1
|
Love AC, Purdy TN, Hubert FM, Kirwan EJ, Holland DC, Moore BS. Discovery of Latent Cannabichromene Cyclase Activity in Marine Bacterial Flavoenzymes. ACS Synth Biol 2024; 13:1343-1354. [PMID: 38459634 PMCID: PMC11031283 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.4c00051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Abstract
Production of phytocannabinoids remains an area of active scientific interest due to the growing use of cannabis by the public and the underexplored therapeutic potential of the over 100 minor cannabinoids. While phytocannabinoids are biosynthesized by Cannabis sativa and other select plants and fungi, structural analogs and stereoisomers can only be accessed synthetically or through heterologous expression. To date, the bioproduction of cannabinoids has required eukaryotic hosts like yeast since key, native oxidative cyclization enzymes do not express well in bacterial hosts. Here, we report that two marine bacterial flavoenzymes, Clz9 and Tcz9, perform oxidative cyclization reactions on phytocannabinoid precursors to efficiently generate cannabichromene scaffolds. Furthermore, Clz9 and Tcz9 express robustly in bacteria and display significant tolerance to organic solvent and high substrate loading, thereby enabling fermentative production of cannabichromenic acid in Escherichia coli and indicating their potential for biocatalyst development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna C. Love
- Center for Marine Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Trevor N. Purdy
- Center for Marine Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Felix M. Hubert
- Center for Marine Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Ella J. Kirwan
- Center for Marine Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Darren C. Holland
- Center for Marine Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Bradley S. Moore
- Center for Marine Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Navarro MX, Brennan CK, Love AC, Prescher JA. Caged luciferins enable rapid multicomponent bioluminescence imaging. Photochem Photobiol 2024; 100:67-74. [PMID: 37259257 PMCID: PMC10687313 DOI: 10.1111/php.13814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Bioluminescence is a sensitive technique for imaging biological features over time. Historically, though, the modality has been challenging to employ for multiplexed tracking due to a lack of resolvable luciferase-luciferin pairs. Recent years have seen the development of numerous orthogonal probes for multi-parameter imaging. While successful, generating such tools often requires complex syntheses and lengthy enzyme evolution campaigns. This work showcases an alternative strategy for multiplexed bioluminescence that takes advantage of already-orthogonal caged luciferins and established uncaging enzymes. These probes generate unique bioluminescent signals that can be distinguished via a linear unmixing algorithm. Caged luciferins enabled two- and three-component imaging on the minutes time scale. We further showed that the tools can be used in conjunction with endogenous enzymes for multiplexed studies. Collectively, this approach lowers the barrier to multicomponent bioluminescence imaging and can be readily adopted by the broader community.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mariana X. Navarro
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine 1120 Natural Science II, Irvine, CA 92617 (USA)
| | - Caroline K. Brennan
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine 1120 Natural Science II, Irvine, CA 92617 (USA)
| | - Anna C. Love
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine 1120 Natural Science II, Irvine, CA 92617 (USA)
| | - Jennifer A. Prescher
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine 1120 Natural Science II, Irvine, CA 92617 (USA)
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, 3205 McGaugh Hall, Irvine, CA 92716 (USA)
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, Irvine, 101 Theory, Suite 100, Irvine, CA 92617 (USA)
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Love AC, Caldwell DR, Kolbaba-Kartchner B, Townsend KM, Halbers LP, Yao Z, Brennan CK, Ivanic J, Hadjian T, Mills JH, Schnermann MJ, Prescher JA. Red-Shifted Coumarin Luciferins for Improved Bioluminescence Imaging. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:3335-3345. [PMID: 36745536 PMCID: PMC10519142 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c07220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Multicomponent bioluminescence imaging in vivo requires an expanded collection of tissue-penetrant probes. Toward this end, we generated a new class of near-infrared (NIR) emitting coumarin luciferin analogues (CouLuc-3s). The scaffolds were easily accessed from commercially available dyes. Complementary mutant luciferases for the CouLuc-3 analogues were also identified. The brightest probes enabled sensitive imaging in vivo. The CouLuc-3 scaffolds are also orthogonal to popular bioluminescent reporters and can be used for multicomponent imaging applications. Collectively, this work showcases a new set of bioluminescent tools that can be readily implemented for multiplexed imaging in a variety of biological settings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna C Love
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
| | - Donald R Caldwell
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, Cancer for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Bethany Kolbaba-Kartchner
- School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85281, United States
- The Biodesign Center for Molecular Design and Biomimetics, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85281, United States
| | - Katherine M Townsend
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
| | - Lila P Halbers
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
| | - Zi Yao
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
| | - Caroline K Brennan
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
| | - Joseph Ivanic
- Advanced Biomedical Computational Science, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Tanya Hadjian
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
| | - Jeremy H Mills
- School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85281, United States
- The Biodesign Center for Molecular Design and Biomimetics, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85281, United States
| | - Martin J Schnermann
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, Cancer for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Jennifer A Prescher
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
- Department of Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Abstract
Fluorogenic bioorthogonal reactions enable biomolecule visualization in real time. These reactions comprise reporters that "light up" upon reaction with complementary partners. While the spectrum of fluorogenic chemistries is expanding, few transformations are compatible with live cells due to cross-reactivities or insufficient signal turn-on. To address the need for more suitable chemistries for cellular imaging, we developed a fluorogenic reaction featuring cyclopropenone reporters and phosphines. The transformation involves regioselective activation and cyclization of cyclopropenones to form coumarin products. With optimal probes, the reaction provides >1600-fold signal turn-on, one of the highest fluorescence enhancements reported to date. The bioorthogonal motifs were evaluated in vitro and in cells. The reaction was also found to be compatible with other common fluorogenic transformations, enabling multicomponent, real-time imaging. Collectively, these data suggest that the cyclopropenone-phosphine reaction will bolster efforts to track biomolecule targets in their native settings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tyler K Heiss
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, California 92697, United States
| | - Robert S Dorn
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, California 92697, United States
| | - Andrew J Ferreira
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, California 92697, United States
| | - Anna C Love
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, California 92697, United States
| | - Jennifer A Prescher
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, California 92697, United States.,Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, California 92697, United States.,Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, Irvine, California 92697, United States
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Yao Z, Caldwell DR, Love AC, Kolbaba-Kartchner B, Mills JH, Schnermann MJ, Prescher JA. Coumarin luciferins and mutant luciferases for robust multi-component bioluminescence imaging. Chem Sci 2021; 12:11684-11691. [PMID: 34659703 PMCID: PMC8442684 DOI: 10.1039/d1sc03114g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Multi-component bioluminescence imaging requires an expanded collection of luciferase-luciferin pairs that emit far-red or near-infrared light. Toward this end, we prepared a new class of luciferins based on a red-shifted coumarin scaffold. These probes (CouLuc-1s) were accessed in a two-step sequence via direct modification of commercial dyes. The bioluminescent properties of the CouLuc-1 analogs were also characterized, and complementary luciferase enzymes were identified using a two-pronged screening strategy. The optimized enzyme-substrate pairs displayed robust photon outputs and emitted a significant portion of near-infrared light. The CouLuc-1 scaffolds are also structurally distinct from existing probes, enabling rapid multi-component imaging. Collectively, this work provides novel bioluminescent tools along with a blueprint for crafting additional fluorophore-derived probes for multiplexed imaging.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zi Yao
- Department of Chemistry, University of California Irvine CA USA
| | - Donald R Caldwell
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute Frederick MD USA
| | - Anna C Love
- Department of Chemistry, University of California Irvine CA USA
| | - Bethany Kolbaba-Kartchner
- School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University Tempe AZ USA
- The Biodesign Center for Molecular Design and Biomimetics, Arizona State University Tempe AZ USA
| | - Jeremy H Mills
- School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University Tempe AZ USA
- The Biodesign Center for Molecular Design and Biomimetics, Arizona State University Tempe AZ USA
| | - Martin J Schnermann
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute Frederick MD USA
| | - Jennifer A Prescher
- Department of Chemistry, University of California Irvine CA USA
- Department of Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, University of California Irvine CA USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California Irvine CA USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Love AC, Tran SH, Prescher JA. Caged Cumate Enables Proximity-Dependent Control Over Gene Expression. Chembiochem 2021; 22:2440-2448. [PMID: 34031982 PMCID: PMC9870035 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202100158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Cell-cell interactions underlie diverse physiological processes yet remain challenging to examine with conventional imaging tools. Here we report a novel strategy to illuminate cell proximity using transcriptional activators. We repurposed cumate, a small molecule inducer of gene expression, by caging its key carboxylate group with a nitrile. Nitrilase-expressing activator cells released the cage, liberating cumate for consumption by reporter cells. Reporter cells comprising a cumate-responsive switch expressed a target gene when in close proximity to the activator cells. Overall, this strategy provides a versatile platform to image and potentially manipulate cellular interactions over time.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna C. Love
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, 1120 Natural Sciences II, Irvine, CA 92697 (USA)
| | - Sabrina H. Tran
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of California, Irvine, 5120 Natural Sciences II, Irvine, CA 92627 (USA)
| | - Jennifer A. Prescher
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, 1120 Natural Sciences II, Irvine, CA 92697 (USA),Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, 3205 McGaugh Hall, Irvine, CA 92697 (USA),Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, Irvine, 101 Theory, Ste. 101, Irvine, CA 92697 (USA)
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Love AC, Prescher JA. Seeing (and Using) the Light: Recent Developments in Bioluminescence Technology. Cell Chem Biol 2020; 27:904-920. [PMID: 32795417 PMCID: PMC7472846 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2020.07.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Revised: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Bioluminescence has long been used to image biological processes in vivo. This technology features luciferase enzymes and luciferin small molecules that produce visible light. Bioluminescent photons can be detected in tissues and live organisms, enabling sensitive and noninvasive readouts on physiological function. Traditional applications have focused on tracking cells and gene expression patterns, but new probes are pushing the frontiers of what can be visualized. The past few years have also seen the merger of bioluminescence with optogenetic platforms. Luciferase-luciferin reactions can drive light-activatable proteins, ultimately triggering signal transduction and other downstream events. This review highlights these and other recent advances in bioluminescence technology, with an emphasis on tool development. We showcase how new luciferins and engineered luciferases are expanding the scope of optical imaging. We also highlight how bioluminescent systems are being leveraged not just for sensing-but also controlling-biological processes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna C Love
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Jennifer A Prescher
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA; Department of Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Abstract
The aim of this study was to compare the progress of clients attending two substance misuse treatment agencies. A wide range of problems were recorded at 1, 3-6, and 12 month intervals; these included measures of substance misuse and dependence together with social problems and physical and mental health problems. Differences in outcome between the two agencies were entirely attributable to the number and severity of a range of problems rather than simply to severity of dependence or differences between the agencies themselves. This raised questions of how treatment outcomes are understood and explained, and the usefulness of therapeutic models per se.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J Keene
- School of Social Work, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
9
|
Gallagher S, Hamrick CA, Love AC, Marras WS. Dynamic biomechanical modelling of symmetric and asymmetric lifting tasks in restricted postures. Ergonomics 1994; 37:1289-1310. [PMID: 7925254 DOI: 10.1080/00140139408964909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
This article describes investigations of dynamic biomechanical stresses associated with lifting in stooping and kneeling postures. Twelve subjects volunteered to participate in two lifting experiments each having two levels of posture (stooped or kneeling), two levels of lifting height (350 or 700 mm), and three levels of weight (15, 20, or 25 kg). One study examined sagitally symmetric lifting, the other examined an asymmetric task. In each study, subjects lifted and lowered a box every 10 s for a period of 2 min in each treatment combination. Electromyography (EMG) of eight trunk muscles was collected during a specified lift. The EMG data, normalized to maximum extension and flexion exertions in each posture, was used to predict compression and shear forces at the L3 level of the lumbar spine. A comparison of symmetric and asymmetric lifting indicated that the average lumbar compression was greater in sagittal plane tasks; however, both anterior-posterior and lateral shear forces acting on the lumbar spine were increased with asymmetric lifts. Analysis of muscle recruitment indicated that the demands of lifting asymmetrically are shifted to ancillary muscles possessing smaller cross-sectional areas, which may be at greater risk of injury during manual materials handling (MMH) tasks. Model estimates indicated increased compression when kneeling, but increased shear forces when stooping. Increasing box weight and lifting height both significantly increased compressive and shear loading on the lumbar spine. A multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) indicated complex muscle recruitment schemes--each treatment combination elicited a unique pattern of muscle recruitment. The results of this investigation will help to evaluate safe loads for lifting in these restricted postures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S Gallagher
- US Department of the Interior, Bureau of Mines, Pittsburgh Research Center, PA 15236
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|