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Feng R, Lan J, Goh MC, Du M, Chen Z. Advances in the application of gas vesicles in medical imaging and disease treatment. J Biol Eng 2024; 18:41. [PMID: 39044273 PMCID: PMC11267810 DOI: 10.1186/s13036-024-00426-3] [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: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The gas vesicle (GV) is like a hollow nanoparticle consisting of an internal gas and a protein shell, which mainly consists of hydrophobic gas vesicle protein A (GvpA) and GvpC attached to the surface. GVs, first discovered in cyanobacteria, are mainly produced by photosynthetic bacteria (PSB) and halophilic archaea. After being modified and engineered, GVs can be utilized as contrast agents, delivery carriers, and immunological boosters for disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment with good results due to their tiny size, strong stability and non-toxicity advantages. Many diagnostic and therapeutic approaches based on GV are currently under development. In this review, we discuss the source, function, physical and chemical properties of GV, focus on the current application progress of GV, and put forward the possible application prospect and development direction of GV in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renjie Feng
- Key Laboratory of Medical Imaging Precision Theranostics and Radiation Protection, College of Hunan Province, the Affiliated Changsha Central Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Changsha, China
- Institute of Medical Imaging, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
- The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Hunan Veterans Administration Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jie Lan
- Institute of Medical Imaging, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
- The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Hunan Veterans Administration Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Meei Chyn Goh
- Institute of Medical Imaging, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Meng Du
- Key Laboratory of Medical Imaging Precision Theranostics and Radiation Protection, College of Hunan Province, the Affiliated Changsha Central Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Changsha, China.
- Institute of Medical Imaging, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China.
| | - Zhiyi Chen
- Key Laboratory of Medical Imaging Precision Theranostics and Radiation Protection, College of Hunan Province, the Affiliated Changsha Central Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Changsha, China.
- Institute of Medical Imaging, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China.
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Duan M, Dev I, Lu A, Ayrapetyan G, You MY, Shapiro MG. SEMPER: Stoichiometric expression of mRNA polycistrons by eukaryotic ribosomes for compact, ratio-tunable multi-gene expression. Cell Syst 2024; 15:597-609.e4. [PMID: 38971149 PMCID: PMC11298409 DOI: 10.1016/j.cels.2024.06.001] [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: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/08/2024]
Abstract
Here, we present a method for expressing multiple open reading frames (ORFs) from single transcripts using the leaky scanning model of translation initiation. In this approach termed "stoichiometric expression of mRNA polycistrons by eukaryotic ribosomes" (SEMPER), adjacent ORFs are translated from a single mRNA at tunable ratios determined by their order in the sequence and the strength of their translation initiation sites. We validate this approach by expressing up to three fluorescent proteins from one plasmid in two different cell lines. We then use it to encode a stoichiometrically tuned polycistronic construct encoding gas vesicle acoustic reporter genes that enables efficient formation of the multi-protein complex while minimizing cellular toxicity. We also demonstrate that SEMPER enables polycistronic expression of recombinant monoclonal antibodies from plasmid DNA and of two fluorescent proteins from single mRNAs made through in vitro transcription. Finally, we provide a probabilistic model to elucidate the mechanisms underlying SEMPER. A record of this paper's transparent peer review process is included in the supplemental information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengtong Duan
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, Caltech, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Ishaan Dev
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Caltech, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Andrew Lu
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, Caltech, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA; UCLA-Caltech Medical Scientist Training Program, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Goar Ayrapetyan
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Caltech, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Mei Yi You
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, Caltech, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Mikhail G Shapiro
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Caltech, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA; Andrew and Peggy Cherng Department of Medical Engineering, Caltech, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA.
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Recent Advances in the Study of Gas Vesicle Proteins and Application of Gas Vesicles in Biomedical Research. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:life12091455. [PMID: 36143491 PMCID: PMC9501494 DOI: 10.3390/life12091455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
The formation of gas vesicles has been investigated in bacteria and haloarchaea for more than 50 years. These air-filled nanostructures allow cells to stay at a certain height optimal for growth in their watery environment. Several gvp genes are involved and have been studied in Halobacterium salinarum, cyanobacteria, Bacillus megaterium, and Serratia sp. ATCC39006 in more detail. GvpA and GvpC form the gas vesicle shell, and additional Gvp are required as minor structural proteins, chaperones, an ATP-hydrolyzing enzyme, or as gene regulators. We analyzed the Gvp proteins of Hbt. salinarum with respect to their protein–protein interactions, and developed a model for the formation of these nanostructures. Gas vesicles are also used in biomedical research. Since they scatter waves and produce ultrasound contrast, they could serve as novel contrast agent for ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging. Additionally, gas vesicles were engineered as acoustic biosensors to determine enzyme activities in cells. These applications are based on modifications of the surface protein GvpC that alter the mechanical properties of the gas vesicles. In addition, gas vesicles have been decorated with GvpC proteins fused to peptides of bacterial or viral pathogens and are used as tools for vaccine development.
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Jost A, Pfeifer F. Interaction of the gas vesicle proteins GvpA, GvpC, GvpN, and GvpO of Halobacterium salinarum. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:971917. [PMID: 35966690 PMCID: PMC9372576 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.971917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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