Difference between revisions of "Template:Team:TU Eindhoven/Design HTML"

 
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<a style="text-decoration: none" href="https://2015.igem.org/Team:TU_Eindhoven/Project/Expression_System">
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<span class="tekst1BI">Dig Deeper</span><br />
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Read how unnatural amino acids enable click chemistry</span>
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<a style="text-decoration: none" href="https://2015.igem.org/Team:TU_Eindhoven/Project/Experimental_Approach">
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<span class="tekst1BI">Next Chapter</span><br />
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Explore how we tested our COMBs experimentally</span>
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Clickable Outer Membrane Biosensors
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Clickable Outer Membrane Biosensors - Design
 
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<h3>The recognition elements - Aptamers</h3><br />
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Molecular recognition is central to biosensing <a name="reft1" href="#ref1" class="textanchor">[1]</a>. The moieties responsible for molecular recognition are better known as recognition elements. Recognition elements frequently used in biosensors are <span class="tekst1B">aptamers</span>. These aptamers are small oligonucleotides which fold spontaneously into intricate <span class="tekst1B">three-dimensional structures</span>. These structures <span class="tekst1B">fit perfectly</span> into a wide range of disease markers, with affinities reaching into the low nanomolar range. Through modifications, these aptamers can be attached post-translationally to our proteins, resulting in a truly modular membrane sensor platform.
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<h3 id="h2-10">The recognition elements - Aptamers</h3><br />
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Molecular recognition is central to biosensing <a name="reft1" href="#ref1" class="textanchor">[1]</a>. The moieties responsible for molecular recognition are better known as recognition elements. Recognition elements frequently used in biosensors are <span class="tekst1B">aptamers</span>. These aptamers are small oligonucleotides which fold spontaneously into intricate <span class="tekst1B">three-dimensional structures</span>. These structures <span class="tekst1B">fit perfectly</span> into a wide range of disease markers, with affinities reaching into the low nanomolar range. Through modifications, these aptamers can be attached post-translationally to our proteins, resulting in a truly modular membrane sensor platform. Read more on aptamers: <a name="jump1a" href="#jump1b"><img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2015/5/5d/TU_Eindhoven_Jump_Button.png"/></a>
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Aptamers are folded oligo- nucleotides (orange) which perfectly fit into biomarkers (purple).<br/>
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Image credit: Flanders' FOOD
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<h3 id="h2-11">The scaffold - Outer Membrane Proteins</h3><br />
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Outer membrane proteins form an essential component for Gram-negative bacteria, providing the bacteria with protection against a harsh environment <a name="reft2" href="#ref2" class="textanchor">[2]</a>. <span class="tekst1B">More than six outer membrane protein families</span> have been discovered, which all share a beta barrel secondary structure. Thanks to this structure, the proteins feature <span class="tekst1B">loops protruding from the bacterial outer membrane</span>, and <span class="tekst1B">intracellular C-termini</span>. This enables clicking of aptamers to the membrane proteins and fusing signaling components to the outer membrane proteins intracellularly, making outer membrane proteins the perfect scaffold for COMBs. Read more on outer membrane proteins: <a name="jump2a" href="#jump2b"><img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2015/5/5d/TU_Eindhoven_Jump_Button.png"/></a>
 
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OMPs can feature as a scaffold as aptamers can be clicked on the protruding loops & signaling components fused intracellularly.
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<h3 id="h2-12">The signaling components</h3><br /><span class="tekst1">
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The signaling components used for COMBs translate a close proximity into a response. Signaling components which do exactly this are <span class="tekst1B">split luciferases & fluorescent and bioluminescent proteins</span>, through Resonance Energy Transfer. In the future, TEV Proteases may be used to translate a proximity into the release of the transcription factor, coupling COMBs recognition to the vast amount of cellular responses bacteria have available. Read more our signaling components: <a name="jump3a" href="#jump3b"><img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2015/5/5d/TU_Eindhoven_Jump_Button.png"/></a>
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<span class="caption">
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COMBs signaling components translate a close proximity into a measurable signal. Here shown is BRET.<br/>
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The Recognition Element – Aptamers
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The Recognition Element – Aptamers   <a name="jump1b" href="#jump1a"><img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2015/8/8a/TU_Eindhoven_Jump_Button_Back.png"></a>
 
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Since the discovery of the nucleic acid structure, nucleic acids were long thought to have a single function – storage of the heredity information as genetic instructions. Our perception on the function of DNA and RNA changed radically, however, as it was discovered that small RNA molecules could fold into a three-dimensional structure, exposing a surface onto which other small molecules could perfectly fit.  
 
Since the discovery of the nucleic acid structure, nucleic acids were long thought to have a single function – storage of the heredity information as genetic instructions. Our perception on the function of DNA and RNA changed radically, however, as it was discovered that small RNA molecules could fold into a three-dimensional structure, exposing a surface onto which other small molecules could perfectly fit.  
Soon after the discovery that nucleic acids could have interaction with other molecules, Craig Tuerk and Larry Gold described a procedure, called SELEX, to isolate high-affinity nucleic acid ligands for proteins through a Darwinian-like evolution process carried out in vitro <a name="reft3" href="#ref3" class="textanchor">[3]</a>  
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Soon after the discovery that nucleic acids could have interaction with other molecules, Craig Tuerk and Larry Gold described a procedure, called SELEX, to isolate high-affinity nucleic acid ligands for proteins through a Darwinian-like evolution process carried out in vitro <a name="reft3" href="#ref3" class="textanchor">[3]</a>.
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2015/8/87/TU_Eindhoven_Ingeklapt.png" id="spoilerbutton2" class="spoilerbutton">.<div class="spoiler" id="spoiler2">
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<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2015/8/87/TU_Eindhoven_Ingeklapt.png" id="spoilerbutton2" class="spoilerbutton"><div class="spoiler" id="spoiler2">
 
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2015/e/ea/TU_Eindhoven_SELEX.png" alt="SELEX" class="spoilerimage">  
 
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2015/e/ea/TU_Eindhoven_SELEX.png" alt="SELEX" class="spoilerimage">  
 
SELEX is an acronym for Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential enrichment. The process is carried out in vitro and requires a very large oligonucleotide library (~10<sup>15</sup> members), which can be generated by combinatorial DNA Synthesis. SELEX starts with incubation of the library with the target molecule. This incubation is followed by a washing step which ensures that only oligonucleotides with higher affinities are selected. Next, the oligonucleotides which are still present in the mixture after the washing step are recovered and amplified. During this amplification step, mutations are introduced into the oligonucleotides, yielding a new library. This library may again be incubated with the target molecule. Typically, these steps are repeated 8-15 times. In the last round of SELEX the oligonucleotides still present in the mixture are identified by sequencing.
 
SELEX is an acronym for Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential enrichment. The process is carried out in vitro and requires a very large oligonucleotide library (~10<sup>15</sup> members), which can be generated by combinatorial DNA Synthesis. SELEX starts with incubation of the library with the target molecule. This incubation is followed by a washing step which ensures that only oligonucleotides with higher affinities are selected. Next, the oligonucleotides which are still present in the mixture after the washing step are recovered and amplified. During this amplification step, mutations are introduced into the oligonucleotides, yielding a new library. This library may again be incubated with the target molecule. Typically, these steps are repeated 8-15 times. In the last round of SELEX the oligonucleotides still present in the mixture are identified by sequencing.
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25 Years after the discovery of Tuerk’s and Gold’s invention of Systemic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential enrichment (SELEX), aptamers have become available for hundreds of ligands, including proteins, viruses, other small molecules and even whole cells  
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25 Years after the discovery of Tuerk’s and Gold’s invention of SELEX, aptamers have become available for hundreds of ligands, including proteins, viruses, other small molecules and even whole cells.
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2015/8/87/TU_Eindhoven_Ingeklapt.png" id="spoilerbutton3" class="spoilerbutton">.<div class="spoiler" id="spoiler3">
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<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2015/8/87/TU_Eindhoven_Ingeklapt.png" id="spoilerbutton3" class="spoilerbutton"><div class="spoiler" id="spoiler3">
 
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2015/1/18/TU_Eindhoven_Pie-Chart-Aptamers.png" alt="Aptamers_Overview" class="spoilerimage">
 
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2015/1/18/TU_Eindhoven_Pie-Chart-Aptamers.png" alt="Aptamers_Overview" class="spoilerimage">
 
<br />Aptamer sequences have been published for over 500 ligands. These ligands include small molecules, viruses, proteins and whole cells. Among these are some very notable ligands, such as HIV, cancerous cells and ricin, the extremely toxic compound which plays a prominent role in the critically acclaimed Breaking Bad series. These figures were obtained through Aptamer Base, a collaboratively created knowledge base about aptamers and the experiments that produced them, curated and maintained by a team of aptamer researchers. For more information, visit <a href="http://aptamerbase.semanticscience.org/" target="_blank"> Aptamer Base's website</a>
 
<br />Aptamer sequences have been published for over 500 ligands. These ligands include small molecules, viruses, proteins and whole cells. Among these are some very notable ligands, such as HIV, cancerous cells and ricin, the extremely toxic compound which plays a prominent role in the critically acclaimed Breaking Bad series. These figures were obtained through Aptamer Base, a collaboratively created knowledge base about aptamers and the experiments that produced them, curated and maintained by a team of aptamer researchers. For more information, visit <a href="http://aptamerbase.semanticscience.org/" target="_blank"> Aptamer Base's website</a>
 
</div>
 
</div>
 
As such, aptamers have become a viable alternative for biology’s traditional recognition elements, antibodies.
 
As such, aptamers have become a viable alternative for biology’s traditional recognition elements, antibodies.
Aptamers also provide numerous advantages over antibodies. As mentioned, aptamers are oligonucleotides whereas antibodies are proteins. As such, aptamers have a remarkable stability in a wide range of pH and temperatures, have higher shelf lifes, are non-toxic and lack immunogenicity [<a name="reft4" href="#ref4" class="textanchor">4</a>, <a name="reft5" href="#ref5" class="textanchor">5</a>]. Other advantages stem from the fact that aptamers are generated in vitro, whereas antibodies are generated through in vivo enrichment followed by purification through monoclonal cell lines <a name="reft6" href="#ref6" class="textanchor">[6]</a>. As a result, generation of aptamers is less laborious, production costs are lower and reproducibility is higher. Finally, in contrast to antibodies, aptamers can be generated against virtually any molecule, including toxins and poor immunogenic targets <a name="reft7" href="#ref7" class="textanchor">[7]</a> . This places aptamers amongst the most powerful tools in biotechnology <a name="reft8" href="#ref8" class="textanchor">[8]</a>. <br />
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Aptamers also provide numerous advantages over antibodies. As mentioned, aptamers are oligonucleotides whereas antibodies are proteins. As such, aptamers have a remarkable stability in a wide range of pH and temperatures, have higher shelf lifes, are non-toxic and lack immunogenicity <a name="reft4" href="#ref4" class="textanchor">[4]</a><a name="reft5" href="#ref5" class="textanchor">[5]</a>. Other advantages stem from the fact that aptamers are generated in vitro, whereas antibodies are generated through in vivo enrichment followed by purification through monoclonal cell lines <a name="reft6" href="#ref6" class="textanchor">[6]</a>. As a result, generation of aptamers is less laborious, production costs are lower and reproducibility is higher. Finally, in contrast to antibodies, aptamers can be generated against virtually any molecule, including toxins and poor immunogenic targets <a name="reft7" href="#ref7" class="textanchor">[7]</a>. This places aptamers amongst the most powerful tools in biotechnology <a name="reft8" href="#ref8" class="textanchor">[8]</a>. <br />
A major limitation of aptamers in comparison with antibodies is their stability in vivo, where nucleic acids are rapidly degraded. Aptamers which have been used as therapeutic agents, for example, suffered from a half-life of 2 minutes <a name="reft9" href="#ref9" class="textanchor">[9]</a> . This problem has, however, partially been overcome by using chemical modifications to the aptamers. An example of these modifications are Spiegelmers <a name="reft8" href="#ref8" class="textanchor">[8]</a> . These oligonucleotides’ backbones contain L-Ribose instead of R-Ribose – “spiegel” means mirror. These mirrored aptamers are more stable in vivo, because they suffer less from degradation.
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A major limitation of aptamers in comparison with antibodies is their stability in vivo, where nucleic acids are rapidly degraded. Aptamers which have been used as therapeutic agents, for example, suffered from a half-life of 2 minutes <a name="reft9" href="#ref9" class="textanchor">[9]</a>. This problem has, however, partially been overcome by using chemical modifications to the aptamers. An example of these modifications are Spiegelmers <a name="reft8" href="#ref8" class="textanchor">[8]</a>. These oligonucleotides’ backbones contain L-Ribose instead of R-Ribose – “spiegel” means mirror. These mirrored aptamers are more stable in vivo, because they suffer less from degradation.
 
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<img class="right1" src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2015/8/80/TU_Eindhoven_design_aptamer.png" />
 
<img class="right1" src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2015/8/80/TU_Eindhoven_design_aptamer.png" />
 
<div class="right1"> <span class="caption" >
 
<div class="right1"> <span class="caption" >
Figure 2: Bifunctionality is required to bring the membrane proteins into close proximity.  
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Figure 1: Bifunctionality is required to bring the membrane proteins into close proximity.  
 
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<span class="caption" >
 
<span class="caption" >
Figure 3: Some ligands have multiple apitopes, such that a dual approach can be taken (see A). Thrombin (yellow) is one of the protein ligands which has two apitopes, allowing different aptamers to bind at different spots
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Figure 2: A) Some ligands have multiple apitopes, such that a dual approach can be taken. B) Thrombin (yellow) is one of the protein ligands which has two apitopes, allowing different aptamers to bind at different spots.
 
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<span class="tekst1">
Alternatively, aptamers can be split into two parts. These parts can form heterodimers and thereby self-assemble into the three-dimensional structure required for binding the apitope. A crucial choice in engineering split aptamers is the choice of splitting site <a name="reft11" href="#ref11" class="textanchor">[11]</a> . This choice is often not straightforward and the aptamer often suffers from a significantly decreased affinity. Obtaining split aptamers is, however, still in its infancy: of the approximately 100 small-molecule-binding aptamers, only six have been successfully engineered into split aptamers <a name="reft11" href="#ref11" class="textanchor">[11]</a>. <br /><br /><br />
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Alternatively, aptamers can be split into two parts. These parts can form heterodimers and thereby self-assemble into the three-dimensional structure required for binding the apitope. A crucial choice in engineering split aptamers is the choice of splitting site <a name="reft11" href="#ref11" class="textanchor">[11]</a>. This choice is often not straightforward and the aptamer often suffers from a significantly decreased affinity. Obtaining split aptamers is, however, still in its infancy: of the approximately 100 small-molecule-binding aptamers, only six have been successfully engineered into split aptamers <a name="reft11" href="#ref11" class="textanchor">[11]</a>. <br /><br /><br />
 
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<span class="caption" >
 
<span class="caption" >
Figure 4: Small molecules generally have only a single apitope. An alternative to the dual approach is the construction
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Figure 3: A) Small molecules generally have only a single apitope. An alternative to the dual approach is the construction
of split aptamers (see A). Engineering of split aptamers is complicated, but split-aptamers for three-way junction aptamers could be obtained through the method shown under B. The second image is adapted from Kent et al. <a name="reft11" href="#ref11" class="textanchor">[11]</a>.
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of split aptamers. B) Engineering of split aptamers is complicated, but split-aptamers for three-way junction aptamers could be obtained. The image under B is adapted from Kent et al. <a name="reft11" href="#ref11" class="textanchor">[11]</a>.
 
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The Scaffold - OmpX
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The Scaffold - OmpX     <a name="jump2b" href="#jump2a"><img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2015/8/8a/TU_Eindhoven_Jump_Button_Back.png"></a>
 
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To realize conduction of a signal over the cell membrane, the aptamers have to be attached to a membrane protein. A procedure to attach oligonucleotides to membrane proteins has succesfully been tested by iGEM TU Eindhoven 2014. They presented this procedure as a part of their Click Coli project to the iGEM community. The procedure exploits the SPAAC reaction, which is one of the most well-described click chemistry reactions available (see Figure 5). <br /><br /><br />
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To realize conduction of a signal over the cell membrane, the aptamers have to be attached to a membrane protein. A procedure to attach oligonucleotides to membrane proteins has succesfully been tested by iGEM TU Eindhoven 2014. They presented this procedure as a part of their Click Coli project to the iGEM community. The procedure exploits the SPAAC reaction, which is one of the most well-described click chemistry reactions available (see Figure 4). <br /><br /><br />
 
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<div class="right1">
 
<span class="caption">
 
<span class="caption">
Figure 5: Strain-promoted Azide-Alkyne Cycloaddition (SPAAC) is a well known click-chemistry reaction.
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Figure 4: Strain-promoted Azide-Alkyne Cycloaddition (SPAAC) is a well known click chemistry reaction.
 
The reaction features two molecules, one functionalized with an azide group (A) and one functionalized
 
The reaction features two molecules, one functionalized with an azide group (A) and one functionalized
 
with a cyclooctyne group (B). SPAAC is very efficient and selective, no further reagents have to
 
with a cyclooctyne group (B). SPAAC is very efficient and selective, no further reagents have to
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methodologies, such as yeast display and phage display <a name="reft12" href="#ref12" class="textanchor">[12]</a>. The protein itself is derived from the
 
methodologies, such as yeast display and phage display <a name="reft12" href="#ref12" class="textanchor">[12]</a>. The protein itself is derived from the
 
naturally occuring Outer membrane protein X (OmpX) through circular permutation (see Figure
 
naturally occuring Outer membrane protein X (OmpX) through circular permutation (see Figure
6). Circular permutation was a necessary step to obtain the termini on the exterior of the bacterial
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5). Circular permutation was a necessary step to obtain the termini on the exterior of the bacterial
 
cells.<br /><br />
 
cells.<br /><br />
 
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<span class="caption">
 
<span class="caption">
Figure 6: CPX (right) is a membrane protein derived from OmpX (left) through circular permutation.
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Figure 5: CPX (right) is a membrane protein derived from OmpX (left) through circular permutation.
 
OmpX and CPX feature signal sequences (yellow) which ensure that the membrane protein is localized
 
OmpX and CPX feature signal sequences (yellow) which ensure that the membrane protein is localized
 
to E.coli’s outer membrane. These signal sequences are cleaved from the peptides after localization. In
 
to E.coli’s outer membrane. These signal sequences are cleaved from the peptides after localization. In
CPX, an Amber stop codon was introduced to introduce a non-natural azide-functionalized amino acid.  
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CPX, an amber stop codon was introduced to introduce a unnatural azide-functionalized amino acid.  
 
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<span class="tekst1">
iGEM Eindhoven 2014 inserted an Amber stop codon (TAG) at the N-terminus to enable expression
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iGEM Eindhoven 2014 inserted an amber stop codon (TAG) at the N-terminus to enable expression
of an azide-functionalized amino acid. This amino-acid could be used to attach DBCO-functionalized
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of an azide-functionalized amino acid. This amino acid could be used to attach DBCO-functionalized
 
molecules to the membrane protein, allowing synthetic biologists to attach virtually
 
molecules to the membrane protein, allowing synthetic biologists to attach virtually
any molecule to the cell membrane (see Figure 7). The now azide-functionalized CPX-protein was
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any molecule to the cell membrane (see Figure 6). The now azide-functionalized CPX-protein was
dubbed Clicker Outer Membrane Protein x (COMPx) by iGEM TU Eindhoven 2014. <br />
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dubbed Clickable Outer Membrane Protein x (COMPx) by iGEM TU Eindhoven 2014. <br />
 
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<br />
Figure 7: The azide-functionalized amino acid enables clicking any DBCO-functionalized molecule to
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Figure 6: The azide-functionalized amino acid enables clicking any DBCO-functionalized molecule to
be attached to the cell membrane through SPAAC-click chemistry. iGEM TU Eindhoven 2014 called this
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be attached to the cell membrane through SPAAC click chemistry. iGEM TU Eindhoven 2014 called this
 
azide-functionalized CPX COMPx.
 
azide-functionalized CPX COMPx.
 
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intracellular domains, we devised to revert to go back to the basis and use OmpX rather than CPX
 
intracellular domains, we devised to revert to go back to the basis and use OmpX rather than CPX
 
as the platform for our clickable outer membrane proteins. The azide-functionalized amino acid will be
 
as the platform for our clickable outer membrane proteins. The azide-functionalized amino acid will be
introduced in the loops of OmpX, to which the aptamers can be attached (see Figure 8). <br /><br />
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introduced in the loops of OmpX, to which the aptamers can be attached (see Figure 7). <br /><br />
 
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Figure 8: For our signaling proteins, we revert to the basis: OmpX. We functionalize OmpX by introducing
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Figure 7: For our signaling proteins, we revert to the basis: OmpX. We functionalize OmpX by introducing
the Amber stop codon into its loops (red). The signaling domains are fused to OmpX C-terminally,
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the amber stop codon into its loops (red). The signaling domains are fused to OmpX C-terminally,
 
since the N-terminus is occupied by the signaling sequence (yellow). The signaling sequence is cleaved
 
since the N-terminus is occupied by the signaling sequence (yellow). The signaling sequence is cleaved
 
from OmpX after localization.
 
from OmpX after localization.
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<span class="tekst1">
 
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The Amber stop codon will be incorporated in the protruding loops of OmpX. We have chosen
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The amber stop codon will be incorporated in the protruding loops of OmpX. We have chosen
 
to introduce the mutations into the loops since they are easily accessible and are not a part of the
 
to introduce the mutations into the loops since they are easily accessible and are not a part of the
 
beta-barrel of OmpX [<a name="reft12" href="#ref12" class="textanchor">12]</a>. Hence, we believe that mutations in the loops will not disturb the secondary
 
beta-barrel of OmpX [<a name="reft12" href="#ref12" class="textanchor">12]</a>. Hence, we believe that mutations in the loops will not disturb the secondary
structure of OmpX (see Figure 9B). <br />
+
structure of OmpX (see Figure 8B). <br />
 
</span>
 
</span>
  
Line 273: Line 336:
 
<br />
 
<br />
 
<br />
 
<br />
Figure 9: A) The OmpX protein structure has been elucidated through NMR and X-ray crystallography,
+
Figure 8: A) The OmpX protein structure has been elucidated through NMR and X-ray crystallography.
B) the square residues are important for the secondary structure of OmpX. To keep the structure
+
B) The square residues are important for the secondary structure of OmpX. To keep the structure
intact, we introduce an amber stop codon in one of the protruding loops. Figure 5B is adapted from <a name="reft13" href="#ref13" class="textanchor">[13]</a>.
+
intact, we introduce an amber stop codon in one of the protruding loops. Figure 8B is adapted from <a name="reft13" href="#ref13" class="textanchor">[13]</a>.
 
<br /><br /><br />
 
<br /><br /><br />
 
</span>
 
</span>
Line 286: Line 349:
 
<br />
 
<br />
 
The to be substituted residues in the loops were chosen in such a way that the clicked aptamer would protrude from
 
The to be substituted residues in the loops were chosen in such a way that the clicked aptamer would protrude from
OmpX. Moreover, residues were selected such that the signaling proteins structure closely resembles OmpX natural’s
+
OmpX. Moreover, residues were selected such that the signaling protein's structure closely resembles OmpX natural’s
 
structure. The serine residue in loop 2 was chosen since it was the only available residue with side-groups
 
structure. The serine residue in loop 2 was chosen since it was the only available residue with side-groups
 
pointing outward from OmpX. The tyrosine residue in loop 3 was chosen both because tyrosine closely resembles
 
pointing outward from OmpX. The tyrosine residue in loop 3 was chosen both because tyrosine closely resembles
the non-natural azide-functionalized amino acid (see Figure 10) and because the tyrosine points outward from
+
the unnatural azide-functionalized amino acid (see Figure 9) and because the tyrosine points outward from
 
OmpX. <br /><br />
 
OmpX. <br /><br />
 
</span>
 
</span>
Line 297: Line 360:
 
<span class="caption">
 
<span class="caption">
 
</br>
 
</br>
Figure 10: The non-natural azide-functionalized amino acid closely resembles tyrosine  
+
Figure 9: The unnatural azide-functionalized amino acid closely resembles tyrosine.
 
</span>
 
</span>
 
</div>
 
</div>
Line 308: Line 371:
  
 
<h1 id="h1-4">  
 
<h1 id="h1-4">  
The Signaling Components - NanoLuc &amp; Neongreen
+
The Signaling Components     <a name="jump3b" href="#jump3a"><img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2015/8/8a/TU_Eindhoven_Jump_Button_Back.png"></a>
 
</h1>
 
</h1>
 
<br />
 
<br />
Line 317: Line 380:
 
complex signaling pathways, which feature signal amplification, signal integration and cross communication
 
complex signaling pathways, which feature signal amplification, signal integration and cross communication
 
<a name="reft14" href="#ref14" class="textanchor">[14]</a>. In addition to the vast amount of effects signaling pathways can have, these pathways
 
<a name="reft14" href="#ref14" class="textanchor">[14]</a>. In addition to the vast amount of effects signaling pathways can have, these pathways
operate over a staggering range of time scales: some signaling pathways act within less than
+
operate over a staggering range of time scales; some signaling pathways act within less than
 
a second, whereas others affect cell behavior only after hours or days.<br />
 
a second, whereas others affect cell behavior only after hours or days.<br />
 
An essential aspect of a universal membrane sensor is that it allows for these wide ranges of time
 
An essential aspect of a universal membrane sensor is that it allows for these wide ranges of time
Line 338: Line 401:
 
Energy Transfer and the use of split luciferases. Even though these principles are very different,
 
Energy Transfer and the use of split luciferases. Even though these principles are very different,
 
both response elements emit light, yielding a measurable signal. After ligand binding, these signaling
 
both response elements emit light, yielding a measurable signal. After ligand binding, these signaling
components yield an virtually immediate response.
+
components yield a virtually immediate response.
 
<br />
 
<br />
 
<br />
 
<br />
Line 351: Line 414:
 
<br />
 
<br />
 
<br />
 
<br />
Figure 11 - Resonance energy transfer (A) and split luciferases (B) both translate close proximity into a
+
Figure 10: A) Resonance Energy Transfer and B) split luciferases both translate close proximity into a
 
measurable signal in the form of light.
 
measurable signal in the form of light.
 
</span>
 
</span>
Line 367: Line 430:
 
its ‘excited state’ falls back to its ‘ground state’. The energy which is released by the electron falling
 
its ‘excited state’ falls back to its ‘ground state’. The energy which is released by the electron falling
 
back to its ground state is normally released in the form of light. In the case of Resonance Energy
 
back to its ground state is normally released in the form of light. In the case of Resonance Energy
Transfer, however, the energy of the electron falling back to its ground state is not released in the
+
Transfer, however, the energy of the electron falling back to its ground state is coupled to a transition of an electron in the RET Acceptor from its ground state
form of light, but coupled to a transition of an electron in the RET Acceptor to from its ground state
+
to the excited state (see Figure 11).  
to the excited state (see Figure 12).  
+
 
<br />
 
<br />
 
<br />
 
<br />
Line 379: Line 441:
 
<br />
 
<br />
 
<br />
 
<br />
Figure 12 - Simplified energy-level diagram of RET. Panel A): Normally, an excited electron falls back to
+
Figure 11: Simplified energy-level diagram of RET. A) Normally, an excited electron falls back to
its ground state under the emission of light (a radiative transition). Panel B): In the case of Resonance
+
its ground state under the emission of light (a radiative transition). B) In the case of Resonance
 
Electron Transfer, an excited electron in the donor falls back to its ground state. This transition is coupled
 
Electron Transfer, an excited electron in the donor falls back to its ground state. This transition is coupled
 
to the excitation of an electron in the acceptor. This excited electron falls back normally under the
 
to the excitation of an electron in the acceptor. This excited electron falls back normally under the
Line 395: Line 457:
 
The efficiency of Resonance Energy Transfer is known to be dependent on a few factors, most
 
The efficiency of Resonance Energy Transfer is known to be dependent on a few factors, most
 
importantly the relative orientation of the chromophores as well as the mutual distance of the
 
importantly the relative orientation of the chromophores as well as the mutual distance of the
chromophores [15]. A decreased mutual distance between the donor and acceptor increases the
+
chromophores <a name="reft15" href="#ref15" class="textanchor">[15]</a>. A decreased mutual distance between the donor and acceptor increases the efficiency very significantly. This feature of Resonance Energy Transfer is exploited in the design
efficiency very significantly. This feature of Resonance Energy Transfer is exploited in the design
+
of our membrane sensor. As a result of the reduced distance between the donor and acceptor, Resonance Energy
of our membrane sensor.
+
Transfer is thus more efficient. Relatively more light will be emitted by the acceptor
As a result of the reduced distance between the RET-donor and RET-acceptor, Resonance Energy
+
when the ligand is bound. The resulting signal is thus, per definition, ratiometric. Intensity of the light emitted by the donor will decrease and intensity of the light emitted by the acceptor will increase as a consequence of ligand binding (see Figure 12).
Transfer is thus more efficient. As a result, relatively more light will be emitted by the acceptor
+
when the lgiand is bound. The resulting signal is thus, per definition ratiometric. As a result of
+
ligand binding, intensity of the light emitted by the donor will decrease and intensity of the light
+
emitted by the acceptor will increase (see Figure 13).
+
 
</span>
 
</span>
  
Line 414: Line 472:
 
<br />
 
<br />
 
<br />
 
<br />
Figure 13 - Panel A): Efficient energy transfer is not possible since the donor and fluorophore are to remote.
+
Figure 12: A) Efficient energy transfer is not possible since the donor and fluorophore are to remote.
Panel B): Efficient energy transfer is possible due to the proximity of the donor and acceptor. As a
+
B) Efficient energy transfer is possible due to the proximity of the donor and acceptor. As a
 
result, light intensity of the donor decreases whereas light intensity of the acceptor increases.
 
result, light intensity of the donor decreases whereas light intensity of the acceptor increases.
 
</span>
 
</span>
Line 436: Line 494:
 
light by converting the substrate. As such, these split luciferases have become a major tool to
 
light by converting the substrate. As such, these split luciferases have become a major tool to
 
study protein-protein interactions: these interactions are coupled to a close proximity of the proteins,
 
study protein-protein interactions: these interactions are coupled to a close proximity of the proteins,
allowing the parts to assemble into the functional luciferase and emit light (see Figure 14).
+
allowing the parts to assemble into the functional luciferase and emit light (see Figure 13).
 
We use these split luciferases in addition to BRET as a rapid signaling component.
 
We use these split luciferases in addition to BRET as a rapid signaling component.
 
</span>
 
</span>
Line 448: Line 506:
 
<br />
 
<br />
 
<br />
 
<br />
Figure 14 - Panel A): The split parts of the luciferase are too remote to assemble into the functional luciferase,
+
Figure 13: A) The split parts of the luciferase are too remote to assemble into the functional luciferase. B) Upon ligand binding, the two luciferases can self-assemble into the functional luciferase.
Panel B): Upon ligand binding, the two luciferases can self-assemble into the functional luciferase,
+
 
restoring its capability to produce light from the substrate, yielding a measurable signal.
 
restoring its capability to produce light from the substrate, yielding a measurable signal.
 
</span>
 
</span>
Line 462: Line 519:
 
<div class="references">
 
<div class="references">
 
<span class="caption">
 
<span class="caption">
<a href="#reft1" name="ref1">[1]</a> J. P. Chambers, B. P. Arulanandam, L. L. Matta, A. Weis, and J. J. Valdes, “Biosensor recognition elements,Curr. Issues Mol. Biol., vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 1–12, 2008. <br />
+
<a href="#reft1" name="ref1">[1]</a> Chambers J.P., Arulanandam B.P., Matta L.L., Weis A. and Valdes J.J., “Biosensor recognition elements”, Curr. Issues Mol. Biol., vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 1–12, 2008. <br />
<a href="#reft3" name="ref3">[3]</a> C. Tuerk and L. Gold, “Systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment: RNA ligands to bacteriophage T4 DNA polymerase.,Science, vol. 249, no. 4968, pp. 505–10, Aug. 1990.<br />
+
<a href="#reft2" name="ref2">[2]</a>    Koebnik R., Locher K.P. and Van Gelder P., “Structure and function of bacterial outer membrane proteins: barrels in a nutshell”, Mol. Microbiol., vol. 37, no. 2, pp. 239–53, Jul. 2000. <br />
<a href="#reft4" name="ref4">[4]</a> D. Musumeci and D. Montesarchio, “Polyvalent nucleic acid aptamers and modulation of their activity: A focus on the thrombin binding aptamer,Pharmacol. Ther., vol. 136, no. 2, pp. 202–215, 2012.<br />
+
<a href="#reft3" name="ref3">[3]</a> Tuerk C. and Gold L., “Systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment: RNA ligands to bacteriophage T4 DNA polymerase”, Science, vol. 249, no. 4968, pp. 505–10, Aug. 1990.<br />
<a href="#reft5" name="ref5">[5]</a> A. Cibiel, C. Pestourie, and F. Ducongé, “In vivo uses of aptamers selected against cell surface biomarkers for therapy and molecular imaging,Biochimie, vol. 94, no. 7, pp. 1595–1606, 2012.<br />
+
<a href="#reft4" name="ref4">[4]</a> Musumeci D. and Montesarchio D., “Polyvalent nucleic acid aptamers and modulation of their activity: A focus on the thrombin binding aptamer”, Pharmacol. Ther., vol. 136, no. 2, pp. 202–15, Jul. 2012.<br />
<a href="#reft6" name="ref6">[6]</a> L. H. Lauridsen and R. N. Veedu, “Nucleic acid aptamers against biotoxins: a new paradigm toward the treatment and diagnostic approach.,Nucleic Acid Ther., vol. 22, no. 6, pp. 371–9, 2012.<br />
+
<a href="#reft5" name="ref5">[5]</a> Cibiel A., Pestourie C. and Ducongé F., “In vivo uses of aptamers selected against cell surface biomarkers for therapy and molecular imaging”, Biochimie, vol. 94, no. 7, pp. 1595–1606, Feb. 2012.<br />
<a href="#reft7" name="ref7">[7]</a> A. Rhouati, C. Yang, A. Hayat, and J. L. Marty, “Aptamers: A promosing tool for ochratoxin a detection in food analysis,Toxins (Basel)., vol. 5, no. 11, pp. 1988–2008, 2013.<br />
+
<a href="#reft6" name="ref6">[6]</a> Lauridsen L.H. and Veedu R.N., “Nucleic acid aptamers against biotoxins: a new paradigm toward the treatment and diagnostic approach”, Nucleic Acid Ther., vol. 22, no. 6, pp. 371–79, Oct. 2012.<br />
<a href="#reft8" name="ref8">[8]</a> F. Radom, P. M. Jurek, M. P. Mazurek, J. Otlewski, and F. Jeleń, “Aptamers: Molecules of great potential,Biotechnol. Adv., vol. 31, no. 8, pp. 1260–1274, 2013.<br />
+
<a href="#reft7" name="ref7">[7]</a> Rhouati A., Yang C., Hayat A. and Marty J.L., “Aptamers: A promosing tool for ochratoxin a detection in food analysis”, Toxins (Basel)., vol. 5, no. 11, pp. 1988–2008, Nov. 2013.<br />
<a href="#reft9" name="ref9">[9]</a> B. J. Hicke, A. W. Stephens, T. Gould, Y.-F. Chang, C. K. Lynott, J. Heil, S. Borkowski, C.-S. Hilger, G. Cook, S. Warren, and P. G. Schmidt, “Tumor Targeting by an Aptamer,J. Nucl. Med., vol. 47, no. 4, pp. 668–678, Apr. 2006.<br />
+
<a href="#reft8" name="ref8">[8]</a> Radom F., Jurek P.M., Mazurek M.P., Otlewski J. and Jeleń F., “Aptamers: Molecules of great potential”, Biotechnol. Adv., vol. 31, no. 8, pp. 1260–74, Apr. 2013.<br />
<a href="#reft10" name="ref10">[10]</a> Y. Wu, K. Sefah, H. Liu, R. Wang, and W. Tan, “DNA aptamer-micelle as an efficient detection/delivery vehicle toward cancer cells.,Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A., vol. 107, no. 1, pp. 5–10, 2010.<br />
+
<a href="#reft9" name="ref9">[9]</a> Hicke B.J. et al., “Tumor Targeting by an Aptamer”, J. Nucl. Med., vol. 47, no. 4, pp. 668–78, Apr. 2006.<br />
<a href="#reft11" name="ref11">[11]</a> A. D. Kent, N. G. Spiropulos, and J. M. Heemstra, “General approach for engineering small-molecule-binding DNA split aptamers,Anal. Chem., vol. 85, no. 20, pp. 9916–9923, 2013.<br />
+
<a href="#reft10" name="ref10">[10]</a> Wu Y., Sefah K., Liu H., Wang R. and Tan W., “DNA aptamer-micelle as an efficient detection/delivery vehicle toward cancer cells”, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A., vol. 107, no. 1, pp. 5–10, Nov. 2009.<br />
<a href="#reft12" name="ref12">[12]</a> J. J. Rice, A. Schohn, P. H. Bessette, K. T. Boulware, and P. S. Daugherty, “Bacterial display using circularly permuted outer membrane protein OmpX yields high affinity peptide ligands.,Protein Sci., vol. 15, no. 4, pp. 825–36, Apr. 2006.<br />
+
<a href="#reft11" name="ref11">[11]</a> Kent A.D., Spiropulos N.G. and Heemstra J.M., “General approach for engineering small-molecule-binding DNA split aptamers”, Anal. Chem., vol. 85, no. 20, pp. 9916–23, Oct. 2013.<br />
<a href="#reft13" name="ref13">[13]</a> J. Vogt and G. E. Schulz, “The structure of the outer membrane protein OmpX from Escherichia coli reveals possible mechanisms of virulence.,Structure, vol. 7, no. 10, pp. 1301–9, Oct. 1999.<br />
+
<a href="#reft12" name="ref12">[12]</a> Rice J.J., Schohn A., Bessette P.H., Boulware K.T. and Daugherty P.S., “Bacterial display using circularly permuted outer membrane protein OmpX yields high affinity peptide ligands”, Protein Sci., vol. 15, no. 4, pp. 825–36, Apr. 2006.<br />
<a href="#reft14" name="ref14">[14]</a> W. Alberts, Johnson, Lewis, Raff, Roberts, Molecular Biology of The Cell. Pearson, 2005.<br />
+
<a href="#reft13" name="ref13">[13]</a> Vogt J. and Schulz G.E., “The structure of the outer membrane protein OmpX from Escherichia coli reveals possible mechanisms of virulence”, Structure, vol. 7, no. 10, pp. 1301–9, Oct. 1999.<br />
<a href="#reft15" name="ref15">[15]</a> I. Medintz and N. Hildebrandt, Eds., FRET - Förster Resonance Energy Transfer. Weinheim, Germany: Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 2013. <br />
+
<a href="#reft14" name="ref14">[14]</a> Alberts, Johnson, Lewis, Raff, Roberts, Molecular Biology of The Cell. Pearson, 2005.<br />
 +
<a href="#reft15" name="ref15">[15]</a> Medintz I. and Hildebrandt N., Eds., FRET - Förster Resonance Energy Transfer. Weinheim, Germany: Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 2013. <br />
 
</span>
 
</span>
 
<br />
 
<br />

Latest revision as of 18:45, 18 September 2015






Clickable Outer Membrane Biosensors - Design



We have developed Clickable Outer Membrane Biosensors as a universal membrane sensor platform for biosensors. Our dream is that any chassis may be functionalized with COMBs. This chassis should then be able to detect virtually any biomarker and translate detection of this biomarker into any desired response. To obtain such a system, it is of the utmost importance that the system is inherently modular. The modularity of our system is reached through rational choices for the recognition element, the scaffold and the signaling components for our COMBs.

The recognition elements - Aptamers


Molecular recognition is central to biosensing [1]. The moieties responsible for molecular recognition are better known as recognition elements. Recognition elements frequently used in biosensors are aptamers. These aptamers are small oligonucleotides which fold spontaneously into intricate three-dimensional structures. These structures fit perfectly into a wide range of disease markers, with affinities reaching into the low nanomolar range. Through modifications, these aptamers can be attached post-translationally to our proteins, resulting in a truly modular membrane sensor platform. Read more on aptamers:


The scaffold - Outer Membrane Proteins


Outer membrane proteins form an essential component for Gram-negative bacteria, providing the bacteria with protection against a harsh environment [2]. More than six outer membrane protein families have been discovered, which all share a beta barrel secondary structure. Thanks to this structure, the proteins feature loops protruding from the bacterial outer membrane, and intracellular C-termini. This enables clicking of aptamers to the membrane proteins and fusing signaling components to the outer membrane proteins intracellularly, making outer membrane proteins the perfect scaffold for COMBs. Read more on outer membrane proteins:

The signaling components


The signaling components used for COMBs translate a close proximity into a response. Signaling components which do exactly this are split luciferases & fluorescent and bioluminescent proteins, through Resonance Energy Transfer. In the future, TEV Proteases may be used to translate a proximity into the release of the transcription factor, coupling COMBs recognition to the vast amount of cellular responses bacteria have available. Read more our signaling components:







The Recognition Element – Aptamers



Since the discovery of the nucleic acid structure, nucleic acids were long thought to have a single function – storage of the heredity information as genetic instructions. Our perception on the function of DNA and RNA changed radically, however, as it was discovered that small RNA molecules could fold into a three-dimensional structure, exposing a surface onto which other small molecules could perfectly fit. Soon after the discovery that nucleic acids could have interaction with other molecules, Craig Tuerk and Larry Gold described a procedure, called SELEX, to isolate high-affinity nucleic acid ligands for proteins through a Darwinian-like evolution process carried out in vitro [3].
SELEX SELEX is an acronym for Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential enrichment. The process is carried out in vitro and requires a very large oligonucleotide library (~1015 members), which can be generated by combinatorial DNA Synthesis. SELEX starts with incubation of the library with the target molecule. This incubation is followed by a washing step which ensures that only oligonucleotides with higher affinities are selected. Next, the oligonucleotides which are still present in the mixture after the washing step are recovered and amplified. During this amplification step, mutations are introduced into the oligonucleotides, yielding a new library. This library may again be incubated with the target molecule. Typically, these steps are repeated 8-15 times. In the last round of SELEX the oligonucleotides still present in the mixture are identified by sequencing.
This procedure enabled researchers to discover oligonucleotides with high affinities and a perfect fit for arbitrary proteins, cells, small molecules and even viruses. After this perfect fit, these synthetic oligonucleotides were called ‘aptamers’ – stemming from the Latin aptus which can be translated into ‘fit’.



The Rise of Aptamers



25 Years after the discovery of Tuerk’s and Gold’s invention of SELEX, aptamers have become available for hundreds of ligands, including proteins, viruses, other small molecules and even whole cells.
Aptamers_Overview
Aptamer sequences have been published for over 500 ligands. These ligands include small molecules, viruses, proteins and whole cells. Among these are some very notable ligands, such as HIV, cancerous cells and ricin, the extremely toxic compound which plays a prominent role in the critically acclaimed Breaking Bad series. These figures were obtained through Aptamer Base, a collaboratively created knowledge base about aptamers and the experiments that produced them, curated and maintained by a team of aptamer researchers. For more information, visit Aptamer Base's website
As such, aptamers have become a viable alternative for biology’s traditional recognition elements, antibodies. Aptamers also provide numerous advantages over antibodies. As mentioned, aptamers are oligonucleotides whereas antibodies are proteins. As such, aptamers have a remarkable stability in a wide range of pH and temperatures, have higher shelf lifes, are non-toxic and lack immunogenicity [4][5]. Other advantages stem from the fact that aptamers are generated in vitro, whereas antibodies are generated through in vivo enrichment followed by purification through monoclonal cell lines [6]. As a result, generation of aptamers is less laborious, production costs are lower and reproducibility is higher. Finally, in contrast to antibodies, aptamers can be generated against virtually any molecule, including toxins and poor immunogenic targets [7]. This places aptamers amongst the most powerful tools in biotechnology [8].
A major limitation of aptamers in comparison with antibodies is their stability in vivo, where nucleic acids are rapidly degraded. Aptamers which have been used as therapeutic agents, for example, suffered from a half-life of 2 minutes [9]. This problem has, however, partially been overcome by using chemical modifications to the aptamers. An example of these modifications are Spiegelmers [8]. These oligonucleotides’ backbones contain L-Ribose instead of R-Ribose – “spiegel” means mirror. These mirrored aptamers are more stable in vivo, because they suffer less from degradation.



Aptamers in Biotechnology



Since aptamers can be easily modified chemically, they can be attached to numerous surfaces, enabling their way into a wide array of biosensors and drug delivery systems. Generally, the biosensors couple binding of the aptamer to a change in structure in the latter, which generates either a fluorescent or electrical signal. Aptamers have also found their way into drug delivery systems. A particular example of such a system is developed by Wu et al., featuring aptamers targeted at cancer cells with lipid tails. These aptamers could be used as building blocks of micelles, enabling efficient delivery of the micelles to cancerous cells [10] .


Aptamers in our Biosensor



Aptamers constitute the ideal sensor domain for our universal membrane sensor: they can be targeted at virtually any molecule, can easily be attached to the membrane using SPAAC chemistry and offer affinities similar to antibodies. Taking into account their remarkable stability and small size, they are unmatched by the traditional recognition elements of biotechnology, antibodies. An essential requirement for our system which limits the choice of aptamers is bifunctionality: the system relies on bringing two membrane proteins in close proximity by binding the ligand with two different moieties. Conceptually, this bifunctionality can be reached either through the use of dual aptamers or through the use of split aptamers.

Figure 1: Bifunctionality is required to bring the membrane proteins into close proximity.

Dual Aptamers



The first way in which bifunctionality can be reached is through the use of dual aptamers acting on different binding sites, called apitopes. A well-known example of a ligand for which dual aptamers are available is human thrombin. A drawback of the use of dual aptamers is that these are in general not available for small molecules and viruses, significantly reducing the available targets for the aptamers. The main target for dual aptamers are proteins.




Figure 2: A) Some ligands have multiple apitopes, such that a dual approach can be taken. B) Thrombin (yellow) is one of the protein ligands which has two apitopes, allowing different aptamers to bind at different spots.

Split Aptamers



Alternatively, aptamers can be split into two parts. These parts can form heterodimers and thereby self-assemble into the three-dimensional structure required for binding the apitope. A crucial choice in engineering split aptamers is the choice of splitting site [11]. This choice is often not straightforward and the aptamer often suffers from a significantly decreased affinity. Obtaining split aptamers is, however, still in its infancy: of the approximately 100 small-molecule-binding aptamers, only six have been successfully engineered into split aptamers [11].


Figure 3: A) Small molecules generally have only a single apitope. An alternative to the dual approach is the construction of split aptamers. B) Engineering of split aptamers is complicated, but split-aptamers for three-way junction aptamers could be obtained. The image under B is adapted from Kent et al. [11].






The Scaffold - OmpX



To realize conduction of a signal over the cell membrane, the aptamers have to be attached to a membrane protein. A procedure to attach oligonucleotides to membrane proteins has succesfully been tested by iGEM TU Eindhoven 2014. They presented this procedure as a part of their Click Coli project to the iGEM community. The procedure exploits the SPAAC reaction, which is one of the most well-described click chemistry reactions available (see Figure 4).


Figure 4: Strain-promoted Azide-Alkyne Cycloaddition (SPAAC) is a well known click chemistry reaction. The reaction features two molecules, one functionalized with an azide group (A) and one functionalized with a cyclooctyne group (B). SPAAC is very efficient and selective, no further reagents have to be added to the reaction method and the reaction is completely bio-orthogonal. This image was adapted from last year’s iGEM team’s wiki.

As a proof of concept, iGEM TU Eindhoven employed two membrane proteins as anchors, to which they anchored DNA. These membrane proteins were CPX and INPNC. CPX in particular showed promising results and is still being explored today.


CPX & OmpX



CPX is a membrane display protein developed by Rice et al. as an alternative to traditional display methodologies, such as yeast display and phage display [12]. The protein itself is derived from the naturally occuring Outer membrane protein X (OmpX) through circular permutation (see Figure 5). Circular permutation was a necessary step to obtain the termini on the exterior of the bacterial cells.

Figure 5: CPX (right) is a membrane protein derived from OmpX (left) through circular permutation. OmpX and CPX feature signal sequences (yellow) which ensure that the membrane protein is localized to E.coli’s outer membrane. These signal sequences are cleaved from the peptides after localization. In CPX, an amber stop codon was introduced to introduce a unnatural azide-functionalized amino acid.

iGEM Eindhoven 2014 inserted an amber stop codon (TAG) at the N-terminus to enable expression of an azide-functionalized amino acid. This amino acid could be used to attach DBCO-functionalized molecules to the membrane protein, allowing synthetic biologists to attach virtually any molecule to the cell membrane (see Figure 6). The now azide-functionalized CPX-protein was dubbed Clickable Outer Membrane Protein x (COMPx) by iGEM TU Eindhoven 2014.



Figure 6: The azide-functionalized amino acid enables clicking any DBCO-functionalized molecule to be attached to the cell membrane through SPAAC click chemistry. iGEM TU Eindhoven 2014 called this azide-functionalized CPX COMPx.
To enable signaling over the outer membrane, our system requires intracellular signaling domains. Unfortunately, the COMPx developed and characterized by last year’s iGEM team does not allow for fusing protein domains intracellularly. To obtain fusion domains with additional intracellular domains, we devised to revert to go back to the basis and use OmpX rather than CPX as the platform for our clickable outer membrane proteins. The azide-functionalized amino acid will be introduced in the loops of OmpX, to which the aptamers can be attached (see Figure 7).




Figure 7: For our signaling proteins, we revert to the basis: OmpX. We functionalize OmpX by introducing the amber stop codon into its loops (red). The signaling domains are fused to OmpX C-terminally, since the N-terminus is occupied by the signaling sequence (yellow). The signaling sequence is cleaved from OmpX after localization.


The Loops



The amber stop codon will be incorporated in the protruding loops of OmpX. We have chosen to introduce the mutations into the loops since they are easily accessible and are not a part of the beta-barrel of OmpX [12]. Hence, we believe that mutations in the loops will not disturb the secondary structure of OmpX (see Figure 8B).



Figure 8: A) The OmpX protein structure has been elucidated through NMR and X-ray crystallography. B) The square residues are important for the secondary structure of OmpX. To keep the structure intact, we introduce an amber stop codon in one of the protruding loops. Figure 8B is adapted from [13].



The to be substituted residues in the loops were chosen in such a way that the clicked aptamer would protrude from OmpX. Moreover, residues were selected such that the signaling protein's structure closely resembles OmpX natural’s structure. The serine residue in loop 2 was chosen since it was the only available residue with side-groups pointing outward from OmpX. The tyrosine residue in loop 3 was chosen both because tyrosine closely resembles the unnatural azide-functionalized amino acid (see Figure 9) and because the tyrosine points outward from OmpX.


Figure 9: The unnatural azide-functionalized amino acid closely resembles tyrosine.




The Signaling Components



Quite paradoxically, the number of signaling proteins pales in comparison with the vast amount of cellular responses. This signaling paradox can be explained by the fact that cells employ amazingly complex signaling pathways, which feature signal amplification, signal integration and cross communication [14]. In addition to the vast amount of effects signaling pathways can have, these pathways operate over a staggering range of time scales; some signaling pathways act within less than a second, whereas others affect cell behavior only after hours or days.
An essential aspect of a universal membrane sensor is that it allows for these wide ranges of time scales and responses. We believe that the modularity of our membrane sensor and the complexity of intracellular cell signaling allows for a wide range of responses. To enable the sensors to act upon a wide range of time scales we consider multiple intracellular signaling components. These components all respond to a decrease in mutual distance of the membrane proteins as a result of ligand binding.

Fast Signaling Components - Exploiting Bioluminiscence



Two well-known principles to translate a close proximity into a measurable signal are Resonance Energy Transfer and the use of split luciferases. Even though these principles are very different, both response elements emit light, yielding a measurable signal. After ligand binding, these signaling components yield a virtually immediate response.




Figure 10: A) Resonance Energy Transfer and B) split luciferases both translate close proximity into a measurable signal in the form of light.




Resonance Energy Transfer is a physical process which can take place between fluorophores light emission when they are in close proximity (1-10nm) [15]. An electron which has been transferred to its ‘excited state’ falls back to its ‘ground state’. The energy which is released by the electron falling back to its ground state is normally released in the form of light. In the case of Resonance Energy Transfer, however, the energy of the electron falling back to its ground state is coupled to a transition of an electron in the RET Acceptor from its ground state to the excited state (see Figure 11).



Figure 11: Simplified energy-level diagram of RET. A) Normally, an excited electron falls back to its ground state under the emission of light (a radiative transition). B) In the case of Resonance Electron Transfer, an excited electron in the donor falls back to its ground state. This transition is coupled to the excitation of an electron in the acceptor. This excited electron falls back normally under the emission of light.


The efficiency of Resonance Energy Transfer is known to be dependent on a few factors, most importantly the relative orientation of the chromophores as well as the mutual distance of the chromophores [15]. A decreased mutual distance between the donor and acceptor increases the efficiency very significantly. This feature of Resonance Energy Transfer is exploited in the design of our membrane sensor. As a result of the reduced distance between the donor and acceptor, Resonance Energy Transfer is thus more efficient. Relatively more light will be emitted by the acceptor when the ligand is bound. The resulting signal is thus, per definition, ratiometric. Intensity of the light emitted by the donor will decrease and intensity of the light emitted by the acceptor will increase as a consequence of ligand binding (see Figure 12).



Figure 12: A) Efficient energy transfer is not possible since the donor and fluorophore are to remote. B) Efficient energy transfer is possible due to the proximity of the donor and acceptor. As a result, light intensity of the donor decreases whereas light intensity of the acceptor increases.

Split Luciferases



Luciferases are naturally occuring proteins which convert a substrate to a product and light. Many organisms feature luciferases to produce light, such as the sea spansy, fireflies and shrimps. These luciferases have been isolated from these organisms and can be succesfully used in vitro to produce light. Some luciferases have also been succesfully split into two complementary parts. These complementary parts can self-assemble into the functional luciferase, restoring its functionality to emit light by converting the substrate. As such, these split luciferases have become a major tool to study protein-protein interactions: these interactions are coupled to a close proximity of the proteins, allowing the parts to assemble into the functional luciferase and emit light (see Figure 13). We use these split luciferases in addition to BRET as a rapid signaling component.



Figure 13: A) The split parts of the luciferase are too remote to assemble into the functional luciferase. B) Upon ligand binding, the two luciferases can self-assemble into the functional luciferase. restoring its capability to produce light from the substrate, yielding a measurable signal.



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