates and thermal tolerance compared to currently used fungal enzymes. The thermophilic filamentous fungus Thermoascus aurantiacus produces large amounts of highly thermostable plant cell wall-degrading enzymes. However, no genetic tools have yet been developed for this fungus, which prevents strain engineering efforts. The goal of this study was to develop strain engineering tools such as a transformation system, a CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing system and a sexual crossing protocol to improve the enzyme production. RESULTS Here, we report Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation (ATMT) of T. aurantiacus using the hph marker gene, conferring resistance to hygromycin B. The newly developed transformation protocol was optimized and used to integrate an expression cassette of the transcriptional xylanase regulator xlnR, which led to up to 500% increased xylanase activity. Furthermore, a CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing system was established in this fungus, and two different gRNAs were tested to delete the pyrG orthologue with 10% and 35% deletion efficiency, respectively. Lastly, a sexual crossing protocol was established using a hygromycin B- and a 5-fluoroorotic acid-resistant parent strain. Crossing and isolation of progeny on selective media were completed in a week. CONCLUSION The genetic tools developed for T. aurantiacus can now be used individually or in combination to further improve thermostable enzyme production by this fungus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raphael Gabriel
- Biological Systems and Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, 5885 Hollis Street, Emeryville, California 94608 United States
- Institut für Genetik, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Brunswick, Germany
| | - Julia Prinz
- Biological Systems and Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, 5885 Hollis Street, Emeryville, California 94608 United States
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU), Muthgasse 18, 1190 Vienna, Austria
| | - Marina Jecmenica
- Biological Systems and Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, 5885 Hollis Street, Emeryville, California 94608 United States
- Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology (ACIB), Muthgasse 11, 1190 Vienna, Austria
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU), Muthgasse 18, 1190 Vienna, Austria
| | - Carlos Romero-Vazquez
- Biological Systems and Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, 5885 Hollis Street, Emeryville, California 94608 United States
- College of Natural Sciences, University of Puerto-Rico, Rio Pedras, 17 Ave. Universidad STE 1701, San Juan, 00925 Puerto Rico USA
| | - Pallas Chou
- Biological Systems and Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, 5885 Hollis Street, Emeryville, California 94608 United States
- American High School, 36300 Fremont Blvd, Fremont, CA 94536 USA
| | - Simon Harth
- Biological Systems and Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, 5885 Hollis Street, Emeryville, California 94608 United States
- Frankfurt Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60438 Frankfurt Am Main, Germany
| | - Lena Floerl
- Biological Systems and Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, 5885 Hollis Street, Emeryville, California 94608 United States
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU), Muthgasse 18, 1190 Vienna, Austria
| | - Laure Curran
- Biological Systems and Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, 5885 Hollis Street, Emeryville, California 94608 United States
- École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Vaud 1015 Switzerland
| | - Anne Oostlander
- Biological Systems and Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, 5885 Hollis Street, Emeryville, California 94608 United States
- Institut für Genetik, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Brunswick, Germany
| | - Linda Matz
- Biological Systems and Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, 5885 Hollis Street, Emeryville, California 94608 United States
- Institut für Genetik, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Brunswick, Germany
| | - Susanne Fritsche
- Biological Systems and Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, 5885 Hollis Street, Emeryville, California 94608 United States
- Department of Food Science and Technology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU), Muthgasse 18, 1190 Vienna, Austria
| | - Jennifer Gorman
- Biological Systems and Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, 5885 Hollis Street, Emeryville, California 94608 United States
| | - Timo Schuerg
- Biological Systems and Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, 5885 Hollis Street, Emeryville, California 94608 United States
| | - André Fleißner
- Institut für Genetik, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Brunswick, Germany
| | - Steven W. Singer
- Biological Systems and Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, 5885 Hollis Street, Emeryville, California 94608 United States
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Villena GK, Kitazono AA, Hernández-Macedo M L. Bioengineering Fungi and Yeast for the Production of Enzymes, Metabolites, and Value-Added Compounds. Fungal Biol 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-41870-0_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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29
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Liu Q, Zhang Y, Li F, Li J, Sun W, Tian C. Upgrading of efficient and scalable CRISPR-Cas-mediated technology for genetic engineering in thermophilic fungus Myceliophthora thermophila. BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS 2019; 12:293. [PMID: 31890021 PMCID: PMC6927189 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-019-1637-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2019] [Accepted: 12/12/2019] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Thermophilic filamentous fungus Myceliophthora thermophila has great capacity for biomass degradation and is an attractive system for direct production of enzymes and chemicals from plant biomass. Its industrial importance inspired us to develop genome editing tools to speed up the genetic engineering of this fungus. First-generation CRISPR-Cas9 technology was developed in 2017 and, since then, some progress has been made in thermophilic fungi genetic engineering, but a number of limitations remain. They include the need for complex independent expression cassettes for targeting multiplex genomic loci and the limited number of available selectable marker genes. RESULTS In this study, we developed an Acidaminococcus sp. Cas12a-based CRISPR system for efficient multiplex genome editing, using a single-array approach in M. thermophila. These CRISPR-Cas12a cassettes worked well for simultaneous multiple gene deletions/insertions. We also developed a new simple approach for marker recycling that relied on the novel cleavage activity of the CRISPR-Cas12a system to make DNA breaks in selected markers. We demonstrated its performance by targeting nine genes involved in the cellulase production pathway in M. thermophila via three transformation rounds, using two selectable markers neo and bar. We obtained the nonuple mutant M9 in which protein productivity and lignocellulase activity were 9.0- and 18.5-fold higher than in the wild type. We conducted a parallel investigation using our transient CRISPR-Cas9 system and found the two technologies were complementary. Together we called them CRISPR-Cas-assisted marker recycling technology (Camr technology). CONCLUSIONS Our study described new approaches (Camr technology) that allow easy and efficient marker recycling and iterative stacking of traits in the same thermophilic fungus strain either, using the newly established CRISPR-Cas12a system or the established CRISPR-Cas9 system. This Camr technology will be a versatile and efficient tool for engineering, theoretically, an unlimited number of genes in fungi. We expect this advance to accelerate biotechnology-oriented engineering processes in fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Liu
- Key Laboratory of Systems Microbial Biotechnology, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, 300308 China
| | - Yongli Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Systems Microbial Biotechnology, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, 300308 China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049 China
| | - Fangya Li
- Key Laboratory of Systems Microbial Biotechnology, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, 300308 China
| | - Jingen Li
- Key Laboratory of Systems Microbial Biotechnology, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, 300308 China
| | - Wenliang Sun
- Key Laboratory of Systems Microbial Biotechnology, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, 300308 China
| | - Chaoguang Tian
- Key Laboratory of Systems Microbial Biotechnology, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, 300308 China
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30
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van Leeuwe TM, Arentshorst M, Ernst T, Alazi E, Punt PJ, Ram AFJ. Efficient marker free CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing for functional analysis of gene families in filamentous fungi. Fungal Biol Biotechnol 2019; 6:13. [PMID: 31559019 PMCID: PMC6754632 DOI: 10.1186/s40694-019-0076-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 09/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND CRISPR/Cas9 mediated genome editing has expedited the way of constructing multiple gene alterations in filamentous fungi, whereas traditional methods are time-consuming and can be of mutagenic nature. These developments allow the study of large gene families that contain putatively redundant genes, such as the seven-membered family of crh-genes encoding putative glucan-chitin crosslinking enzymes involved in cell wall biosynthesis. RESULTS Here, we present a CRISPR/Cas9 system for Aspergillus niger using a non-integrative plasmid, containing a selection marker, a Cas9 and a sgRNA expression cassette. Combined with selection marker free knockout repair DNA fragments, a set of the seven single knockout strains was obtained through homology directed repair (HDR) with an average efficiency of 90%. Cas9-sgRNA plasmids could effectively be cured by removing selection pressure, allowing the use of the same selection marker in successive transformations. Moreover, we show that either two or even three separate Cas9-sgRNA plasmids combined with marker-free knockout repair DNA fragments can be used in a single transformation to obtain double or triple knockouts with 89% and 38% efficiency, respectively. By employing this technique, a seven-membered crh-gene family knockout strain was acquired in a few rounds of transformation; three times faster than integrative selection marker (pyrG) recycling transformations. An additional advantage of the use of marker-free gene editing is that negative effects of selection marker gene expression are evaded, as we observed in the case of disrupting virtually silent crh family members. CONCLUSIONS Our findings advocate the use of CRISPR/Cas9 to create multiple gene deletions in both a fast and reliable way, while simultaneously omitting possible locus-dependent-side-effects of poor auxotrophic marker expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim M. van Leeuwe
- Department Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Sylviusweg 72, 2333 BE Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Mark Arentshorst
- Department Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Sylviusweg 72, 2333 BE Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Tim Ernst
- Department Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Sylviusweg 72, 2333 BE Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Ebru Alazi
- Department Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Sylviusweg 72, 2333 BE Leiden, The Netherlands
- Present Address: Dutch DNA Biotech, Hugo R Kruytgebouw 4-Noord, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Peter J. Punt
- Department Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Sylviusweg 72, 2333 BE Leiden, The Netherlands
- Dutch DNA Biotech, Hugo R Kruytgebouw 4-Noord, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Arthur F. J. Ram
- Department Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Sylviusweg 72, 2333 BE Leiden, The Netherlands
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Song R, Zhai Q, Sun L, Huang E, Zhang Y, Zhu Y, Guo Q, Tian Y, Zhao B, Lu H. CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technology in filamentous fungi: progress and perspective. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2019; 103:6919-6932. [PMID: 31332488 PMCID: PMC6690858 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-019-10007-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2019] [Revised: 06/28/2019] [Accepted: 07/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Filamentous fungi play an important role in human health and industrial/agricultural production. With the increasing number of full genomes available for fungal species, the study of filamentous fungi has brought about a wider range of genetic manipulation opportunities. However, the utilization of traditional methods to study fungi is time consuming and laborious. Recent rapid progress and wide application of a versatile genome editing technology, i.e., the CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat)-Cas9 (CRISPR-related nuclease 9) system, has revolutionized biological research and has many innovative applications in a wide range of fields showing great promise in research and application of filamentous fungi. In this review, we introduce the CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technology focusing on its application in research of filamentous fungi and we discuss the general considerations of genome editing using CRISPR/Cas9 system illustrating vector construction, multiple editing strategies, technical consideration of different sizes of homology arms on genome editing efficiency, off-target effects, and different transformation methodologies. In addition, we discuss the challenges encountered using CRISPR/Cas9 technology and give the perspectives of future applications of CRISPR/Cas9 technology for basic research and practical application of filamentous fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Runjie Song
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Qing Zhai
- Tibet Academy of Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Sciences, Lhasa, 850000, Tibet, China
| | - Lu Sun
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Enxia Huang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yanli Zhu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Qingyun Guo
- Qinghai Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Qinghai University/Key Laboratory of Agricultural Integrated Pest Management, Qinghai Province/State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining, 810016, Qinghai, China.
| | - Yanan Tian
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Baoyu Zhao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Hao Lu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, China.
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32
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Dong H, Zheng J, Yu D, Wang B, Pan L. Efficient genome editing in Aspergillus niger with an improved recyclable CRISPR-HDR toolbox and its application in introducing multiple copies of heterologous genes. J Microbiol Methods 2019; 163:105655. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mimet.2019.105655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Revised: 06/13/2019] [Accepted: 06/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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