Article
Neurosciences
Nancy V. N. Carullo, Jenna E. Hinds, Jasmin S. Revanna, Jennifer J. Tuscher, Allison J. Bauman, Jeremy J. Day
Summary: Targeted genetic and epigenetic modification is crucial in molecular neuroscience to understand gene regulatory mechanisms underlying complex behaviors. While CRISPR-based systems have revolutionized genome editing, few tools exist for cell-specific CRISPR activation in neurons. This study presents a Cre-dependent CRISPRa system with improved efficiency and specificity, providing a versatile tool for gene regulation in different model systems.
Article
Cell Biology
Silvana Duran-Ortiz, Edward O. List, Yuji Ikeno, Jonathan Young, Reetobrata Basu, Stephen Bell, Todd McHugh, Kevin Funk, Samuel Mathes, Yanrong Qian, Prateek Kulkarni, Shoshana Yakar, Darlene E. Berryman, John J. Kopchick
Summary: Studies suggest that reducing growth hormone action can enhance healthy lifespan. In adult mice, disrupted GH action resulted in sexual dimorphic effects, with males showing enhanced insulin sensitivity and reduced tumors, while females exhibited increased lifespan and reduced glucose and oxidative stress.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Behnam Enghiad, Chunshuai Huang, Fang Guo, Guangde Jiang, Bin Wang, S. Kasra Tabatabaei, Teresa A. Martin, Huimin Zhao
Summary: In this study, a scalable direct cloning method named CAPTURE was used to efficiently clone 47 BGCs and discover 15 previously uncharacterized natural products, including six cyclic heterodimers with a unique carbon skeleton, bipentaromycins A-F, which showed strong antimicrobial activity against various bacteria. The direct cloning method coupled with heterologous expression provides an effective strategy for large-scale discovery of novel natural products.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Christopher M. Jones, Sydney Parrish, David R. Nielsen
Summary: The study introduces a novel plasmid-free genome engineering approach in cyanobacteria, utilizing the polyploidy of their chromosomes to create stable and unmarked mutants efficiently. By integrating DNA modifying enzyme genes into essential genes on the chromosome and maintaining antibiotic selection, genetic editing can be achieved and the modifying enzyme gene can be promptly removed post-editing. This method demonstrates reusability and flexibility in constructing mutants without the need for additional shuttle vectors or counterselection systems.
ACS SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Nuoya Xu, Minjeong Kang, Jacob D. Zobrist, Kan Wang, Shui-zhang Fei
Summary: In this study, we established an efficient and reproducible transformation method for recalcitrant upland Switchgrass through ectopic overexpression of morphogenic genes. The Agrobacterium strain LBA4404Thy- showed higher transformation frequency compared to EHA105Thy-. The transgenic plants were confirmed by molecular detection and gene function analysis. This method provides a biotechnology approach for gene function analysis and germplasm improvement in Switchgrass.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Saori Yonebayashi, Kazuko Tajiri, Mari Hara, Hiromitsu Saito, Noboru Suzuki, Satoshi Sakai, Taizo Kimura, Akira Sato, Akiyo Sekimoto, Satoshi Fujita, Ryuji Okamoto, Robert J. Schwartz, Toshimichi Yoshida, Kyoko Imanaka-Yoshida
Summary: TNC is an extracellular matrix glycoprotein expressed during embryogenesis and up-regulated under pathological conditions. Overexpression of TNC is associated with poor clinical prognosis.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Zhifen Zhang, Yinping Guo, Kathleen Monfero Marasigan, Joann A. Conner, Peggy Ozias-Akins
Summary: "Expression of Cre recombinase by AtRps5a(pro) or AtDD45(pro) enabled precise transgene activation in hybrid cowpea and tobacco, but limitations were observed with AtUbq3(pro) restricting ZsGreen expression. Overcoming this limitation was achieved by driving ZsGreen expression with the AtUbq10 promoter, while using AtDD45(pro) to express Cre resulted in varying recombination frequencies between transgenic lines and crosses."
PLANT CELL REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Heather M. M. Terron, Derek S. S. Maranan, Luke A. A. Burgard, Frank M. M. LaFerla, Shelley Lane, Malcolm A. A. Leissring
Summary: The study presents a new TRE-Lox system that can achieve downregulation or genetic deletion of a target gene. The system is highly sensitive to Dox and allows for rapid and reversible downregulation of the target gene. It also enables complete deletion of the target gene through Cre recombinase. This novel system will facilitate the study of CatD in various diseases and can be applicable to other target genes requiring more complete disruption.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Letter
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Despoina Mademtzoglou, Perla Geara, Philippos Mourikis, Frederic Relaix
Summary: The Cre-lox system is commonly used for genetic studies, but in muscle stem cell research, it can cause inherent regeneration defects. Therefore, appropriate experimental design and controls are needed to prevent misinterpretation of experimental data in muscle stem cell genetic studies.
STEM CELL RESEARCH & THERAPY
(2023)
Article
Ophthalmology
Sriganesh Ramachandra Rao, Steven J. Fliesler
Summary: This study presents a simple, inexpensive, and rapid strategy for genotype-free identification of ectopic leakiness in cell type-specific Cre recombinase-mediated gene editing. By using a custom-designed 3D blue LED light box, any presumed specific Cre mouse line with ectopic or nonspecific Cre recombinase expression can be easily and quickly detected without the need for genotyping or causing distress to the animals.
EXPERIMENTAL EYE RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Indra Roux, Yit-Heng Chooi
Summary: This study developed a method for targeted chromosomal integration of large gene clusters in filamentous fungi and compared its performance to episomal expression. This lays the foundation for further tool development.
ACS SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Jeonghun Park, Jinseok Choi, Namyoon Lee
Summary: This paper develops tractable models for coverage analysis of satellite networks using stochastic geometry, characterizing the coverage probability as a function of relevant parameters. The optimal density of satellites is found to decrease logarithmically with satellite height to maximize coverage performance.
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Qinghua Zhou, Liangcheng Jiao, Wenjuan Li, Zhiming Hu, Yunchong Li, Houjin Zhang, Min Yang, Li Xu, Yunjun Yan
Summary: This study developed a novel and efficient genetic tool for targeted, repeated, and markerless gene integration in Y. lipolytica, demonstrating high integration efficiencies and confirming the feasibility of genome modification. The genetic tool was also effective for integrating other genes, loci, and strains, promoting the application of the Cre/lox system and presenting a powerful tool for genome engineering in Y. lipolytica.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Irena Krueger, Friedrich Reusswig, Kim Juergen Krott, Celina Fabienne Lersch, Martina Spelleken, Margitta Elvers
Summary: The study demonstrates that the mT/mG Cre reporter mouse is a suitable model for real-time visualization of platelets, analysis of cell morphology, and identification of non-recombined platelets. However, a small proportion of leukocytes exhibit mG fluorescence in PF4-Cre positive mice. Therefore, careful evaluation of platelet analysis beyond hemostasis and thrombosis should be conducted when increasing recombination of immune cells.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Prashanth Anamthathmakula, Philemon D. Shallie, Neha Nayak, Sabita Dhal, Jay L. Vivian, Gil Mor, Michael J. Soares, Nihar R. Nayak
Summary: The Cyp19-Cre transgenic mouse model was used for placenta-specific gene inactivation, but unexpected phenotypes were observed. Further analysis revealed heterogeneous recombinase activity in the placenta, which was influenced by parental inheritance. Therefore, extensive characterization and careful interpretation of placental phenotypes are necessary when using the Cyp19-Cre model for placenta-specific mutagenesis studies.
