1
|
Yan H, Tang W. Programmed RNA editing with an evolved bacterial adenosine deaminase. Nat Chem Biol 2024:10.1038/s41589-024-01661-x. [PMID: 38969862 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-024-01661-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 07/07/2024]
Abstract
Programmed RNA editing presents an attractive therapeutic strategy for genetic disease. In this study, we developed bacterial deaminase-enabled recoding of RNA (DECOR), which employs an evolved Escherichia coli transfer RNA adenosine deaminase, TadA8e, to deposit adenosine-to-inosine editing to CRISPR-specified sites in the human transcriptome. DECOR functions in a variety of cell types, including human lung fibroblasts, and delivers on-target activity similar to ADAR-overexpressing RNA-editing platforms with 88% lower off-target effects. High-fidelity DECOR further reduces off-target effects to basal level. We demonstrate the clinical potential of DECOR by targeting Van der Woude syndrome-causing interferon regulatory factor 6 (IRF6) insufficiency. DECOR-mediated RNA editing removes a pathogenic upstream open reading frame (uORF) from the 5' untranslated region of IRF6 and rescues primary ORF expression from 12.3% to 36.5%, relative to healthy transcripts. DECOR expands the current portfolio of effector proteins and opens new territory in programmed RNA editing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hao Yan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
- Institute for Biophysical Dynamics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Weixin Tang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
- Institute for Biophysical Dynamics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Wu LY, Xu Y, Yu XW. Efficient CRISPR-mediated C-to-T base editing in Komagataella phaffii. Biotechnol J 2024; 19:e2400115. [PMID: 38987223 DOI: 10.1002/biot.202400115] [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: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 05/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024]
Abstract
The nonconventional methylotrophic yeast Komagataella phaffii is widely applied in the production of industrial enzymes, pharmaceutical proteins, and various high-value chemicals. The development of robust and versatile genome editing tools for K. phaffii is crucial for the design of increasingly advanced cell factories. Here, we first developed a base editing method for K. phaffii based on the CRISPR-nCas9 system. We engineered 24 different base editor constructs, using a variety of promoters and cytidine deaminases (CDAs). The optimal base editor (PAOX2*-KpA3A-nCas9-KpUGI-DAS1TT) comprised a truncated AOX2 promoter (PAOX2*), a K. phaffii codon-optimized human APOBEC3A CDA (KpA3A), human codon-optimized nCas9 (D10A), and a K. phaffii codon-optimized uracil glycosylase inhibitor (KpUGI). This optimal base editor efficiently performed C-to-T editing in K. phaffii, with single-, double-, and triple-locus editing efficiencies of up to 96.0%, 65.0%, and 5.0%, respectively, within a 7-nucleotide window from C-18 to C-12. To expand the targetable genomic region, we also replaced nCas9 in the optimal base editor with nSpG and nSpRy, and achieved 50.0%-60.0% C-to-T editing efficiency for NGN-protospacer adjacent motif (PAM) sites and 20.0%-93.2% C-to-T editing efficiency for NRN-PAM sites, respectively. Therefore, these constructed base editors have emerged as powerful tools for gene function research, metabolic engineering, genetic improvement, and functional genomics research in K. phaffii.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ling-Yu Wu
- Lab of Brewing Microbiology and Applied Enzymology, School of Biotechnology and Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology of Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Yan Xu
- Lab of Brewing Microbiology and Applied Enzymology, School of Biotechnology and Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology of Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Xiao-Wei Yu
- Lab of Brewing Microbiology and Applied Enzymology, School of Biotechnology and Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology of Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Yang H, Patel DJ. Structures, mechanisms and applications of RNA-centric CRISPR-Cas13. Nat Chem Biol 2024; 20:673-688. [PMID: 38702571 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-024-01593-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
Prokaryotes are equipped with a variety of resistance strategies to survive frequent viral attacks or invading mobile genetic elements. Among these, CRISPR-Cas surveillance systems are abundant and have been studied extensively. This Review focuses on CRISPR-Cas type VI Cas13 systems that use single-subunit RNA-guided Cas endonucleases for targeting and subsequent degradation of foreign RNA, thereby providing adaptive immunity. Notably, distinct from single-subunit DNA-cleaving Cas9 and Cas12 systems, Cas13 exhibits target RNA-activated substrate RNase activity. This Review outlines structural, biochemical and cell biological studies toward elucidation of the unique structural and mechanistic principles underlying surveillance effector complex formation, precursor CRISPR RNA (pre-crRNA) processing, self-discrimination and RNA degradation in Cas13 systems as well as insights into suppression by bacteriophage-encoded anti-CRISPR proteins and regulation by endogenous accessory proteins. Owing to its programmable ability for RNA recognition and cleavage, Cas13 provides powerful RNA targeting, editing, detection and imaging platforms with emerging biotechnological and therapeutic applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hui Yang
- Key Laboratory of RNA Innovation, Science and Engineering, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.
| | - Dinshaw J Patel
- Structural Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Hao M, Ling X, Sun Y, Wang X, Li W, Chang L, Zeng Z, Shi X, Niu M, Chen L, Liu T. Tracking endogenous proteins based on RNA editing-mediated genetic code expansion. Nat Chem Biol 2024; 20:721-731. [PMID: 38302606 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-023-01533-w] [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: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Protein labeling approaches are important to study proteins in living cells, and genome editing tools make it possible to tag endogenous proteins to address the concerns associated with overexpression. Here we established RNA editing-mediated noncanonical amino acids (ncAAs) protein tagging (RENAPT) to site-specifically label endogenous proteins with ncAAs in living cells. RENAPT labels protein in a temporary and nonheritable manner and is not restricted by protospacer adjacent motif sequence. Using a fluorescent ncAA or ncAA with a bio-orthogonal reaction handle for subsequent dye labeling, we demonstrated that a variety of endogenous proteins can be imaged at their specific subcellular locations. In addition, two proteins can be tagged individually and simultaneously using two different ncAAs. Furthermore, endogenous ion channels and neuron-specific proteins can be real-time labeled in primary neurons. Thus, RENAPT presents a promising platform with broad applicability for tagging endogenous proteins in living cells to study their localization and functions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Min Hao
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Chemical Biology Center, Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Xinyu Ling
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Chemical Biology Center, Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Yi Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Chemical Biology Center, Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Xue Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Chemical Biology Center, Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Wenzhe Li
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Chemical Biology Center, Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Liying Chang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Chemical Biology Center, Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhiying Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Chemical Biology Center, Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaomeng Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Chemical Biology Center, Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Mengxiao Niu
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Liangyi Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Tao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Chemical Biology Center, Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Witzenberger M, Schwartz S. Directing RNA-modifying machineries towards endogenous RNAs: opportunities and challenges. Trends Genet 2024; 40:313-325. [PMID: 38350740 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2024.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024]
Abstract
Over 170 chemical modifications can be naturally installed on RNA, all of which are catalyzed by dedicated machineries. These modifications can alter RNA sequence structure, stability, and translation as well as serving as quality control marks that record aspects of RNA processing. The diverse roles played by RNAs within cells has motivated endeavors to exogenously introduce RNA modifications at target sites for diverse purposes ranging from recording RNA:protein interactions to therapeutic applications. Here, we discuss these applications and the approaches that have been employed to engineer RNA-modifying machineries, and highlight persisting challenges and perspectives.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Monika Witzenberger
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7630031, Israel.
| | - Schraga Schwartz
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7630031, Israel.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Zhang D, Zhu L, Gao Y, Wang Y, Li P. RNA editing enzymes: structure, biological functions and applications. Cell Biosci 2024; 14:34. [PMID: 38493171 PMCID: PMC10944622 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-024-01216-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024] Open
Abstract
With the advancement of sequencing technologies and bioinformatics, over than 170 different RNA modifications have been identified. However, only a few of these modifications can lead to base pair changes, which are called RNA editing. RNA editing is a ubiquitous modification in mammalian transcriptomes and is an important co/posttranscriptional modification that plays a crucial role in various cellular processes. There are two main types of RNA editing events: adenosine to inosine (A-to-I) editing, catalyzed by ADARs on double-stranded RNA or ADATs on tRNA, and cytosine to uridine (C-to-U) editing catalyzed by APOBECs. This article provides an overview of the structure, function, and applications of RNA editing enzymes. We discuss the structural characteristics of three RNA editing enzyme families and their catalytic mechanisms in RNA editing. We also explain the biological role of RNA editing, particularly in innate immunity, cancer biogenesis, and antiviral activity. Additionally, this article describes RNA editing tools for manipulating RNA to correct disease-causing mutations, as well as the potential applications of RNA editing enzymes in the field of biotechnology and therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dejiu Zhang
- Institute for Translational Medicine, College of Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China.
| | - Lei Zhu
- College of Basic Medical, Qingdao Binhai University, Qingdao, China
| | - Yanyan Gao
- Institute for Translational Medicine, College of Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Yin Wang
- Institute for Translational Medicine, College of Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Peifeng Li
- Institute for Translational Medicine, College of Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Apostolopoulos A, Kawamoto N, Chow SYA, Tsuiji H, Ikeuchi Y, Shichino Y, Iwasaki S. dCas13-mediated translational repression for accurate gene silencing in mammalian cells. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2205. [PMID: 38467613 PMCID: PMC10928199 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46412-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Current gene silencing tools based on RNA interference (RNAi) or, more recently, clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)‒Cas13 systems have critical drawbacks, such as off-target effects (RNAi) or collateral mRNA cleavage (CRISPR‒Cas13). Thus, a more specific method of gene knockdown is needed. Here, we develop CRISPRδ, an approach for translational silencing, harnessing catalytically inactive Cas13 proteins (dCas13). Owing to its tight association with mRNA, dCas13 serves as a physical roadblock for scanning ribosomes during translation initiation and does not affect mRNA stability. Guide RNAs covering the start codon lead to the highest efficacy regardless of the translation initiation mechanism: cap-dependent, internal ribosome entry site (IRES)-dependent, or repeat-associated non-AUG (RAN) translation. Strikingly, genome-wide ribosome profiling reveals the ultrahigh gene silencing specificity of CRISPRδ. Moreover, the fusion of a translational repressor to dCas13 further improves the performance. Our method provides a framework for translational repression-based gene silencing in eukaryotes.
Collapse
Grants
- JP20H05784 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)
- JP21H05278 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)
- JP21H05734 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)
- JP23H04268 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)
- JP20H05786 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)
- JP23H02415 MEXT | Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)
- JP20K07016 MEXT | Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)
- JP23K05648 MEXT | Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)
- JP21K15023 MEXT | Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)
- JP23KJ2175 MEXT | Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)
- JP20gm1410001 Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED)
- JP20gm1410001 Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED)
- JP23gm6910005h0001 Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED)
- JP23gm6910005 Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED)
- JP20gm1410001 Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED)
- Pioneering Projects MEXT | RIKEN
- Pioneering Projects MEXT | RIKEN
- Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems (ExCELLS), 23EX601
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Antonios Apostolopoulos
- Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-8561, Japan
- RNA Systems Biochemistry Laboratory, RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering Research, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
| | - Naohiro Kawamoto
- RNA Systems Biochemistry Laboratory, RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering Research, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
| | - Siu Yu A Chow
- Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 153-8505, Japan
| | - Hitomi Tsuiji
- Education and Research Division of Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Aichi Gakuin University, Nagoya, Aichi, 464-8650, Japan
| | - Yoshiho Ikeuchi
- Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 153-8505, Japan
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
- Institute for AI and Beyond, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Yuichi Shichino
- RNA Systems Biochemistry Laboratory, RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering Research, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan.
| | - Shintaro Iwasaki
- Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-8561, Japan.
- RNA Systems Biochemistry Laboratory, RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering Research, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Luo N, Huang Q, Dong L, Liu W, Song J, Sun H, Wu H, Gao Y, Yi C. Near-cognate tRNAs increase the efficiency and precision of pseudouridine-mediated readthrough of premature termination codons. Nat Biotechnol 2024:10.1038/s41587-024-02165-8. [PMID: 38448662 DOI: 10.1038/s41587-024-02165-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
Programmable RNA pseudouridylation has emerged as a new type of RNA base editor to suppress premature termination codons (PTCs) that can lead to truncated and nonfunctional proteins. However, current methods to correct disease-associated PTCs suffer from low efficiency and limited precision. Here we develop RESTART v3, which uses near-cognate tRNAs to improve the readthrough efficiency of pseudouridine-modified PTCs. We show an average of ~5-fold (range: 2.1- to 9.5-fold) higher editing efficiency than RESTART v2 in cultured cells and achieve functional PTC readthrough in disease cell models of cystic fibrosis and Hurler syndrome. Furthermore, RESTART v3 enables accurate incorporation of the original amino acid for nearly half of the PTC sites, considering the naturally occurring frequencies of sense-to-nonsense codons, without affecting normal termination codons. Although off-target sites were detected, we did not observe changes to the coding information or the expression level of transcripts, and the overall natural tRNA abundance remained constant.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nan Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Qiang Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Liting Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Wenqing Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Joint Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Jinghui Song
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Hanxiao Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Hao Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yuan Gao
- Modit Therapeutics Beijing Limited, K115 Beijing ATLATL International Innovation Platform, Beijing, China
| | - Chengqi Yi
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China.
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China.
- Department of Chemical Biology and Synthetic and Functional Biomolecules Center, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, China.
- Beijing Advanced Center of RNA Biology (BEACON), Peking University, Beijing, China.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Song J, Luo N, Dong L, Peng J, Yi C. RNA base editors: The emerging approach of RNA therapeutics. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. RNA 2024; 15:e1844. [PMID: 38576085 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
RNA-based therapeutics offer a flexible and reversible approach for treating genetic disorders, such as antisense oligonucleotides, RNA interference, aptamers, mRNA vaccines, and RNA editing. In recent years, significant advancements have been made in RNA base editing to correct disease-relevant point mutations. These achievements have significantly influenced the fields of biotechnology, biomedical research and therapeutics development. In this article, we provide a comprehensive overview of the design and performance of contemporary RNA base editors, including A-to-I, C-to-U, A-to-m6A, and U-to-Ψ. We compare recent innovative developments and highlight their applications in disease-relevant contexts. Lastly, we discuss the limitations and future prospects of utilizing RNA base editing for therapeutic purposes. This article is categorized under: RNA Processing > RNA Editing and Modification RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jinghui Song
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Nan Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Liting Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Jinying Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Chengqi Yi
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Department of Chemical Biology and Synthetic and Functional Biomolecules Center, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Advanced Center of RNA Biology (BEACON), Peking University, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Song J, Zhuang Y, Yi C. Programmable RNA base editing via targeted modifications. Nat Chem Biol 2024; 20:277-290. [PMID: 38418907 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-023-01531-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-based genome editors are powerful tools in biology and hold great promise for the treatment of human diseases. Advanced DNA base editing tools, such as cytosine base editor and adenine base editor, have been developed to correct permanent mistakes in genetic material. However, undesired off-target edits would also be permanent, which poses a considerable risk for therapeutics. Alternatively, base editing at the RNA level is capable of correcting disease-causing mutations but does not lead to lasting genotoxic effects. RNA base editors offer temporary and reversible therapies and have been catching on in recent years. Here, we summarize some emerging RNA editors based on A-to-inosine, C-to-U and U-to-pseudouridine changes. We review the programmable RNA-targeting systems as well as modification enzyme-based effector proteins and highlight recent technological breakthroughs. Finally, we compare editing tools, discuss limitations and opportunities, and provide insights for the future directions of RNA base editing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jinghui Song
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuan Zhuang
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Chengqi Yi
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
- Department of Chemical Biology and Synthetic and Functional Biomolecules Center, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Macarrón Palacios A, Korus P, Wilkens BGC, Heshmatpour N, Patnaik SR. Revolutionizing in vivo therapy with CRISPR/Cas genome editing: breakthroughs, opportunities and challenges. Front Genome Ed 2024; 6:1342193. [PMID: 38362491 PMCID: PMC10867117 DOI: 10.3389/fgeed.2024.1342193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Genome editing using the CRISPR/Cas system has revolutionized the field of genetic engineering, offering unprecedented opportunities for therapeutic applications in vivo. Despite the numerous ongoing clinical trials focusing on ex vivo genome editing, recent studies emphasize the therapeutic promise of in vivo gene editing using CRISPR/Cas technology. However, it is worth noting that the complete attainment of the inherent capabilities of in vivo therapy in humans is yet to be accomplished. Before the full realization of in vivo therapeutic potential, it is crucial to achieve enhanced specificity in selectively targeting defective cells while minimizing harm to healthy cells. This review examines emerging studies, focusing on CRISPR/Cas-based pre-clinical and clinical trials for innovative therapeutic approaches for a wide range of diseases. Furthermore, we emphasize targeting cancer-specific sequences target in genes associated with tumors, shedding light on the diverse strategies employed in cancer treatment. We highlight the various challenges associated with in vivo CRISPR/Cas-based cancer therapy and explore their prospective clinical translatability and the strategies employed to overcome these obstacles.
Collapse
|
12
|
Li J, Fan G, Sakari M, Tsukahara T. Improvement of C-to-U RNA editing using an artificial MS2-APOBEC system. Biotechnol J 2024; 19:e2300321. [PMID: 38010373 DOI: 10.1002/biot.202300321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
RNA cytidine deamination (C-to-U editing) has been achieved using the MS2-apolipoprotein B-editing catalytic polypeptide-like (APOBEC)1 editing system. Here, we fused the cytidine deaminase (CDA) enzymes APOBEC3A and APOBEC3G with the MS2 system and examined their RNA editing efficiencies in transfected HEK 293T cells. Given the single-stranded RNA preferences of APOBEC3A and APOBEC3G, we designed unconventional guide RNAs that induced a loop at the target sequence, allowing the target to form a single-stranded structure. Because APOBEC3A and APOBEC3G have different base preferences (5'-TC and 5'-CC, respectively), we introduced the D317W mutation into APOBEC3G to convert its base preference to that of APOBEC3A. Upon co-transfection with a guide RNA that induced the formation of a 14 nt loop on the target sequence, MS2-fused APOBEC3A and APOBEC3G showed high editing efficiency. While the D317W mutation of APOBEC3G led to a slight improvement in editing efficiency, the difference was not statistically significant. These findings indicate that APOBEC3A and APOBEC3G can induce C-to-U RNA editing when transfected with a loop guide RNA. Moreover, the editing efficiency of APOBEC3G can be enhanced by site-specific mutation to alter the base preference. Overall, our results demonstrate that the MS2 system can fuse and catalyze reactions with different enzymes, suggesting that it holds an even greater potential for RNA editing than is utilized currently.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiarui Li
- Bioscience, Biotechnology and Biomedical Engineering Research Area, Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Nomi, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Guangyao Fan
- Bioscience, Biotechnology and Biomedical Engineering Research Area, Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Nomi, Ishikawa, Japan
- School of Medicine, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, China
| | - Matomo Sakari
- Bioscience, Biotechnology and Biomedical Engineering Research Area, Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Nomi, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Toshifumi Tsukahara
- Bioscience, Biotechnology and Biomedical Engineering Research Area, Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Nomi, Ishikawa, Japan
- GeCoRT Co. Ltd., Nishi-ku, Yokohama, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Budzko L, Hoffa-Sobiech K, Jackowiak P, Figlerowicz M. Engineered deaminases as a key component of DNA and RNA editing tools. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2023; 34:102062. [PMID: 38028200 PMCID: PMC10661471 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2023.102062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Over recent years, zinc-dependent deaminases have attracted increasing interest as key components of nucleic acid editing tools that can generate point mutations at specific sites in either DNA or RNA by combining a targeting module (such as a catalytically impaired CRISPR-Cas component) and an effector module (most often a deaminase). Deaminase-based molecular tools are already being utilized in a wide spectrum of therapeutic and research applications; however, their medical and biotechnological potential seems to be much greater. Recent reports indicate that the further development of nucleic acid editing systems depends largely on our ability to engineer the substrate specificity and catalytic activity of the editors themselves. In this review, we summarize the current trends and achievements in deaminase engineering. The presented data indicate that the potential of these enzymes has not yet been fully revealed or understood. Several examples show that even relatively minor changes in the structure of deaminases can give them completely new and unique properties.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lucyna Budzko
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Noskowskiego 12/14, 61-704 Poznan, Poland
| | - Karolina Hoffa-Sobiech
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Noskowskiego 12/14, 61-704 Poznan, Poland
| | - Paulina Jackowiak
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Noskowskiego 12/14, 61-704 Poznan, Poland
| | - Marek Figlerowicz
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Noskowskiego 12/14, 61-704 Poznan, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Wang B, Yang H. Progress of CRISPR-based programmable RNA manipulation and detection. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. RNA 2023; 14:e1804. [PMID: 37282821 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Prokaryotic clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats and CRISPR associated (CRISPR-Cas) systems provide adaptive immunity by using RNA-guided endonucleases to recognize and eliminate invading foreign nucleic acids. Type II Cas9, type V Cas12, type VI Cas13, and type III Csm/Cmr complexes have been well characterized and developed as programmable platforms for selectively targeting and manipulating RNA molecules of interest in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. These Cas effectors exhibit remarkable diversity of ribonucleoprotein (RNP) composition, target recognition and cleavage mechanisms, and self discrimination mechanisms, which are leveraged for various RNA targeting applications. Here, we summarize the current understanding of mechanistic and functional characteristics of these Cas effectors, give an overview on RNA detection and manipulation toolbox established so far including knockdown, editing, imaging, modification, and mapping RNA-protein interactions, and discuss the future directions for CRISPR-based RNA targeting tools. This article is categorized under: RNA Methods > RNA Analyses in Cells RNA Processing > RNA Editing and Modification RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > Protein-RNA Interactions: Functional Implications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Beibei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Hui Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Lee SM, Koo B, Carré C, Fischer A, He C, Kumar A, Liu K, Meyer KD, Ming GL, Peng J, Roignant JY, Storkebaum E, Sun S, De Pietri Tonelli D, Wang Y, Weng YL, Pulvirenti L, Shi Y, Yoon KJ, Song H. Exploring the brain epitranscriptome: perspectives from the NSAS summit. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1291446. [PMID: 37928731 PMCID: PMC10625424 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1291446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Increasing evidence reinforces the essential function of RNA modifications in development and diseases, especially in the nervous system. RNA modifications impact various processes in the brain, including neurodevelopment, neurogenesis, neuroplasticity, learning and memory, neural regeneration, neurodegeneration, and brain tumorigenesis, leading to the emergence of a new field termed neuroepitranscriptomics. Deficiency in machineries modulating RNA modifications has been implicated in a range of brain disorders from microcephaly, intellectual disability, seizures, and psychiatric disorders to brain cancers such as glioblastoma. The inaugural NSAS Challenge Workshop on Brain Epitranscriptomics hosted in Crans-Montana, Switzerland in 2023 assembled a group of experts from the field, to discuss the current state of the field and provide novel translational perspectives. A summary of the discussions at the workshop is presented here to simulate broader engagement from the general neuroscience field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sung-Min Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
- KAIST Stem Cell Center, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Bonsang Koo
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
- KAIST Stem Cell Center, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Clément Carré
- Transgenerational Epigenetics & Small RNA Biology, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement - Institut de Biologie Paris Seine, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - André Fischer
- Department for Epigenetics and Systems Medicine in Neurodegenerative Diseases, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Göttingen, Germany
| | - Chuan He
- Department of Chemistry, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Ajeet Kumar
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
- KAIST Stem Cell Center, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Kathy Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Kate D. Meyer
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
- Department of Neurobiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Guo-li Ming
- Department of Neuroscience and Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Junmin Peng
- Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, United States
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Jean-Yves Roignant
- Center for Integrative Genomics, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Staudingerweg, Germany
| | - Erik Storkebaum
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour and Faculty of Science, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Shuying Sun
- Department of Physiology and Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | | | - Yinsheng Wang
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Riverside, CA, United States
| | - Yi-Lan Weng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Houston Methodist Neurological Institute, Houston, TX, United States
| | | | - Yanhong Shi
- Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, United States
| | - Ki-Jun Yoon
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
- KAIST Stem Cell Center, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Hongjun Song
- Department of Neuroscience and Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- The Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Zhao F, Zhang T, Sun X, Zhang X, Chen L, Wang H, Li J, Fan P, Lai L, Sui T, Li Z. A strategy for Cas13 miniaturization based on the structure and AlphaFold. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5545. [PMID: 37684268 PMCID: PMC10491665 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41320-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The small size of the Cas nuclease fused with various effector domains enables a broad range of function. Although there are several ways of reducing the size of the Cas nuclease complex, no efficient or generalizable method has been demonstrated to achieve protein miniaturization. In this study, we establish an Interaction, Dynamics and Conservation (IDC) strategy for protein miniaturization and generate five compact variants of Cas13 with full RNA binding and cleavage activity comparable the wild-type enzymes based on a combination of IDC strategy and AlphaFold2. In addition, we construct an RNA base editor, mini-Vx, and a single AAV (adeno-associated virus) carrying a mini-RfxCas13d and crRNA expression cassette, which individually shows efficient conversion rate and RNA-knockdown activity. In summary, these findings highlight a feasible strategy for generating downsized CRISPR/Cas13 systems based on structure predicted by AlphaFold2, enabling targeted degradation of RNAs and RNA editing for basic research and therapeutic applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Feiyu Zhao
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, and College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, 130062, Changchun, China
| | - Tao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, and College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, 130062, Changchun, China
| | - Xiaodi Sun
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, and College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, 130062, Changchun, China
| | - Xiyun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, and College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, 130062, Changchun, China
| | - Letong Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, and College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, 130062, Changchun, China
| | - Hejun Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, and College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, 130062, Changchun, China
| | - Jinze Li
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, and College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, 130062, Changchun, China
| | - Peng Fan
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, and College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, 130062, Changchun, China
| | - Liangxue Lai
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, and College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, 130062, Changchun, China.
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Embryo Engineering, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China.
- Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 510530, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
| | - Tingting Sui
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, and College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, 130062, Changchun, China.
| | - Zhanjun Li
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, and College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, 130062, Changchun, China.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Kim K, Shi AB, Kelley K, Chen XS. Unraveling the Enzyme-Substrate Properties for APOBEC3A-Mediated RNA Editing. J Mol Biol 2023; 435:168198. [PMID: 37442413 PMCID: PMC10528890 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2023.168198] [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: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
The APOBEC3 family of human cytidine deaminases is involved in various cellular processes, including the innate and acquired immune system, mostly through inducing C-to-U in single-stranded DNA and/or RNA mutations. Although recent studies have examined RNA editing by APOBEC3A (A3A), its intracellular target specificity are not fully characterized. To address this gap, we performed in-depth analysis of cellular RNA editing using our recently developed sensitive cell-based fluorescence assay. Our findings demonstrate that A3A and an A3A-loop1-containing APOBEC3B (A3B) chimera are capable of RNA editing. We observed that A3A prefers to edit specific RNA substrates which are not efficiently deaminated by other APOBEC members. The editing efficiency of A3A is influenced by the RNA sequence contexts and distinct stem-loop secondary structures. Based on the identified RNA specificity features, we predicted potential A3A-editing targets in the encoding region of cellular mRNAs and discovered novel RNA transcripts that are extensively edited by A3A. Furthermore, we found a trend of increased synonymous mutations at the sites for more efficient A3A-editing, indicating evolutionary adaptation to the higher editing rate by A3A. Our results shed light on the intracellular RNA editing properties of A3A and provide insights into new RNA targets and potential impact of A3A-mediated RNA editing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kyumin Kim
- Molecular and Computational Biology Program, Departments of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA. https://twitter.com/KYUMINK1324
| | - Alan B Shi
- Molecular and Computational Biology Program, Departments of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Kori Kelley
- Molecular and Computational Biology Program, Departments of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Xiaojiang S Chen
- Molecular and Computational Biology Program, Departments of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; Genetic, Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; Center of Excellence in NanoBiophysics, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Liang Y, Chen F, Wang K, Lai L. Base editors: development and applications in biomedicine. Front Med 2023; 17:359-387. [PMID: 37434066 DOI: 10.1007/s11684-023-1013-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023]
Abstract
Base editor (BE) is a gene-editing tool developed by combining the CRISPR/Cas system with an individual deaminase, enabling precise single-base substitution in DNA or RNA without generating a DNA double-strand break (DSB) or requiring donor DNA templates in living cells. Base editors offer more precise and secure genome-editing effects than other conventional artificial nuclease systems, such as CRISPR/Cas9, as the DSB induced by Cas9 will cause severe damage to the genome. Thus, base editors have important applications in the field of biomedicine, including gene function investigation, directed protein evolution, genetic lineage tracing, disease modeling, and gene therapy. Since the development of the two main base editors, cytosine base editors (CBEs) and adenine base editors (ABEs), scientists have developed more than 100 optimized base editors with improved editing efficiency, precision, specificity, targeting scope, and capacity to be delivered in vivo, greatly enhancing their application potential in biomedicine. Here, we review the recent development of base editors, summarize their applications in the biomedical field, and discuss future perspectives and challenges for therapeutic applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yanhui Liang
- China-New Zealand Joint Laboratory on Biomedicine and Health, CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Centre for Regenerative Medicine and Health, Hong Kong Institute of Science and Innovation, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China
- Research Unit of Generation of Large Animal Disease Models, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU015), Guangzhou, 510530, China
- Sanya Institute of Swine Resource, Hainan Provincial Research Centre of Laboratory Animals, Sanya, 572000, China
| | - Fangbing Chen
- China-New Zealand Joint Laboratory on Biomedicine and Health, CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Centre for Regenerative Medicine and Health, Hong Kong Institute of Science and Innovation, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China
- Research Unit of Generation of Large Animal Disease Models, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU015), Guangzhou, 510530, China
- Sanya Institute of Swine Resource, Hainan Provincial Research Centre of Laboratory Animals, Sanya, 572000, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Large Animal Models for Biomedicine, Wuyi University, Jiangmen, 529020, China
| | - Kepin Wang
- China-New Zealand Joint Laboratory on Biomedicine and Health, CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Centre for Regenerative Medicine and Health, Hong Kong Institute of Science and Innovation, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China
- Research Unit of Generation of Large Animal Disease Models, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU015), Guangzhou, 510530, China
- Sanya Institute of Swine Resource, Hainan Provincial Research Centre of Laboratory Animals, Sanya, 572000, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Large Animal Models for Biomedicine, Wuyi University, Jiangmen, 529020, China
| | - Liangxue Lai
- China-New Zealand Joint Laboratory on Biomedicine and Health, CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Centre for Regenerative Medicine and Health, Hong Kong Institute of Science and Innovation, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China.
- Research Unit of Generation of Large Animal Disease Models, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU015), Guangzhou, 510530, China.
- Sanya Institute of Swine Resource, Hainan Provincial Research Centre of Laboratory Animals, Sanya, 572000, China.
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Large Animal Models for Biomedicine, Wuyi University, Jiangmen, 529020, China.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease still remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Current pharmacological or interventional treatments help to tackle symptoms and even reduce mortality, but cardiovascular disease cases continue to rise. The emergence of novel therapeutic strategies that precisely and efficiently combat cardiovascular disease is therefore deemed more essential than ever. RNA editing, the cell-intrinsic deamination of adenosine or cytidine RNA residues, changes the molecular identity of edited nucleotides, severely altering the fate of RNA molecules involved in key biological processes. The most common type of RNA editing is the deamination of adenosine residue to inosine (A-to-I), which is catalysed by adenosine deaminases acting on RNA (ADARs). Recent efforts have convincingly liaised RNA editing-based mechanisms to the pathophysiology of the cardiovascular system. In this review, we will briefly introduce the basic concepts of the RNA editing field of research. We will particularly focus our discussion on the therapeutic exploitation of RNA editing as a novel therapeutic tool as well as the future perspectives for its use in cardiovascular disease treatment.
Collapse
|
20
|
Song J, Dong L, Sun H, Luo N, Huang Q, Li K, Shen X, Jiang Z, Lv Z, Peng L, Zhang M, Wang K, Liu K, Hong J, Yi C. CRISPR-free, programmable RNA pseudouridylation to suppress premature termination codons. Mol Cell 2023; 83:139-155.e9. [PMID: 36521489 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2022.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2021] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Nonsense mutations, accounting for >20% of disease-associated mutations, lead to premature translation termination. Replacing uridine with pseudouridine in stop codons suppresses translation termination, which could be harnessed to mediate readthrough of premature termination codons (PTCs). Here, we present RESTART, a programmable RNA base editor, to revert PTC-induced translation termination in mammalian cells. RESTART utilizes an engineered guide snoRNA (gsnoRNA) and the endogenous H/ACA box snoRNP machinery to achieve precise pseudouridylation. We also identified and optimized gsnoRNA scaffolds to increase the editing efficiency. Unexpectedly, we found that a minor isoform of pseudouridine synthase DKC1, lacking a C-terminal nuclear localization signal, greatly improved the PTC-readthrough efficiency. Although RESTART induced restricted off-target pseudouridylation, they did not change the coding information nor the expression level of off-targets. Finally, RESTART enables robust pseudouridylation in primary cells and achieves functional PTC readthrough in disease-relevant contexts. Collectively, RESTART is a promising RNA-editing tool for research and therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jinghui Song
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, PRC
| | - Liting Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, PRC; Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, PRC
| | - Hanxiao Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, PRC
| | - Nan Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, PRC
| | - Qiang Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, PRC
| | - Kai Li
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, PRC; Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, PRC; Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing, PRC
| | - Xiaowen Shen
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, PRC
| | - Zhe Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, PRC
| | - Zhicong Lv
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, PRC
| | - Luxin Peng
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, PRC
| | | | - Kun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, PRC
| | - Ke Liu
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, PRC
| | - Jiaxu Hong
- Department of Ophthalmology, Eye and Ear, Nose, Throat Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, PRC
| | - Chengqi Yi
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, PRC; Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, PRC; Department of Chemical Biology and Synthetic and Functional Biomolecules Center, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, PRC.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
RNA-targeting strategies as a platform for ocular gene therapy. Prog Retin Eye Res 2023; 92:101110. [PMID: 35840489 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2022.101110] [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: 04/25/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Genetic medicine is offering hope as new therapies are emerging for many previously untreatable diseases. The eye is at the forefront of these advances, as exemplified by the approval of Luxturna® by the United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) in 2017 for the treatment of one form of Leber Congenital Amaurosis (LCA), an inherited blindness. Luxturna® was also the first in vivo human gene therapy to gain US FDA approval. Numerous gene therapy clinical trials are ongoing for other eye diseases, and novel delivery systems, discovery of new drug targets and emerging technologies are currently driving the field forward. Targeting RNA, in particular, is an attractive therapeutic strategy for genetic disease that may have safety advantages over alternative approaches by avoiding permanent changes in the genome. In this regard, antisense oligonucleotides (ASO) and RNA interference (RNAi) are the currently popular strategies for developing RNA-targeted therapeutics. Enthusiasm has been further fuelled by the emergence of clustered regularly interspersed short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-CRISPR associated (Cas) systems that allow targeted manipulation of nucleic acids. RNA-targeting CRISPR-Cas systems now provide a novel way to develop RNA-targeted therapeutics and may provide superior efficiency and specificity to existing technologies. In addition, RNA base editing technologies using CRISPR-Cas and other modalities also enable precise alteration of single nucleotides. In this review, we showcase advances made by RNA-targeting systems for ocular disease, discuss applications of ASO and RNAi technologies, highlight emerging CRISPR-Cas systems and consider the implications of RNA-targeting therapeutics in the development of future drugs to treat eye disease.
Collapse
|
22
|
Lesch E, Schilling MT, Brenner S, Yang Y, Gruss O, Knoop V, Schallenberg-Rüdinger M. Plant mitochondrial RNA editing factors can perform targeted C-to-U editing of nuclear transcripts in human cells. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:9966-9983. [PMID: 36107771 PMCID: PMC9508816 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA editing processes are strikingly different in animals and plants. Up to thousands of specific cytidines are converted into uridines in plant chloroplasts and mitochondria whereas up to millions of adenosines are converted into inosines in animal nucleo-cytosolic RNAs. It is unknown whether these two different RNA editing machineries are mutually incompatible. RNA-binding pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) proteins are the key factors of plant organelle cytidine-to-uridine RNA editing. The complete absence of PPR mediated editing of cytosolic RNAs might be due to a yet unknown barrier that prevents its activity in the cytosol. Here, we transferred two plant mitochondrial PPR-type editing factors into human cell lines to explore whether they could operate in the nucleo-cytosolic environment. PPR56 and PPR65 not only faithfully edited their native, co-transcribed targets but also different sets of off-targets in the human background transcriptome. More than 900 of such off-targets with editing efficiencies up to 91%, largely explained by known PPR-RNA binding properties, were identified for PPR56. Engineering two crucial amino acid positions in its PPR array led to predictable shifts in target recognition. We conclude that plant PPR editing factors can operate in the entirely different genetic environment of the human nucleo-cytosol and can be intentionally re-engineered towards new targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elena Lesch
- IZMB - Institut für Zelluläre und Molekulare Botanik, Abteilung Molekulare Evolution, Universität Bonn , Kirschallee 1 , D-53115 Bonn , Germany
| | - Maximilian T Schilling
- Institut für Genetik, Abteilung Zellteilung, Universität Bonn , Karlrobert-Kreiten-Str. 13 , D-53115 Bonn , Germany
| | - Sarah Brenner
- IZMB - Institut für Zelluläre und Molekulare Botanik, Abteilung Molekulare Evolution, Universität Bonn , Kirschallee 1 , D-53115 Bonn , Germany
| | - Yingying Yang
- IZMB - Institut für Zelluläre und Molekulare Botanik, Abteilung Molekulare Evolution, Universität Bonn , Kirschallee 1 , D-53115 Bonn , Germany
| | - Oliver J Gruss
- Institut für Genetik, Abteilung Zellteilung, Universität Bonn , Karlrobert-Kreiten-Str. 13 , D-53115 Bonn , Germany
| | - Volker Knoop
- IZMB - Institut für Zelluläre und Molekulare Botanik, Abteilung Molekulare Evolution, Universität Bonn , Kirschallee 1 , D-53115 Bonn , Germany
| | - Mareike Schallenberg-Rüdinger
- IZMB - Institut für Zelluläre und Molekulare Botanik, Abteilung Molekulare Evolution, Universität Bonn , Kirschallee 1 , D-53115 Bonn , Germany
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Han W, Huang W, Wei T, Ye Y, Mao M, Wang Z. Programmable RNA base editing with a single gRNA-free enzyme. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:9580-9595. [PMID: 36029126 PMCID: PMC9458445 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Revised: 07/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Programmable RNA editing enables rewriting gene expression without changing genome sequences. Current tools for specific RNA editing dependent on the assembly of guide RNA into an RNA/protein complex, causing delivery barrier and low editing efficiency. We report a new gRNA-free system, RNA editing with individual RNA-binding enzyme (REWIRE), to perform precise base editing with a single engineered protein. This artificial enzyme contains a human-originated programmable PUF domain to specifically recognize RNAs and different deaminase domains to achieve efficient A-to-I or C-to-U editing, which achieved 60-80% editing rate in human cells, with a few non-specific editing sites in the targeted region and a low level off-target effect globally. The RNA-binding domain in REWIREs was further optimized to improve editing efficiency and minimize off-target effects. We applied the REWIREs to correct disease-associated mutations and achieve both types of base editing in mice. As a single-component system originated from human proteins, REWIRE presents a precise and efficient RNA editing platform with broad applicability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wenjian Han
- Bio-Med Big Data Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Wendi Huang
- Bio-Med Big Data Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Tong Wei
- Bio-Med Big Data Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yanwen Ye
- Bio-Med Big Data Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Miaowei Mao
- Bio-Med Big Data Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Zefeng Wang
- Bio-Med Big Data Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Yang LZ, Gao BQ, Huang Y, Wang Y, Yang L, Chen LL. Multi-color RNA imaging with CRISPR-Cas13b systems in living cells. CELL INSIGHT 2022; 1:100044. [PMID: 37192858 PMCID: PMC10120316 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellin.2022.100044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Visualizing RNA dynamics is important for understanding RNA function. Catalytically dead (d) CRISPR-Cas13 systems have been established to image and track RNAs in living cells, but efficient dCas13 for RNA imaging is still limited. Here, we analyzed metagenomic and bacterial genomic databases to comprehensively screen Cas13 homologies for their RNA labeling capabilities in living mammalian cells. Among eight previously unreported dCas13 proteins that can be used for RNA labeling, dHgm4Cas13b and dMisCas13b displayed comparable, if not higher, efficiencies to the best-known ones when targeting endogenous MUC4 and NEAT1_2 by single guide (g) RNAs. Further examination of the labeling robustness of different dCas13 systems using the GCN4 repeats revealed that a minimum of 12 GCN4 repeats was required for dHgm4Cas13b and dMisCas13b imaging at the single RNA molecule level, while >24 GCN4 repeats were required for reported dLwaCas13a, dRfxCas13d and dPguCas13b. Importantly, by silencing pre-crRNA processing activity of dMisCas13b (ddMisCas13b) and further incorporating RNA aptamers including PP7, MS2, Pepper or BoxB to individual gRNAs, a CRISPRpalette system was developed to successfully achieve multi-color RNA visualization in living cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liang-Zhong Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Bao-Qing Gao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Youkui Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Ying Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Li Yang
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Children's Hospital, Fudan University and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, International Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Ministry of Science and Technology, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ling-Ling Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
- School of Life Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Reshetnikov VV, Chirinskaite AV, Sopova JV, Ivanov RA, Leonova EI. Cas-Based Systems for RNA Editing in Gene Therapy of Monogenic Diseases: In Vitro and in Vivo Application and Translational Potential. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:903812. [PMID: 35784464 PMCID: PMC9245891 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.903812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Rare genetic diseases reduce quality of life and can significantly shorten the lifespan. There are few effective treatment options for these diseases, and existing therapeutic strategies often represent only supportive or palliative care. Therefore, designing genetic-engineering technologies for the treatment of genetic diseases is urgently needed. Rapid advances in genetic editing technologies based on programmable nucleases and in the engineering of gene delivery systems have made it possible to conduct several dozen successful clinical trials; however, the risk of numerous side effects caused by off-target double-strand breaks limits the use of these technologies in the clinic. Development of adenine-to-inosine (A-to-I) and cytosine-to-uracil (C-to-U) RNA-editing systems based on dCas13 enables editing at the transcriptional level without double-strand breaks in DNA. In this review, we discuss recent progress in the application of these technologies in in vitro and in vivo experiments. The main strategies for improving RNA-editing tools by increasing their efficiency and specificity are described as well. These data allow us to outline the prospects of base-editing systems for clinical application.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vasiliy V. Reshetnikov
- Department of Biotechnology, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi, Russia
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Angelina V. Chirinskaite
- Center of Transgenesis and Genome Editing, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Julia V. Sopova
- Center of Transgenesis and Genome Editing, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
- Laboratory of Amyloid Biology, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Roman A. Ivanov
- Department of Biotechnology, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi, Russia
| | - Elena I. Leonova
- Center of Transgenesis and Genome Editing, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
- Scientific Center for Genetics and Life Sciences, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi, Russia
- *Correspondence: Elena I. Leonova,
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Reily-Bell M, Bahn A, Katare R. Reactive Oxygen Species-Mediated Diabetic Heart Disease: Mechanisms and Therapies. Antioxid Redox Signal 2022; 36:608-630. [PMID: 34011169 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2021.0098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Significance: Diabetic heart disease (DHD) is the primary cause of mortality in people with diabetes. A significant contributor to the development of DHD is the disruption of redox balance due to reactive oxygen species (ROS) overproduction resulting from sustained high glucose levels. Therapies specifically focusing on the suppression of ROS will hugely benefit patients with DHD. Recent Advances: In addition to the gold standard pharmacological therapies, the recent development of gene therapy provides an exciting avenue for developing new therapeutics to treat ROS-mediated DHD. In particular, microRNAs (miRNAs) are gaining interest due to their crucial role in several physiological and pathological processes, including DHD. Critical Issues: miRNAs have many targets and differential function depending on the environment. Therefore, a proper understanding of the function of miRNAs in specific cell types and cell states is required for the successful application of this technology. In the present review, we first provide an overview of the role of ROS in contributing to DHD and the currently available treatments. We then discuss the newer gene therapies with a specific focus on the role of miRNAs as the causative factors and therapeutic targets to combat ROS-mediated DHD. Future Directions: The future of miRNA therapeutics in tackling ROS-mediated DHD is dependent on a complete understanding of how miRNAs behave in different cells and environments. Future research should also aim to develop conditional miRNA therapeutic platforms capable of switching on and off in response to disruptions in the redox state. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 36, 608-630.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Reily-Bell
- Department of Physiology-HeartOtago, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Andrew Bahn
- Department of Physiology-HeartOtago, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Rajesh Katare
- Department of Physiology-HeartOtago, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Corradi Z, Salameh M, Khan M, Héon E, Mishra K, Hitti-Malin RJ, AlSwaiti Y, Aslanian A, Banin E, Brooks BP, Zein WM, Hufnagel RB, Roosing S, Dhaenens C, Sharon D, Cremers FPM, AlTalbishi A. ABCA4 c.859-25A>G, a Frequent Palestinian Founder Mutation Affecting the Intron 7 Branchpoint, Is Associated With Early-Onset Stargardt Disease. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2022; 63:20. [PMID: 35475888 PMCID: PMC9055564 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.63.4.20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose The effect of noncoding variants is often unknown in the absence of functional assays. Here, we characterized an ABCA4 intron 7 variant, c.859-25A>G, identified in Palestinian probands with Stargardt disease (STGD) or cone-rod dystrophy (CRD). We investigated the effect of this variant on the ABCA4 mRNA and retinal phenotype, and its prevalence in Palestine. Methods The ABCA4 gene was sequenced completely or partially in 1998 cases with STGD or CRD. The effect of c.859-25A>G on splicing was investigated in silico using SpliceAI and in vitro using splice assays. Homozygosity mapping was performed for 16 affected individuals homozygous for c.859-25A>G. The clinical phenotype was assessed using functional and structural analyses including visual acuity, full-field electroretinography, and multimodal imaging. Results The smMIPs-based ABCA4 sequencing revealed c.859-25A>G in 10 Palestinian probands from Hebron and Jerusalem. SpliceAI predicted a significant effect of this putative branchpoint-inactivating variant on the nearby intron 7 splice acceptor site. Splice assays revealed exon 8 skipping and two partial inclusions of intron 7, each having a deleterious effect. Additional genotyping revealed another 46 affected homozygous or compound heterozygous individuals carrying variant c.859-25A>G. Homozygotes shared a genomic segment of 59.6 to 87.9 kb and showed severe retinal defects on ophthalmoscopic evaluation. Conclusions The ABCA4 variant c.859-25A>G disrupts a predicted branchpoint, resulting in protein truncation because of different splice defects, and is associated with early-onset STGD1 when present in homozygosity. This variant was found in 25/525 Palestinian inherited retinal dystrophy probands, representing one of the most frequent inherited retinal disease-causing variants in West-Bank Palestine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zelia Corradi
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Manar Salameh
- St John of Jerusalem Eye Hospital Group, East Jerusalem, Palestine
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hadassah Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Mubeen Khan
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Elise Héon
- Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Program of Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ketan Mishra
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Rebekkah J. Hitti-Malin
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Yahya AlSwaiti
- St John of Jerusalem Eye Hospital Group, East Jerusalem, Palestine
| | - Alice Aslanian
- St John of Jerusalem Eye Hospital Group, East Jerusalem, Palestine
| | - Eyal Banin
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hadassah Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Brian P. Brooks
- Ophthalmic Genetics and Visual Function Branch, National Eye Institutes, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - Wadih M. Zein
- Ophthalmic Genetics and Visual Function Branch, National Eye Institutes, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - Robert B. Hufnagel
- Ophthalmic Genetics and Visual Function Branch, National Eye Institutes, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - Susanne Roosing
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Claire‐Marie Dhaenens
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1172 - LilNCog - Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, Lille, France
| | - Dror Sharon
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hadassah Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Frans P. M. Cremers
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Alaa AlTalbishi
- St John of Jerusalem Eye Hospital Group, East Jerusalem, Palestine
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Karagianni K, Pettas S, Christoforidou G, Kanata E, Bekas N, Xanthopoulos K, Dafou D, Sklaviadis T. A Systematic Review of Common and Brain-Disease-Specific RNA Editing Alterations Providing Novel Insights into Neurological and Neurodegenerative Disease Manifestations. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12030465. [PMID: 35327657 PMCID: PMC8946084 DOI: 10.3390/biom12030465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA editing contributes to transcriptome diversification through RNA modifications in relation to genome-encoded information (RNA–DNA differences, RDDs). The deamination of Adenosine (A) to Inosine (I) or Cytidine (C) to Uridine (U) is the most common type of mammalian RNA editing. It occurs as a nuclear co- and/or post-transcriptional event catalyzed by ADARs (Adenosine deaminases acting on RNA) and APOBECs (apolipoprotein B mRNA editing enzyme catalytic polypeptide-like genes). RNA editing may modify the structure, stability, and processing of a transcript. This review focuses on RNA editing in psychiatric, neurological, neurodegenerative (NDs), and autoimmune brain disorders in humans and rodent models. We discuss targeted studies that focus on RNA editing in specific neuron-enriched transcripts with well-established functions in neuronal activity, and transcriptome-wide studies, enabled by recent technological advances. We provide comparative editome analyses between human disease and corresponding animal models. Data suggest RNA editing to be an emerging mechanism in disease development, displaying common and disease-specific patterns. Commonly edited RNAs represent potential disease-associated targets for therapeutic and diagnostic values. Currently available data are primarily descriptive, calling for additional research to expand global editing profiles and to provide disease mechanistic insights. The potential use of RNA editing events as disease biomarkers and available tools for RNA editing identification, classification, ranking, and functional characterization that are being developed will enable comprehensive analyses for a better understanding of disease(s) pathogenesis and potential cures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Korina Karagianni
- Department of Genetics, Development, and Molecular Biology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24 Thessaloniki, Greece; (K.K.); (S.P.); (G.C.); (N.B.)
| | - Spyros Pettas
- Department of Genetics, Development, and Molecular Biology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24 Thessaloniki, Greece; (K.K.); (S.P.); (G.C.); (N.B.)
| | - Georgia Christoforidou
- Department of Genetics, Development, and Molecular Biology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24 Thessaloniki, Greece; (K.K.); (S.P.); (G.C.); (N.B.)
| | - Eirini Kanata
- Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Group, Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24 Thessaloniki, Greece; (E.K.); (K.X.); (T.S.)
| | - Nikolaos Bekas
- Department of Genetics, Development, and Molecular Biology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24 Thessaloniki, Greece; (K.K.); (S.P.); (G.C.); (N.B.)
| | - Konstantinos Xanthopoulos
- Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Group, Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24 Thessaloniki, Greece; (E.K.); (K.X.); (T.S.)
| | - Dimitra Dafou
- Department of Genetics, Development, and Molecular Biology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24 Thessaloniki, Greece; (K.K.); (S.P.); (G.C.); (N.B.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Theodoros Sklaviadis
- Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Group, Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24 Thessaloniki, Greece; (E.K.); (K.X.); (T.S.)
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Khosravi HM, Jantsch MF. Site-directed RNA editing: recent advances and open challenges. RNA Biol 2021; 18:41-50. [PMID: 34569891 PMCID: PMC8677011 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2021.1983288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA editing by cytosine and adenosine deaminases changes the identity of the edited bases. While cytosines are converted to uracils, adenines are converted to inosines. If coding regions of mRNAs are affected, the coding potential of the RNA can be changed, depending on the codon affected. The recoding potential of nucleotide deaminases has recently gained attention for their ability to correct genetic mutations by either reverting the mutation itself or by manipulating processing steps such as RNA splicing. In contrast to CRISPR-based DNA-editing approaches, RNA editing events are transient in nature, therefore reducing the risk of long-lasting inadvertent side-effects. Moreover, some RNA-based therapeutics are already FDA approved and their use in targeting multiple cells or organs to restore genetic function has already been shown. In this review, we provide an overview on the current status and technical differences of site-directed RNA-editing approaches. We also discuss advantages and challenges of individual approaches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hamid Mansouri Khosravi
- Center of Anatomy & Cell Biology Division of Cell & Developmental Biology Medical, Unviersity of Vienna SchwarzspanierstrasseVienna, Austria
| | - Michael F. Jantsch
- Center of Anatomy & Cell Biology Division of Cell & Developmental Biology Medical, Unviersity of Vienna SchwarzspanierstrasseVienna, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Brezgin S, Kostyusheva A, Bayurova E, Volchkova E, Gegechkori V, Gordeychuk I, Glebe D, Kostyushev D, Chulanov V. Immunity and Viral Infections: Modulating Antiviral Response via CRISPR-Cas Systems. Viruses 2021; 13:1373. [PMID: 34372578 PMCID: PMC8310348 DOI: 10.3390/v13071373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Revised: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Viral infections cause a variety of acute and chronic human diseases, sometimes resulting in small local outbreaks, or in some cases spreading across the globe and leading to global pandemics. Understanding and exploiting virus-host interactions is instrumental for identifying host factors involved in viral replication, developing effective antiviral agents, and mitigating the severity of virus-borne infectious diseases. The diversity of CRISPR systems and CRISPR-based tools enables the specific modulation of innate immune responses and has contributed impressively to the fields of virology and immunology in a very short time. In this review, we describe the most recent advances in the use of CRISPR systems for basic and translational studies of virus-host interactions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sergey Brezgin
- National Medical Research Center of Tuberculosis and Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Health, 127994 Moscow, Russia; (S.B.); (A.K.); (V.C.)
- Institute of Immunology, Federal Medical Biological Agency, 115522 Moscow, Russia
- Scientific Center for Genetics and Life Sciences, Division of Biotechnology, Sirius University of Science and Technology, 354340 Sochi, Russia
| | - Anastasiya Kostyusheva
- National Medical Research Center of Tuberculosis and Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Health, 127994 Moscow, Russia; (S.B.); (A.K.); (V.C.)
| | - Ekaterina Bayurova
- Chumakov Federal Scientific Center for Research and Development of Immune-and-Biological Products of Russian Academy of Sciences, 108819 Moscow, Russia; (E.B.); (I.G.)
| | - Elena Volchkova
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Sechenov University, 119991 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Vladimir Gegechkori
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Toxicological Chemistry, Sechenov University, 119991 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Ilya Gordeychuk
- Chumakov Federal Scientific Center for Research and Development of Immune-and-Biological Products of Russian Academy of Sciences, 108819 Moscow, Russia; (E.B.); (I.G.)
- Department of Organization and Technology of Immunobiological Drugs, Sechenov University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Dieter Glebe
- National Reference Center for Hepatitis B Viruses and Hepatitis D Viruses, Institute of Medical Virology, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany;
| | - Dmitry Kostyushev
- National Medical Research Center of Tuberculosis and Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Health, 127994 Moscow, Russia; (S.B.); (A.K.); (V.C.)
- Scientific Center for Genetics and Life Sciences, Division of Biotechnology, Sirius University of Science and Technology, 354340 Sochi, Russia
| | - Vladimir Chulanov
- National Medical Research Center of Tuberculosis and Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Health, 127994 Moscow, Russia; (S.B.); (A.K.); (V.C.)
- Scientific Center for Genetics and Life Sciences, Division of Biotechnology, Sirius University of Science and Technology, 354340 Sochi, Russia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Sechenov University, 119991 Moscow, Russia;
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Palaz F, Kalkan AK, Can Ö, Demir AN, Tozluyurt A, Özcan A, Ozsoz M. CRISPR-Cas13 System as a Promising and Versatile Tool for Cancer Diagnosis, Therapy, and Research. ACS Synth Biol 2021; 10:1245-1267. [PMID: 34037380 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.1c00107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Over the past decades, significant progress has been made in targeted cancer therapy. In precision oncology, molecular profiling of cancer patients enables the use of targeted cancer therapeutics. However, current diagnostic methods for molecular analysis of cancer are costly and require sophisticated equipment. Moreover, targeted cancer therapeutics such as monoclonal antibodies and small-molecule drugs may cause off-target effects and they are available for only a minority of cancer driver proteins. Therefore, there is still a need for versatile, efficient, and precise tools for cancer diagnostics and targeted cancer treatment. In recent years, the CRISPR-based genome and transcriptome engineering toolbox has expanded rapidly. Particularly, the RNA-targeting CRISPR-Cas13 system has unique biochemical properties, making Cas13 a promising tool for cancer diagnosis, therapy, and research. Cas13-based diagnostic methods allow early detection and monitoring of cancer markers from liquid biopsy samples without the need for complex instrumentation. In addition, Cas13 can be used for targeted cancer therapy through degrading and manipulating cancer-associated transcripts with high efficiency and specificity. Moreover, Cas13-mediated programmable RNA manipulation tools offer invaluable opportunities for cancer research, identification of drug-resistance mechanisms, and discovery of novel therapeutic targets. Here, we review and discuss the current use and potential applications of the CRISPR-Cas13 system in cancer diagnosis, therapy, and research. Thus, researchers will gain a deep understanding of CRISPR-Cas13 technologies, which have the potential to be used as next-generation cancer diagnostics and therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fahreddin Palaz
- Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara 06100, Turkey
| | | | - Özgür Can
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Koc University, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
| | - Ayça Nur Demir
- Faculty of Medicine, Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University, Afyonkarahisar 03100, Turkey
| | - Abdullah Tozluyurt
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara 06100, Turkey
| | - Ahsen Özcan
- Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, TUBITAK Marmara Research Center, Kocaeli 41470, Turkey
| | - Mehmet Ozsoz
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Near East University, 10 Mersin, Nicosia, Turkey
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Tang G, Xie B, Hong X, Qin H, Wang J, Huang H, Hao P, Li X. Creating RNA Specific C-to-U Editase from APOBEC3A by Separation of Its Activities on DNA and RNA Substrates. ACS Synth Biol 2021; 10:1106-1115. [PMID: 33938211 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.0c00627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
APOBEC3A (A3A) is a cytidine deaminase involved in innate immune response and is able to catalyze deamination on both DNA and RNA substrates. It was used in creating the CRISPR-mediated base editor, but has since been held back due to its dual activities. On the other hand, it has been a challenge to separate A3A's dual activities in order to enable it for single-base RNA editors. Here we developed the reporter system for C-to-U RNA editing and employed rational design for mutagenesis to differentiate deaminase activities on RNA and DNA substrates to obtain an RNA-specific editase. Generation and examination of 23 previous A3A mutants showed their deamination activity on RNA was mostly abolished when their activity on DNA was impaired, with the exception of mutant N57Q that displayed an inverse change. We designed new mutations on Loops 1 and 7 based on A3A's crystal structure and found mutants H29R and Y132G had differential effects on catalytic activity on RNA and DNA substrates. In order to engineer an A3A with RNA-specific deaminase activity, we combined Y132G with mutations in Loop 1 or helix 6 by rational design. Two multipoint mutants, Y132G/K30R and Y132G/G188A/R189A/L190A, were successful in retaining high deaminase activity on RNA substrate while eliminating deaminase activity on DNA. We, for the first time, created novel human A3A variants with RNA-specific cytidine deaminase activity, providing insight into A3A's mechanism on substrate recognition and a new addition of a toolset to the creation of a RNA-specific C-to-U base editor.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guiyue Tang
- School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Institute Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Bingran Xie
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Xiangna Hong
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China
| | - Hang Qin
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Jingfang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Institute Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Hai Huang
- School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Pei Hao
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Institute Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Xuan Li
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Han RC, Fry LE, Kantor A, McClements ME, Xue K, MacLaren RE. Is subretinal AAV gene replacement still the only viable treatment option for choroideremia? Expert Opin Orphan Drugs 2021; 9:13-24. [PMID: 34040899 PMCID: PMC7610829 DOI: 10.1080/21678707.2021.1882300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Choroideremia is an X-linked inherited retinal degeneration resulting from mutations in the CHM gene, encoding Rab escort protein-1 (REP1), a protein regulating intracellular vesicular transport. Loss-of-function mutations in CHM lead to progressive loss of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) with photoreceptor and choriocapillaris degeneration, leading to progressive visual field constriction and loss of visual acuity. Three hundred and fifty-four unique mutations have been reported in CHM. While gene augmentation remains an ideal therapeutic option for choroideremia, other potential future clinical strategies may exist. AREAS COVERED The authors examine the pathophysiology and genetic basis of choroideremia. They summarize the status of ongoing gene therapy trials and discuss CHM mutations amenable to other therapeutic approaches including CRISPR/Cas-based DNA and RNA editing, nonsense suppression of premature termination codons, and antisense oligonucleotides for splice modification. The authors undertook a literature search in PubMed and NIH Clinical Trials in October 2020. EXPERT OPINION The authors conclude that AAV-mediated gene augmentation remains the most effective approach for choroideremia. Given the heterogeneity of CHM mutations and potential risks and benefits, genome-editing approaches currently do not offer significant advantages. Nonsense suppression strategies and antisense oligonucleotides are exciting novel therapeutic options; however, their clinical viability remains to be determined.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ruofan Connie Han
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Oxford Eye Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Lewis E. Fry
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Ariel Kantor
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Kanmin Xue
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Oxford Eye Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Robert E. MacLaren
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Oxford Eye Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust, Oxford, UK
| |
Collapse
|