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Hu H, Serra C, Zhang W, Scrivo A, Fernández-Carasa I, Consiglio A, Aytes A, Pujana MA, Llebaria A, Antolin AA. Identification of differential biological activity and synergy between the PARP inhibitor rucaparib and its major metabolite. Cell Chem Biol 2024; 31:973-988.e4. [PMID: 38335967 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2024.01.007] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
The (poly)pharmacology of drug metabolites is seldom comprehensively characterized in drug discovery. However, some drug metabolites can reach high plasma concentrations and display in vivo activity. Here, we use computational and experimental methods to comprehensively characterize the kinase polypharmacology of M324, the major metabolite of the PARP1 inhibitor rucaparib. We demonstrate that M324 displays unique PLK2 inhibition at clinical concentrations. This kinase activity could have implications for the efficacy and safety of rucaparib and therefore warrants further clinical investigation. Importantly, we identify synergy between the drug and the metabolite in prostate cancer models and a complete reduction of α-synuclein accumulation in Parkinson's disease models. These activities could be harnessed in the clinic or open new drug discovery opportunities. The study reported here highlights the importance of characterizing the activity of drug metabolites to comprehensively understand drug response in the clinic and exploit our current drug arsenal in precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huabin Hu
- Center for Cancer Drug Discovery, Division of Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, London SM2 5NG, UK
| | - Carme Serra
- Medicinal Chemistry and Synthesis (MCS) Laboratory, Institut de Química Avançada de Catalunya (IQAC-CSIC), 08034 Barcelona, Spain; Synthesis of High Added Value Molecules (SIMChem), Institut de Química Avançada de Catalunya (IQAC-CSIC), 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Wenjie Zhang
- ProCURE, Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO), Oncobell, Bellvitge Institute for Biomedical Research (IDIBELL), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Aurora Scrivo
- Department of Pathology and Experimental Therapeutics, Bellvitge University Hospital-IDIBELL, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain; Institute of Biomedicine of the University of Barcelona (IBUB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Irene Fernández-Carasa
- Department of Pathology and Experimental Therapeutics, Bellvitge University Hospital-IDIBELL, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain; Institute of Biomedicine of the University of Barcelona (IBUB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Antonella Consiglio
- Department of Pathology and Experimental Therapeutics, Bellvitge University Hospital-IDIBELL, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain; Institute of Biomedicine of the University of Barcelona (IBUB), Barcelona, Spain; Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Alvaro Aytes
- ProCURE, Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO), Oncobell, Bellvitge Institute for Biomedical Research (IDIBELL), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Miguel Angel Pujana
- ProCURE, Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO), Oncobell, Bellvitge Institute for Biomedical Research (IDIBELL), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Amadeu Llebaria
- Medicinal Chemistry and Synthesis (MCS) Laboratory, Institut de Química Avançada de Catalunya (IQAC-CSIC), 08034 Barcelona, Spain; Synthesis of High Added Value Molecules (SIMChem), Institut de Química Avançada de Catalunya (IQAC-CSIC), 08034 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Albert A Antolin
- Center for Cancer Drug Discovery, Division of Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, London SM2 5NG, UK; ProCURE, Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO), Oncobell, Bellvitge Institute for Biomedical Research (IDIBELL), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
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2
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Zhang W, Wang H, Luo Z, Jian Y, Gong C, Wang H, Lin X, Liu M, Wang Y, Shao H. Hitchhiking of Cas9 with nucleus-localized proteins impairs its controllability and leads to efficient genome editing of NLS-free Cas9. Mol Ther 2024; 32:920-934. [PMID: 38341611 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2024.02.008] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas9 is the most commonly used genome-editing tool in eukaryotic cells. To modulate Cas9 entry into the nucleus to enable control of genome editing, we constructed a light-controlled CRISPR-Cas9 system to control exposure of the Cas9 protein nuclear localization signal (NLS). Although blue-light irradiation was found to effectively control the entry of Cas9 protein into the nucleus with confocal microscopy observation, effective gene editing occurred in controls with next-generation sequencing analysis. To further clarify this phenomenon, a CRISPR-Cas9 editing system without the NLS and a CRISPR-Cas9 editing system containing a nuclear export signal were also constructed. Interestingly, both Cas9 proteins could achieve effective editing of target sites with significantly reduced off-target effects. Thus, we speculated that other factors might mediate Cas9 entry into the nucleus. However, NLS-free Cas9 was found to produce effective target gene editing even following inhibition of cell mitosis to prevent nuclear import caused by nuclear membrane disassembly. Furthermore, multiple nucleus-localized proteins were found to interact with Cas9, which could mediate the "hitchhiking" of NLS-free Cas9 into the nucleus. These findings will inform future attempts to construct controllable gene-editing systems and provide new insights into the evolution of the nucleus and compatible protein functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenfeng Zhang
- School of Biosciences and Biopharmaceutics, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, P.R. China; Biopharmaceutical Institute, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, P.R. China.
| | - Haozheng Wang
- School of Biosciences and Biopharmaceutics, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, P.R. China; Biopharmaceutical Institute, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Zhongtao Luo
- School of Biosciences and Biopharmaceutics, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, P.R. China; Biopharmaceutical Institute, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Yingzhen Jian
- School of Biosciences and Biopharmaceutics, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, P.R. China; Biopharmaceutical Institute, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Chenyu Gong
- School of Biosciences and Biopharmaceutics, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, P.R. China; Biopharmaceutical Institute, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Hui Wang
- School of Biosciences and Biopharmaceutics, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, P.R. China; Biopharmaceutical Institute, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Xinjian Lin
- School of Biosciences and Biopharmaceutics, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, P.R. China; Biopharmaceutical Institute, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Meilin Liu
- School of Biosciences and Biopharmaceutics, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, P.R. China; Biopharmaceutical Institute, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Yangmin Wang
- School of Biosciences and Biopharmaceutics, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, P.R. China; Biopharmaceutical Institute, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Hongwei Shao
- School of Biosciences and Biopharmaceutics, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, P.R. China; Biopharmaceutical Institute, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, P.R. China.
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3
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Schneider N, Steinberg R, Ben-David A, Valensi J, David-Kadoch G, Rosenwasser Z, Banin E, Levanon EY, Sharon D, Ben-Aroya S. A pipeline for identifying guide RNA sequences that promote RNA editing of nonsense mutations that cause inherited retinal diseases. Mol Ther Nucleic Acids 2024; 35:102130. [PMID: 38375504 PMCID: PMC10875612 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2024.102130] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
Adenosine deaminases acting on RNA (ADARs) are endogenous enzymes catalyzing the deamination of adenosines to inosines, which are then read as guanosines during translation. This ability to recode makes ADAR an attractive therapeutic tool to edit genetic mutations and reprogram genetic information at the mRNA level. Using the endogenous ADARs and guiding them to a selected target has promising therapeutic potential. Indeed, different studies have reported several site-directed RNA-editing approaches for making targeted base changes in RNA molecules. The basic strategy has been to use guide RNAs (gRNAs) that hybridize and form a double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) structure with the desired RNA target because of ADAR activity in regions of dsRNA formation. Here we report on a novel pipeline for identifying disease-causing variants as candidates for RNA editing, using a yeast-based screening system to select efficient gRNAs for editing of nonsense mutations, and test them in a human cell line reporter system. We have used this pipeline to modify the sequence of transcripts carrying nonsense mutations that cause inherited retinal diseases in the FAM161A, KIZ, TRPM1, and USH2A genes. Our approach can serve as a basis for gene therapy intervention in knockin mouse models and ultimately in human patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Schneider
- Division of Ophthalmology, Hadassah Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
| | - Ricky Steinberg
- The Nano Center, The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Building 206, Room B-840, Ramat Gan 52900, Israel
| | - Amit Ben-David
- The Nano Center, The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Building 206, Room B-840, Ramat Gan 52900, Israel
| | - Johanna Valensi
- Division of Ophthalmology, Hadassah Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
| | - Galit David-Kadoch
- The Nano Center, The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Building 206, Room B-840, Ramat Gan 52900, Israel
| | - Zohar Rosenwasser
- The Nano Center, The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Building 206, Room B-840, Ramat Gan 52900, Israel
| | - Eyal Banin
- Division of Ophthalmology, Hadassah Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
| | - Erez Y. Levanon
- The Nano Center, The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Building 206, Room B-840, Ramat Gan 52900, Israel
| | - Dror Sharon
- Division of Ophthalmology, Hadassah Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
| | - Shay Ben-Aroya
- The Nano Center, The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Building 206, Room B-840, Ramat Gan 52900, Israel
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Popova KB, Penchovsky R. General and Specific Cytotoxicity of Chimeric Antisense Oligonucleotides in Bacterial Cells and Human Cell Lines. Antibiotics (Basel) 2024; 13:122. [PMID: 38391508 PMCID: PMC10885958 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics13020122] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2023] [Revised: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
In the last two decades, antisense oligonucleotide technology has emerged as a promising approach to tackling various healthcare issues and diseases, such as antimicrobial resistance, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases. Despite the numerous improvements in the structure and modifications of the antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), there are still specific problems with their clinical efficacy and preclinical cytotoxicity results. To better understand the effects of the ASOs in this paper, we conducted many MTT assays to assess the general and specific cytotoxicity of four new chimeric ASOs in bacterial cells and human cell lines. We demonstrate the absence of inhibitory activity in the human pathogenic bacteria Staphylococcus aureus by non-specific ASOs. The pVEC-ASO1 and pVEC-ASO2 are designed to have no specific targets in S. aureus. They have only partial hybridization to the guanylate kinase mRNA. The pVEC-ASO3 targets UBA2 mRNA, a hallmark cancer pathology in MYC-driven cancer, while pVEC-ASO4 has no complementary sequences. We discovered some cytotoxicity of the non-specific ASOs in healthy and cancer human cell lines. The results are compared with two other ASOs, targeting specific mRNA in cancer cells. All ASOs are delivered into the cell via the cell-penetrating oligopeptide pVEC, which is attached to them. We draw a good correlation between the thermodynamic stability of ASO/target RNA and the toxicity effect in human cell lines. The data obtained signify the importance of thorough bioinformatic analysis and high specificity in designing and developing novel ASOs for safer therapeutic agents in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katya B Popova
- Laboratory of Synthetic Biology and Bioinformatics, Faculty of Biology, Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski", 8 Dragan Tzankov Blvd., 1164 Sofia, Bulgaria
- Institute for Nuclear Research and Nuclear Energy, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1784 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Robert Penchovsky
- Laboratory of Synthetic Biology and Bioinformatics, Faculty of Biology, Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski", 8 Dragan Tzankov Blvd., 1164 Sofia, Bulgaria
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5
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Devarajan A. Optically Controlled CRISPR-Cas9 and Cre Recombinase for Spatiotemporal Gene Editing: A Review. ACS Synth Biol 2024; 13:25-44. [PMID: 38134336 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.3c00596] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas9 and Cre recombinase, two tools extensively used for genome interrogation, have catalyzed key breakthroughs in our understanding of complex biological processes and diseases. However, the immense complexity of biological systems and off-target effects hinder clinical applications, necessitating the development of platforms to control gene editing over spatial and temporal dimensions. Among the strategies developed for inducible control, light is particularly attractive as it is noninvasive and affords high spatiotemporal resolution. The principles for optical control of Cas9 and Cre recombinase are broadly similar and involve photocaged enzymes and small molecules, engineered split- and single-chain constructs, light-induced expression, and delivery by light-responsive nanocarriers. Few systems enable spatiotemporal control with a high dynamic range without loss of wild-type editing efficiencies. Such systems posit the promise of light-activatable systems in the clinic. While the prospect of clinical applications is palpably exciting, optimization and extensive preclinical validation are warranted. Judicious integration of optically activated CRISPR and Cre, tailored for the desired application, may help to bridge the "bench-to-bedside" gap in therapeutic gene editing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Archit Devarajan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Bhopal, Bhauri, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India - 462066
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6
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Hernandes-Lopes J, Pinto MS, Vieira LR, Monteiro PB, Gerasimova SV, Nonato JVA, Bruno MHF, Vikhorev A, Rausch-Fernandes F, Gerhardt IR, Pauwels L, Arruda P, Dante RA, Yassitepe JEDCT. Enabling genome editing in tropical maize lines through an improved, morphogenic regulator-assisted transformation protocol. Front Genome Ed 2023; 5:1241035. [PMID: 38144709 PMCID: PMC10748596 DOI: 10.3389/fgeed.2023.1241035] [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] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The recalcitrance exhibited by many maize (Zea mays) genotypes to traditional genetic transformation protocols poses a significant challenge to the large-scale application of genome editing (GE) in this major crop species. Although a few maize genotypes are widely used for genetic transformation, they prove unsuitable for agronomic tests in field trials or commercial applications. This challenge is exacerbated by the predominance of transformable maize lines adapted to temperate geographies, despite a considerable proportion of maize production occurring in the tropics. Ectopic expression of morphogenic regulators (MRs) stands out as a promising approach to overcome low efficiency and genotype dependency, aiming to achieve 'universal' transformation and GE capabilities in maize. Here, we report the successful GE of agronomically relevant tropical maize lines using a MR-based, Agrobacterium-mediated transformation protocol previously optimized for the B104 temperate inbred line. To this end, we used a CRISPR/Cas9-based construct aiming at the knockout of the VIRESCENT YELLOW-LIKE (VYL) gene, which results in an easily recognizable phenotype. Mutations at VYL were verified in protoplasts prepared from B104 and three tropical lines, regardless of the presence of a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) at the seed region of the VYL target site in two of the tropical lines. Three out of five tropical lines were amenable to transformation, with efficiencies reaching up to 6.63%. Remarkably, 97% of the recovered events presented indels at the target site, which were inherited by the next generation. We observed off-target activity of the CRISPR/Cas9-based construct towards the VYL paralog VYL-MODIFIER, which could be partly due to the expression of the WUSCHEL (WUS) MR. Our results demonstrate efficient GE of relevant tropical maize lines, expanding the current availability of GE-amenable genotypes of this major crop.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Hernandes-Lopes
- Genomics for Climate Change Research Center (GCCRC), Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
- Centro de Biologia Molecular e Engenharia Genética, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Maísa Siqueira Pinto
- Genomics for Climate Change Research Center (GCCRC), Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
- Centro de Biologia Molecular e Engenharia Genética, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Letícia Rios Vieira
- Genomics for Climate Change Research Center (GCCRC), Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
- Centro de Biologia Molecular e Engenharia Genética, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Brant Monteiro
- Genomics for Climate Change Research Center (GCCRC), Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
- Centro de Biologia Molecular e Engenharia Genética, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Sophia V. Gerasimova
- Genomics for Climate Change Research Center (GCCRC), Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
- Centro de Biologia Molecular e Engenharia Genética, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Juliana Vieira Almeida Nonato
- Genomics for Climate Change Research Center (GCCRC), Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
- Centro de Biologia Molecular e Engenharia Genética, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Maria Helena Faustinoni Bruno
- Genomics for Climate Change Research Center (GCCRC), Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
- Centro de Biologia Molecular e Engenharia Genética, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Alexander Vikhorev
- Frontier Engineering School, Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Fernanda Rausch-Fernandes
- Genomics for Climate Change Research Center (GCCRC), Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
- Centro de Biologia Molecular e Engenharia Genética, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
- Embrapa Agricultura Digital, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Isabel R. Gerhardt
- Genomics for Climate Change Research Center (GCCRC), Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
- Centro de Biologia Molecular e Engenharia Genética, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
- Embrapa Agricultura Digital, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Laurens Pauwels
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Paulo Arruda
- Genomics for Climate Change Research Center (GCCRC), Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
- Centro de Biologia Molecular e Engenharia Genética, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
- Departamento de Genética, Evolução, Microbiologia e Imunologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Ricardo A. Dante
- Genomics for Climate Change Research Center (GCCRC), Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
- Centro de Biologia Molecular e Engenharia Genética, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
- Embrapa Agricultura Digital, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Juliana Erika de Carvalho Teixeira Yassitepe
- Genomics for Climate Change Research Center (GCCRC), Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
- Centro de Biologia Molecular e Engenharia Genética, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
- Embrapa Agricultura Digital, Campinas, Brazil
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Cheng Y, Ji C, Xu J, Chen R, Guo Y, Bian Q, Shen Z, Zhang B. LCK-SafeScreen-Model: An Advanced Ensemble Machine Learning Approach for Estimating the Binding Affinity between Compounds and LCK Target. Molecules 2023; 28:7382. [PMID: 37959801 PMCID: PMC10650606 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28217382] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The lymphocyte-specific protein tyrosine kinase (LCK) is a critical target in leukemia treatment. However, potential off-target interactions involving LCK can lead to unintended consequences. This underscores the importance of accurately predicting the inhibitory reactions of drug molecules with LCK during the research and development stage. To address this, we introduce an advanced ensemble machine learning technique designed to estimate the binding affinity between molecules and LCK. This comprehensive method includes the generation and selection of molecular fingerprints, the design of the machine learning model, hyperparameter tuning, and a model ensemble. Through rigorous optimization, the predictive capabilities of our model have been significantly enhanced, raising test R2 values from 0.644 to 0.730 and reducing test RMSE values from 0.841 to 0.732. Utilizing these advancements, our refined ensemble model was employed to screen an MCE -like drug library. Through screening, we selected the top ten scoring compounds, and tested them using the ADP-Glo bioactivity assay. Subsequently, we employed molecular docking techniques to further validate the binding mode analysis of these compounds with LCK. The exceptional predictive accuracy of our model in identifying LCK inhibitors not only emphasizes its effectiveness in projecting LCK-related safety panel predictions but also in discovering new LCK inhibitors. For added user convenience, we have also established a webserver, and a GitHub repository to share the project.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Cheng
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hangzhou First People’s Hospital, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 311402, China; (Y.C.); (C.J.); (J.X.)
- Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (R.C.); (Y.G.); (Q.B.)
| | - Cong Ji
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hangzhou First People’s Hospital, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 311402, China; (Y.C.); (C.J.); (J.X.)
| | - Jun Xu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hangzhou First People’s Hospital, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 311402, China; (Y.C.); (C.J.); (J.X.)
- Department of Pharmacy, Huzhou Central Hospital, Huzhou 313000, China
| | - Roufen Chen
- Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (R.C.); (Y.G.); (Q.B.)
| | - Yu Guo
- Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (R.C.); (Y.G.); (Q.B.)
| | - Qingyu Bian
- Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (R.C.); (Y.G.); (Q.B.)
| | - Zheyuan Shen
- Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (R.C.); (Y.G.); (Q.B.)
| | - Bo Zhang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hangzhou First People’s Hospital, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 311402, China; (Y.C.); (C.J.); (J.X.)
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8
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Zhang G, Luo Y, Dai X, Dai Z. Benchmarking deep learning methods for predicting CRISPR/Cas9 sgRNA on- and off-target activities. Brief Bioinform 2023; 24:bbad333. [PMID: 37775147 DOI: 10.1093/bib/bbad333] [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] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023] Open
Abstract
In silico design of single guide RNA (sgRNA) plays a critical role in clustered regularly interspaced, short palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (CRISPR/Cas9) system. Continuous efforts are aimed at improving sgRNA design with efficient on-target activity and reduced off-target mutations. In the last 5 years, an increasing number of deep learning-based methods have achieved breakthrough performance in predicting sgRNA on- and off-target activities. Nevertheless, it is worthwhile to systematically evaluate these methods for their predictive abilities. In this review, we conducted a systematic survey on the progress in prediction of on- and off-target editing. We investigated the performances of 10 mainstream deep learning-based on-target predictors using nine public datasets with different sample sizes. We found that in most scenarios, these methods showed superior predictive power on large- and medium-scale datasets than on small-scale datasets. In addition, we performed unbiased experiments to provide in-depth comparison of eight representative approaches for off-target prediction on 12 publicly available datasets with various imbalanced ratios of positive/negative samples. Most methods showed excellent performance on balanced datasets but have much room for improvement on moderate- and severe-imbalanced datasets. This study provides comprehensive perspectives on CRISPR/Cas9 sgRNA on- and off-target activity prediction and improvement for method development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guishan Zhang
- College of Engineering, Shantou University, Shantou 515063, China
| | - Ye Luo
- College of Engineering, Shantou University, Shantou 515063, China
| | - Xianhua Dai
- School of Cyber Science and Technology, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory, Zhuhai 519000, China
| | - Zhiming Dai
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Big Data Analysis and Processing, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
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9
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Abstract
Activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID) plays a crucial role in promoting B cell diversification through somatic hypermutation (SHM) and class switch recombination (CSR). While AID is primarily associated with the physiological function of humoral immune response, it has also been linked to the initiation and progression of lymphomas. Abnormalities in AID have been shown to disrupt gene networks and signaling pathways in both B-cell and T-cell lineage lymphoblastic leukemia, although the full extent of its role in carcinogenesis remains unclear. This review proposes an alternative role for AID and explores its off-target effects in regulating tumorigenesis. In this review, we first provide an overview of the physiological function of AID and its regulation. AID plays a crucial role in promoting B cell diversification through SHM and CSR. We then discuss the off-target effects of AID, which includes inducing mutations of non-Igs, epigenetic modification, and the alternative role as a cofactor. We also explore the networks that keep AID in line. Furthermore, we summarize the off-target effects of AID in autoimmune diseases and hematological neoplasms. Finally, we assess the off-target effects of AID in solid tumors. The primary focus of this review is to understand how and when AID targets specific gene loci and how this affects carcinogenesis. Overall, this review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the physiological and off-target effects of AID, which will contribute to the development of novel therapeutic strategies for autoimmune diseases, hematological neoplasms, and solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junna Jiao
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, China
| | - Zhuangwei Lv
- School of Forensic Medicine, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, China
| | - Yurong Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, China
| | - Liye Fan
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, China
| | - Angang Yang
- Henan Key Laboratory of Immunology and Targeted Therapy, School of Laboratory Medicine, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, China
- The State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
- Henan Collaborative Innovation Center of Molecular Diagnosis and Laboratory Medicine, School of Laboratory Medicine, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, China
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10
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Song Z, Zhang G, Huang S, Liu Y, Li G, Zhou X, Sun J, Gao P, Chen Y, Huang X, Liu J, Wang X. PE-STOP: A versatile tool for installing nonsense substitutions amenable for precise reversion. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:104942. [PMID: 37343700 PMCID: PMC10365944 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.104942] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The rapid advances in genome editing technologies have revolutionized the study of gene functions in cell or animal models. The recent generation of double-stranded DNA cleavage-independent base editors has been suitably adapted for interrogation of protein-coding genes on the basis of introducing premature stop codons or disabling the start codons. However, such versions of stop/start codon-oriented genetic tools still present limitations on their versatility, base-level precision, and target specificity. Here, we exploit a newly developed prime editor (PE) that differs from base editors by its adoption of a reverse transcriptase activity, which enables incorporation of various types of precise edits templated by a specialized prime editing guide RNA. Based on such a versatile platform, we established a prime editing-empowered method (PE-STOP) for installation of nonsense substitutions, providing a complementary approach to the present gene-targeting tools. PE-STOP is bioinformatically predicted to feature substantially expanded coverage in the genome space. In practice, PE-STOP introduces stop codons with good efficiencies in human embryonic kidney 293T and N2a cells (with medians of 29% [ten sites] and 25% [four sites] editing efficiencies, respectively), while exhibiting minimal off-target effects and high on-target precision. Furthermore, given the fact that PE installs prime editing guide RNA-templated mutations, we introduce a unique strategy for precise genetic rescue of PE-STOP-dependent nonsense mutation via the same PE platform. Altogether, the present work demonstrates a versatile and specific tool for gene inactivation and for functional interrogation of nonsense mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziguo Song
- International Joint Agriculture Research Center for Animal Bio-Breeding of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Guiquan Zhang
- Zhejiang Lab, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center at Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Shuhong Huang
- International Joint Agriculture Research Center for Animal Bio-Breeding of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yao Liu
- International Joint Agriculture Research Center for Animal Bio-Breeding of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Guanglei Li
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xianhui Zhou
- International Joint Agriculture Research Center for Animal Bio-Breeding of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jiayuan Sun
- International Joint Agriculture Research Center for Animal Bio-Breeding of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Pengfei Gao
- International Joint Agriculture Research Center for Animal Bio-Breeding of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yulin Chen
- International Joint Agriculture Research Center for Animal Bio-Breeding of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China; Key Laboratory of Livestock Biology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xingxu Huang
- Zhejiang Lab, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianghuai Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center at Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Xiaolong Wang
- International Joint Agriculture Research Center for Animal Bio-Breeding of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China; Key Laboratory of Livestock Biology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China.
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11
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Li G, Zhu X, Wang Y, Ma H, Wang Y, Wu H, Li X, Wang Y, Gao J, Chen X, Huang X, Yao Y, Hu X. Transcription-wide impact by RESCUE-induced off-target single-nucleotide variants in mammalian cells. J Mol Cell Biol 2023; 15:mjad011. [PMID: 36822625 PMCID: PMC10485882 DOI: 10.1093/jmcb/mjad011] [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: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA base editing is a promising tool in precise molecular therapy. Currently, there are two widely used RNA base editors, REPAIR and RESCUE. REPAIR only facilitates A-to-I conversions, while RESCUE performs both A-to-I and C-to-U conversions. Thus, RESCUE can generate twice the number of mutations compared to REPAIR. However, transcription-wide impact due to RESCUE-induced off-target single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) is not fully appreciated. Therefore, to determine the off-target effects of RESCUE-mediated editing, we employed transcription-wide sequencing on cells edited by RESCUE. The SNVs showed different off-target effects on mRNA, circRNA, lncRNA, and miRNA expression patterns and their interacting networks. Our results illustrate the transcription-wide impact of RESCUE-induced off-target SNVs and highlight the need for careful characterization of the off-target impact by this editing platform.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guo Li
- College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
- ZJU-Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 311200, China
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Xiaoning Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yihan Wang
- National Research Institute for Family Planning, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Hongru Ma
- College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
- ZJU-Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 311200, China
| | - Yuzhe Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Hanyu Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Xiangyang Li
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Yiling Wang
- ZJU-Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 311200, China
| | - Jianen Gao
- National Research Institute for Family Planning, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Xuexin Chen
- Institute of Insect Sciences, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | | | - Yuan Yao
- College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
- ZJU-Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 311200, China
| | - Xiaoxiang Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
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12
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El Boujnouni N, van der Bent ML, Willemse M, ’t Hoen PA, Brock R, Wansink DG. Block or degrade? Balancing on- and off-target effects of antisense strategies against transcripts with expanded triplet repeats in DM1. Mol Ther Nucleic Acids 2023; 32:622-636. [PMID: 37200862 PMCID: PMC10185704 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2023.04.010] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) therapies for myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) are based on elimination of transcripts containing an expanded repeat or inhibition of sequestration of RNA-binding proteins. This activity is achievable by both degradation of expanded transcripts and steric hindrance, although it is unknown which approach is superior. We compared blocking ASOs with RNase H-recruiting gapmers of equivalent chemistries. Two DMPK target sequences were selected: the triplet repeat and a unique sequence upstream thereof. We assessed ASO effects on transcript levels, ribonucleoprotein foci and disease-associated missplicing, and performed RNA sequencing to investigate on- and off-target effects. Both gapmers and the repeat blocker led to significant DMPK knockdown and a reduction in (CUG)exp foci. However, the repeat blocker was more effective in MBNL1 protein displacement and had superior efficiency in splicing correction at the tested dose of 100 nM. By comparison, on a transcriptome level, the blocking ASO had the fewest off-target effects. In particular, the off-target profile of the repeat gapmer asks for cautious consideration in further therapeutic development. Altogether, our study demonstrates the importance of evaluating both on-target and downstream effects of ASOs in a DM1 context, and provides guiding principles for safe and effective targeting of toxic transcripts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Najoua El Boujnouni
- Department of Medical BioSciences, Research Institute for Medical Innovation, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - M. Leontien van der Bent
- Department of Medical BioSciences, Research Institute for Medical Innovation, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Marieke Willemse
- Department of Medical BioSciences, Research Institute for Medical Innovation, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Peter A.C. ’t Hoen
- Department of Medical BioSciences, Research Institute for Medical Innovation, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Roland Brock
- Department of Medical BioSciences, Research Institute for Medical Innovation, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Arabian Gulf University, Manama 293, Bahrain
- Corresponding author Roland Brock, Department of Medical BioSciences, Research Institute for Medical Innovation, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
| | - Derick G. Wansink
- Department of Medical BioSciences, Research Institute for Medical Innovation, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Corresponding author Derick G. Wansink, Department of Medical BioSciences, Research Institute for Medical Innovation, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
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13
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Tang PZ, Ding B, Reyes C, Papp D, Potter J. Target-seq: single workflow for detection of genome integration site, DNA translocation and off-target events. Biotechniques 2023. [PMID: 37161298 DOI: 10.2144/btn-2023-0013] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Designed donor DNA delivery through viral or nonviral systems to target loci in the host genome is a critical step for gene therapy. Adeno-associated virus and lentivirus are leading vehicles for in vivo and ex vivo delivery of therapeutic genes due to their high delivery and editing efficiency. Nonviral editing tools, such as CRISPR/Cas9, are getting more attention for gene modification. However, there are safety concerns; for example, tumorigenesis due to off-target effects and DNA rearrangement. Analysis tools to detect and characterize on-target and off-target genome modification post editing in the host genome are pivotal for evaluating the success and safety of gene therapy. We developed Target-seq combined with different analysis tools to detect the genome integration site, DNA translocation and off-target events.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Bo Ding
- Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., MA, USA
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14
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Alipanahi R, Safari L, Khanteymoori A. CRISPR genome editing using computational approaches: A survey. Front Bioinform 2023; 2:1001131. [PMID: 36710911 PMCID: PMC9875887 DOI: 10.3389/fbinf.2022.1001131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-based gene editing has been widely used in various cell types and organisms. To make genome editing with Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats far more precise and practical, we must concentrate on the design of optimal gRNA and the selection of appropriate Cas enzymes. Numerous computational tools have been created in recent years to help researchers design the best gRNA for Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats researches. There are two approaches for designing an appropriate gRNA sequence (which targets our desired sites with high precision): experimental and predicting-based approaches. It is essential to reduce off-target sites when designing an optimal gRNA. Here we review both traditional and machine learning-based approaches for designing an appropriate gRNA sequence and predicting off-target sites. In this review, we summarize the key characteristics of all available tools (as far as possible) and compare them together. Machine learning-based tools and web servers are believed to become the most effective and reliable methods for predicting on-target and off-target activities of Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats in the future. However, these predictions are not so precise now and the performance of these algorithms -especially deep learning one's-depends on the amount of data used during training phase. So, as more features are discovered and incorporated into these models, predictions become more in line with experimental observations. We must concentrate on the creation of ideal gRNA and the choice of suitable Cas enzymes in order to make genome editing with Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats far more accurate and feasible.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Leila Safari
- Department of Computer Engineering, University of Zanjan, Zanjan, Iran,*Correspondence: Leila Safari,
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15
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Das J, Kumar S, Mishra DC, Chaturvedi KK, Paul RK, Kairi A. Machine learning in the estimation of CRISPR-Cas9 cleavage sites for plant system. Front Genet 2023; 13:1085332. [PMID: 36699447 PMCID: PMC9868961 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.1085332] [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] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas9 system is one of the recent most used genome editing techniques. Despite having a high capacity to alter the precise target genes and genomic regions that the planned guide RNA (or sgRNA) complements, the off-target effect still exists. But there are already machine learning algorithms for people, animals, and a few plant species. In this paper, an effort has been made to create models based on three machine learning-based techniques [namely, artificial neural networks (ANN), support vector machines (SVM), and random forests (RF)] for the prediction of the CRISPR-Cas9 cleavage sites that will be cleaved by a particular sgRNA. The plant dataset was the sole source of inspiration for all of these machine learning-based algorithms. 70% of the on-target and off-target dataset of various plant species that was gathered was used to train the models. The remaining 30% of the data set was used to evaluate the model's performance using a variety of evaluation metrics, including specificity, sensitivity, accuracy, precision, F1 score, F2 score, and AUC. Based on the aforementioned machine learning techniques, eleven models in all were developed. Comparative analysis of these produced models suggests that the model based on the random forest technique performs better. The accuracy of the Random Forest model is 96.27%, while the AUC value was found to be 99.21%. The SVM-Linear, SVM-Polynomial, SVM-Gaussian, and SVM-Sigmoid models were trained, making a total of six ANN-based models (ANN1-Logistic, ANN1-Tanh, ANN1-ReLU, ANN2-Logistic, ANN2-Tanh, and ANN-ReLU) and Support Vector Machine models (SVM-Linear, SVM-Polynomial, SVM-Gaussian However, the overall performance of Random Forest is better among all other ML techniques. ANN1-ReLU and SVM-Linear model performance were shown to be better among Artificial Neural Network and Support Vector Machine-based models, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jutan Das
- ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India
| | - Sanjeev Kumar
- ICAR-Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute, New Delhi, India,*Correspondence: Sanjeev Kumar,
| | | | | | - Ranjit Kumar Paul
- ICAR-Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute, New Delhi, India
| | - Amit Kairi
- ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India
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16
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Schjeide BMM, Püschel GP. Determining On-Target, Off-Target, and Copy Number Status of Transgenic Events After CRISPR/Cas9 Targeted AAVS1 Safe-Harbor Modification of iPSCs Using Double-Control Quantitative Copy Number PCR. Curr Protoc 2023; 3:e635. [PMID: 36598341 DOI: 10.1002/cpz1.635] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Double-control quantitative copy number PCR (dc-qcnPCR) is a recently described tool that can be used to quantify donor DNA insertions in genetically modified monoclonal cell lines. In conjunction with an insert-confirmation PCR, the technique can quickly and easily identify clones containing on-target heterozygous or homozygous donor DNA integrations and exclude off-target insertions. The genetic manipulation of immortal cell lines is a versatile tool to elucidate cellular signaling pathways and protein functions. Despite recent advances in the precision of genetic engineering tools such as CRISPR/Cas9, transcription-activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs), and zinc-finger nucleases (ZFNs), it is still essential to verify the accurate insertion of the sequence of interest (donor DNA) into the targeted genomic DNA (gDNA) locus. This precise integration into a genetic safe harbor, and exclusion of the donor DNA from functionally relevant genes, can ensure normal cellular functionality. Current methods to analyze the specificity of donor DNA insertions either are cost-prohibitive or create dependency on manufacturers for assay design and production. The dc-qcnPCR method is a simple, yet powerful, approach that can be prepared and carried out in any laboratory equipped with standard molecular biology supplies. Here we provide step-by-step instructions to prepare and perform the dc-qcnPCR, and its companion insert-confirmation PCR, to determine donor DNA insertion numbers in monoclonal cell lines genetically modified through CRISPR/Cas9. © 2023 The Authors. Current Protocols published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Genetic modification at AAVS1 safe harbor in induced pluripotent stem cells (IMR90-4) using CRISPR/Cas9: from plasmid design to monoclonal expansion Support Protocol 1: Measurement of Gaussia luciferase activity to verify reporter protein functionality Support Protocol 2: Verification of monoclonal expansion using immunofluorescence. Basic Protocol 2: Insert-confirmation PCR Basic Protocol 3: Design and preparation of double-control quantitative copy number PCR reagents and quantification of donor DNA integrations in genetically modified monoclonal cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brit-Maren Michaud Schjeide
- Department of Nutritional Biochemistry, Institute of Nutritional Science, University of Potsdam, Nuthetal, Germany.,Department of Nutritional Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences: Food, Nutrition and Health, University of Bayreuth, Kulmbach, Germany
| | - Gerhard Paul Püschel
- Department of Nutritional Biochemistry, Institute of Nutritional Science, University of Potsdam, Nuthetal, Germany
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17
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Heo YB, Hwang GH, Kang SW, Bae S, Woo HM. High-Fidelity Cytosine Base Editing in a GC-Rich Corynebacterium glutamicum with Reduced DNA Off-Target Editing Effects. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0376022. [PMID: 36374037 PMCID: PMC9769817 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03760-22] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Genome editing technology is a powerful tool for programming microbial cell factories. However, rat APOBEC1-derived cytosine base editor (CBE) that converts C•G to T•A at target genes induced DNA off-targets, regardless of single-guide RNA (sgRNA) sequences. Although the high efficiencies of the bacterial CBEs have been developed, a risk of unidentified off-targets impeded genome editing for microbial cell factories. To address the issues, we demonstrate the genome engineering of Corynebacterium glutamicum as a GC-rich model industrial bacterium by generating premature termination codons (PTCs) in desired genes using high-fidelity cytosine base editors (CBEs). Through this CBE-STOP approach of introducing specific cytosine conversions, we constructed several single-gene-inactivated strains for three genes (ldh, idsA, and pyc) with high base editing efficiencies of average 95.6% (n = 45, C6 position) and the highest success rate of up to 100% for PTCs and ultimately developed a strain with five genes (ldh, actA, ackA, pqo, and pta) that were inactivated sequentially for enhancing succinate production. Although these mutant strains showed the desired phenotypes, whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data revealed that genome-wide point mutations occurred in each strain and further accumulated according to the duration of CBE plasmids. To lower the undesirable mutations, high-fidelity CBEs (pCoryne-YE1-BE3 and pCoryne-BE3-R132E) was employed for single or multiplexed genome editing in C. glutamicum, resulting in drastically reduced sgRNA-independent off-targets. Thus, we provide a CRISPR-assisted bacterial genome engineering tool with an average high efficiency of 90.5% (n = 76, C5 or C6 position) at the desired targets. IMPORTANCE Rat APOBEC1-derived cytosine base editor (CBE) that converts C•G to T•A at target genes induced DNA off-targets, regardless of single-guide RNA (sgRNA) sequences. Although the high efficiencies of bacterial CBEs have been developed, a risk of unidentified off-targets impeded genome editing for microbial cell factories. To address the issues, we identified the DNA off-targets for single and multiple genome engineering of the industrial bacterium Corynebacterium glutamicum using whole-genome sequencing. Further, we developed the high-fidelity (HF)-CBE with significantly reduced off-targets with comparable efficiency and precision. We believe that our DNA off-target analysis and the HF-CBE can promote CRISPR-assisted genome engineering over conventional gene manipulation tools by providing a markerless genetic tool without need for a foreign DNA donor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Been Heo
- Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Republic of Korea
- BioFoundry Research Center, Institute of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Gue-Ho Hwang
- Department of Chemistry and Research Institute for Convergence of Basic Sciences, Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seok Won Kang
- Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Sangsu Bae
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Han Min Woo
- Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Republic of Korea
- BioFoundry Research Center, Institute of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Republic of Korea
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18
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Narushima J, Kimata S, Shiwa Y, Gondo T, Akimoto S, Soga K, Yoshiba S, Nakamura K, Shibata N, Kondo K. Unbiased prediction of off-target sites in genome-edited rice using SITE-Seq analysis on a web-based platform. Genes Cells 2022; 27:706-718. [PMID: 36181413 DOI: 10.1111/gtc.12985] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Genome-editing using the CRISPR-Cas9 system has the potential to substantially accelerate crop breeding. Since off-target editing is one of problems, a reliable method for comprehensively detecting off-target sites is needed. A number of in silico methods based on homology to on-target sequence have been developed, however the prediction without false negative is still under discussion. In this study, we performed a SITE-Seq analysis to predict potential off-target sites. SITE-Seq analysis is a comprehensive method that can detect double-strand breaks in vitro. Furthermore, we developed a systematic method using SITE-Seq in combination with web-based Galaxy system (Galaxy for Cut Site Detection), which can perform reproducible analyses without command line operations. We conducted a SITE-Seq analysis of a rice genome targeted by OsFH15 gRNA-Cas9 as a model, and found 41 candidate off-target sites in the annotated regions. Detailed amplicon-sequencing revealed mutations at one off-target site in actual genome-edited rice. Since this off-target site has an uncommon protospacer adjacent motif, it is difficult to predict using in silico methods alone. Therefore, we propose a novel off-target assessment scheme for genome-edited crops that combines the prediction of off-target candidates by SITE-Seq and in silico programs and the validation of off-target sites by amplicon-sequencing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jumpei Narushima
- Division of Biochemistry, National Institute of Health Sciences, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Shinya Kimata
- Division of Biochemistry, National Institute of Health Sciences, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Yuh Shiwa
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takahiro Gondo
- Frontier Science Research Center, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan
| | - Satoshi Akimoto
- Division of Biochemistry, National Institute of Health Sciences, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Keisuke Soga
- Division of Biochemistry, National Institute of Health Sciences, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Satoko Yoshiba
- Division of Biochemistry, National Institute of Health Sciences, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Kosuke Nakamura
- Division of Biochemistry, National Institute of Health Sciences, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Norihito Shibata
- Division of Biochemistry, National Institute of Health Sciences, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Kazunari Kondo
- Division of Biochemistry, National Institute of Health Sciences, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
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19
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Zhai LH, Chen KF, Hao BB, Tan MJ. Proteomic characterization of post-translational modifications in drug discovery. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2022; 43:3112-3129. [PMID: 36372853 PMCID: PMC9712763 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-022-01017-y] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein post-translational modifications (PTMs), which are usually enzymatically catalyzed, are major regulators of protein activity and involved in almost all celluar processes. Dysregulation of PTMs is associated with various types of diseases. Therefore, PTM regulatory enzymes represent as an attractive and important class of targets in drug research and development. Inhibitors against kinases, methyltransferases, deacetyltransferases, ubiquitin ligases have achieved remarkable success in clinical application. Mass spectrometry-based proteomics technologies serve as a powerful approach for system-wide characterization of PTMs, which facilitates the identification of drug targets, elucidation of the mechanisms of action of drugs, and discovery of biomakers in personalized therapy. In this review, we summarize recent advances of proteomics-based studies on PTM targeting drugs and discuss how proteomics strategies facilicate drug target identification, mechanism elucidation, and new therapy development in precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin-Hui Zhai
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
- Zhongshan Institute of Drug Discovery, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Science, Zhongshan, 528400, China
| | - Kai-Feng Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Bing-Bing Hao
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Min-Jia Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
- Zhongshan Institute of Drug Discovery, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Science, Zhongshan, 528400, China.
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20
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Yang Y, Li D, Wan F, Chen B, Wu G, Li F, Ren Y, Liang P, Wan J, Songyang Z. Identification and Analysis of Small Molecule Inhibitors of CRISPR-Cas9 in Human Cells. Cells 2022; 11:3574. [PMID: 36429003 PMCID: PMC9688475 DOI: 10.3390/cells11223574] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Genome editing tools based on CRISPR-Cas systems can repair genetic mutations in situ; however, off-target effects and DNA damage lesions that result from genome editing remain major roadblocks to its full clinical implementation. Protein and chemical inhibitors of CRISPR-Cas systems may reduce off-target effects and DNA damage. Here we describe the identification of several lead chemical inhibitors that could specifically inhibit the activity of Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9 (SpCas9). In addition, we obtained derivatives of lead inhibitors that could penetrate the cell membrane and inhibit SpCas9 in cellulo. Two of these compounds, SP2 and SP24, were able to improve the specificity of SpCas9 in cellulo at low-micromolar concentration. Furthermore, microscale thermophoresis (MST) assays showed that SP24 might inhibit SpCas9 activity by interacting with both the SpCas9 protein and the SpCas9-gRNA ribonucleoprotein complex. Taken together, SP24 is a novel chemical inhibitor of SpCas9 which has the potential to enhance therapies that utilize SpCas9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Yang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging Research, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Donghua Li
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging Research, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Fen Wan
- International Cooperation Base of Pesticide and Green Synthesis (Hubei), Key Laboratory of Pesticide & Chemical Biology (CCNU), Ministry of Education, Department of Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China
| | - Bohong Chen
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging Research, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Guanglan Wu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging Research, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Feng Li
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging Research, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Yanliang Ren
- International Cooperation Base of Pesticide and Green Synthesis (Hubei), Key Laboratory of Pesticide & Chemical Biology (CCNU), Ministry of Education, Department of Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China
| | - Puping Liang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging Research, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
- Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Jian Wan
- International Cooperation Base of Pesticide and Green Synthesis (Hubei), Key Laboratory of Pesticide & Chemical Biology (CCNU), Ministry of Education, Department of Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China
| | - Zhou Songyang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging Research, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
- Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China
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21
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Rösch L, Herter S, Najafi S, Ridinger J, Peterziel H, Cinatl J, Jones DTW, Michaelis M, Witt O, Oehme I. ERBB and P-glycoprotein inhibitors break resistance in relapsed neuroblastoma models through P-glycoprotein. Mol Oncol 2022; 17:37-58. [PMID: 36181342 PMCID: PMC9812835 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13318] [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] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Chemotherapy resistance is a persistent clinical problem in relapsed high-risk neuroblastomas. We tested a panel of 15 drugs for sensitization of neuroblastoma cells to the conventional chemotherapeutic vincristine, identifying tariquidar, an inhibitor of the transmembrane pump P-glycoprotein (P-gp/ABCB1), and the ERBB family inhibitor afatinib as the top resistance breakers. Both compounds were efficient in sensitizing neuroblastoma cells to vincristine in trypan blue exclusion assays and in inducing apoptotic cell death. The evaluation of ERBB signaling revealed no functional inhibition, that is, dephosphorylation of the downstream pathways upon afatinib treatment but direct off-target interference with P-gp function. Depletion of ABCB1, but not ERRB4, sensitized cells to vincristine treatment. P-gp inhibition substantially broke vincristine resistance in vitro and in vivo (zebrafish embryo xenograft). The analysis of gene expression datasets of more than 50 different neuroblastoma cell lines (primary and relapsed) and more than 160 neuroblastoma patient samples from the pediatric precision medicine platform INFORM (Individualized Therapy For Relapsed Malignancies in Childhood) confirmed a pivotal role of P-gp specifically in neuroblastoma resistance at relapse, while the ERBB family appears to play a minor part.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Rösch
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ)Germany,Clinical Cooperation Unit Pediatric OncologyGerman Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK)HeidelbergGermany,Faculty of BiosciencesUniversity of HeidelbergGermany
| | - Sonja Herter
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ)Germany,Clinical Cooperation Unit Pediatric OncologyGerman Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK)HeidelbergGermany,Faculty of BiosciencesUniversity of HeidelbergGermany
| | - Sara Najafi
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ)Germany,Clinical Cooperation Unit Pediatric OncologyGerman Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK)HeidelbergGermany,Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and ImmunologyUniversity Hospital HeidelbergGermany
| | - Johannes Ridinger
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ)Germany,Clinical Cooperation Unit Pediatric OncologyGerman Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK)HeidelbergGermany
| | - Heike Peterziel
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ)Germany,Clinical Cooperation Unit Pediatric OncologyGerman Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK)HeidelbergGermany
| | - Jindrich Cinatl
- Institute for Medical VirologyGoethe University HospitalFrankfurt am MainGermany
| | - David T. W. Jones
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ)Germany,Division of Pediatric Glioma ResearchGerman Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)HeidelbergGermany
| | | | - Olaf Witt
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ)Germany,Clinical Cooperation Unit Pediatric OncologyGerman Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK)HeidelbergGermany,Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and ImmunologyUniversity Hospital HeidelbergGermany
| | - Ina Oehme
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ)Germany,Clinical Cooperation Unit Pediatric OncologyGerman Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK)HeidelbergGermany
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22
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Pacesa M, Lin CH, Cléry A, Saha A, Arantes PR, Bargsten K, Irby MJ, Allain FHT, Palermo G, Cameron P, Donohoue PD, Jinek M. Structural basis for Cas9 off-target activity. Cell 2022; 185:4067-4081.e21. [PMID: 36306733 PMCID: PMC10103147 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2022.09.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.5] [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: 11/18/2021] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The target DNA specificity of the CRISPR-associated genome editor nuclease Cas9 is determined by complementarity to a 20-nucleotide segment in its guide RNA. However, Cas9 can bind and cleave partially complementary off-target sequences, which raises safety concerns for its use in clinical applications. Here, we report crystallographic structures of Cas9 bound to bona fide off-target substrates, revealing that off-target binding is enabled by a range of noncanonical base-pairing interactions within the guide:off-target heteroduplex. Off-target substrates containing single-nucleotide deletions relative to the guide RNA are accommodated by base skipping or multiple noncanonical base pairs rather than RNA bulge formation. Finally, PAM-distal mismatches result in duplex unpairing and induce a conformational change in the Cas9 REC lobe that perturbs its conformational activation. Together, these insights provide a structural rationale for the off-target activity of Cas9 and contribute to the improved rational design of guide RNAs and off-target prediction algorithms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Pacesa
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Chun-Han Lin
- Caribou Biosciences, 2929 Seventh Street Suite 105, Berkeley, CA 94710, USA
| | - Antoine Cléry
- Institute of Biochemistry, ETH Zurich, Hönggerbergring 64, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Aakash Saha
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, CA 52512, USA
| | - Pablo R Arantes
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, CA 52512, USA
| | - Katja Bargsten
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Matthew J Irby
- Caribou Biosciences, 2929 Seventh Street Suite 105, Berkeley, CA 94710, USA
| | - Frédéric H-T Allain
- Institute of Biochemistry, ETH Zurich, Hönggerbergring 64, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Giulia Palermo
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, CA 52512, USA
| | - Peter Cameron
- Caribou Biosciences, 2929 Seventh Street Suite 105, Berkeley, CA 94710, USA
| | - Paul D Donohoue
- Caribou Biosciences, 2929 Seventh Street Suite 105, Berkeley, CA 94710, USA
| | - Martin Jinek
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
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23
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Abstract
With the exponential increase in publicly available protein structures, the comparison of protein binding sites naturally emerged as a scientific topic to explain observations or generate hypotheses for ligand design, notably to predict ligand selectivity for on- and off-targets, explain polypharmacology, and design target-focused libraries. The current review summarizes the state-of-the-art computational methods applied to pocket detection and comparison as well as structural druggability estimates. The major strengths and weaknesses of current pocket descriptors, alignment methods, and similarity search algorithms are presented. Lastly, an exhaustive survey of both retrospective and prospective applications in diverse medicinal chemistry scenarios illustrates the capability of the existing methods and the hurdle that still needs to be overcome for more accurate predictions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Didier Rognan
- Laboratoire d’Innovation Thérapeutique, UMR7200 CNRS-Université de Strasbourg, 67400 Illkirch, France
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24
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Wang M, Xu J, Meng J, Huang X. Synthetic Circular gRNA Mediated Biological Function of CRISPR-(d)Cas9 System. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:863431. [PMID: 35445012 PMCID: PMC9013764 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.863431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Ever since the gene editing function was discovered in the CRISPR-Cas9 system, numerous applications and utilities were investigated in order to apply this technique to medical use. However, the clinical practice was limited by unsatisfactory efficiency and unacceptable off-target editing. Modifications from different aspects of the Cas9 protein and gRNAs were published that aimed to improve its function in one way or another. Under the inspiration of Jacob L. Litke and Samie R. Jaffrey, we propose a novel gRNA design that could achieve rapid circular gRNA assembly inside the cells. This circular design consists of the gRNA of interested flanked by Twister ribozymes. The function of this circular gRNA was proved in vitro in both CRISPR-dCas9 and CRISPR-Cas9 systems. It presented a remarkable reduction in the off-target rate in accompany with reduced efficiency. With future improvement in its efficiency, this tool broadens our understanding and possibility of the CRISPR application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingxia Wang
- Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen Peking University-The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center, Shenzhen, China
- Department of Dermatology, Institute of Dermatology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen Peking University-The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jinming Xu
- Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
| | - Jialin Meng
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Institute of Urology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Genitourinary Diseases, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Xinbo Huang
- Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen Peking University-The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center, Shenzhen, China
- Department of Dermatology, Institute of Dermatology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen Peking University-The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center, Shenzhen, China
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25
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Guo LY, Bian J, Davis AE, Liu P, Kempton HR, Zhang X, Chemparathy A, Gu B, Lin X, Rane DA, Xu X, Jamiolkowski RM, Hu Y, Wang S, Qi LS. Multiplexed genome regulation in vivo with hyper-efficient Cas12a. Nat Cell Biol 2022; 24:590-600. [PMID: 35414015 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-022-00870-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Multiplexed modulation of endogenous genes is crucial for sophisticated gene therapy and cell engineering. CRISPR-Cas12a systems enable versatile multiple-genomic-loci targeting by processing numerous CRISPR RNAs (crRNAs) from a single transcript; however, their low efficiency has hindered in vivo applications. Through structure-guided protein engineering, we developed a hyper-efficient Lachnospiraceae bacterium Cas12a variant, termed hyperCas12a, with its catalytically dead version hyperdCas12a showing significantly enhanced efficacy for gene activation, particularly at low concentrations of crRNA. We demonstrate that hyperdCas12a has comparable off-target effects compared with the wild-type system and exhibits enhanced activity for gene editing and repression. Delivery of the hyperdCas12a activator and a single crRNA array simultaneously activating the endogenous Oct4, Sox2 and Klf4 genes in the retina of post-natal mice alters the differentiation of retinal progenitor cells. The hyperCas12a system offers a versatile in vivo tool for a broad range of gene-modulation and gene-therapy applications.
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26
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Palve V, Knezevic CE, Bejan DS, Luo Y, Li X, Novakova S, Welsh EA, Fang B, Kinose F, Haura EB, Monteiro AN, Koomen JM, Cohen MS, Lawrence HR, Rix U. The non-canonical target PARP16 contributes to polypharmacology of the PARP inhibitor talazoparib and its synergy with WEE1 inhibitors. Cell Chem Biol 2022; 29:202-214.e7. [PMID: 34329582 PMCID: PMC8782927 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2021.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [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: 08/02/2020] [Revised: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
PARP inhibitors (PARPis) display single-agent anticancer activity in small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and other neuroendocrine tumors independent of BRCA1/2 mutations. Here, we determine the differential efficacy of multiple clinical PARPis in SCLC cells. Compared with the other PARPis rucaparib, olaparib, and niraparib, talazoparib displays the highest potency across SCLC, including SLFN11-negative cells. Chemical proteomics identifies PARP16 as a unique talazoparib target in addition to PARP1. Silencing PARP16 significantly reduces cell survival, particularly in combination with PARP1 inhibition. Drug combination screening reveals talazoparib synergy with the WEE1/PLK1 inhibitor adavosertib. Global phosphoproteomics identifies disparate effects on cell-cycle and DNA damage signaling thereby illustrating underlying mechanisms of synergy, which is more pronounced for talazoparib than olaparib. Notably, silencing PARP16 further reduces cell survival in combination with olaparib and adavosertib. Together, these data suggest that PARP16 contributes to talazoparib's overall mechanism of action and constitutes an actionable target in SCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinayak Palve
- Department of Drug Discovery, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Claire E. Knezevic
- Department of Drug Discovery, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Daniel S. Bejan
- Department of Chemical Physiology and Biochemistry, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Yunting Luo
- Chemical Biology Core, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Xueli Li
- Department of Drug Discovery, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Silvia Novakova
- Department of Drug Discovery, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Eric A. Welsh
- Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Shared Resource, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Bin Fang
- Proteomics & Metabolomics Core, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Fumi Kinose
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Eric B. Haura
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Alvaro N. Monteiro
- Department of Cancer Epidemiology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - John M. Koomen
- Department of Molecular Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA,Department of Oncologic Sciences, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620, USA
| | - Michael S. Cohen
- Department of Chemical Physiology and Biochemistry, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Harshani R. Lawrence
- Department of Drug Discovery, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA,Chemical Biology Core, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA,Department of Oncologic Sciences, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620, USA
| | - Uwe Rix
- Department of Drug Discovery, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA; Department of Oncologic Sciences, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620, USA.
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27
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Li L, Li P, Song H, Ma X, Zeng S, Peng Y, Zhang G. Targeting entry into mitochondria for increased anticancer efficacy of BCL-X L-selective inhibitors in lung cancer. Pharmacol Res 2022; 177:106095. [PMID: 35074525 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2022.106095] [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] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The BCL-XL-selective inhibitors exhibit potential clinical application value when combined with chemotherapeutic drugs for the treatment of solid tumors. However, their efficacy in these settings is still low when treated with BCL-XL inhibitors alone in solid tumors. The mechanism responsible for the poor efficacy remains unclear. We show here that unable to interact with target of BCL-XL-selective inhibitors caused by invalid entry into mitochondria is essential for their inefficacy in solid tumors. We demonstrated in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells that the instability of A-1155463 in cells as well as invalid entry into mitochondria of A-1331852, two BCL-XL-selective inhibitors, accounted for their off-target problems. Furthermore, we found that a mitochondria-targeted, non-toxic small molecule NA-2a improved the on-target effect of A-1331852 to enhance its apoptotic regulatory activity, thereby increasing its anticancer activity in NSCLC. Our results indicated that NA-2a was selectively enriched in mitochondria transported by organic-anion-transporting polypeptide (OATP) transporters, which altered the permeability of the mitochondrial membrane, thereby promoting the entrance of A-1331852 to mitochondria and enhancing its disruption of the BIM-BCL-XL complex, which finally led to the increased anticancer activity in vitro and in vivo. Collectively, our data provided overwhelming evidence that the combination of NA-2a and A-1331852 could be used as a promising synergistic therapeutic agent in NSCLC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liangping Li
- State Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources, Ministry of Science and Technology of China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Guangxi Ethnic Medicine, School of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin 541004, China
| | - Pingping Li
- State Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources, Ministry of Science and Technology of China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Guangxi Ethnic Medicine, School of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin 541004, China
| | - Huanhuan Song
- State Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources, Ministry of Science and Technology of China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Guangxi Ethnic Medicine, School of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin 541004, China
| | - Xuesong Ma
- State Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources, Ministry of Science and Technology of China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Guangxi Ethnic Medicine, School of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin 541004, China
| | - Shulan Zeng
- State Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources, Ministry of Science and Technology of China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Guangxi Ethnic Medicine, School of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin 541004, China.
| | - Yan Peng
- State Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources, Ministry of Science and Technology of China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Guangxi Ethnic Medicine, School of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin 541004, China.
| | - Guohai Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources, Ministry of Science and Technology of China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Guangxi Ethnic Medicine, School of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin 541004, China.
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28
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Obst JK, Mawji NR, Teskey SJL, Wang J, Sadar MD. Differential Gene Expression Profiles between N-Terminal Domain and Ligand-Binding Domain Inhibitors of Androgen Receptor Reveal Ralaniten Induction of Metallothionein by a Mechanism Dependent on MTF1. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14. [PMID: 35053548 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14020386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Hormonal therapies for prostate cancer target the androgen receptor (AR) ligand-binding domain (LBD). Clinical development for inhibitors that bind to the N-terminal domain (NTD) of AR has yielded ralaniten and its analogues. Ralaniten acetate is well tolerated in patients at 3600 mgs/day. Clinical trials are ongoing with a second-generation analogue of ralaniten. Binding sites on different AR domains could result in differential effects on AR-regulated gene expression. Here, we provide the first comparison between AR-NTD inhibitors and AR-LBD inhibitors on androgen-regulated gene expression in prostate cancer cells using cDNA arrays, GSEA, and RT-PCR. LBD inhibitors and NTD inhibitors largely overlapped in the profile of androgen-induced genes that they each inhibited. However, androgen also represses gene expression by various mechanisms, many of which involve protein-protein interactions. De-repression of the transcriptome of androgen-repressed genes showed profound variance between these two classes of inhibitors. In addition, these studies revealed a unique and strong induction of expression of the metallothionein family of genes by ralaniten by a mechanism independent of AR and dependent on MTF1, thereby suggesting this may be an off-target. Due to the relatively high doses that may be encountered clinically with AR-NTD inhibitors, identification of off-targets may provide insight into potential adverse events, contraindications, or poor efficacy.
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29
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AlJanahi AA, Lazzarotto CR, Chen S, Shin TH, Cordes S, Fan X, Jabara I, Zhou Y, Young DJ, Lee BC, Yu KR, Li Y, Toms B, Tunc I, Hong SG, Truitt LL, Klermund J, Andrieux G, Kim MY, Cathomen T, Gill S, Tsai SQ, Dunbar CE. Prediction and validation of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell off-target editing in transplanted rhesus macaques. Mol Ther 2022; 30:209-222. [PMID: 34174439 PMCID: PMC8753565 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2021.06.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [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: 11/25/2020] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The programmable nuclease technology CRISPR-Cas9 has revolutionized gene editing in the last decade. Due to the risk of off-target editing, accurate and sensitive methods for off-target characterization are crucial prior to applying CRISPR-Cas9 therapeutically. Here, we utilized a rhesus macaque model to compare the predictive values of CIRCLE-seq, an in vitro off-target prediction method, with in silico prediction (ISP) based solely on genomic sequence comparisons. We use AmpliSeq HD error-corrected sequencing to validate off-target sites predicted by CIRCLE-seq and ISP for a CD33 guide RNA (gRNA) with thousands of off-target sites predicted by ISP and CIRCLE-seq. We found poor correlation between the sites predicted by the two methods. When almost 500 sites predicted by each method were analyzed by error-corrected sequencing of hematopoietic cells following transplantation, 19 off-target sites revealed insertion or deletion mutations. Of these sites, 8 were predicted by both methods, 8 by CIRCLE-seq only, and 3 by ISP only. The levels of cells with these off-target edits exhibited no expansion or abnormal behavior in vivo in animals followed for up to 2 years. In addition, we utilized an unbiased method termed CAST-seq to search for translocations between the on-target site and off-target sites present in animals following transplantation, detecting one specific translocation that persisted in blood cells for at least 1 year following transplantation. In conclusion, neither CIRCLE-seq or ISP predicted all sites, and a combination of careful gRNA design, followed by screening for predicted off-target sites in target cells by multiple methods, may be required for optimizing safety of clinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aisha A AlJanahi
- Translational Stem Cell Biology Branch, NHLBI, NIH, Building 10-CRC, 5E-3332, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Cicera R Lazzarotto
- Department of Hematology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Shirley Chen
- Translational Stem Cell Biology Branch, NHLBI, NIH, Building 10-CRC, 5E-3332, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Tae-Hoon Shin
- Translational Stem Cell Biology Branch, NHLBI, NIH, Building 10-CRC, 5E-3332, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Stefan Cordes
- Translational Stem Cell Biology Branch, NHLBI, NIH, Building 10-CRC, 5E-3332, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Xing Fan
- Translational Stem Cell Biology Branch, NHLBI, NIH, Building 10-CRC, 5E-3332, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Isabel Jabara
- Translational Stem Cell Biology Branch, NHLBI, NIH, Building 10-CRC, 5E-3332, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Yifan Zhou
- Translational Stem Cell Biology Branch, NHLBI, NIH, Building 10-CRC, 5E-3332, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - David J Young
- Translational Stem Cell Biology Branch, NHLBI, NIH, Building 10-CRC, 5E-3332, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Byung-Chul Lee
- Translational Stem Cell Biology Branch, NHLBI, NIH, Building 10-CRC, 5E-3332, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Kyung-Rok Yu
- Translational Stem Cell Biology Branch, NHLBI, NIH, Building 10-CRC, 5E-3332, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; Department of Agricultural Biotechnology and Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Yuesheng Li
- Translational Stem Cell Biology Branch, NHLBI, NIH, Building 10-CRC, 5E-3332, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | | | - Ilker Tunc
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Laboratory, NHLBI, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - So Gun Hong
- Translational Stem Cell Biology Branch, NHLBI, NIH, Building 10-CRC, 5E-3332, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Lauren L Truitt
- Translational Stem Cell Biology Branch, NHLBI, NIH, Building 10-CRC, 5E-3332, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Julia Klermund
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine and Gene Therapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79110 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Geoffroy Andrieux
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79110 Freiburg, Germany; Institute of Medical Bioinformatics and Systems Medicine, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79110 Freiburg, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Partner Site Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Miriam Y Kim
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Medicine, Division of Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Toni Cathomen
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine and Gene Therapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79110 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Saar Gill
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Shengdar Q Tsai
- Department of Hematology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Cynthia E Dunbar
- Translational Stem Cell Biology Branch, NHLBI, NIH, Building 10-CRC, 5E-3332, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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Kevin RC, Cairns EA, Boyd R, Arnold JC, Bowen MT, McGregor IS, Banister SD. Off-target pharmacological profiling of synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists including AMB-FUBINACA, CUMYL-PINACA, PB-22, and XLR-11. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:1048836. [PMID: 36590635 PMCID: PMC9798004 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1048836] [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] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists (SCRAs) are a diverse class of new psychoactive substances that have been associated with multiple instances and types of toxicity. Some SCRAs appear to carry a greater toxicological burden than others, or compared to the prototypical cannabis-derived agonist Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), despite a common primary mechanism of action via cannabinoid 1 (CB1) receptors. "Off-target" (i.e., non-CB1 receptor) effects could underpin this differential toxicity, although there are limited data around the activity of SCRAs at such targets. METHODS A selection of 7 SCRAs (AMB-FUBINACA, XLR11, PB-22, AKB-48, AB-CHMINICA, CUMYL-PINACA, and 4F-MDMB-BUTINACA), representing several distinct chemotypes and toxicological profiles, underwent a 30 μM single-point screen against 241 G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) targets in antagonist and agonist mode using a cellular β-arrestin recruitment assay. Strong screening "hits" at specific GPCRs were followed up in detail using concentration-response assays with AMB-FUBINACA, a SCRA with a particularly notable history of toxicological liability. RESULTS The single-point screen yielded few hits in agonist mode for any compound aside from CB1 and CB2 receptors, but many hits in antagonist mode, including a range of chemokine receptors, the oxytocin receptor, and histamine receptors. Concentration-response experiments showed that AMB-FUBINACA inhibited most off-targets only at the highest 30 μM concentration, with inhibition of only a small subset of targets, including H1 histamine and α2B adrenergic receptors, at lower concentrations (≥1 μM). AMB-FUBINACA also produced concentration-dependent CB1 receptor signaling disruption at concentrations higher than 1 μM, but did not produce overt cytotoxicity beyond CP55,940 or Δ9-THC in CB1 expressing cells. DISCUSSION These results suggest that while some "off-targets" could possibly contribute to the SCRA toxidrome, particularly at high concentrations, CB1-mediated cellular dysfunction provides support for hypotheses concerning on-target, rather than off-target, toxicity. Further investigation of non-GPCR off-targets is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard C Kevin
- The Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia.,School of Pharmacy, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Elizabeth A Cairns
- The Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia.,School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Rochelle Boyd
- The Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia.,School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Jonathon C Arnold
- The Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia.,School of Pharmacy, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Michael T Bowen
- School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia.,Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Iain S McGregor
- The Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia.,School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Samuel D Banister
- The Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia.,School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
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31
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Gilon C, Klazas M, Lahiani A, Schumacher-Klinger A, Merzbach S, Naoum JN, Ovadia H, Rubin L, Cornell-Kennon S, Schaefer EM, Katzhendler J, Marcinkiewicz C, Hoffman A, Lazarovici P. Synthesis and Pharmacological Characterization of Visabron, a Backbone Cyclic Peptide Dual Antagonist of α4β1 (VLA-4)/α9β1 Integrin for Therapy of Multiple Sclerosis. JACS Au 2021; 1:2361-2376. [PMID: 34977904 PMCID: PMC8717366 DOI: 10.1021/jacsau.1c00496] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Integrins α4β1/ α9β1 are important in the pathogenesis and progression of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases by their roles in leukocyte activation and trafficking. Natalizumab, a monoclonal antibody selectively targeting α4β1 integrin and blocking leukocyte trafficking to the central nervous system, is an immunotherapy for multiple sclerosis (MS). However, due to its adverse effects associated with chronic treatment, alternative strategies using small peptide mimetic inhibitors are being sought. In the present study, we synthesized and characterized visabron c (4-4), a backbone cyclic octapeptide based on the sequence TMLD, a non-RGD unique α4β1 integrin recognition sequence motif derived from visabres, a proteinous disintegrin from the viper venom. Visabron c (4-4) was selected from a minilibrary with conformational diversity based on its potency and selectivity in functional adhesion cellular assays. Visabron c (4-4)'s serum stability, pharmacokinetics, and therapeutic effects following ip injection were assessed in an experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) animal model. Furthermore, visabron c (4-4)'s lack of toxic effects in mice was verified by blood analysis, tissue pathology, immunogenicity, and "off-target" effects, indicating its significant tolerability and lack of immunogenicity. Visabron c (4-4) can be delivered systemically. The in vitro and in vivo data justify visabron c (4-4) as a safe alternative peptidomimetic lead compound/drug to monoclonal anti-α4 integrin antibodies, steroids, and other immunosuppressant drugs. Moreover, visabron c (4-4) design may pave the way for developing new therapies for a variety of other inflammatory and/or autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaim Gilon
- Institute
of Chemistry, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
| | - Michal Klazas
- Pharmacy, Pharmacology, and Medicinal Chemistry, Institute
for Drug Research, School of Pharmacy, Faculty
of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112102, Israel
| | - Adi Lahiani
- Pharmacy, Pharmacology, and Medicinal Chemistry, Institute
for Drug Research, School of Pharmacy, Faculty
of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112102, Israel
| | - Adi Schumacher-Klinger
- Pharmacy, Pharmacology, and Medicinal Chemistry, Institute
for Drug Research, School of Pharmacy, Faculty
of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112102, Israel
| | - Shira Merzbach
- Pharmacy, Pharmacology, and Medicinal Chemistry, Institute
for Drug Research, School of Pharmacy, Faculty
of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112102, Israel
| | - Johnny N. Naoum
- Institute
of Chemistry, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
| | - Haim Ovadia
- Neurology and Allergy and Clinical Immunology Unit, Hadassah-Hebrew
University Medical Center, Jerusalem 9112001, Israel
| | - Limor Rubin
- Neurology and Allergy and Clinical Immunology Unit, Hadassah-Hebrew
University Medical Center, Jerusalem 9112001, Israel
| | - Susan Cornell-Kennon
- AssayQuant
Technologies, Inc., 260
Cedar Hill Street, Marlboro, Massachusetts 01752, United States
| | - Erik M. Schaefer
- AssayQuant
Technologies, Inc., 260
Cedar Hill Street, Marlboro, Massachusetts 01752, United States
| | - Jehoshua Katzhendler
- Pharmacy, Pharmacology, and Medicinal Chemistry, Institute
for Drug Research, School of Pharmacy, Faculty
of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112102, Israel
| | - Cezary Marcinkiewicz
- Department
of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19122, United States
| | - Amnon Hoffman
- Pharmacy, Pharmacology, and Medicinal Chemistry, Institute
for Drug Research, School of Pharmacy, Faculty
of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112102, Israel
| | - Philip Lazarovici
- Institute
of Chemistry, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
- Pharmacy, Pharmacology, and Medicinal Chemistry, Institute
for Drug Research, School of Pharmacy, Faculty
of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112102, Israel
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32
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Hu Z, Zhang C, Wang D, Gao S, Ong SG, Wang Y, Zheng WV. A Highly Sensitive GFP Activation Assay for Detection of DNA Cleavage in Cells. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:771248. [PMID: 34869366 PMCID: PMC8636026 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.771248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [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: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
CRISPR/Cas9 nucleases hold great potential for gene therapy, but they frequently induce unwanted off-target cleavage. We previously developed a GFP activation assay for detection of DNA cleavage in cells. Here, we demonstrate two novel applications of this assay. First, we use this assay to confirm off-target cleavage that cannot be detected by targeted deep sequencing in cells before. Second, we use this approach to detect multiple alternative PAMs recognized by SpCas9. These noncanonical PAMs are associated with low cleavage activity, but targets associated with these PAMs must be considered as potential off-target sites. Taken together, the GFP activation assay is a powerful platform for DNA cleavage detection in cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziying Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Centre for Assisted Reproduction, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Chengdong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Daqi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Siqi Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Sang-Ging Ong
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States.,Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Yongming Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Industrial Microorganisms, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei V Zheng
- Intervention and Cell Therapy Center, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
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Malinin NL, Lee G, Lazzarotto CR, Li Y, Zheng Z, Nguyen NT, Liebers M, Topkar VV, Iafrate AJ, Le LP, Aryee MJ, Joung JK, Tsai SQ. Defining genome-wide CRISPR-Cas genome-editing nuclease activity with GUIDE-seq. Nat Protoc 2021; 16:5592-5615. [PMID: 34773119 PMCID: PMC9331158 DOI: 10.1038/s41596-021-00626-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [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: 10/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Genome-wide unbiased identification of double-stranded breaks enabled by sequencing (GUIDE-seq) is a sensitive, unbiased, genome-wide method for defining the activity of genome-editing nucleases in living cells. GUIDE-seq is based on the principle of efficient integration of an end-protected double-stranded oligodeoxynucleotide tag into sites of nuclease-induced DNA double-stranded breaks, followed by amplification of tag-containing genomic DNA molecules and high-throughput sequencing. Here we describe a detailed GUIDE-seq protocol including cell transfection, library preparation, sequencing and bioinformatic analysis. The entire protocol including cell culture can be completed in 9 d. Once tag-integrated genomic DNA is isolated, library preparation, sequencing and analysis can be performed in 3 d. The result is a genome-wide catalog of off-target sites ranked by nuclease activity as measured by GUIDE-seq read counts. GUIDE-seq is one of the most sensitive cell-based methods for defining genome-wide off-target activity and has been broadly adopted for research and therapeutic use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolay L Malinin
- Department of Hematology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - GaHyun Lee
- Department of Hematology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Cicera R Lazzarotto
- Department of Hematology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Yichao Li
- Department of Hematology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Zongli Zheng
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Nhu T Nguyen
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Matthew Liebers
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Ved V Topkar
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Biophysics Program, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - A John Iafrate
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Long P Le
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Martin J Aryee
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - J Keith Joung
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Shengdar Q Tsai
- Department of Hematology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA.
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Huo KG, Notsuda H, Fang Z, Liu NF, Gebregiworgis T, Li Q, Pham NA, Li M, Liu N, Shepherd FA, Marshall CB, Ikura M, Moghal N, Tsao MS. Lung cancer driven by BRAF G469V mutation is targetable by EGFR kinase inhibitors. J Thorac Oncol 2021; 17:277-288. [PMID: 34648945 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtho.2021.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [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: 12/24/2020] [Revised: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Mutations in BRAF occur in 2-4% of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) patients. Combination dabrafenib/trametinib or single-agent vemurafenib is approved only for patients with cancers driven by the V600E BRAF mutation. Targeted therapy is not currently available for patients harboring non-V600 BRAF mutations. METHODS An LUAD patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model (PHLC12) with wild-type and non-amplified epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) was tested for response to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI). A cell line derived from this model (X12CL) was also used to evaluate drug sensitivity and to identify potential drivers by siRNA knockdown. Kinase assays were used to test direct targeting of the candidate driver by the EGFR TKIs. Structural modeling including, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, and binding assays were conducted to explore the mechanism of off-target inhibition by EGFR TKIs on the model 12 driver. RESULTS Both PDX PHLC12 and the X12CL cell line were sensitive to multiple EGFR TKIs. The BRAFG469V mutation was found to be the only known oncogenic mutation in this model. siRNA knockdown of BRAF, but not the EGFR, killed X12CL, confirming BRAFG469V as the oncogenic driver. Kinase activity of the BRAF protein isolated from X12CL was inhibited by treatment with the EGFR TKIs gefitinib and osimertinib, and expression of BRAFG469V in non-EGFR-expressing NR6 cells promoted growth in low serum, which was also sensitive to EGFR TKIs. . Structural modeling, MD simulations, and in vitro binding assays support BRAFG469V being a direct target of the TKIs. CONCLUSION Clinically approved EGFR TKIs can be repurposed to treat NSCLC patients harboring the BRAFG469V mutation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ku-Geng Huo
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Hirotsugu Notsuda
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Thoracic Surgery Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, Tohoku University. Sendai, Japan
| | - Zhenhao Fang
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ningdi Feng Liu
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Teklab Gebregiworgis
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Quan Li
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nhu-An Pham
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ming Li
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ni Liu
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Frances A Shepherd
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Mitsuhiko Ikura
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nadeem Moghal
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Ming-Sound Tsao
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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Shan H, Liu Z, Jia Y, Chen S, Chen M, Song Y, Sui T, Lai L, Li Z. Reduced off-target effect of NG-BE4max by using NG-HiFi system. Mol Ther Nucleic Acids 2021; 25:168-172. [PMID: 34458002 PMCID: PMC8368781 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2021.05.012] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Recently, a rationally engineered SpCas9 variant (SpCas9-NG) that can recognize a minimal NG protospacer adjacent motif (PAM) was reported to expand the targeting scope in genome editing. However, increased genome-wide off-target mutations with this variant compared with SpCas9 were reported in previous studies. In addition, lower base editing frequencies and higher unintended off-target mutations were also found in Hoxc13-ablated rabbits generated by NG-BE4max in our study. Here, a high-fidelity base editor, NG-HiFi, in comparison to NG-BE4max, showed retention of on-target activity while exhibiting significantly decreased off-target activity in Hoxc13-ablated rabbits. Collectively, the improved specificity and reduced off-target effect of SpCas9-NG assisted in cytidine base editing with the NG-HiFi system, providing a promising tool to precisely model human diseases in rabbits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huanhuan Shan
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Zhiquan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Yingqi Jia
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Siyu Chen
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Mao Chen
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Yuning Song
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Tingting Sui
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Liangxue Lai
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China.,CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, South China Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510530, China.,Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guang Dong Laboratory (GRMH-GDL), Guangzhou 510005, China.,Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Zhanjun Li
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
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Atkins A, Chung CH, Allen AG, Dampier W, Gurrola TE, Sariyer IK, Nonnemacher MR, Wigdahl B. Off-Target Analysis in Gene Editing and Applications for Clinical Translation of CRISPR/Cas9 in HIV-1 Therapy. Front Genome Ed 2021; 3:673022. [PMID: 34713260 PMCID: PMC8525399 DOI: 10.3389/fgeed.2021.673022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [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: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
As genome-editing nucleases move toward broader clinical applications, the need to define the limits of their specificity and efficiency increases. A variety of approaches for nuclease cleavage detection have been developed, allowing a full-genome survey of the targeting landscape and the detection of a variety of repair outcomes for nuclease-induced double-strand breaks. Each approach has advantages and disadvantages relating to the means of target-site capture, target enrichment mechanism, cellular environment, false discovery, and validation of bona fide off-target cleavage sites in cells. This review examines the strengths, limitations, and origins of the different classes of off-target cleavage detection systems including anchored primer enrichment (GUIDE-seq), in situ detection (BLISS), in vitro selection libraries (CIRCLE-seq), chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) (DISCOVER-Seq), translocation sequencing (LAM PCR HTGTS), and in vitro genomic DNA digestion (Digenome-seq and SITE-Seq). Emphasis is placed on the specific modifications that give rise to the enhanced performance of contemporary techniques over their predecessors and the comparative performance of techniques for different applications. The clinical relevance of these techniques is discussed in the context of assessing the safety of novel CRISPR/Cas9 HIV-1 curative strategies. With the recent success of HIV-1 and SIV-1 viral suppression in humanized mice and non-human primates, respectively, using CRISPR/Cas9, rigorous exploration of potential off-target effects is of critical importance. Such analyses would benefit from the application of the techniques discussed in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Atkins
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States,Center for Molecular Virology and Translational Neuroscience, Institute for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Disease, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Cheng-Han Chung
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States,Center for Molecular Virology and Translational Neuroscience, Institute for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Disease, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Alexander G. Allen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States,Center for Molecular Virology and Translational Neuroscience, Institute for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Disease, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Will Dampier
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States,Center for Molecular Virology and Translational Neuroscience, Institute for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Disease, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Theodore E. Gurrola
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States,Center for Molecular Virology and Translational Neuroscience, Institute for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Disease, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Ilker K. Sariyer
- Department of Neuroscience and Center for Neurovirology, Temple University Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Michael R. Nonnemacher
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States,Center for Molecular Virology and Translational Neuroscience, Institute for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Disease, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Brian Wigdahl
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States,Center for Molecular Virology and Translational Neuroscience, Institute for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Disease, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States,Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States,*Correspondence: Brian Wigdahl
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Wein N, Dunn DM, Waldrop MA, Gushchina LV, Frair EC, Weiss RB, Flanigan KM. Absence of Significant Off-Target Splicing Variation with a U7snRNA Vector Targeting DMD Exon 2 Duplications. Hum Gene Ther 2021; 32:1346-1359. [PMID: 34060935 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2020.315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Exon skipping therapies for Duchenne muscular dystrophy that restore an open reading frame can be induced by the use of noncoding U7 small nuclear RNA (U7snRNA) modified by an antisense exon-targeting sequence delivered by an adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector. We have developed an AAV vector (AAV9.U7-ACCA) containing four U7snRNAs targeting the splice donor and acceptor sites of dystrophin exon 2, resulting in highly efficient exclusion of DMD exon 2. We assessed the specificity of splice variation induced by AAV9.U7-ACCA delivery in the Dmd exon 2 duplication (Dup2) mouse model through an unbiased RNA-seq approach. Treatment-related effects on pre-mRNA splicing were quantified using local splicing variation (LSV) analysis. Filtering the transcriptome for differences in treatment-related splicing resulted in only 16 candidate off-target LSVs. Only a single candidate off-target LSV was found in both skeletal and cardiac muscle tissue and occurred at a known variable cassette exon. In contrast, four LSVs represented significant on-target correction of Dmd exon 2 splicing and transcriptome analysis showed correction of known dystrophin-deficient gene dysregulation. We conclude that the absence of off-target splicing induced by treatment with the U7-ACCA vector supports the continued clinical development of this approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Wein
- Center for Gene Therapy, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Diane M Dunn
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Megan A Waldrop
- Center for Gene Therapy, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Liubov V Gushchina
- Center for Gene Therapy, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Emma C Frair
- Center for Gene Therapy, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Robert B Weiss
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Kevin M Flanigan
- Center for Gene Therapy, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA.,Department of Neurology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
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Messina NL, Pittet LF, Gardiner K, Freyne B, Francis KL, Zufferey C, Abruzzo V, Morrison C, Allen KJ, Flanagan KL, Ponsonby AL, Robins-Browne R, Shann F, South M, Vuillermin P, Donath S, Casalaz D, Curtis N. Neonatal BCG vaccination and infections in the first year of life: the MIS BAIR randomised controlled trial. J Infect Dis 2021; 224:1115-1127. [PMID: 34146093 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiab306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [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: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination has beneficial off-target effects that may include protecting against non-mycobacterial infectious diseases. We aimed to determine whether neonatal BCG vaccination reduces lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) in infants in the MIS BAIR trial. METHODS In this investigator-blinded trial, neonates in Australia were randomised to receive BCG-Denmark vaccination or no BCG at birth. Episodes of LRTI were determined by symptoms reported in parent-completed 3-monthly questionnaires over the first year of life. Data were analysed by intention-to-treat using binary regression. Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT01906853). RESULTS From August 2013 to September 2016, 1272 neonates were randomised to the BCG vaccination (n=637) or control (n=635) group. The proportion of participants with an episode of LRTI in the first year of life among BCG-vaccinated infants was 54.8% compared to 58.0% in the control group, resulting in a risk difference of -3.2 (95% CI -9.0 to 2.6) after multiple imputation. There was no interaction observed between the primary outcome and sex, maternal BCG or the other pre-specified effect modifiers. CONCLUSIONS Based on the findings of this trial, there is insufficient evidence to support the use of neonatal BCG vaccination to prevent LRTI in the first year of life in high-income settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole L Messina
- Infectious Diseases; Clinical Epidemiology & Biostatistics Unit; Population Allergy, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Departments of Paediatrics; Microbiology & Immunology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Laure F Pittet
- Infectious Diseases; Clinical Epidemiology & Biostatistics Unit; Population Allergy, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Infection Diseases Unit; Department of General Medicine; Department of Research Operations, The Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kaya Gardiner
- Infectious Diseases; Clinical Epidemiology & Biostatistics Unit; Population Allergy, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Infection Diseases Unit; Department of General Medicine; Department of Research Operations, The Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Bridget Freyne
- Infectious Diseases; Clinical Epidemiology & Biostatistics Unit; Population Allergy, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Departments of Paediatrics; Microbiology & Immunology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Institute of Infection & Global Health University of Liverpool & Malawi-Liverpool Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Liverpool, UK
| | - Kate L Francis
- Infectious Diseases; Clinical Epidemiology & Biostatistics Unit; Population Allergy, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Christel Zufferey
- Infectious Diseases; Clinical Epidemiology & Biostatistics Unit; Population Allergy, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Veronica Abruzzo
- Infectious Diseases; Clinical Epidemiology & Biostatistics Unit; Population Allergy, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Clare Morrison
- Infectious Diseases; Clinical Epidemiology & Biostatistics Unit; Population Allergy, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Katrina J Allen
- Formerly of Centre for Food and Allergy Research, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Katie L Flanagan
- School of Health Sciences, University of Tasmania, Launceston, Tasmania, Australia.,School of Health and Biomedical Science, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Immunology and Pathology, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Anne-Louise Ponsonby
- Infectious Diseases; Clinical Epidemiology & Biostatistics Unit; Population Allergy, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Departments of Paediatrics; Microbiology & Immunology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Roy Robins-Browne
- Infectious Diseases; Clinical Epidemiology & Biostatistics Unit; Population Allergy, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Departments of Paediatrics; Microbiology & Immunology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Frank Shann
- Departments of Paediatrics; Microbiology & Immunology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Mike South
- Infectious Diseases; Clinical Epidemiology & Biostatistics Unit; Population Allergy, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Departments of Paediatrics; Microbiology & Immunology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Infection Diseases Unit; Department of General Medicine; Department of Research Operations, The Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Peter Vuillermin
- Infectious Diseases; Clinical Epidemiology & Biostatistics Unit; Population Allergy, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia.,Child health research unit, Barwon Health, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - Susan Donath
- Infectious Diseases; Clinical Epidemiology & Biostatistics Unit; Population Allergy, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Departments of Paediatrics; Microbiology & Immunology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Dan Casalaz
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
| | - Nigel Curtis
- Infectious Diseases; Clinical Epidemiology & Biostatistics Unit; Population Allergy, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Departments of Paediatrics; Microbiology & Immunology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Infection Diseases Unit; Department of General Medicine; Department of Research Operations, The Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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Jain S, Xun G, Abesteh S, Ho S, Lingamaneni M, Martin TA, Tasan I, Yang C, Zhao H. Precise Regulation of Cas9-Mediated Genome Engineering by Anti-CRISPR-Based Inducible CRISPR Controllers. ACS Synth Biol 2021; 10:1320-1327. [PMID: 34006094 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.0c00548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [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: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
CRISPR/Cas9 is a powerful genome editing tool, but its off-target cleavage activity can result in unintended adverse outcomes for therapeutic applications. Here we report the design of a simple tunable CRISPR controller in which a chemically inducible anti-CRISPR protein AcrIIA4 is engineered to disable Cas9 DNA binding upon the addition of trimethoprim. Dose-dependent control over Cas9 editing and dCas9 induction was achieved, which drastically improved the specificity and biosafety of the CRISPR/Cas9 system. We utilized the anti-CRISPR protein AcrIIA4 as a means to interfere with Cas9 DNA binding activity. By fusing AcrIIA4 to a ligand-inducible destabilization domain DHFR(DD), we show significantly reduced off-target activity in mammalian cells. Furthermore, we describe a new inducible promoter system Acr-OFF based on CRISPR controllers, which is regulated by an FDA-approved ligand trimethoprim.
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Affiliation(s)
- Surbhi Jain
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Guanhua Xun
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Shireen Abesteh
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Sherri Ho
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Manasi Lingamaneni
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Teresa A Martin
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Ipek Tasan
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Che Yang
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Huimin Zhao
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
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Garrood WT, Kranjc N, Petri K, Kim DY, Guo JA, Hammond AM, Morianou I, Pattanayak V, Joung JK, Crisanti A, Simoni A. Analysis of off-target effects in CRISPR-based gene drives in the human malaria mosquito. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:e2004838117. [PMID: 34050017 PMCID: PMC8179207 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2004838117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [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: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas9 nuclease-based gene drives have been developed toward the aim of control of the human malaria vector Anopheles gambiae Gene drives are based on an active source of Cas9 nuclease in the germline that promotes super-Mendelian inheritance of the transgene by homology-directed repair ("homing"). Understanding whether CRISPR-induced off-target mutations are generated in Anopheles mosquitoes is an important aspect of risk assessment before any potential field release of this technology. We compared the frequencies and the propensity of off-target events to occur in four different gene-drive strains, including a deliberately promiscuous set-up, using a nongermline restricted promoter for SpCas9 and a guide RNA with many closely related sites (two or more mismatches) across the mosquito genome. Under this scenario we observed off-target mutations at frequencies no greater than 1.42%. We witnessed no evidence that CRISPR-induced off-target mutations were able to accumulate (or drive) in a mosquito population, despite multiple generations' exposure to the CRISPR-Cas9 nuclease construct. Furthermore, judicious design of the guide RNA used for homing of the CRISPR construct, combined with tight temporal constriction of Cas9 expression to the germline, rendered off-target mutations undetectable. The findings of this study represent an important milestone for the understanding and managing of CRISPR-Cas9 specificity in mosquitoes, and demonstrates that CRISPR off-target editing in the context of a mosquito gene drive can be reduced to minimal levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- William T Garrood
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, SW7 2AZ London, United Kingdom
| | - Nace Kranjc
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, SW7 2AZ London, United Kingdom
| | - Karl Petri
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA 02129
- Center for Computational and Integrative Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA 02129
| | - Daniel Y Kim
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA 02129
- Center for Computational and Integrative Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA 02129
| | - Jimmy A Guo
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA 02129
- Center for Computational and Integrative Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA 02129
| | - Andrew M Hammond
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, SW7 2AZ London, United Kingdom
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205
| | - Ioanna Morianou
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, SW7 2AZ London, United Kingdom
| | - Vikram Pattanayak
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA 02129
- Center for Computational and Integrative Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA 02129
| | - J Keith Joung
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA 02129
- Center for Computational and Integrative Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA 02129
| | - Andrea Crisanti
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, SW7 2AZ London, United Kingdom;
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, 35121 Padova, Italy
| | - Alekos Simoni
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, SW7 2AZ London, United Kingdom;
- Polo d'Innovazione Genomica, Genetica, e Biologia, 05100 Terni, Italy
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has transformed prognoses for HIV-1-infected individuals but requires lifelong adherence to prevent viral resurgence. Targeted elimination or permanent deactivation of the latently infected reservoir harboring integrated proviral DNA, which drives viral rebound, is a major focus of HIV-1 research. AREAS COVERED This review covers the current approaches to developing curative strategies for HIV-1 that target the latent reservoir. Discussed herein are shock and kill, broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs), block and lock, Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells, immune checkpoint modulation, clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) coreceptor ablation, and CRISPR/Cas9 proviral excision. Emphasis is placed on CRISPR/Cas9 proviral excision/inactivation. Recent advances and future directions toward discovery and translation of HIV-1 therapeutics are discussed. EXPERT OPINION CRISPR/Cas9 proviral targeting fills a niche amongst HIV-1 cure strategies by directly targeting the integrated provirus without the necessity of an innate or adaptive immune response. Each strategy discussed in this review has shown promising results with the potential to yield curative or adjuvant therapies. CRISPR/Cas9 is singular among these in that it addresses the root of the problem, integrated proviral DNA, with the capacity to permanently remove or deactivate the source of HIV-1 recrudescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J. Atkins
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19129, USA,Center for Molecular Virology and Translational Neuroscience, Institute for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Disease, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19129, USA
| | - Alexander G. Allen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19129, USA,Center for Molecular Virology and Translational Neuroscience, Institute for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Disease, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19129, USA
| | - Will Dampier
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19129, USA,Center for Molecular Virology and Translational Neuroscience, Institute for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Disease, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19129, USA
| | - Elias K. Haddad
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19129, USA,Division of Infectious Diseases and HIV Medicine, Department of Medicine, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19129, USA,Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Michael R. Nonnemacher
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19129, USA,Center for Molecular Virology and Translational Neuroscience, Institute for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Disease, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19129, USA,Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Brian Wigdahl
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19129, USA,Center for Molecular Virology and Translational Neuroscience, Institute for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Disease, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19129, USA,Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA,Correspondence should be addressed to B.W. (), 245 N 15th St, Rm 18301, MS1013A, Philadelphia, PA, 19102, Tel: 215-991-8352, Fax: 215-849-4808
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42
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Parameshwaran HP, Babu K, Tran C, Guan K, Allen A, Kathiresan V, Qin PZ, Rajan R. The bridge helix of Cas12a imparts selectivity in cis-DNA cleavage and regulates trans-DNA cleavage. FEBS Lett 2021; 595:892-912. [PMID: 33523494 PMCID: PMC8044059 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.14051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 07/26/2020] [Revised: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Cas12a is an RNA-guided DNA endonuclease of the type V-A CRISPR-Cas system that has evolved convergently with the type II Cas9 protein. We previously showed that proline substitutions in the bridge helix (BH) impart target DNA cleavage selectivity in Streptococcus pyogenes (Spy) Cas9. Here, we examined a BH variant of Cas12a from Francisella novicida (FnoCas12aKD2P ) to test mechanistic conservation. Our results show that for RNA-guided DNA cleavage (cis-activity), FnoCas12aKD2P accumulates nicked products while cleaving supercoiled DNA substrates with mismatches, with certain mismatch positions being more detrimental for linearization. FnoCas12aKD2P also possess reduced trans-single-stranded DNA cleavage activity. These results implicate the BH in substrate selectivity in both cis- and trans-cleavages and show its conserved role in target discrimination among Cas nucleases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hari Priya Parameshwaran
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Price Family Foundation Institute of Structural Biology, University of Oklahoma, Stephenson Life Sciences Research Center, Norman, OK, USA
| | - Kesavan Babu
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Price Family Foundation Institute of Structural Biology, University of Oklahoma, Stephenson Life Sciences Research Center, Norman, OK, USA
| | - Christine Tran
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Price Family Foundation Institute of Structural Biology, University of Oklahoma, Stephenson Life Sciences Research Center, Norman, OK, USA
| | - Kevin Guan
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Price Family Foundation Institute of Structural Biology, University of Oklahoma, Stephenson Life Sciences Research Center, Norman, OK, USA
| | - Aleique Allen
- Department of Chemistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - Peter Z Qin
- Department of Chemistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Rakhi Rajan
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Price Family Foundation Institute of Structural Biology, University of Oklahoma, Stephenson Life Sciences Research Center, Norman, OK, USA
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Martin AD, Wang X, Sandberg ML, Negri KR, Wu ML, Toledo Warshaviak D, Gabrelow GB, McElvain ME, Lee B, Daris ME, Xu H, Kamb A. Re-examination of MAGE-A3 as a T-cell Therapeutic Target. J Immunother 2021; 44:95-105. [PMID: 33284140 PMCID: PMC7946352 DOI: 10.1097/cji.0000000000000348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
In 2013, an innovative MAGE-A3-directed cancer therapeutic of great potential value was terminated in the clinic because of neurotoxicity. The safety problems were hypothesized to originate from off-target T-cell receptor activity against a closely related MAGE-A12 peptide. A combination of published and new data led us to test this hypothesis with current technology. Our results call into question MAGE-A12 as the source of the neurotoxicity. Rather, the data imply that an alternative related peptide from EPS8L2 may be responsible. Given the qualities of MAGE-A3 as an onco-testis antigen widely expressed in tumors and largely absent from normal adult tissues, these findings suggest that MAGE-A3 may deserve further consideration as a cancer target. As a step in this direction, the authors isolated 2 MAGE-A3 peptide-major histocompatibility complex-directed chimeric antigen receptors, 1 targeting the same peptide as the clinical T-cell receptor. Both chimeric antigen receptors have improved selectivity over the EPS8L2 peptide that represents a significant risk for MAGE-A3-targeted therapeutics, showing that there may be other options for MAGE-A3 cell therapy.
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Han Y, Broughton S, Liu L, Zhang XQ, Zeng J, He X, Li C. Highly efficient and genotype-independent barley gene editing based on anther culture. Plant Commun 2021; 2:100082. [PMID: 33898972 PMCID: PMC8060703 DOI: 10.1016/j.xplc.2020.100082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Revised: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Recalcitrance to tissue culture and genetic transformation is the major bottleneck for gene manipulation in crops. In barley, immature embryos of Golden Promise have typically been used as explants for transformation. However, the genotype dependence of this approach limits the genetic modification of commercial varieties. Here, we developed an anther culture-based system that permits the effective creation of transgenic and gene-edited plants from commercial barley varieties. The protocol was tested in Golden Promise and four Australian varieties, which differed in phenology, callus induction, and green plant regeneration responses. Agrobacterium-mediated transformation was performed on microspore-derived callus to target the HvPDS gene, and T0 albinos with targeted mutations were successfully obtained from commercial varieties. Further editing of three targets was achieved with an average mutation rate of 53% in the five varieties. In 51 analyzed T0 individuals, Cas9 induced a large proportion (69%) of single-base indels and two-base deletions in the target sites, with variable mutation rates among targets and varieties. Both on-target and off-target activities were detected in T1 progenies. Compared with immature embryo protocols, this genotype-independent platform can deliver a high editing efficiency and more regenerant plants within a similar time frame. It shows promise for functional genomics and the application of CRISPR technologies for the precise improvement of commercial varieties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Han
- Western Barley Genetics Alliance, College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
- Western Australian State Agricultural Biotechnology Centre, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
| | - Sue Broughton
- Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, 3 Baron-Hay Court, South Perth, WA 6151, Australia
| | - Li Liu
- Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, 3 Baron-Hay Court, South Perth, WA 6151, Australia
| | - Xiao-Qi Zhang
- Western Barley Genetics Alliance, College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
- Western Australian State Agricultural Biotechnology Centre, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
| | - Jianbin Zeng
- College of Agronomy, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, Shandong 266109, China
| | - Xiaoyan He
- College of Agronomy, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, Shandong 266109, China
| | - Chengdao Li
- Western Barley Genetics Alliance, College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
- Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, 3 Baron-Hay Court, South Perth, WA 6151, Australia
- Western Australian State Agricultural Biotechnology Centre, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
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45
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Breton C, Furmanak T, Avitto AN, Smith MK, Latshaw C, Yan H, Greig JA, Wilson JM. Increasing the Specificity of AAV-Based Gene Editing through Self-Targeting and Short-Promoter Strategies. Mol Ther 2021; 29:1047-1056. [PMID: 33359790 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2020.12.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [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: 10/07/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Our group previously used adeno-associated viral vectors (AAVs) to express an engineered meganuclease specific for a sequence in the PCSK9 gene (M2PCSK9), a clinical target for treating coronary heart disease. Upon testing this nuclease in non-human primates, we observed specific editing characterized by several insertions and deletions (indels) in the target sequence as well as indels in similar genomic sequences. We hypothesized that high nuclease expression increases off-target editing. Here, we reduced nuclease expression using two strategies. The first was a self-targeting strategy that involved inserting the M2PCSK9 target sequence into the AAV genome that expresses the nuclease and/or fusing the nuclease to a specific peptide to promote its degradation. The second strategy used a shortened version of the parental promoter to reduce nuclease expression. Mice administered with these second-generation AAV vectors showed reduced PCSK9 expression due to the nuclease on-target activity and reduced off-target activity. All vectors induced a stable reduction of PCSK9 in primates treated with self-targeting and short-promoter AAVs. Compared to the meganuclease-expressing parental AAV vector, we observed a significant reduction in off-target activity. In conclusion, we increased the in vivo nuclease specificity using a clinically relevant strategy that can be applied to other genome-editing nucleases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilo Breton
- Gene Therapy Program, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Thomas Furmanak
- Gene Therapy Program, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Alexa N Avitto
- Gene Therapy Program, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Melanie K Smith
- Gene Therapy Program, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Caitlin Latshaw
- Gene Therapy Program, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Hanying Yan
- Gene Therapy Program, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Jenny A Greig
- Gene Therapy Program, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - James M Wilson
- Gene Therapy Program, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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Cheng H, Hao M, Ding B, Mei D, Wang W, Wang H, Zhou R, Liu J, Li C, Hu Q. Base editing with high efficiency in allotetraploid oilseed rape by A3A-PBE system. Plant Biotechnol J 2021; 19:87-97. [PMID: 32640102 PMCID: PMC7769242 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.13444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Revised: 06/21/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
CRISPR/Cas-base editing is an emerging technology that could convert a nucleotide to another type at the target site. In this study, A3A-PBE system consisting of human A3A cytidine deaminase fused with a Cas9 nickase and uracil glycosylase inhibitor was established and developed in allotetraploid Brassica napus. We designed three sgRNAs to target ALS, RGA and IAA7 genes, respectively. Base-editing efficiency was demonstrated to be more than 20% for all the three target genes. Target sequencing results revealed that the editing window ranged from C1 to C10 of the PAM sequence. Base-edited plants of ALS conferred high herbicide resistance, while base-edited plants of RGA or IAA7 exhibited decreased plant height. All the base editing could be genetically inherited from T0 to T1 generation. Several Indel mutations were confirmed at the target sites for all the three sgRNAs. Furthermore, though no C to T substitution was detected at the most potential off-target sites, large-scale SNP variations were determined through whole-genome sequencing between some base-edited and wild-type plants. These results revealed that A3A-PBE base-editing system could effectively convert C to T substitution with high-editing efficiency and broadened editing window in oilseed rape. Mutants for ALS, IAA7 and RGA genes could be potentially applied to confer herbicide resistance for weed control or with better plant architecture suitable for mechanic harvesting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongtao Cheng
- Oil Crops Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesKey Laboratory for Biological Sciences and Genetic Improvement of Oil CropsMinistry of Agriculture and Rural AffairsWuhanChina
| | - Mengyu Hao
- Oil Crops Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesKey Laboratory for Biological Sciences and Genetic Improvement of Oil CropsMinistry of Agriculture and Rural AffairsWuhanChina
| | - Bingli Ding
- Oil Crops Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesKey Laboratory for Biological Sciences and Genetic Improvement of Oil CropsMinistry of Agriculture and Rural AffairsWuhanChina
| | - Desheng Mei
- Oil Crops Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesKey Laboratory for Biological Sciences and Genetic Improvement of Oil CropsMinistry of Agriculture and Rural AffairsWuhanChina
| | - Wenxiang Wang
- Oil Crops Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesKey Laboratory for Biological Sciences and Genetic Improvement of Oil CropsMinistry of Agriculture and Rural AffairsWuhanChina
| | - Hui Wang
- Oil Crops Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesKey Laboratory for Biological Sciences and Genetic Improvement of Oil CropsMinistry of Agriculture and Rural AffairsWuhanChina
| | - Rijin Zhou
- Oil Crops Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesKey Laboratory for Biological Sciences and Genetic Improvement of Oil CropsMinistry of Agriculture and Rural AffairsWuhanChina
| | - Jia Liu
- Oil Crops Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesKey Laboratory for Biological Sciences and Genetic Improvement of Oil CropsMinistry of Agriculture and Rural AffairsWuhanChina
| | - Chao Li
- Oil Crops Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesKey Laboratory for Biological Sciences and Genetic Improvement of Oil CropsMinistry of Agriculture and Rural AffairsWuhanChina
| | - Qiong Hu
- Oil Crops Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesKey Laboratory for Biological Sciences and Genetic Improvement of Oil CropsMinistry of Agriculture and Rural AffairsWuhanChina
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Hendrychová D, Jorda R, Kryštof V. How selective are clinical CDK4/6 inhibitors? Med Res Rev 2020; 41:1578-1598. [PMID: 33300617 DOI: 10.1002/med.21769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [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: 07/13/2020] [Revised: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Pharmacological inhibition of cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 (CDK4/6) has emerged as an efficient approach for treating breast cancer, and its clinical potential is expanding to other cancers. CDK4/6 inhibitors were originally believed to act by arresting proliferation in the G1 phase, but it is gradually becoming clear that the cellular response to these compounds is far more complex than this. Multiple context-dependent mechanisms of action are emerging, involving modulation of quiescence, senescence, autophagy, cellular metabolism, and enhanced tumor cell immunogenicity. These mechanisms may be driven by interactions with unexpected targets. We review cellular responses to the Food and Drug Administration-approved CDK4/6 inhibitors palbociclib, ribociclib, and abemaciclib, and summarize available knowledge of other drugs undergoing clinical trials, including data on their off-target landscapes. We emphasize the importance of comprehensively characterizing drugs' selectivity profiles to maximize their clinical efficacy and safety and to facilitate their repurposing to treat additional diseases based on their target spectrum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denisa Hendrychová
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Palacký University, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Radek Jorda
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Palacký University, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Vladimír Kryštof
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Palacký University, Olomouc, Czech Republic
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48
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Blattner G, Cavazza A, Thrasher AJ, Turchiano G. Gene Editing and Genotoxicity: Targeting the Off-Targets. Front Genome Ed 2020; 2:613252. [PMID: 34713236 PMCID: PMC8525370 DOI: 10.3389/fgeed.2020.613252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene editing technologies show great promise for application to human disease as a result of rapid developments in targeting tools notably based on ZFN, TALEN, and CRISPR-Cas systems. Precise modification of a DNA sequence is now possible in mature human somatic cells including stem and progenitor cells with increasing degrees of efficiency. At the same time new technologies are required to evaluate their safety and genotoxicity before widespread clinical application can be confidently implemented. A number of methodologies have now been developed in an attempt to predict expected and unexpected modifications occurring during gene editing. This review surveys the techniques currently available as state of the art, highlighting benefits and limitations, and discusses approaches that may achieve sufficient accuracy and predictability for application in clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Giandomenico Turchiano
- Infection, Immunity and Inflammation Research and Teaching Department, Zayed Centre for Research into Rare Disease in Children, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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Zhang Y, Teng Y, Xiao W, Xu B, Zhao Y, Li W, Wu L. Identifying Cleaved and Noncleaved Targets of Small Interfering RNAs and MicroRNAs in Mammalian Cells by SpyCLIP. Mol Ther Nucleic Acids 2020; 22:900-909. [PMID: 33251041 PMCID: PMC7666362 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2020.10.009] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Recently, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first small interfering RNA (siRNA) drug, marking a significant milestone in the therapeutic use of RNA interference (RNAi) technology. However, off-target gene silencing by siRNA remains one of the major obstacles in siRNA therapy. Although siRNA off-target effects caused by a mechanism known for microRNA (miRNA)-mediated gene repression have been extensively discussed, whether RNAi can cause unintended cleavage through the effector protein AGO2 at sites harboring partially complementary sequences to the siRNA remains unknown. Here, we report a strategy to establish a comprehensive picture of siRNA cleaved and noncleaved off-targets by performing SpyCLIP using wild-type and catalytically inactive AGO2 mutants in parallel. Additionally, we investigated naturally occurring cleavage events mediated by endogenous miRNAs using the same strategy. Our results demonstrated that AGO2 SpyCLIP is a powerful method to identify both the cleaved and noncleaved targets of siRNAs, providing valuable information for improving siRNA design rules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Zhang
- NHC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.,State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Yilan Teng
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Wangwen Xiao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Experimental & Translational Non-coding RNA Research, Institute of Translational Medicine, School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Beiying Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Ya Zhao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Experimental & Translational Non-coding RNA Research, Institute of Translational Medicine, School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Weihua Li
- NHC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Ligang Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
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50
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Jiang W, Li H, Liu X, Zhang J, zhang W, Li T, Liu L, Yu X. Precise and efficient silencing of mutant Kras G12D by CRISPR-CasRx controls pancreatic cancer progression. Theranostics 2020; 10:11507-11519. [PMID: 33052229 PMCID: PMC7545986 DOI: 10.7150/thno.46642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Rationale: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly lethal disease with few therapeutic targets and rare effective treatments. Over 90% of PDAC tumors bear a Kras mutation, and the single-site mutation G12D (KrasG12D) is most prevalent. Methods: Here, we applied the CRISPR-CasRx system to silence the mutant KrasG12D transcript in PDAC cells. We also used a capsid-optimized adenovirus-associated virus 8 vector (AAV8) to deliver the CRISPR-CasRx system into PDAC orthotopic tumors and patient-derived tumor xenografts (PDX). Results: Our data showed that guided by a KrasG12D-specific gRNA, CasRx is able to precisely and efficiently silence the mutant KrasG12D expression in PDAC cells. The knockdown of mutant KrasG12D by CasRx abolishes the aberrant activation of downstream signaling induced by mutant KrasG12D and subsequently suppresses the tumor growth and improves the sensitivity of gemcitabine in PDAC. Additionally, delivering CasRx-gRNA via AAV8 into the orthotopic KrasG12D PDAC tumors substantially improves the survival of mice without obvious toxicity. Furthermore, targeting KrasG12D through CasRx suppresses the growth of PDAC PDXs. In conclusion, our study provides a proof-of-concept that CRISPR-CasRx can be utilized to target and silence mutant KrasG12D transcripts and therefore inhibit PDAC malignancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wang Jiang
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, PR China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, PR China
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai 200032, PR China
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, PR China
| | - Hao Li
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, PR China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, PR China
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai 200032, PR China
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, PR China
| | - Xiyu Liu
- Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, PR China
| | - Jianping Zhang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Centre, Shanghai 200032, PR China
| | - Wuhu zhang
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, PR China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, PR China
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai 200032, PR China
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, PR China
| | - Tianjiao Li
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, PR China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, PR China
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai 200032, PR China
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, PR China
| | - Liang Liu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, PR China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, PR China
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai 200032, PR China
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, PR China
| | - Xianjun Yu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, PR China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, PR China
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai 200032, PR China
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, PR China
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