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Manigat F, Connell LB, Stewart BN, LePabic AR, Tessier CJG, Emlaw JR, Calvert ND, Rössl A, Shuhendler AJ, daCosta CJB, Campbell-Valois FX. pUdOs: Concise Plasmids for Bacterial and Mammalian Cells. ACS Synth Biol 2024; 13:485-497. [PMID: 38235654 PMCID: PMC10878396 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.3c00408] [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] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
The plasmids from the Université d'Ottawa (pUdOs) are 28 small plasmids each comprising one of four origins of replication and one of seven selection markers, which together afford flexible use in Escherichia coli and several related gram-negative bacteria. The promoterless multicloning site is insulated from upstream spurious promoters by strong transcription terminators and contains type IIP or IIS restriction sites for conventional or Golden Gate cloning. pUdOs can be converted into efficient expression vectors through the insertion of a promoter at the user's discretion. For example, we demonstrate the utility of pUdOs as the backbone for an improved version of a Type III Secretion System reporter in Shigella. In addition, we derive a series of pUdO-based mammalian expression vectors, affording distinct levels of expression and transfection efficiency comparable to commonly used mammalian expression plasmids. Thus, pUdOs could advantageously replace traditional plasmids in a wide variety of cell types and applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- France
O. Manigat
- Center
for Chemical and Synthetic Biology, Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular
Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
- bioGARAGE,
Faculty of Science, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Louise B. Connell
- Center
for Chemical and Synthetic Biology, Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular
Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
- bioGARAGE,
Faculty of Science, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Brittany N. Stewart
- Center
for Chemical and Synthetic Biology, Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular
Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
- bioGARAGE,
Faculty of Science, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Abdel-Rahman LePabic
- Center
for Chemical and Synthetic Biology, Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular
Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
- bioGARAGE,
Faculty of Science, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Christian J. G. Tessier
- Center
for Chemical and Synthetic Biology, Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular
Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
- bioGARAGE,
Faculty of Science, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Johnathon R. Emlaw
- Center
for Chemical and Synthetic Biology, Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular
Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
- bioGARAGE,
Faculty of Science, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Nicholas D. Calvert
- Center
for Chemical and Synthetic Biology, Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular
Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
- bioGARAGE,
Faculty of Science, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Anthony Rössl
- Center
for Chemical and Synthetic Biology, Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular
Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
- bioGARAGE,
Faculty of Science, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Adam J. Shuhendler
- Center
for Chemical and Synthetic Biology, Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular
Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
- bioGARAGE,
Faculty of Science, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
- University
of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa, Ontario K1Y 4W7, Canada
| | - Corrie J. B. daCosta
- Center
for Chemical and Synthetic Biology, Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular
Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
- bioGARAGE,
Faculty of Science, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - François-Xavier Campbell-Valois
- Center
for Chemical and Synthetic Biology, Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular
Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
- bioGARAGE,
Faculty of Science, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
- Centre
for Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, Department of Biochemistry,
Microbiology and Immunology, University
of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
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2
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Tessier CJG, Emlaw JR, Sturgeon RM, daCosta CJB. Derepression may masquerade as activation in ligand-gated ion channels. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1907. [PMID: 37019877 PMCID: PMC10076327 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36770-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Agonists are ligands that bind to receptors and activate them. In the case of ligand-gated ion channels, such as the muscle-type nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, mechanisms of agonist activation have been studied for decades. Taking advantage of a reconstructed ancestral muscle-type β-subunit that forms spontaneously activating homopentamers, here we show that incorporation of human muscle-type α-subunits appears to repress spontaneous activity, and furthermore that the presence of agonist relieves this apparent α-subunit-dependent repression. Our results demonstrate that rather than provoking channel activation/opening, agonists may instead 'inhibit the inhibition' of intrinsic spontaneous activity. Thus, agonist activation may be the apparent manifestation of agonist-induced derepression. These results provide insight into intermediate states that precede channel opening and have implications for the interpretation of agonism in ligand-gated ion channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian J G Tessier
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, Centre for Chemical and Synthetic Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Johnathon R Emlaw
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, Centre for Chemical and Synthetic Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Raymond M Sturgeon
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, Centre for Chemical and Synthetic Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Corrie J B daCosta
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, Centre for Chemical and Synthetic Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
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3
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daCosta CJB, Tessier CJG, Emlaw JR, Sturgeon RM. Derepression masquerades as activation in a pentameric ligand-gated ion channel. Biophys J 2023; 122:249a. [PMID: 36783225 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2022.11.1447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Corrie J B daCosta
- Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | | | - Johnathon R Emlaw
- Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Raymond M Sturgeon
- Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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4
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Tessier CJG, Sturgeon RM, Emlaw JR, McCluskey GD, Pérez-Areales FJ, daCosta CJB. Ancestral acetylcholine receptor β-subunit forms homopentamers that prime before opening spontaneously. eLife 2022; 11:76504. [PMID: 35781368 PMCID: PMC9365395 DOI: 10.7554/elife.76504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Human adult muscle-type acetylcholine receptors are heteropentameric ion channels formed from two α-subunits, and one each of the β-, d-, and e-subunits. To form functional channels, the subunits must assemble with one another in a precise stoichiometry and arrangement. Despite being different, the four subunits share a common ancestor that is presumed to have formed homopentamers. The extent to which the properties of the modern-day receptor result from its subunit complexity is unknown. Here we discover that a reconstructed ancestral muscle-type β-subunit can form homopentameric ion channels. These homopentamers open spontaneously and display single-channel hallmarks of muscle-type acetylcholine receptor activity. Our findings attest to the homopentameric origin of the muscle-type acetylcholine receptor, and demonstrate that signature features of its function are both independent of agonist and do not necessitate the complex heteropentameric architecture of the modern-day protein.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - R Michel Sturgeon
- Center for Chemical and Synthetic Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Johnathon R Emlaw
- Center for Chemical and Synthetic Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Gregory D McCluskey
- Center for Chemical and Synthetic Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | | | - Corrie J B daCosta
- Center for Chemical and Synthetic Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
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5
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Tessier CJG, Emlaw JR, Cao ZQ, Pérez-Areales FJ, Salameh JPJ, Prinston JE, McNulty MS, daCosta CJB. Back to the future: Rational maps for exploring acetylcholine receptor space and time. Biochim Biophys Acta Proteins Proteom 2017; 1865:1522-1528. [PMID: 28844740 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2017.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2017] [Revised: 08/09/2017] [Accepted: 08/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Global functions of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, such as subunit cooperativity and compatibility, likely emerge from a network of amino acid residues distributed across the entire pentameric complex. Identification of such networks has stymied traditional approaches to acetylcholine receptor structure and function, likely due to the cryptic interdependency of their underlying amino acid residues. An emerging evolutionary biochemistry approach, which traces the evolutionary history of acetylcholine receptor subunits, allows for rational mapping of acetylcholine receptor sequence space, and offers new hope for uncovering the amino acid origins of these enigmatic properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian J G Tessier
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, Centre for Chemical and Synthetic Biology, University of Ottawa, 10 Marie-Curie, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Johnathon R Emlaw
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, Centre for Chemical and Synthetic Biology, University of Ottawa, 10 Marie-Curie, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Zhuo Qian Cao
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, Centre for Chemical and Synthetic Biology, University of Ottawa, 10 Marie-Curie, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - F Javier Pérez-Areales
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, Centre for Chemical and Synthetic Biology, University of Ottawa, 10 Marie-Curie, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Jean-Paul J Salameh
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, Centre for Chemical and Synthetic Biology, University of Ottawa, 10 Marie-Curie, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Jethro E Prinston
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, Centre for Chemical and Synthetic Biology, University of Ottawa, 10 Marie-Curie, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Melissa S McNulty
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, Centre for Chemical and Synthetic Biology, University of Ottawa, 10 Marie-Curie, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Corrie J B daCosta
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, Centre for Chemical and Synthetic Biology, University of Ottawa, 10 Marie-Curie, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada.
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6
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Prinston JE, Emlaw JR, Dextraze MF, Tessier CJG, Pérez-Areales FJ, McNulty MS, daCosta CJB. Ancestral Reconstruction Approach to Acetylcholine Receptor Structure and Function. Structure 2017; 25:1295-1302.e3. [PMID: 28689969 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2017.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 04/03/2017] [Revised: 05/10/2017] [Accepted: 06/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) are members of a superfamily of proteins called pentameric ligand-gated ion channels, which are found in almost all forms of life and thus have a rich evolutionary history. Muscle-type AChRs are heteropentameric complexes assembled from four related subunits (α, β, δ, and ɛ). Here we reconstruct the amino acid sequence of a β subunit ancestor shared by humans and cartilaginous fishes (i.e., Torpedo). Then, by resurrecting this ancestral β subunit and co-expressing it with human α, δ, and ɛ subunits, we show that despite 132 substitutions, the ancestral subunit is capable of forming human/ancestral hybrid AChRs. Whole-cell currents demonstrate that the agonist acetylcholine has reduced potency for hybrid receptors, while single-channel recordings reveal that hybrid receptors display reduced conductance and open probability. Our results outline a promising strategy for studies of AChR evolution aimed at identifying the amino acid origins of AChR structure and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jethro E Prinston
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, Centre for Chemical and Synthetic Biology, University of Ottawa, 10 Marie-Curie, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Johnathon R Emlaw
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, Centre for Chemical and Synthetic Biology, University of Ottawa, 10 Marie-Curie, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Mathieu F Dextraze
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, Centre for Chemical and Synthetic Biology, University of Ottawa, 10 Marie-Curie, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Christian J G Tessier
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, Centre for Chemical and Synthetic Biology, University of Ottawa, 10 Marie-Curie, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - F Javier Pérez-Areales
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, Centre for Chemical and Synthetic Biology, University of Ottawa, 10 Marie-Curie, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Melissa S McNulty
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, Centre for Chemical and Synthetic Biology, University of Ottawa, 10 Marie-Curie, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Corrie J B daCosta
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, Centre for Chemical and Synthetic Biology, University of Ottawa, 10 Marie-Curie, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada.
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