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Rill A, Zhao L, Bode HB. Genetic toolbox for Photorhabdus and Xenorhabdus: pSEVA based heterologous expression systems and CRISPR/Cpf1 based genome editing for rapid natural product profiling. Microb Cell Fact 2024; 23:98. [PMID: 38561780 PMCID: PMC10983751 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-024-02363-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bacteria of the genus Photorhabdus and Xenorhabdus are motile, Gram-negative bacteria that live in symbiosis with entomopathogenic nematodes. Due to their complex life cycle, they produce a large number of specialized metabolites (natural products) encoded in biosynthetic gene clusters (BGC). Genetic tools for Photorhabdus and Xenorhabdus have been rare and applicable to only a few strains. In the past, several tools have been developed for the activation of BGCs and the deletion of individual genes. However, these often have limited efficiency or are time consuming. Among the limitations, it is essential to have versatile expression systems and genome editing tools that could facilitate the practical work. RESULTS In the present study, we developed several expression vectors and a CRISPR-Cpf1 genome editing vector for genetic manipulations in Photorhabdus and Xenorhabdus using SEVA plasmids. The SEVA collection is based on modular vectors that allow exchangeability of different elements (e.g. origin of replication and antibiotic selection markers with the ability to insert desired sequences for different end applications). Initially, we tested different SEVA vectors containing the broad host range origins and three different resistance genes for kanamycin, gentamycin and chloramphenicol, respectively. We demonstrated that these vectors are replicative not only in well-known representatives, e.g. Photorhabdus laumondii TTO1, but also in other rarely described strains like Xenorhabdus sp. TS4. For our CRISPR/Cpf1-based system, we used the pSEVA231 backbone to delete not only small genes but also large parts of BGCs. Furthermore, we were able to activate and refactor BGCs to obtain high production titers of high value compounds such as safracin B, a semisynthetic precursor for the anti-cancer drug ET-743. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study provide new inducible expression vectors and a CRISPR/CPf1 encoding vector all based on the SEVA (Standard European Vector Architecture) collection, which can improve genetic manipulation and genome editing processes in Photorhabdus and Xenorhabdus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Rill
- Department of Natural Products in Organismic Interactions, Max-Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, 35043, Marburg, Germany
- Molecular Biotechnology, Department of Biosciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Department of Chemistry, Chemical Biology, Phillips University Marburg, 35043, Marburg, Germany
| | - Lei Zhao
- Molecular Biotechnology, Department of Biosciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- State Key Laboratory of Bio-organic and Natural Products Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Helge B Bode
- Department of Natural Products in Organismic Interactions, Max-Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, 35043, Marburg, Germany.
- Molecular Biotechnology, Department of Biosciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
- Department of Chemistry, Chemical Biology, Phillips University Marburg, 35043, Marburg, Germany.
- Center for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO), Phillips University Marburg, 35043, Marburg, Germany.
- Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung, 60325, Frankfurt, Germany.
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Cautereels C, Smets J, De Saeger J, Cool L, Zhu Y, Zimmermann A, Steensels J, Gorkovskiy A, Jacobs TB, Verstrepen KJ. Orthogonal LoxPsym sites allow multiplexed site-specific recombination in prokaryotic and eukaryotic hosts. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1113. [PMID: 38326330 PMCID: PMC10850332 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-44996-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Site-specific recombinases such as the Cre-LoxP system are routinely used for genome engineering in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Importantly, recombinases complement the CRISPR-Cas toolbox and provide the additional benefit of high-efficiency DNA editing without generating toxic DNA double-strand breaks, allowing multiple recombination events at the same time. However, only a handful of independent, orthogonal recombination systems are available, limiting their use in more complex applications that require multiple specific recombination events, such as metabolic engineering and genetic circuits. To address this shortcoming, we develop 63 symmetrical LoxP variants and test 1192 pairwise combinations to determine their cross-reactivity and specificity upon Cre activation. Ultimately, we establish a set of 16 orthogonal LoxPsym variants and demonstrate their use for multiplexed genome engineering in both prokaryotes (E. coli) and eukaryotes (S. cerevisiae and Z. mays). Together, this work yields a significant expansion of the Cre-LoxP toolbox for genome editing, metabolic engineering and other controlled recombination events, and provides insights into the Cre-LoxP recombination process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Cautereels
- VIB Laboratory for Systems Biology, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
- CMPG Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, Department M2S, KU Leuven, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
| | - Jolien Smets
- VIB Laboratory for Systems Biology, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
- CMPG Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, Department M2S, KU Leuven, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
| | - Jonas De Saeger
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Lloyd Cool
- VIB Laboratory for Systems Biology, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
- CMPG Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, Department M2S, KU Leuven, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
- Laboratory of Socioecology and Social Evolution, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Yanmei Zhu
- VIB Laboratory for Systems Biology, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
- CMPG Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, Department M2S, KU Leuven, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
| | - Anna Zimmermann
- VIB Laboratory for Systems Biology, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
- CMPG Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, Department M2S, KU Leuven, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
| | - Jan Steensels
- VIB Laboratory for Systems Biology, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
- CMPG Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, Department M2S, KU Leuven, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
| | - Anton Gorkovskiy
- VIB Laboratory for Systems Biology, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
- CMPG Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, Department M2S, KU Leuven, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
| | - Thomas B Jacobs
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Kevin J Verstrepen
- VIB Laboratory for Systems Biology, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology, Leuven, 3001, Belgium.
- CMPG Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, Department M2S, KU Leuven, Leuven, 3001, Belgium.
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Džunková M, La Clair JJ, Tyml T, Doud D, Schulz F, Piquer-Esteban S, Porcel Sanchis D, Osborn A, Robinson D, Louie KB, Bowen BP, Bowers RM, Lee J, Arnau V, Díaz-Villanueva W, Stepanauskas R, Gosliner T, Date SV, Northen TR, Cheng JF, Burkart MD, Woyke T. Synthase-selected sorting approach identifies a beta-lactone synthase in a nudibranch symbiotic bacterium. MICROBIOME 2023; 11:130. [PMID: 37312139 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-023-01560-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nudibranchs comprise a group of > 6000 marine soft-bodied mollusk species known to use secondary metabolites (natural products) for chemical defense. The full diversity of these metabolites and whether symbiotic microbes are responsible for their synthesis remains unexplored. Another issue in searching for undiscovered natural products is that computational analysis of genomes of uncultured microbes can result in detection of novel biosynthetic gene clusters; however, their in vivo functionality is not guaranteed which limits further exploration of their pharmaceutical or industrial potential. To overcome these challenges, we used a fluorescent pantetheine probe, which produces a fluorescent CoA-analog employed in biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, to label and capture bacterial symbionts actively producing these compounds in the mantle of the nudibranch Doriopsilla fulva. RESULTS We recovered the genome of Candidatus Doriopsillibacter californiensis from the Ca. Tethybacterales order, an uncultured lineage of sponge symbionts not found in nudibranchs previously. It forms part of the core skin microbiome of D. fulva and is nearly absent in its internal organs. We showed that crude extracts of D. fulva contained secondary metabolites that were consistent with the presence of a beta-lactone encoded in Ca. D. californiensis genome. Beta-lactones represent an underexplored group of secondary metabolites with pharmaceutical potential that have not been reported in nudibranchs previously. CONCLUSIONS Altogether, this study shows how probe-based, targeted sorting approaches can capture bacterial symbionts producing secondary metabolites in vivo. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mária Džunková
- Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Berkeley, CA, USA.
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA.
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology, University of Valencia and Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Valencia, Spain.
| | - James J La Clair
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Tomáš Tyml
- Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Molecular Biophysics & Integrated Bioimaging, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Laboratory for Research in Complex Systems, Menlo Park, CA, USA
| | - Devin Doud
- Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Frederik Schulz
- Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Samuel Piquer-Esteban
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology, University of Valencia and Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Valencia, Spain
| | - Dafne Porcel Sanchis
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology, University of Valencia and Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Valencia, Spain
| | - Andrew Osborn
- Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - David Robinson
- Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Katherine B Louie
- Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Ben P Bowen
- Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Robert M Bowers
- Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Janey Lee
- Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Vicente Arnau
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology, University of Valencia and Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Valencia, Spain
- Foundation for the Promotion of Sanitary and Biomedical Research of the Valencian Community (FISABIO), Valencia, Spain
| | - Wladimiro Díaz-Villanueva
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology, University of Valencia and Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Valencia, Spain
- Foundation for the Promotion of Sanitary and Biomedical Research of the Valencian Community (FISABIO), Valencia, Spain
| | | | | | - Shailesh V Date
- Laboratory for Research in Complex Systems, Menlo Park, CA, USA
- University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Trent R Northen
- Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Jan-Fang Cheng
- Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Michael D Burkart
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA.
| | - Tanja Woyke
- Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Berkeley, CA, USA.
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA.
- University of California Merced, Life and Environmental Sciences, Merced, CA, USA.
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Zhao Z, Cheng JF, Yoshikuni Y. Chromosomal integration of complex DNA constructs using CRAGE and CRAGE-Duet systems. STAR Protoc 2022; 3:101546. [PMID: 35842866 PMCID: PMC9294251 DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2022.101546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Our recent development of the CRAGE (chassis-independent recombinase-assisted genome engineering) system enables single-step integration of large, complex DNA constructs directly into bacteria genomes across multiple phyla. This protocol describes the details of the experimental design and procedures of CRAGE and extended CRAGE-Duet systems. It also describes a strategy that combines CRISPR with CRAGE, which allows implementation of CRISPR-Cas9, CRISPRa, and CRISPRi in diverse bacteria, overcoming major limitations to broaden the application of CRISPR in non-model bacterial genome engineering. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Wang et al. (2019), Wang et al. (2020), and Liu et al. (2020). Domestication of non-model bacteria using CRAGE and CRAGE-Duet systems Single-step chromosomal integration of complex DNA constructs (payloads) Use of CRISPR-Cas9, CRISPRa, and CRISPRi tools in non-model bacteria
Publisher’s note: Undertaking any experimental protocol requires adherence to local institutional guidelines for laboratory safety and ethics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiying Zhao
- The US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
| | - Jan-Fang Cheng
- The US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Yasuo Yoshikuni
- The US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; Biological Systems and Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; Global Center for Food, Land, and Water Resources, Hokkaido University, Hokkaido 060-8589, Japan.
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CRAGE-CRISPR facilitates rapid activation of secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters in bacteria. Cell Chem Biol 2021; 29:696-710.e4. [PMID: 34508657 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2021.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Revised: 06/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
With the advent of genome sequencing and mining technologies, secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) within bacterial genomes are becoming easier to predict. For subsequent BGC characterization, clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) has contributed to knocking out target genes and/or modulating their expression; however, CRISPR is limited to strains for which robust genetic tools are available. Here we present a strategy that combines CRISPR with chassis-independent recombinase-assisted genome engineering (CRAGE), which enables CRISPR systems in diverse bacteria. To demonstrate CRAGE-CRISPR, we select 10 polyketide/non-ribosomal peptide BGCs in Photorhabdus luminescens as models and create their deletion and activation mutants. Subsequent loss- and gain-of-function studies confirm 22 secondary metabolites associated with the BGCs, including a metabolite from a previously uncharacterized BGC. These results demonstrate that the CRAGE-CRISPR system is a simple yet powerful approach to rapidly perturb expression of defined BGCs and to profile genotype-phenotype relationships in bacteria.
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