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Joshi SHN, Jenkins C, Ulaeto D, Gorochowski TE. Accelerating Genetic Sensor Development, Scale-up, and Deployment Using Synthetic Biology. BIODESIGN RESEARCH 2024; 6:0037. [PMID: 38919711 PMCID: PMC11197468 DOI: 10.34133/bdr.0037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Living cells are exquisitely tuned to sense and respond to changes in their environment. Repurposing these systems to create engineered biosensors has seen growing interest in the field of synthetic biology and provides a foundation for many innovative applications spanning environmental monitoring to improved biobased production. In this review, we present a detailed overview of currently available biosensors and the methods that have supported their development, scale-up, and deployment. We focus on genetic sensors in living cells whose outputs affect gene expression. We find that emerging high-throughput experimental assays and evolutionary approaches combined with advanced bioinformatics and machine learning are establishing pipelines to produce genetic sensors for virtually any small molecule, protein, or nucleic acid. However, more complex sensing tasks based on classifying compositions of many stimuli and the reliable deployment of these systems into real-world settings remain challenges. We suggest that recent advances in our ability to precisely modify nonmodel organisms and the integration of proven control engineering principles (e.g., feedback) into the broader design of genetic sensing systems will be necessary to overcome these hurdles and realize the immense potential of the field.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Christopher Jenkins
- CBR Division, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Porton Down, Wiltshire SP4 0JQ, UK
| | - David Ulaeto
- CBR Division, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Porton Down, Wiltshire SP4 0JQ, UK
| | - Thomas E. Gorochowski
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TQ, UK
- BrisEngBio,
School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TS, UK
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2
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Meier SSM, Multamäki E, Ranzani AT, Takala H, Möglich A. Leveraging the histidine kinase-phosphatase duality to sculpt two-component signaling. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4876. [PMID: 38858359 PMCID: PMC11164954 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49251-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Bacteria must constantly probe their environment for rapid adaptation, a crucial need most frequently served by two-component systems (TCS). As one component, sensor histidine kinases (SHK) control the phosphorylation of the second component, the response regulator (RR). Downstream responses hinge on RR phosphorylation and can be highly stringent, acute, and sensitive because SHKs commonly exert both kinase and phosphatase activity. With a bacteriophytochrome TCS as a paradigm, we here interrogate how this catalytic duality underlies signal responses. Derivative systems exhibit tenfold higher red-light sensitivity, owing to an altered kinase-phosphatase balance. Modifications of the linker intervening the SHK sensor and catalytic entities likewise tilt this balance and provide TCSs with inverted output that increases under red light. These TCSs expand synthetic biology and showcase how deliberate perturbations of the kinase-phosphatase duality unlock altered signal-response regimes. Arguably, these aspects equally pertain to the engineering and the natural evolution of TCSs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Elina Multamäki
- Department of Anatomy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Américo T Ranzani
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Heikki Takala
- Department of Anatomy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science, Nanoscience Center, University of Jyvaskyla, Jyvaskyla, Finland.
| | - Andreas Möglich
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany.
- Bayreuth Center for Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Universität Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany.
- North-Bavarian NMR Center, Universität Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany.
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3
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García de Fuentes A, Möglich A. Reduction midpoint potential of a paradigm light-oxygen-voltage receptor and its modulation by methionine residues. RSC Chem Biol 2024; 5:530-543. [PMID: 38846079 PMCID: PMC11151830 DOI: 10.1039/d4cb00056k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Light-dependent adaptations of organismal physiology, development, and behavior abound in nature and depend on sensory photoreceptors. As one class, light-oxygen-voltage (LOV) photoreceptors harness flavin-nucleotide chromophores to sense blue light. Photon absorption drives the LOV receptor to its signaling state, characterized by a metastable thioadduct between the flavin and a conserved cysteine residue. With this cysteine absent, LOV receptors instead undergo photoreduction to the flavin semiquinone which however can still elicit downstream physiological responses. Irrespective of the cysteine presence, the LOV photochemical response thus entails a formal reduction of the flavin. Against this backdrop, we here investigate the reduction midpoint potential E 0 in the paradigmatic LOV2 domain from Avena sativa phototropin 1 (AsLOV2), and how it can be deliberately varied. Replacements of residues at different sites near the flavin by methionine consistently increase E 0 from its value of around -280 mV by up to 40 mV. Moreover, methionine introduction invariably impairs photoactivation efficiency and thus renders the resultant AsLOV2 variants less light-sensitive. Although individual methionine substitutions also affect the stability of the signaling state and downstream allosteric responses, no clear-cut correlation with the redox properties emerges. With a reduction midpoint potential near -280 mV, AsLOV2 and, by inference, other LOV receptors may be partially reduced inside cells which directly affects their light responsiveness. The targeted modification of the chromophore environment, as presently demonstrated, may mitigate this effect and enables the design of LOV receptors with stratified redox sensitivities.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andreas Möglich
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Bayreuth 95447 Bayreuth Germany
- Bayreuth Center for Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Universität Bayreuth 95447 Bayreuth Germany
- North-Bavarian NMR Center, Universität Bayreuth 95447 Bayreuth Germany
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4
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Kwon SY, Thi-Thu Ngo H, Son J, Hong Y, Min JJ. Exploiting bacteria for cancer immunotherapy. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2024:10.1038/s41571-024-00908-9. [PMID: 38840029 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-024-00908-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
Immunotherapy has revolutionized the treatment of cancer but continues to be constrained by limited response rates, acquired resistance, toxicities and high costs, which necessitates the development of new, innovative strategies. The discovery of a connection between the human microbiota and cancer dates back 4,000 years, when local infection was observed to result in tumour eradication in some individuals. However, the true oncological relevance of the intratumoural microbiota was not recognized until the turn of the twentieth century. The intratumoural microbiota can have pivotal roles in both the pathogenesis and treatment of cancer. In particular, intratumoural bacteria can either promote or inhibit cancer growth via remodelling of the tumour microenvironment. Over the past two decades, remarkable progress has been made preclinically in engineering bacteria as agents for cancer immunotherapy; some of these bacterial products have successfully reached the clinical stages of development. In this Review, we discuss the characteristics of intratumoural bacteria and their intricate interactions with the tumour microenvironment. We also describe the many strategies used to engineer bacteria for use in the treatment of cancer, summarizing contemporary data from completed and ongoing clinical trials. The work described herein highlights the potential of bacteria to transform the landscape of cancer therapy, bridging ancient wisdom with modern scientific innovation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seong-Young Kwon
- Institute for Molecular Imaging and Theranostics, Chonnam National University Medical School, Jeonnam, Republic of Korea
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School and Hwasun Hospital, Jeonnam, Republic of Korea
| | - Hien Thi-Thu Ngo
- Institute for Molecular Imaging and Theranostics, Chonnam National University Medical School, Jeonnam, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Chonnam National University Medical School, Jeonnam, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biochemistry, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Jinbae Son
- CNCure Biotech, Jeonnam, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeongjin Hong
- Institute for Molecular Imaging and Theranostics, Chonnam National University Medical School, Jeonnam, Republic of Korea
- CNCure Biotech, Jeonnam, Republic of Korea
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Chonnam National University Medical School, Jeonnam, Republic of Korea
- National Immunotherapy Innovation Center, Chonnam National University, Jeonnam, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung-Joon Min
- Institute for Molecular Imaging and Theranostics, Chonnam National University Medical School, Jeonnam, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School and Hwasun Hospital, Jeonnam, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Chonnam National University Medical School, Jeonnam, Republic of Korea.
- CNCure Biotech, Jeonnam, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Chonnam National University Medical School, Jeonnam, Republic of Korea.
- National Immunotherapy Innovation Center, Chonnam National University, Jeonnam, Republic of Korea.
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5
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Armbruster A, Mohamed AM, Phan HT, Weber W. Lighting the way: recent developments and applications in molecular optogenetics. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2024; 87:103126. [PMID: 38554641 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2024.103126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
Molecular optogenetics utilizes genetically encoded, light-responsive protein switches to control the function of molecular processes. Over the last two years, there have been notable advances in the development of novel optogenetic switches, their utilization in elucidating intricate signaling pathways, and their progress toward practical applications in biotechnological processes, material sciences, and therapeutic applications. In this review, we discuss these areas, offer insights into recent developments, and contemplate future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Armbruster
- INM - Leibniz Institute for New Materials, Campus D2 2, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany; CIBSS - Centre for Integrative Biological Signalling Studies, University of Freiburg, Schänzlestr. 18, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Schänzlestr. 1, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Asim Me Mohamed
- INM - Leibniz Institute for New Materials, Campus D2 2, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Hoang T Phan
- INM - Leibniz Institute for New Materials, Campus D2 2, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Wilfried Weber
- INM - Leibniz Institute for New Materials, Campus D2 2, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany; CIBSS - Centre for Integrative Biological Signalling Studies, University of Freiburg, Schänzlestr. 18, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; Saarland University, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Campus D2 2, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany.
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6
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Elahi Y, Baker MAB. Light Control in Microbial Systems. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4001. [PMID: 38612810 PMCID: PMC11011852 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25074001] [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: 01/15/2024] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Light is a key environmental component influencing many biological processes, particularly in prokaryotes such as archaea and bacteria. Light control techniques have revolutionized precise manipulation at molecular and cellular levels in recent years. Bacteria, with adaptability and genetic tractability, are promising candidates for light control studies. This review investigates the mechanisms underlying light activation in bacteria and discusses recent advancements focusing on light control methods and techniques for controlling bacteria. We delve into the mechanisms by which bacteria sense and transduce light signals, including engineered photoreceptors and light-sensitive actuators, and various strategies employed to modulate gene expression, protein function, and bacterial motility. Furthermore, we highlight recent developments in light-integrated methods of controlling microbial responses, such as upconversion nanoparticles and optical tweezers, which can enhance the spatial and temporal control of bacteria and open new horizons for biomedical applications.
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Xu Q, Vogt A, Frechen F, Yi C, Küçükerden M, Ngum N, Sitjà-Roqueta L, Greiner A, Parri R, Masana M, Wenger N, Wachten D, Möglich A. Engineering Bacteriophytochrome-coupled Photoactivated Adenylyl Cyclases for Enhanced Optogenetic cAMP Modulation. J Mol Biol 2024; 436:168257. [PMID: 37657609 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2023.168257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 08/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023]
Abstract
Sensory photoreceptors abound in nature and enable organisms to adapt behavior, development, and physiology to environmental light. In optogenetics, photoreceptors allow spatiotemporally precise, reversible, and non-invasive control by light of cellular processes. Notwithstanding the development of numerous optogenetic circuits, an unmet demand exists for efficient systems sensitive to red light, given its superior penetration of biological tissue. Bacteriophytochrome photoreceptors sense the ratio of red and far-red light to regulate the activity of enzymatic effector modules. The recombination of bacteriophytochrome photosensor modules with cyclase effectors underlies photoactivated adenylyl cyclases (PAC) that catalyze the synthesis of the ubiquitous second messenger 3', 5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). Via homologous exchanges of the photosensor unit, we devised novel PACs, with the variant DmPAC exhibiting 40-fold activation of cyclase activity under red light, thus surpassing previous red-light-responsive PACs. Modifications of the PHY tongue modulated the responses to red and far-red light. Exchanges of the cyclase effector offer an avenue to further enhancing PACs but require optimization of the linker to the photosensor. DmPAC and a derivative for 3', 5'-cyclic guanosine monophosphate allow the manipulation of cyclic-nucleotide-dependent processes in mammalian cells by red light. Taken together, we advance the optogenetic control of second-messenger signaling and provide insight into the signaling and design of bacteriophytochrome receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianzhao Xu
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Bayreuth, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Arend Vogt
- Charité - University Medicine Berlin, Department of Neurology with Experimental Neurology, 10117 Berlin, Germany. https://twitter.com/ArendVogt
| | - Fabian Frechen
- Institute of Innate Immunity, University of Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Chengwei Yi
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Bayreuth, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Melike Küçükerden
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Spain
| | - Neville Ngum
- College of Health and Life Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham B4 7ET, United Kingdom
| | - Laia Sitjà-Roqueta
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Spain
| | - Andreas Greiner
- Macromolecular Chemistry and Bavarian Polymer Institute, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth 95440, Germany
| | - Rhein Parri
- College of Health and Life Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham B4 7ET, United Kingdom
| | - Mercè Masana
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Spain. https://twitter.com/mercemasana
| | - Nikolaus Wenger
- Charité - University Medicine Berlin, Department of Neurology with Experimental Neurology, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Dagmar Wachten
- Institute of Innate Immunity, University of Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany. https://twitter.com/DagmarWachten
| | - Andreas Möglich
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Bayreuth, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany; Bayreuth Center for Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Universität Bayreuth, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany; North-Bavarian NMR Center, Universität Bayreuth, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany.
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8
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Pietruschka G, Ranzani AT, Weber A, Patwari T, Pilsl S, Renzl C, Otte DM, Pyka D, Möglich A, Mayer G. An RNA Motif That Enables Optozyme Control and Light-Dependent Gene Expression in Bacteria and Mammalian Cells. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2304519. [PMID: 38227373 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202304519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024]
Abstract
The regulation of gene expression by light enables the versatile, spatiotemporal manipulation of biological function in bacterial and mammalian cells. Optoribogenetics extends this principle by molecular RNA devices acting on the RNA level whose functions are controlled by the photoinduced interaction of a light-oxygen-voltage photoreceptor with cognate RNA aptamers. Here light-responsive ribozymes, denoted optozymes, which undergo light-dependent self-cleavage and thereby control gene expression are described. This approach transcends existing aptamer-ribozyme chimera strategies that predominantly rely on aptamers binding to small molecules. The optozyme method thus stands to enable the graded, non-invasive, and spatiotemporally resolved control of gene expression. Optozymes are found efficient in bacteria and mammalian cells and usher in hitherto inaccessible optoribogenetic modalities with broad applicability in synthetic and systems biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georg Pietruschka
- Life and Medical Sciences (LIMES), University of Bonn, Gerhard-Domagk-Str.1, 53121, Bonn, Germany
| | - Américo T Ranzani
- Lehrstuhl für Biochemie, Photobiochemie, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstraße 30, 95440, Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Anna Weber
- Life and Medical Sciences (LIMES), University of Bonn, Gerhard-Domagk-Str.1, 53121, Bonn, Germany
- Center of Aptamer Research & Development, University of Bonn, Gerhard-Domagk-Str. 1, 53121, Bonn, Germany
| | - Tejal Patwari
- Life and Medical Sciences (LIMES), University of Bonn, Gerhard-Domagk-Str.1, 53121, Bonn, Germany
| | - Sebastian Pilsl
- Life and Medical Sciences (LIMES), University of Bonn, Gerhard-Domagk-Str.1, 53121, Bonn, Germany
| | - Christian Renzl
- Life and Medical Sciences (LIMES), University of Bonn, Gerhard-Domagk-Str.1, 53121, Bonn, Germany
- Center of Aptamer Research & Development, University of Bonn, Gerhard-Domagk-Str. 1, 53121, Bonn, Germany
| | - David M Otte
- Life and Medical Sciences (LIMES), University of Bonn, Gerhard-Domagk-Str.1, 53121, Bonn, Germany
| | - Daniel Pyka
- Life and Medical Sciences (LIMES), University of Bonn, Gerhard-Domagk-Str.1, 53121, Bonn, Germany
| | - Andreas Möglich
- Lehrstuhl für Biochemie, Photobiochemie, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstraße 30, 95440, Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Günter Mayer
- Life and Medical Sciences (LIMES), University of Bonn, Gerhard-Domagk-Str.1, 53121, Bonn, Germany
- Center of Aptamer Research & Development, University of Bonn, Gerhard-Domagk-Str. 1, 53121, Bonn, Germany
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9
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Benisch M, Aoki SK, Khammash M. Unlocking the potential of optogenetics in microbial applications. Curr Opin Microbiol 2024; 77:102404. [PMID: 38039932 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2023.102404] [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: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Abstract
Optogenetics is a powerful approach that enables researchers to use light to dynamically manipulate cellular behavior. Since the first published use of optogenetics in synthetic biology, the field has expanded rapidly, yielding a vast array of tools and applications. Despite its immense potential for achieving high spatiotemporal precision, optogenetics has predominantly been employed as a substitute for conventional chemical inducers. In this short review, we discuss key features of microbial optogenetics and highlight applications for understanding biology, cocultures, bioproduction, biomaterials, and therapeutics, in which optogenetics is more fully utilized to realize goals not previously possible by other methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moritz Benisch
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering (D-BSSE), ETH Zürich, Schanzenstrasse 44, 4056 Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Stephanie K Aoki
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering (D-BSSE), ETH Zürich, Schanzenstrasse 44, 4056 Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Mustafa Khammash
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering (D-BSSE), ETH Zürich, Schanzenstrasse 44, 4056 Basel, Switzerland.
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Niu L, Yu L, Jin C, Jin K, Liu Z, Zhu T, Zhu X, Zhang Y, Wu Y. Living Materials Based Dynamic Information Encryption via Light-Inducible Bacterial Biosynthesis of Quantum Dots. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202315251. [PMID: 38085166 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202315251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
Microbial biosynthesis, as an alternative method for producing quantum dots (QDs), has gained attention because it can be conducted under mild and environmentally friendly conditions, distinguishing it from conventional chemical and physical synthesis approaches. However, there is currently no method to selectively control this biosynthesis process in a subset of microbes within a population using external stimuli. In this study, we have attained precise and selective control over the microbial biosynthesis of QDs through the utilization of an optogenetically engineered Escherichia coli (E. coli). The recombinant E. coli is designed to express smCSE enzyme, under the regulation of eLightOn system, which can be activated by blue light. The smCSE enzymes use L-cysteine and Cd2+ as substrates to form CdS QDs. This system enables light-inducible bacterial biosynthesis of QDs in precise patterns within a hydrogel for information encryption. As the biosynthesis progresses, the optical characteristics of the QDs change, allowing living materials containing the recombinant E. coli to display time-dependent patterns that self-destruct after reading. Compared to static encryption using fluorescent QD inks, dynamic information encryption based on living materials offers enhanced security.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luqi Niu
- Department of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Nanchen Rd. 333, Shanghai, China
| | - Lin Yu
- Department of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Nanchen Rd. 333, Shanghai, China
- School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Nanchen Rd. 333, Shanghai, China
| | - Chenyang Jin
- Department of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Nanchen Rd. 333, Shanghai, China
| | - Kai Jin
- Department of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Nanchen Rd. 333, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhen Liu
- Department of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Nanchen Rd. 333, Shanghai, China
| | - Tao Zhu
- Department of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Nanchen Rd. 333, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaohui Zhu
- Department of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Nanchen Rd. 333, Shanghai, China
| | - Yong Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yihan Wu
- Department of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Nanchen Rd. 333, Shanghai, China
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11
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Meier SSM, Multamäki E, Ranzani AT, Takala H, Möglich A. Multimodal Control of Bacterial Gene Expression by Red and Blue Light. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2760:463-477. [PMID: 38468104 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3658-9_26] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
By applying sensory photoreceptors, optogenetics realizes the light-dependent control of cellular events and state. Given reversibility, noninvasiveness, and exquisite spatiotemporal precision, optogenetic approaches enable innovative use cases in cell biology, synthetic biology, and biotechnology. In this chapter, we detail the implementation of the pREDusk, pREDawn, pCrepusculo, and pAurora optogenetic circuits for controlling bacterial gene expression by red and blue light, respectively. The protocols provided here guide the practical use and multiplexing of these circuits, thereby enabling graded protein production in bacteria at analytical and semi-preparative scales.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Elina Multamäki
- Department of Anatomy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Américo T Ranzani
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Heikki Takala
- Department of Anatomy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science, Nanoscience Center, University of Jyvaskyla, Jyvaskyla, Finland
| | - Andreas Möglich
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany.
- Bayreuth Center for Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Universität Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany.
- North-Bavarian NMR Center, Universität Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany.
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12
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Kanchanabanca C, Hosaka T, Kojima M. High-intensity green light potentially activates the actinorhodin biosynthetic pathway in Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2). Arch Microbiol 2023; 206:8. [PMID: 38038757 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-023-03730-6] [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: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
The development of practices that enhance the potential of actinomycetes as major antibiotic producers is a challenge in discovering new secondary metabolites. Light, an essential external stimulus for most microorganisms, could be exploited to manipulate their physiological processes. However, the effects of monochromatic green light on the production of secondary metabolites in actinomycetes have not yet been reported. In this paper, we report a novel and simple method that uses high-intensity monochromatic green light to potentially induce the production of cryptic secondary metabolites in the model actinomycete Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2). Using actinorhodin (ACT), a blue-pigmented antibiotic, and undecylprodigiosin (RED), a red-pigmented antibiotic, as indicators, we found that irradiation with high-intensity monochromatic green light-emitting diodes promoted sporulation, significantly decreased RED production, and increased ACT production. Semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and western blot analyses revealed, for the first time, that stimulation with green light accelerated the expression of ActII-ORF4, a pathway-specific regulator of ACT biosynthesis in S. coelicolor A3(2). This approach of stimulating secondary metabolite biosynthesis pathways in actinomycetes by irradiation with high-intensity monochromatic green light is expected to facilitate the discovery of cryptic antibiotics that are not typically produced under conventional dark culture conditions. However, the effective intensity and duration of irradiation with green light that are required to activate these metabolite pathways may vary markedly among actinomycetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chompoonik Kanchanabanca
- Faculty of Agriculture, Shinshu University, Nagano, 399-4598, Japan
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Takeshi Hosaka
- Faculty of Agriculture, Shinshu University, Nagano, 399-4598, Japan
- Department of Biomolecular Innovation, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Shinshu University, Nagano, 399-4598, Japan
| | - Masanobu Kojima
- Faculty of Agriculture, Shinshu University, Nagano, 399-4598, Japan.
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Gupta A, Pandey P, Gupta R, Tiwari S, Singh SP. Responding to light signals: a comprehensive update on photomorphogenesis in cyanobacteria. PHYSIOLOGY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF PLANTS : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FUNCTIONAL PLANT BIOLOGY 2023; 29:1915-1930. [PMID: 38222287 PMCID: PMC10784256 DOI: 10.1007/s12298-023-01386-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
Cyanobacteria are ancestors of chloroplast and perform oxygen-evolving photosynthesis similar to higher plants and algae. However, an obligatory requirement of photons for their growth results in the exposure of cyanobacteria to varying light conditions. Therefore, the light environment could act as a signal to drive the developmental processes, in addition to photosynthesis, in cyanobacteria. These Gram-negative prokaryotes exhibit characteristic light-dependent developmental processes that maximize their fitness and resource utilization. The development occurring in response to radiance (photomorphogenesis) involves fine-tuning cellular physiology, morphology and metabolism. The best-studied example of cyanobacterial photomorphogenesis is chromatic acclimation (CA), which allows a selected number of cyanobacteria to tailor their light-harvesting antenna called phycobilisome (PBS). The tailoring of PBS under existing wavelengths and abundance of light gives an advantage to cyanobacteria over another photoautotroph. In this work, we will provide a comprehensive update on light-sensing, molecular signaling and signal cascades found in cyanobacteria. We also include recent developments made in other aspects of CA, such as mechanistic insights into changes in the size and shape of cells, filaments and carboxysomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anjali Gupta
- Department of Botany, Centre of Advanced Study in Botany, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, UP 221005 India
| | - Priyul Pandey
- Department of Botany, Centre of Advanced Study in Botany, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, UP 221005 India
| | - Rinkesh Gupta
- Department of Botany, Centre of Advanced Study in Botany, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, UP 221005 India
| | - Sapna Tiwari
- Department of Botany, Centre of Advanced Study in Botany, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, UP 221005 India
| | - Shailendra Pratap Singh
- Department of Botany, Centre of Advanced Study in Botany, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, UP 221005 India
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Ramírez Martínez C, Gómez-Pérez LS, Ordaz A, Torres-Huerta AL, Antonio-Perez A. Current Trends of Bacterial and Fungal Optoproteins for Novel Optical Applications. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14741. [PMID: 37834188 PMCID: PMC10572898 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914741] [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: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Photoproteins, luminescent proteins or optoproteins are a kind of light-response protein responsible for the conversion of light into biochemical energy that is used by some bacteria or fungi to regulate specific biological processes. Within these specific proteins, there are groups such as the photoreceptors that respond to a given light wavelength and generate reactions susceptible to being used for the development of high-novel applications, such as the optocontrol of metabolic pathways. Photoswitchable proteins play important roles during the development of new materials due to their capacity to change their conformational structure by providing/eliminating a specific light stimulus. Additionally, there are bioluminescent proteins that produce light during a heatless chemical reaction and are useful to be employed as biomarkers in several fields such as imaging, cell biology, disease tracking and pollutant detection. The classification of these optoproteins from bacteria and fungi as photoreceptors or photoresponse elements according to the excitation-emission spectrum (UV-Vis-IR), as well as their potential use in novel applications, is addressed in this article by providing a structured scheme for this broad area of knowledge.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Aurora Antonio-Perez
- Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Campus Estado de México, Av. Lago de Guadalupe KM 3.5, Margarita Maza de Juárez, Ciudad López Mateos, Atizapán de Zaragoza 52926, Estado de México, Mexico; (C.R.M.); (L.S.G.-P.); (A.O.); (A.L.T.-H.)
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