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Dai W, Dong H, Zhang Z, Wu X, Bao T, Gao L, Chen X. Enhancing the Heterologous Expression of a Thermophilic Endoglucanase and Its Cost-Effective Production in Pichia pastoris Using Multiple Strategies. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15017. [PMID: 37834464 PMCID: PMC10573353 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241915017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Although Pichia pastoris was successfully used for heterologous gene expression for more than twenty years, many factors influencing protein expression remain unclear. Here, we optimized the expression of a thermophilic endoglucanase from Thermothielavioides terrestris (TtCel45A) for cost-effective production in Pichia pastoris. To achieve this, we established a multifactorial regulation strategy that involved selecting a genome-editing system, utilizing neutral loci, incorporating multiple copies of the heterologous expression cassette, and optimizing high-density fermentation for the co-production of single-cell protein (SCP). Notably, even though all neutral sites were used, there was still a slight difference in the enzymatic activity of heterologously expressed TtCel45A. Interestingly, the optimal gene copy number for the chromosomal expression of TtCel45A was found to be three, indicating limitations in translational capacity, post-translational processing, and secretion, ultimately impacting protein yields in P. pastoris. We suggest that multiple parameters might influence a kinetic competition between protein elongation and mRNA degradation. During high-density fermentation, the highest protein concentration and endoglucanase activity of TtCel45A with three copies reached 15.8 g/L and 9640 IU/mL, respectively. At the same time, the remaining SCP of P. pastoris exhibited a crude protein and amino acid content of up to 59.32% and 46.98%, respectively. These findings suggested that SCP from P. pastoris holds great promise as a sustainable and cost-effective alternative for meeting the global protein demand, while also enabling the production of thermophilic TtCel45A in a single industrial process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wuling Dai
- School of Biological Engineering, Dalian Polytechnic University, Dalian 116034, China;
| | - Haofan Dong
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, National Technology Innovation Center for Synthetic Biology, Tianjin 300308, China; (H.D.); (Z.Z.); (X.W.); (T.B.)
| | - Zhaokun Zhang
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, National Technology Innovation Center for Synthetic Biology, Tianjin 300308, China; (H.D.); (Z.Z.); (X.W.); (T.B.)
| | - Xin Wu
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, National Technology Innovation Center for Synthetic Biology, Tianjin 300308, China; (H.D.); (Z.Z.); (X.W.); (T.B.)
| | - Tongtong Bao
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, National Technology Innovation Center for Synthetic Biology, Tianjin 300308, China; (H.D.); (Z.Z.); (X.W.); (T.B.)
| | - Le Gao
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, National Technology Innovation Center for Synthetic Biology, Tianjin 300308, China; (H.D.); (Z.Z.); (X.W.); (T.B.)
| | - Xiaoyi Chen
- School of Biological Engineering, Dalian Polytechnic University, Dalian 116034, China;
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2
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Lebedev V. Impact of Intron and Retransformation on Transgene Expression in Leaf and Fruit Tissues of Field-Grown Pear Trees. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12883. [PMID: 37629068 PMCID: PMC10454629 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241612883] [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: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Stable and high expression of introduced genes is a prerequisite for using transgenic trees. Transgene stacking enables combining several valuable traits, but repeated transformation increases the risk of unintended effects. This work studied the stability and intron-mediated enhancement of uidA gene expression in leaves and different anatomical parts of pear fruits during field trials over 14 years. The stability of reporter and herbicide resistance transgenes in retransformed pear plants, as well as possible unintended effects using high-throughput phenotyping tools, were also investigated. The activity of β-glucuronidase (GUS) varied depending on the year, but silencing did not occur. The uidA gene was expressed to a maximum in seeds, slightly less in the peel and peduncles, and much less in the pulp of pear fruits. The intron in the uidA gene stably increased expression in leaves and fruits by approximately twofold. Retransformants with the bar gene showed long-term herbicide resistance and exhibited no consistent changes in leaf size and shape. The transgenic pear was used as rootstock and scion, but grafted plants showed no transport of the GUS protein through the graft in the greenhouse and field. This longest field trial of transgenic fruit trees demonstrates stable expression under varying environmental conditions, the expression-enhancing effect of intron and the absence of unintended effects in single- and double-transformed woody plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vadim Lebedev
- Branch of the Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 142290 Pushchino, Russia
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3
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Popova LG, Khramov DE, Nedelyaeva OI, Volkov VS. Yeast Heterologous Expression Systems for the Study of Plant Membrane Proteins. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10768. [PMID: 37445944 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241310768] [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: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Researchers are often interested in proteins that are present in cells in small ratios compared to the total amount of proteins. These proteins include transcription factors, hormones and specific membrane proteins. However, sufficient amounts of well-purified protein preparations are required for functional and structural studies of these proteins, including the creation of artificial proteoliposomes and the growth of protein 2D and 3D crystals. This aim can be achieved by the expression of the target protein in a heterologous system. This review describes the applications of yeast heterologous expression systems in studies of plant membrane proteins. An initial brief description introduces the widely used heterologous expression systems of the baker's yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris. S. cerevisiae is further considered a convenient model system for functional studies of heterologously expressed proteins, while P. pastoris has the advantage of using these yeast cells as factories for producing large quantities of proteins of interest. The application of both expression systems is described for functional and structural studies of membrane proteins from plants, namely, K+- and Na+-transporters, various ATPases and anion transporters, and other transport proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larissa G Popova
- K.A. Timiryazev Institute of Plant Physiology RAS, 127276 Moscow, Russia
| | - Dmitrii E Khramov
- K.A. Timiryazev Institute of Plant Physiology RAS, 127276 Moscow, Russia
| | - Olga I Nedelyaeva
- K.A. Timiryazev Institute of Plant Physiology RAS, 127276 Moscow, Russia
| | - Vadim S Volkov
- K.A. Timiryazev Institute of Plant Physiology RAS, 127276 Moscow, Russia
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4
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Cittadino GM, Andrews J, Purewal H, Estanislao Acuña Avila P, Arnone JT. Functional Clustering of Metabolically Related Genes Is Conserved across Dikarya. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:jof9050523. [PMID: 37233234 DOI: 10.3390/jof9050523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 04/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcriptional regulation is vital for organismal survival, with many layers and mechanisms collaborating to balance gene expression. One layer of this regulation is genome organization, specifically the clustering of functionally related, co-expressed genes along the chromosomes. Spatial organization allows for position effects to stabilize RNA expression and balance transcription, which can be advantageous for a number of reasons, including reductions in stochastic influences between the gene products. The organization of co-regulated gene families into functional clusters occurs extensively in Ascomycota fungi. However, this is less characterized within the related Basidiomycota fungi despite the many uses and applications for the species within this clade. This review will provide insight into the prevalence, purpose, and significance of the clustering of functionally related genes across Dikarya, including foundational studies from Ascomycetes and the current state of our understanding throughout representative Basidiomycete species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gina M Cittadino
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Le Moyne College, Syracuse, NY 13214, USA
| | - Johnathan Andrews
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Le Moyne College, Syracuse, NY 13214, USA
| | - Harpreet Purewal
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Le Moyne College, Syracuse, NY 13214, USA
| | | | - James T Arnone
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Le Moyne College, Syracuse, NY 13214, USA
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5
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Powers EN, Chan C, Doron-Mandel E, Llacsahuanga Allcca L, Kim Kim J, Jovanovic M, Brar GA. Bidirectional promoter activity from expression cassettes can drive off-target repression of neighboring gene translation. eLife 2022; 11:e81086. [PMID: 36503721 PMCID: PMC9754628 DOI: 10.7554/elife.81086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Targeted selection-based genome-editing approaches have enabled many fundamental discoveries and are used routinely with high precision. We found, however, that replacement of DBP1 with a common selection cassette in budding yeast led to reduced expression and function for the adjacent gene, MRP51, despite all MRP51 coding and regulatory sequences remaining intact. Cassette-induced repression of MRP51 drove all mutant phenotypes detected in cells deleted for DBP1. This behavior resembled the 'neighboring gene effect' (NGE), a phenomenon of unknown mechanism whereby cassette insertion at one locus reduces the expression of a neighboring gene. Here, we leveraged strong off-target mutant phenotypes resulting from cassette replacement of DBP1 to provide mechanistic insight into the NGE. We found that the inherent bidirectionality of promoters, including those in expression cassettes, drives a divergent transcript that represses MRP51 through combined transcriptional interference and translational repression mediated by production of a long undecoded transcript isoform (LUTI). Divergent transcript production driving this off-target effect is general to yeast expression cassettes and occurs ubiquitously with insertion. Despite this, off-target effects are often naturally prevented by local sequence features, such as those that terminate divergent transcripts between the site of cassette insertion and the neighboring gene. Thus, cassette-induced off-target effects can be eliminated by the insertion of transcription terminator sequences into the cassette, flanking the promoter. Because the driving features of this off-target effect are broadly conserved, our study suggests it should be considered in the design and interpretation of experiments using integrated expression cassettes in other eukaryotic systems, including human cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Nicole Powers
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
| | - Charlene Chan
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
| | - Ella Doron-Mandel
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia UniversityNew YorkUnited States
| | | | - Jenny Kim Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia UniversityNew YorkUnited States
| | - Marko Jovanovic
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia UniversityNew YorkUnited States
| | - Gloria Ann Brar
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
- California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences (QB3), University of California, BerkleyBerkleyUnited States
- Center for Computational Biology, University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
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6
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Liu X, Cui Z, Su T, Lu X, Hou J, Qi Q. Identification of genome integration sites for developing a CRISPR-based gene expression toolkit in Yarrowia lipolytica. Microb Biotechnol 2022; 15:2223-2234. [PMID: 35436041 PMCID: PMC9328735 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.14060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
With the rapid development of synthetic biology, the oleaginous yeast Yarrowia lipolytica has become an attractive microorganism for chemical production. To better optimize and reroute metabolic pathways, we have expanded the CRISPR-based gene expression toolkit of Y. lipolytica. By sorting the integration sites associated with high expression, new neutral integration sites associated with high expression and high integration efficiency were identified. Diverse genetic components, including promoters and terminators, were also characterized to expand the expression range. We found that in addition to promoters, the newly characterized terminators exhibited large variations in gene expression. These genetic components and integration sites were then used to regulate genes involved in the lycopene biosynthesis pathway, and different levels of lycopene production were achieved. The CRISPR-based gene expression toolkit developed in this study will facilitate the genetic engineering of Y. lipolytica.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial TechnologyShandong UniversityQingdao266237China
| | - Zhiyong Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial TechnologyShandong UniversityQingdao266237China
| | - Tianyuan Su
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial TechnologyShandong UniversityQingdao266237China
| | - Xuemei Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial TechnologyShandong UniversityQingdao266237China
| | - Jin Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial TechnologyShandong UniversityQingdao266237China
| | - Qingsheng Qi
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial TechnologyShandong UniversityQingdao266237China
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7
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Identification and Analysis of JAZ Gene Family in Ginkgo biloba Reveals Candidate Genes for Biosynthesis of Terpene Trilactones. FORESTS 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/f13050781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Terpene trilactones (TTLs) are the main secondary metabolites in Ginkgo biloba L. with efficacious pharmacological activity. Jasmonate ZIM-domain (JAZ) protein is a key regulatory factor of the JA signaling pathway, which regulates the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites such as terpenes, alkaloids, and flavonoids. In this study, GbJAZ01~GbJAZ11 were identified from the genome data in G. biloba, which contained TIFY-, Jas-, and weakly conserved NT-domains, and the promoters in most of them contained light, hormone, and stress-responsive elements. Phylogenetic analysis divided all JAZ proteins of Arabidopsis thaliana, Oryza sativa, Picea sitchensis, Taxus chinensis, and G. biloba into nine groups, in which GbJAZs belong to Group VI-IX. GbJAZs have similar functional motifs to A. thaliana and O. sativa, but also contain three specific motifs of gymnosperms, indicating that, although gymnosperms and angiosperms have some conservative structures and functions, their evolutionary processes are independent. Expression pattern analysis showed that the expression levels of GbJAZs were significantly up-regulated by MeJA, but the change pattern and amplitude were different, indicating that the function of GbJAZs in response to a JA signal may be different. After ABA and SA treatment, the expression of GbJAZs was up-regulated or inhibited in varying degrees, and different GbJAZs may be involved in the synergistic or antagonistic effects between JA and other hormone signals. The MeJA significantly increased the content of TTLs in G. biloba leaves, which were significantly positively correlated with the expression levels of GbJAZ01, 02, 07, and 11, and negatively correlated with the expression of GbJAZ04. They may play an important role in JA signaling pathways and the interactions between JA and other hormone signals, and participate in the regulation of the biosynthesis of TTLs. Our results provide a reference for the discovery that GbJAZs are involved in JA signaling pathways, and lay a theoretical foundation for analyzing JA signaling pathways to regulate the synthesis of secondary metabolites.
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8
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Odoh CK, Guo X, Arnone JT, Wang X, Zhao ZK. The role of NAD and NAD precursors on longevity and lifespan modulation in the budding yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Biogerontology 2022; 23:169-199. [PMID: 35260986 PMCID: PMC8904166 DOI: 10.1007/s10522-022-09958-x] [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: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Molecular causes of aging and longevity interventions have witnessed an upsurge in the last decade. The resurgent interests in the application of small molecules as potential geroprotectors and/or pharmacogenomics point to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and its precursors, nicotinamide riboside, nicotinamide mononucleotide, nicotinamide, and nicotinic acid as potentially intriguing molecules. Upon supplementation, these compounds have shown to ameliorate aging related conditions and possibly prevent death in model organisms. Besides being a molecule essential in all living cells, our understanding of the mechanism of NAD metabolism and its regulation remain incomplete owing to its omnipresent nature. Here we discuss recent advances and techniques in the study of chronological lifespan (CLS) and replicative lifespan (RLS) in the model unicellular organism Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We then follow with the mechanism and biology of NAD precursors and their roles in aging and longevity. Finally, we review potential biotechnological applications through engineering of microbial lifespan, and laid perspective on the promising candidature of alternative redox compounds for extending lifespan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuks Kenneth Odoh
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, CAS, 457 Zhongshan Rd, Dalian, 116023, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
| | - Xiaojia Guo
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, CAS, 457 Zhongshan Rd, Dalian, 116023, China
- Dalian Key Laboratory of Energy Biotechnology, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, CAS, 457 Zhongshan Rd, Dalian, 116023, China
| | - James T Arnone
- Department of Biology, William Paterson University, Wayne, NJ, 07470, USA
| | - Xueying Wang
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, CAS, 457 Zhongshan Rd, Dalian, 116023, China
- Dalian Key Laboratory of Energy Biotechnology, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, CAS, 457 Zhongshan Rd, Dalian, 116023, China
| | - Zongbao K Zhao
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, CAS, 457 Zhongshan Rd, Dalian, 116023, China.
- Dalian Key Laboratory of Energy Biotechnology, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, CAS, 457 Zhongshan Rd, Dalian, 116023, China.
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9
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Lin K, Han S, Zheng S. Application of Corynebacterium glutamicum engineering display system in three generations of biorefinery. Microb Cell Fact 2022; 21:14. [PMID: 35090458 PMCID: PMC8796525 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-022-01741-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The fermentation production of platform chemicals in biorefineries is a sustainable alternative to the current petroleum refining process. The natural advantages of Corynebacterium glutamicum in carbon metabolism have led to C. glutamicum being used as a microbial cell factory that can use various biomass to produce value-added platform chemicals and polymers. In this review, we discussed the use of C. glutamicum surface display engineering bacteria in the three generations of biorefinery resources, and analyzed the C. glutamicum engineering display system in degradation, transport, and metabolic network reconstruction models. These engineering modifications show that the C. glutamicum engineering display system has great potential to become a cell refining factory based on sustainable biomass, and further optimizes the inherent properties of C. glutamicum as a whole-cell biocatalyst. This review will also provide a reference for the direction of future engineering transformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerui Lin
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Fermentation and Enzyme Engineering, School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, People's Republic of China.,Guangdong Research Center of Industrial Enzyme and Green Manufacturing Technology, School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuangyan Han
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Fermentation and Enzyme Engineering, School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, People's Republic of China.,Guangdong Research Center of Industrial Enzyme and Green Manufacturing Technology, School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, People's Republic of China
| | - Suiping Zheng
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Fermentation and Enzyme Engineering, School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, People's Republic of China. .,Guangdong Research Center of Industrial Enzyme and Green Manufacturing Technology, School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, People's Republic of China.
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10
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Transcription at a Distance in the Budding Yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Appl Microbiol 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/applmicrobiol1010011] [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]
Abstract
Proper transcriptional regulation depends on the collaboration of multiple layers of control simultaneously. Cells tightly balance cellular resources and integrate various signaling inputs to maintain homeostasis during growth, development and stressors, among other signals. Many eukaryotes, including the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, exhibit a non-random distribution of functionally related genes throughout their genomes. This arrangement coordinates the transcription of genes that are found in clusters, and can occur over long distances. In this work, we review the current literature pertaining to gene regulation at a distance in budding yeast.
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11
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Robotics for enzyme technology: innovations and technological perspectives. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2021; 105:4089-4097. [PMID: 33970318 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-021-11302-1] [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: 12/12/2020] [Revised: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/17/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The use of robotics in the life science sector has created a considerable and significant impact on a wide range of research areas, including enzyme technology due to their immense applications in enzyme and microbial engineering as an indispensable tool in high-throughput screening applications. Scientists are experiencing the advanced applications of various biological robots (nanobots), fabricated based on bottom-up or top-down approaches for making nanotechnology scaffolds. Nanobots and enzyme-powered nanomotors are particularly attractive because they are self-propelled vehicles, which consume biocompatible fuels. These smart nanostructures are widely used as drug delivery systems for the efficient treatment of various diseases. This review gives insights into the escalating necessity of robotics and nanobots and their ever-widening applications in enzyme technology, including biofuel production and biomedical applications. It also offers brief insights into high-throughput robotic platforms that are currently being used in enzyme screening applications for monitoring and control of microbial growth conditions. KEY POINTS: • Robotics and their applications in biotechnology are highlighted. • Robotics for high-throughput enzyme screening and microbial engineering are described. • Nanobots and enzyme-powered nanomotors as controllable drug delivery systems are reviewed.
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12
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Alam K, Hao J, Zhang Y, Li A. Synthetic biology-inspired strategies and tools for engineering of microbial natural product biosynthetic pathways. Biotechnol Adv 2021; 49:107759. [PMID: 33930523 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2021.107759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Revised: 03/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Microbial-derived natural products (NPs) and their derivative products are of great importance and used widely in many fields, especially in pharmaceutical industries. However, there is an immediate need to establish innovative approaches, strategies, and techniques to discover new NPs with novel or enhanced biological properties, due to the less productivity and higher cost on traditional drug discovery pipelines from natural bioresources. Revealing of untapped microbial cryptic biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) using DNA sequencing technology and bioinformatics tools makes genome mining possible for NP discovery from microorganisms. Meanwhile, new approaches and strategies in the area of synthetic biology offer great potentials for generation of new NPs by engineering or creating synthetic systems with improved and desired functions. Development of approaches, strategies and tools in synthetic biology can facilitate not only exploration and enhancement in supply, and also in the structural diversification of NPs. Here, we discussed recent advances in synthetic biology-inspired strategies, including bioinformatics and genetic engineering tools and approaches for identification, cloning, editing/refactoring of candidate biosynthetic pathways, construction of heterologous expression hosts, fitness optimization between target pathways and hosts and detection of NP production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khorshed Alam
- Helmholtz International Lab for Anti-Infectives, Shandong University-Helmholtz Institute of Biotechnology, State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, PR China.
| | - Jinfang Hao
- Helmholtz International Lab for Anti-Infectives, Shandong University-Helmholtz Institute of Biotechnology, State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, PR China
| | - Youming Zhang
- Helmholtz International Lab for Anti-Infectives, Shandong University-Helmholtz Institute of Biotechnology, State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, PR China.
| | - Aiying Li
- Helmholtz International Lab for Anti-Infectives, Shandong University-Helmholtz Institute of Biotechnology, State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, PR China.
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13
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Hagee D, Abu Hardan A, Botero J, Arnone JT. Genomic clustering within functionally related gene families in Ascomycota fungi. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2020; 18:3267-3277. [PMID: 33209211 PMCID: PMC7653285 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2020.10.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Revised: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple mechanisms collaborate for proper regulation of gene expression. One layer of this regulation is through the clustering of functionally related genes at discrete loci throughout the genome. This phenomenon occurs extensively throughout Ascomycota fungi and is an organizing principle for many gene families whose proteins participate in diverse molecular functions throughout the cell. Members of this phylum include organisms that serve as model systems and those of interest medically, pharmaceutically, and for industrial and biotechnological applications. In this review, we discuss the prevalence of functional clustering through a broad range of organisms within the phylum. Position effects on transcription, genomic locations of clusters, transcriptional regulation of clusters, and selective pressures contributing to the formation and maintenance of clusters are addressed, as are common methods to identify and characterize clusters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle Hagee
- Department of Biology, William Paterson University, Wayne, NJ 07470, USA
| | - Ahmad Abu Hardan
- Department of Biology, William Paterson University, Wayne, NJ 07470, USA
| | - Juan Botero
- Department of Biology, William Paterson University, Wayne, NJ 07470, USA
| | - James T. Arnone
- Department of Biology, William Paterson University, Wayne, NJ 07470, USA
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