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Zedler JAZ, Schirmacher AM, Russo DA, Hodgson L, Gundersen E, Matthes A, Frank S, Verkade P, Jensen PE. Self-Assembly of Nanofilaments in Cyanobacteria for Protein Co-localization. ACS NANO 2023; 17:25279-25290. [PMID: 38065569 PMCID: PMC10754207 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c08600] [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: 09/09/2023] [Revised: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023]
Abstract
Cyanobacteria offer great potential as alternative biotechnological hosts due to their photoautotrophic capacities. However, in comparison to established heterotrophic hosts, several key aspects, such as product titers, are still lagging behind. Nanobiotechnology is an emerging field with great potential to improve existing hosts, but so far, it has barely been explored in microbial photosynthetic systems. Here, we report the establishment of large proteinaceous nanofilaments in the unicellular model cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 and the fast-growing cyanobacterial strain Synechococcus elongatus UTEX 2973. Transmission electron microscopy and electron tomography demonstrated that expression of pduA*, encoding a modified bacterial microcompartment shell protein, led to the generation of bundles of longitudinally aligned nanofilaments in S. elongatus UTEX 2973 and shorter filamentous structures in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. Comparative proteomics showed that PduA* was at least 50 times more abundant than the second most abundant protein in the cell and that nanofilament assembly had only a minor impact on cellular metabolism. Finally, as a proof-of-concept for co-localization with the filaments, we targeted a fluorescent reporter protein, mCitrine, to PduA* by fusion with an encapsulation peptide that natively interacts with PduA. The establishment of nanofilaments in cyanobacterial cells is an important step toward cellular organization of heterologous pathways and the establishment of cyanobacteria as next-generation hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie A. Z. Zedler
- Synthetic
Biology of Photosynthetic Organisms, Matthias Schleiden Institute
for Genetics, Bioinformatics and Molecular Botany, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Alexandra M. Schirmacher
- Synthetic
Biology of Photosynthetic Organisms, Matthias Schleiden Institute
for Genetics, Bioinformatics and Molecular Botany, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - David A. Russo
- Bioorganic
Analytics, Institute for Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Lorna Hodgson
- School
of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TD, United Kingdom
| | - Emil Gundersen
- Department
of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University
of Copenhagen, 1871 Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Annemarie Matthes
- Department
of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University
of Copenhagen, 1871 Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Stefanie Frank
- Department
of Biochemical Engineering, University College
London, London, WC1E 6BT, United
Kingdom
| | - Paul Verkade
- School
of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TD, United Kingdom
| | - Poul Erik Jensen
- Department
of Food Science, University of Copenhagen, 1958 Frederiksberg, Denmark
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2
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Sengupta A, Bandyopadhyay A, Schubert MG, Church GM, Pakrasi HB. Antenna Modification in a Fast-Growing Cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus UTEX 2973 Leads to Improved Efficiency and Carbon-Neutral Productivity. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0050023. [PMID: 37318337 PMCID: PMC10433846 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00500-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Our planet is sustained by sunlight, the primary energy source made accessible to all life forms by photoautotrophs. Photoautotrophs are equipped with light-harvesting complexes (LHCs) that enable efficient capture of solar energy, particularly when light is limiting. However, under high light, LHCs can harvest photons in excess of the utilization capacity of cells, causing photodamage. This damaging effect is most evident when there is a disparity between the amount of light harvested and carbon available. Cells strive to circumvent this problem by dynamically adjusting the antenna structure in response to the changing light signals, a process known to be energetically expensive. Much emphasis has been laid on elucidating the relationship between antenna size and photosynthetic efficiency and identifying strategies to synthetically modify antennae for optimal light capture. Our study is an effort in this direction and investigates the possibility of modifying phycobilisomes, the LHCs present in cyanobacteria, the simplest of photoautotrophs. We systematically truncate the phycobilisomes of Synechococcus elongatus UTEX 2973, a widely studied, fast-growing model cyanobacterium and demonstrate that partial truncation of its antenna can lead to a growth advantage of up to 36% compared to the wild type and an increase in sucrose titer of up to 22%. In contrast, targeted deletion of the linker protein which connects the first phycocyanin rod to the core proved detrimental, indicating that the core alone is not enough, and it is essential to maintain a minimal rod-core structure for efficient light harvest and strain fitness. IMPORTANCE Light energy is essential for the existence of life on this planet, and only photosynthetic organisms, equipped with light-harvesting antenna protein complexes, can capture this energy, making it readily accessible to all other life forms. However, these light-harvesting antennae are not designed to function optimally under extreme high light, a condition which can cause photodamage and significantly reduce photosynthetic productivity. In this study, we attempt to assess the optimal antenna structure for a fast-growing, high-light tolerant photosynthetic microbe with the goal of improving its productivity. Our findings provide concrete evidence that although the antenna complex is essential, antenna modification is a viable strategy to maximize strain performance under controlled growth conditions. This understanding can also be translated into identifying avenues to improve light harvesting efficiency in higher photoautotrophs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annesha Sengupta
- Department of Biology, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | | | - Max G. Schubert
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - George M. Church
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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3
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Li X, Hou W, Lei J, Chen H, Wang Q. The Unique Light-Harvesting System of the Algal Phycobilisome: Structure, Assembly Components, and Functions. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24119733. [PMID: 37298688 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119733] [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: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The phycobilisome (PBS) is the major light-harvesting apparatus in cyanobacteria and red algae. It is a large multi-subunit protein complex of several megadaltons that is found on the stromal side of thylakoid membranes in orderly arrays. Chromophore lyases catalyse the thioether bond between apoproteins and phycobilins of PBSs. Depending on the species, composition, spatial assembly, and, especially, the functional tuning of different phycobiliproteins mediated by linker proteins, PBSs can absorb light between 450 and 650 nm, making them efficient and versatile light-harvesting systems. However, basic research and technological innovations are needed, not only to understand their role in photosynthesis but also to realise the potential applications of PBSs. Crucial components including phycobiliproteins, phycobilins, and lyases together make the PBS an efficient light-harvesting system, and these provide a scheme to explore the heterologous synthesis of PBS. Focusing on these topics, this review describes the essential components needed for PBS assembly, the functional basis of PBS photosynthesis, and the applications of phycobiliproteins. Moreover, key technical challenges for heterologous biosynthesis of phycobiliproteins in chassis cells are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
| | - Wenwen Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
| | - Jiaxi Lei
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
| | - Hui Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
| | - Qiang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
- Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Henan University, Kaifeng 475001, China
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4
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Satta A, Esquirol L, Ebert BE. Current Metabolic Engineering Strategies for Photosynthetic Bioproduction in Cyanobacteria. Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11020455. [PMID: 36838420 PMCID: PMC9964548 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11020455] [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: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 02/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Cyanobacteria are photosynthetic microorganisms capable of using solar energy to convert CO2 and H2O into O2 and energy-rich organic compounds, thus enabling sustainable production of a wide range of bio-products. More and more strains of cyanobacteria are identified that show great promise as cell platforms for the generation of bioproducts. However, strain development is still required to optimize their biosynthesis and increase titers for industrial applications. This review describes the most well-known, newest and most promising strains available to the community and gives an overview of current cyanobacterial biotechnology and the latest innovative strategies used for engineering cyanobacteria. We summarize advanced synthetic biology tools for modulating gene expression and their use in metabolic pathway engineering to increase the production of value-added compounds, such as terpenoids, fatty acids and sugars, to provide a go-to source for scientists starting research in cyanobacterial metabolic engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Satta
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
- Department of Biology, University of Padua, 35100 Padua, Italy
| | - Lygie Esquirol
- Centre for Cell Factories and Biopolymers, Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Natha, QLD 4111, Australia
| | - Birgitta E. Ebert
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
- Correspondence:
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5
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The increasing role of structural proteomics in cyanobacteria. Essays Biochem 2022; 67:269-282. [PMID: 36503929 PMCID: PMC10070481 DOI: 10.1042/ebc20220095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Cyanobacteria, also known as blue–green algae, are ubiquitous organisms on the planet. They contain tremendous protein machineries that are of interest to the biotechnology industry and beyond. Recently, the number of annotated cyanobacterial genomes has expanded, enabling structural studies on known gene-coded proteins to accelerate. This review focuses on the advances in mass spectrometry (MS) that have enabled structural proteomics studies to be performed on the proteins and protein complexes within cyanobacteria. The review also showcases examples whereby MS has revealed critical mechanistic information behind how these remarkable machines within cyanobacteria function.
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6
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Homologs of Phycobilisome Abundance Regulator PsoR Are Widespread across Cyanobacteria. MICROBIOLOGY RESEARCH 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/microbiolres13020014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
During chromatic acclimation (CA), cyanobacteria undergo shifts in their physiology and metabolism in response to changes in their light environment. Various forms of CA, which involves the tuning of light-harvesting accessory complexes known as phycobilisomes (PBS) in response to distinct wavelengths of light, have been recognized. Recently, a negative regulator of PBS abundance, PsoR, about which little was known, was identified. We used sequence analyses and bioinformatics to predict the role of PsoR in cyanobacteria and PBS regulation and to examine its presence in a diverse range of cyanobacteria. PsoR has sequence similarities to the β-CASP family of proteins involved in DNA and RNA processing. PsoR is a putative nuclease widespread across Cyanobacteria, of which over 700 homologs have been observed. Promoter analysis suggested that psoR is co-transcribed with upstream gene tcpA. Multiple transcription factors involved in global gene regulation and stress responses were predicted to bind to the psoR-tcpA promoter. The predicted protein–protein interactions with PsoR homologs included proteins involved in DNA and RNA metabolism, as well as a phycocyanin-associated protein predicted to interact with PsoR from Fremyella diplosiphon (FdPsoR). The widespread presence of PsoR homologs in Cyanobacteria and their ties to DNA- and RNA-metabolizing proteins indicated a potentially unique role for PsoR in CA and PBS abundance regulation.
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7
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Li Y, Gillilan R, Abbaspourrad A. Tuning C-Phycocyanin Photoactivity via pH-Mediated Assembly-Disassembly. Biomacromolecules 2021; 22:5128-5138. [PMID: 34767353 PMCID: PMC9131392 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.1c01095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Environment-triggered protein conformational changes have garnered wide interest in both fundamental research, for deciphering in vivo acclimatory responses, and practical applications, for designing stimuli-responsive probes. Here, we propose a protein-chromophore regulatory mechanism that allows for manipulation of C-phycocyanin (C-PC) from Spirulina platensis by environmental pH and UV irradiation. Using small-angle X-ray scattering, a pH-mediated C-PC assembly-disassembly pathway, from monomers to nonamers, was unraveled. Such flexible protein matrices impart tunability to the embedded tetrapyrroles, whose photochemical behaviors were found to be modulated by protein assembly states. UV irradiation on C-PC triggers pH-dependent singlet oxygen (1O2) generation and conformational changes. Intermolecular photo-crosslinking occurs at pH 5.0 via dityrosine species, which bridges solution-based C-PC oligomers into unprecedented dodecamers and 24-mers. These supramolecular assemblies impart C-PC at pH 5.0, which significantly enhanced 1O2 yield, fluorescence, and photostability relative to those at other pH values, a finding that makes C-PC appealing for tumor-targeted photodynamic therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Li
- Department of Food Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, 14853 USA
| | - Richard Gillilan
- Macromolecular Diffraction Facility, Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source (MacCHESS), Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, 14853 USA
| | - Alireza Abbaspourrad
- Department of Food Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, 14853 USA,Corresponding Author:
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8
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Chen L, Liu H, Wang L, Tan X, Yang S. Synthetic counter-selection markers and their application in genetic modification of Synechococcus elongatus UTEX2973. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2021; 105:5077-5086. [PMID: 34106311 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-021-11391-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Revised: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Due to its robustness to environmental stresses and fast growth, Synechococcus elongatus UTEX2973 is developed as a new model for researches on cyanobacterial molecular biology and biotechnology. However, systematic genetic modifications of S. elongatus UTEX2973 were hindered by the lack of effective genetic manipulation tools, especially available counter-selection markers. Here, six synthetic counter-selection markers (SCOMs) were assembled by fusing six toxin genes from either Escherichia coli or cyanobacteria with a theophylline-inducible promoter. The SCOMs containing SYNPCC7002_G0085 from Synechococcus sp. PCC7002 or mazF from E. coli were proved to be inducible by theophylline in S. elongatus UTEX2973. By using the mazF-based SCOM, the neutral locus 1 and 23 small regulatory RNAs were completely deleted from the genome of S. elongatus UTEX2973 after one round of selection with both kanamycin and theophylline. The genetic tools developed in this work will facilitate future researches on molecular genetics and synthetic biology in S. elongatus UTEX2973. KEY POINTS: • Two inducible counter-selection markers are lethal to S. elongatus UTEX2973. • The counter-selection marker benefits the gene targeting in S. elongatus UTEX2973. • Twentry-three small regulatory RNAs were fully deleted via the novel gene targeting method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liyuan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, Environmental Microbial Technology Center of Hubei Province, and School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, 430062, China
| | - Hai Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, Environmental Microbial Technology Center of Hubei Province, and School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, 430062, China
| | - Li Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, Environmental Microbial Technology Center of Hubei Province, and School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, 430062, China
| | - Xiaoming Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, Environmental Microbial Technology Center of Hubei Province, and School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, 430062, China.
| | - Shihui Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, Environmental Microbial Technology Center of Hubei Province, and School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, 430062, China
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9
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Lennon S, Hughes CJ, Muazzam A, Townsend PA, Gethings LA, Wilson ID, Plumb RS. High-Throughput Microbore Ultrahigh-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Ion Mobility-Enabled-Mass Spectrometry-Based Proteomics Methodology for the Exploratory Analysis of Serum Samples from Large Cohort Studies. J Proteome Res 2021; 20:1705-1715. [PMID: 33566619 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.0c00821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The deployment of proteomic analysis in clinical studies represents a significant opportunity to detect and validate biomarkers in translational medicine, improve disease understanding, and provide baseline information on population health. However, comprehensive proteome studies usually employ nanoscale chromatography and often require several hours of analysis/sample. Here, we describe a high-throughput liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) methodology using 1 mm scale chromatography requiring only 15 min/sample, coupled to ion mobility-enabled mass spectrometry. The short run time effected a 6-fold increase in productivity compared with nanoscale LC/MS. The method demonstrated excellent reproducibility with retention time coefficient of variations of less than 0.05% and peak area reproducibility ranging from 5 to 15%. The 1 mm system produced similar chromatographic peak capacity values to the nanoscale miniaturized system, detecting 90% of the Escherichia coli proteins identified by the 75 μm LC/MS system (albeit based on only 75% of the peptides found by the latter). Application to the analysis of serum samples from a human prostate cancer study group resulted in the identification of a total of 533 proteins revealing the differential expression of proteins linked to patients receiving hormone-radiotherapy or undergoing surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Lennon
- Waters Corporation, Stamford Avenue, Wilmslow SK9 4AX, U.K
| | | | - Ammara Muazzam
- Division of Cancer Sciences, Oglesby Cancer Research Building, Manchester Cancer Research Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester M20 4GJ, U.K
| | - Paul A Townsend
- Division of Cancer Sciences, Oglesby Cancer Research Building, Manchester Cancer Research Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester M20 4GJ, U.K.,Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, U.K
| | - Lee A Gethings
- Waters Corporation, Stamford Avenue, Wilmslow SK9 4AX, U.K.,Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, Division of Infection, Immunity and Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M1 7DN, U.K
| | - Ian D Wilson
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College, South Kensington, London SW7 2AZ, U.K
| | - Robert S Plumb
- Scientific Operations, Waters Corporation, Milford, Massachusetts 01757, United States
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10
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Fedorowicz J, Wierzbicka M, Cebrat M, Wiśniewska P, Piątek R, Zalewska-Piątek B, Szewczuk Z, Sączewski J. Application of Safirinium N-Hydroxysuccinimide Esters to Derivatization of Peptides for High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry, Tandem Mass Spectrometry, and Fluorescent Labeling of Bacterial Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21249643. [PMID: 33348897 PMCID: PMC7767236 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21249643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2020] [Revised: 12/13/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Mass spectrometry methods are commonly used in the identification of peptides and biomarkers. Due to a relatively low abundance of proteins in biological samples, there is a need for the development of novel derivatization methods that would improve MS detection limits. Hence, novel fluorescent N–hydroxysuccinimide esters of dihydro-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyridin-2-ium carboxylates (Safirinium P dyes) have been synthesized. The obtained compounds, which incorporate quaternary ammonium salt moieties, easily react with aliphatic amine groups of peptides, both in solution and on the solid support; thus, they can be applied for derivatization as ionization enhancers. Safirinium tagging experiments with ubiquitin hydrolysate revealed that the sequence coverage level was high (ca. 80%), and intensities of signals were enhanced up to 8-fold, which proves the applicability of the proposed tags in the bottom–up approach. The obtained results confirmed that the novel compounds enable the detection of trace amounts of peptides, and fixed positive charge within the tags results in high ionization efficiency. Moreover, Safirinium NHS esters have been utilized as imaging agents for fluorescent labeling and the microscopic visualization of living cells such as E. coli Top10 bacterial strain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Fedorowicz
- Department of Chemical Technology of Drugs, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Gdańsk, Al. Gen. J. Hallera 107, 80-416 Gdańsk, Poland
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-58-349-1957
| | - Magdalena Wierzbicka
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Wrocław, ul. F. Joliot-Curie 14, 50-383 Wrocław, Poland; (M.W.); (M.C.); (Z.S.)
| | - Marek Cebrat
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Wrocław, ul. F. Joliot-Curie 14, 50-383 Wrocław, Poland; (M.W.); (M.C.); (Z.S.)
| | - Paulina Wiśniewska
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Gdańsk, Al. Gen. J. Hallera 107, 80-416 Gdańsk, Poland; (P.W.); (J.S.)
| | - Rafał Piątek
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Chemical Faculty, Gdańsk University of Technology, Narutowicza 11/12, 80-233 Gdańsk, Poland; (R.P.); (B.Z.-P.)
| | - Beata Zalewska-Piątek
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Chemical Faculty, Gdańsk University of Technology, Narutowicza 11/12, 80-233 Gdańsk, Poland; (R.P.); (B.Z.-P.)
| | - Zbigniew Szewczuk
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Wrocław, ul. F. Joliot-Curie 14, 50-383 Wrocław, Poland; (M.W.); (M.C.); (Z.S.)
| | - Jarosław Sączewski
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Gdańsk, Al. Gen. J. Hallera 107, 80-416 Gdańsk, Poland; (P.W.); (J.S.)
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11
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Knoot CJ, Biswas S, Pakrasi HB. Tunable Repression of Key Photosynthetic Processes Using Cas12a CRISPR Interference in the Fast-Growing Cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. UTEX 2973. ACS Synth Biol 2020; 9:132-143. [PMID: 31829621 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.9b00417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Cyanobacteria are photoautotrophic prokaryotes that serve as key model organisms to study basic photosynthetic processes and are potential carbon-negative production chassis for commodity and high-value chemicals. The development of new synthetic biology tools and improvement of current ones is a requisite for furthering these organisms as models and production vehicles. CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) allows for targeted gene repression using a DNase-dead Cas nuclease ("dCas"). Here, we describe a titratable dCas12a (dCpf1) CRISPRi system and apply it to repress key photosynthetic processes in the fast-growing cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. UTEX 2973 (S2973). The system relies on a lac repressor system that retains tight regulation in the absence of inducer (0-10% repression) while maintaining the capability for >90% repression of high-abundance gene targets. We determined that dCas12a is less toxic than dCas9. We tested the efficacy of the system toward eYFP and three native targets in S2973: the phycobilisome antenna, glycogen synthesis, and photosystem I (PSI), an essential part of the photosynthetic electron transport chain in oxygenic photoautotrophs. PSI was knocked down indirectly by repressing the protein factor BtpA involved in stabilizing core PSI proteins. We could reduce cellular PSI titer by 87% under photoautotrophic conditions, and we characterized these cells to gain insights into the response of the strain to the low PSI content. The ability to tightly regulate and time the (de)repression of essential genes in trans will allow for the study of photosynthetic processes that are not accessible using knockout mutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cory J Knoot
- Department of Biology , Washington University , St. Louis , Missouri United States
| | - Sandeep Biswas
- Department of Biology , Washington University , St. Louis , Missouri United States
| | - Himadri B Pakrasi
- Department of Biology , Washington University , St. Louis , Missouri United States
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