scholarly journals Efficient targeted integration directed by short homology in zebrafish and mammalian cells

eLife ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wesley A Wierson ◽  
Jordan M Welker ◽  
Maira P Almeida ◽  
Carla M Mann ◽  
Dennis A Webster ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Frequency ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Genome Engineering ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Strand Break ◽  
End Joining ◽  
Cost Effective Approach ◽  
Targeted Integration

Efficient precision genome engineering requires high frequency and specificity of integration at the genomic target site. Here, we describe a set of resources to streamline reporter gene knock-ins in zebrafish and demonstrate the broader utility of the method in mammalian cells. Our approach uses short homology of 24–48 bp to drive targeted integration of DNA reporter cassettes by homology-mediated end joining (HMEJ) at high frequency at a double strand break in the targeted gene. Our vector series, pGTag (plasmids for Gene Tagging), contains reporters flanked by a universal CRISPR sgRNA sequence which enables in vivo liberation of the homology arms. We observed high rates of germline transmission (22–100%) for targeted knock-ins at eight zebrafish loci and efficient integration at safe harbor loci in porcine and human cells. Our system provides a straightforward and cost-effective approach for high efficiency gene targeting applications in CRISPR and TALEN compatible systems.

scholarly journals GeneWeld: a method for efficient targeted integration directed by short homology

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wesley A. Wierson ◽  
Jordan M. Welker ◽  
Maira P. Almeida ◽  
Carla M. Mann ◽  
Dennis A. Webster ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genome Engineering ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
High Specificity ◽  
Strand Break ◽  
Double Strand Break ◽  
Genomic Locus ◽  
Multiple Loci ◽  
Integration Strategy ◽  
Targeted Integration

AbstractChoices for genome engineering and integration involve high efficiency with little or no target specificity or high specificity with low activity. Here, we describe a targeted integration strategy, called GeneWeld, and a vector series for gene tagging, pGTag (plasmids forGeneTagging), which promote highly efficient and precise targeted integration in zebrafish embryos, pig fibroblasts, and human cells utilizing the CRISPR/Cas9 system. Our work demonstrates thatin vivotargeting of a genomic locus of interest with CRISPR/Cas9 and a donor vector containing as little as 24 to 48 base pairs of homology directs precise and efficient knock-in when the homology arms are exposed with a double strand breakin vivo. Our results suggest that the length of homology is not important in the design of knock-in vectors but rather how the homology is presented to a double strand break in the genome. Given our results targeting multiple loci in different species, we expect the accompanying protocols, vectors, and web interface for homology arm design to help streamline gene targeting and applications in CRISPR and TALEN compatible systems.

scholarly journals Structural basis for proficient oxidized ribonucleotide insertion in double strand break repair

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joonas A. Jamsen ◽  
Akira Sassa ◽  
Lalith Perera ◽  
David D. Shock ◽  
William A. Beard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Time Lapse ◽  
Strand Break ◽  
Structural Basis ◽  
End Joining ◽  
Strand Breaks ◽  
Nucleotide Pools ◽  
Nucleotide Insertion ◽  
Non Homologous End Joining

AbstractReactive oxygen species (ROS) oxidize cellular nucleotide pools and cause double strand breaks (DSBs). Non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) attaches broken chromosomal ends together in mammalian cells. Ribonucleotide insertion by DNA polymerase (pol) μ prepares breaks for end-joining and this is required for successful NHEJ in vivo. We previously showed that pol μ lacks discrimination against oxidized dGTP (8-oxo-dGTP), that can lead to mutagenesis, cancer, aging and human disease. Here we reveal the structural basis for proficient oxidized ribonucleotide (8-oxo-rGTP) incorporation during DSB repair by pol μ. Time-lapse crystallography snapshots of structural intermediates during nucleotide insertion along with computational simulations reveal substrate, metal and side chain dynamics, that allow oxidized ribonucleotides to escape polymerase discrimination checkpoints. Abundant nucleotide pools, combined with inefficient sanitization and repair, implicate pol μ mediated oxidized ribonucleotide insertion as an emerging source of widespread persistent mutagenesis and genomic instability.

scholarly journals Mutations in two Ku homologs define a DNA end-joining repair pathway in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

1996 ◽  
Vol 16 (8) ◽  
pp. 4189-4198 ◽  
Author(s):  
G T Milne ◽  
S Jin ◽  
K B Shannon ◽  
D T Weaver
Keyword(s):  
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Strand Break ◽  
Yeast Cells ◽  
Recombinational Repair ◽  
End Joining ◽  
Dsb Repair ◽  
Dna Double Strand Break ◽  
Homologous Recombinational Repair

DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair in mammalian cells is dependent on the Ku DNA binding protein complex. However, the mechanism of Ku-mediated repair is not understood. We discovered a Saccharomyces cerevisiae gene (KU80) that is structurally similar to the 80-kDa mammalian Ku subunit. Ku8O associates with the product of the HDF1 gene, forming the major DNA end-binding complex of yeast cells. DNA end binding was absent in ku80delta, hdf1delta, or ku80delta hdf1delta strains. Antisera specific for epitope tags on Ku80 and Hdf1 were used in supershift and immunodepletion experiments to show that both proteins are directly involved in DNA end binding. In vivo, the efficiency of two DNA end-joining processes were reduced >10-fold in ku8Odelta, hdfldelta, or ku80delta hdf1delta strains: repair of linear plasmid DNA and repair of an HO endonuclease-induced chromosomal DSB. These DNA-joining defects correlated with DNA damage sensitivity, because ku80delta and hdf1delta strains were also sensitive to methylmethane sulfonate (MMS). Ku-dependent repair is distinct from homologous recombination, because deletion of KU80 and HDF1 increased the MMS sensitivity of rad52delta. Interestingly, rad5Odelta, also shown here to be defective in end joining, was epistatic with Ku mutations for MMS repair and end joining. Therefore, Ku and Rad50 participate in an end-joining pathway that is distinct from homologous recombinational repair. Yeast DNA end joining is functionally analogous to DSB repair and V(D)J recombination in mammalian cells.

scholarly journals In Vivo Blunt-End Cloning Through CRISPR/Cas9-Facilitated Non-Homologous End-Joining

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan M Geisinger ◽  
Sören Turan ◽  
Sophia Hernandez ◽  
Laura P Spector ◽  
Michele P Calos
Keyword(s):  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Genome Engineering ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Double Strand Breaks ◽  
Hek293 Cells ◽  
End Joining ◽  
Independent Manner ◽  
Strand Breaks ◽  
Non Homologous End Joining

The ability to precisely modify the genome in a site-specific manner is extremely useful. The CRISPR/Cas9 system facilitates precise modifications by generating RNA-guided double-strand breaks. We demonstrate that guide RNA pairs generate deletions that are repaired with a high level of precision by non-homologous end-joining in mammalian cells. We present a method called knock-in blunt ligation for exploiting this excision and repair to insert exogenous sequences in a homology-independent manner without loss of additional nucleotides. We successfully utilize this method in a human immortalized cell line and induced pluripotent stem cells to insert fluorescent protein cassettes into various loci, with efficiencies up to 35.8% in HEK293 cells. We also present a version of Cas9 fused to the FKBP12-L106P destabilization domain for investigating repair dynamics of Cas9-induced double-strand breaks. Our in vivo blunt-end cloning method and destabilization-domain-fused Cas9 variant increase the repertoire of precision genome engineering approaches.

scholarly journals High-efficiency retron-mediated single-stranded DNA production in plants

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wenjun Jiang ◽  
Gundra Sivakrishna Rao ◽  
Rashid Aman ◽  
Haroon Butt ◽  
Radwa Kamel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Genome Engineering ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
Plant Biotechnology ◽  
Fold Increase ◽  
Gene Encoding ◽  
Single Stranded Dna ◽  
Homology Directed Repair ◽  
Potential Applications

ABSTRACT Background: Retrons are a class of retroelements that produce multicopy single-stranded DNA (msDNA) and participate in anti-phage defenses in bacteria. Retrons have been harnessed for the over-production of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA), genome engineering, and directed evolution in bacteria, yeast, and mammalian cells. However, no studies have shown retron-mediated ssDNA production in plants, which could unlock potential applications in plant biotechnology. For example, ssDNA can be used as a template for homology-directed repair (HDR) in several organisms. However, current gene editing technologies rely on the physical delivery of synthetic ssDNA, which limits their applications. Main methods and major results: Here, we demonstrated retron-mediated over-production of ssDNA in Nicotiana benthamiana. Additionally, we tested different retron architectures for improved ssDNA production and identified a new retron architecture that resulted in greater ssDNA abundance. Furthermore, co-expression of the gene encoding the ssDNA-protecting protein VirE2 from Agrobacterium tumefaciens with the retron systems resulted in a 10.7-fold increase in ssDNA production in vivo. We also demonstrated CRISPR-retron-coupled ssDNA over-production and targeted HDR in N. benthamiana. Conclusion: We present an efficient approach for in vivo ssDNA production in plants, which can be harnessed for biotechnological applications.

scholarly journals Phosphorylation: The Molecular Switch of Double-Strand Break Repair

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. C. Summers ◽  
F. Shen ◽  
E. A. Sierra Potchanant ◽  
E. A. Phipps ◽  
R. J. Hickey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Genomic Stability ◽  
Molecular Switches ◽  
Strand Break ◽  
Nonhomologous End Joining ◽  
End Joining ◽  
Brca1 And Brca2 ◽  
Damage Response ◽  
Repair Mechanisms ◽  
Repair Pathways

Repair of double-stranded breaks (DSBs) is vital to maintaining genomic stability. In mammalian cells, DSBs are resolved in one of the following complex repair pathways: nonhomologous end-joining (NHEJ), homologous recombination (HR), or the inclusive DNA damage response (DDR). These repair pathways rely on factors that utilize reversible phosphorylation of proteins as molecular switches to regulate DNA repair. Many of these molecular switches overlap and play key roles in multiple pathways. For example, the NHEJ pathway and the DDR both utilize DNA-PK phosphorylation, whereas the HR pathway mediates repair with phosphorylation of RPA2, BRCA1, and BRCA2. Also, the DDR pathway utilizes the kinases ATM and ATR, as well as the phosphorylation of H2AX and MDC1. Together, these molecular switches regulate repair of DSBs by aiding in DSB recognition, pathway initiation, recruitment of repair factors, and the maintenance of repair mechanisms.

scholarly journals Recombinogenic Flap Ligation Pathway for Intrinsic Repair of Topoisomerase IB-Induced Double-Strand Breaks

2000 ◽  
Vol 20 (21) ◽  
pp. 8059-8068 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chonghui Cheng ◽  
Stewart Shuman
Keyword(s):  
High Efficiency ◽  
Strand Break ◽  
Strand Transfer ◽  
Strand Breaks ◽  
Genomic Deletions ◽  
Topoisomerase Ib ◽  
Dna Strand ◽  
Recombination Pathway

ABSTRACT Topoisomerase IB catalyzes recombinogenic DNA strand transfer reactions in vitro and in vivo. Here we characterize a new pathway of topoisomerase-mediated DNA ligation in vitro (flap ligation) in which vaccinia virus topoisomerase bound to a blunt-end DNA joins the covalently held strand to a 5′ resected end of a duplex DNA containing a 3′ tail. The joining reaction occurs with high efficiency when the sequence of the 3′ tail is complementary to that of the scissile strand immediately 5′ of the cleavage site. A 6-nucleotide segment of complementarity suffices for efficient flap ligation. Invasion of the flap into the duplex apparently occurs while topoisomerase remains bound to DNA, thereby implying a conformational flexibility of the topoisomerase clamp around the DNA target site. The 3′ flap acceptor DNA mimics a processed end in the double-strand-break-repair recombination pathway. Our findings suggest that topoisomerase-induced breaks may be rectified by flap ligation, with ensuing genomic deletions or translocations.

scholarly journals Characterization, modelling and mitigation of gene expression burden in mammalian cells

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
T Frei ◽  
F Cella ◽  
F Tedeschi ◽  
J Gutierrez ◽  
GB Stan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Genome Engineering ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Genetic Circuits ◽  
Circuit Performance ◽  
Resource Requirements ◽  
Synthetic Circuit ◽  
Resource Aware

AbstractDespite recent advances in genome engineering, the design of genetic circuits in mammalian cells is still painstakingly slow and fraught with inexplicable failures. Here we demonstrate that competition for limited transcriptional and translational resources dynamically couples otherwise independent co-expressed exogenous genes, leading to diminished performance and contributing to the divergence between intended and actual function. We also show that the expression of endogenous genes is likewise impacted when genetic payloads are expressed in the host cells. Guided by a resource-aware mathematical model and our experimental finding that post-transcriptional regulators have a large capacity for resource redistribution, we identify and engineer natural and synthetic miRNA-based incoherent feedforward loop (iFFL) circuits that mitigate gene expression burden. The implementation of these circuits features the novel use of endogenous miRNAs as integral components of the engineered iFFL device, a versatile hybrid design that allows burden mitigation to be achieved across different cell-lines with minimal resource requirements. This study establishes the foundations for context-aware prediction and improvement of in vivo synthetic circuit performance, paving the way towards more rational synthetic construct design in mammalian cells.

Double strand break (DSB) repair pathways in plants and their application in genome engineering

2021 ◽  
pp. 27-62
Author(s):  
Natalja Beying ◽  
◽  
Carla Schmidt ◽  
Holger Puchta ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genome Engineering ◽  
Plant Cells ◽  
Strand Break ◽  
End Joining ◽  
Dsb Repair ◽  
Strand Breaks ◽  
Repair Mechanisms ◽  
Repair Pathways ◽  
Non Homologous End Joining ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms

In genome engineering, after targeted induction of double strand breaks (DSBs) researchers take advantage of the organisms’ own repair mechanisms to induce different kinds of sequence changes into the genome. Therefore, understanding of the underlying mechanisms is essential. This chapter will review in detail the two main pathways of DSB repair in plant cells, non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) and homologous recombination (HR) and sum up what we have learned over the last decades about them. We summarize the different models that have been proposed and set these into relation with the molecular outcomes of different classes of DSB repair. Moreover, we describe the factors that have been identified to be involved in these pathways. Applying this knowledge of DSB repair should help us to improve the efficiency of different types of genome engineering in plants.

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