In vivo diversification of target genomic sites using processive base deaminase fusions blocked by dCas9

Nat Commun. 2020 Dec 22;11(1):6436. doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-20230-z.

Abstract

In vivo mutagenesis systems accelerate directed protein evolution but often show restricted capabilities and deleterious off-site mutations on cells. To overcome these limitations, here we report an in vivo platform to diversify specific DNA segments based on protein fusions between various base deaminases (BD) and the T7 RNA polymerase (T7RNAP) that recognizes a cognate promoter oriented towards the target sequence. Transcriptional elongation of these fusions generates transitions C to T or A to G on both DNA strands and in long DNA segments. To delimit the boundaries of the diversified DNA, the catalytically dead Cas9 (dCas9) is tethered with custom-designed crRNAs as a "roadblock" for BD-T7RNAP elongation. Using this T7-targeted dCas9-limited in vivo mutagenesis (T7-DIVA) system, rapid molecular evolution of the antibiotic resistance gene TEM-1 is achieved. While the efficiency is demonstrated in E. coli, the system can be adapted to a variety of bacterial and eukaryotic hosts.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aminohydrolases / metabolism*
  • CRISPR-Associated Protein 9 / metabolism*
  • DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases / metabolism
  • Directed Molecular Evolution
  • Escherichia coli / genetics
  • Genome, Bacterial*
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Mutagenesis / genetics
  • Mutation / genetics
  • RNA, Guide, CRISPR-Cas Systems
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism*
  • Viral Proteins / metabolism
  • beta-Lactamases / metabolism

Substances

  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Viral Proteins
  • bacteriophage T7 RNA polymerase
  • DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases
  • CRISPR-Associated Protein 9
  • beta-Lactamases
  • beta-lactamase TEM-1
  • Aminohydrolases