Irina Sizova

Nuclear-Gene Targeting by Using Single-Stranded DNA Avoids Illegitimate DNA Integration in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii†

ABSTRACT Homologous DNA recombination (HR) allows the deletion (knockout), repair (rescuing), and modification of a selected gene, thereby rendering a functional analysis of the gene product possible. However, targeting of nuclear genes has been an inefficient process in most eukaryotes, including algae, plants, and animals, due to the dominance of integration of the applied DNA into nonhomologous regions of the genome. We have shown for the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii by repairing a previously introduced truncated aminoglycoside 3′-phosphotransferase gene, aphVIII, that single-stranded DNA can recombine with a homologous endogenous DNA region of interest. Nonhomologous DNA integration appeared to be more than 100-fold reduced compared with the use of double-stranded DNA, thus allowing isolation of the homologous recombinants. We propose that this method will be applicable to direct targeting of nuclear C. reinhardtii genes.

Nuclear gene targeting in Chlamydomonas as exemplified by disruption of the PHOT gene.

Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is the most powerful photosynthetic eukaryotic unicellular model organism. However, its potential is not fully exploitable since as in most green plants specific targeting of nuclear genes is not routinely possible. Recently, we have shown by repair of an introduced truncated model gene that transformation of Chlamydomonas with single stranded DNA greatly suppresses random integration of the DNA in the genome whereas homologous recombination (HR) is left unchanged. However, endogenous genes still could not be targeted. Here we present optimized transformation conditions that further improved HR and suppressed non-homologous DNA integration (NHI). The improved transformation strategy allowed us now to specifically inactivate in two different Chlamydomonas strains the nuclear PHOT gene, which encodes for the blue light photoreceptor phototropin (PHOT). The option to target moderately expressed Chlamydomonas nuclear genes with high efficiency now further improves the utility of this this alga for basic science and biotechnology.

Targeting of Photoreceptor Genes in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii via Zinc-Finger Nucleases and CRISPR/Cas9

Using optimized protocols, nuclear photoreceptor genes were successfully modified or inactivated in the alga Chlamydomonas via directed gene targeting using zinc-finger nucleases or the nuclease Cas9. The fast-growing biflagellated single-celled chlorophyte Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is the most widely used alga in basic research. The physiological functions of the 18 sensory photoreceptors are of particular interest with respect to Chlamydomonas development and behavior. Despite the demonstration of gene editing in Chlamydomonas in 1995, the isolation of mutants lacking easily ascertained newly acquired phenotypes remains problematic due to low DNA recombination efficiency. We optimized gene-editing protocols for several Chlamydomonas strains (including wild-type CC-125) using zinc-finger nucleases (ZFNs), genetically encoded CRISPR/associated protein 9 (Cas9) from Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes, and recombinant Cas9 and developed protocols for rapidly isolating nonselectable gene mutants. Using this technique, we disrupted the photoreceptor genes COP1/2, COP3 (encoding channelrhodopsin 1 [ChR1]), COP4 (encoding ChR2), COP5, PHOT, UVR8, VGCC, MAT3, and aCRY and created the chr1 chr2 and uvr8 phot double mutants. Characterization of the chr1, chr2, and mat3 mutants confirmed the value of photoreceptor mutants for physiological studies. Genes of interest were disrupted in 5 to 15% of preselected clones (∼1 out of 4000 initial cells). Using ZFNs, genes were edited in a reliable, predictable manner via homologous recombination, whereas Cas9 primarily caused gene disruption via the insertion of cotransformed DNA. These methods should be widely applicable to research involving green algae.

Dependence of aminoglycoside 3′-phosphotransferase VIII activity on serine/threonine protein kinases in Streptomyces rimosus

In Streptomyces rimosus, selection for resistance to the aminoglycoside antibiotic kanamycin triggers the normally silent aminoglycoside 3′-phosphotransferase VIII gene (aphVIII). The expression of APHVIII is accompanied by amplification of the chromosomal DNA fragment containing the aphVIII gene. Earlier, S. rimosus aphVIII gene was isolated and sequenced. Using in vitro labeling and immunoprecipitation with anti-APHVIII antibodies, we have demonstrated that endogenous protein kinases (PKs) in extracts of S. rimosus strain S683 actively phosphorylate two serine residues in the APHVIII molecule. The amount of phosphate incorporated into APHVIII in the presence of Ca2+ is 1.84-fold greater than that without Ca2+. Analysis of ingel autophosphorylation and phosphorylation of the substrate incorporated into the gel matrix has shown that modification of APHVIII is catalyzed by two serine/threonine PKs (74 kDa and 55 kDa). The activity of 55-kDa PK is dependent on Ca2+ and calmodulin. The specific kanamycin phosphotransferase activity of exhaustively phosphorylated APHVIII is 3.72 times higher than that of the unmodified enzyme. It is proposed that the above PKs may be involved in the regulation of kanamycin resistance in S. rimosus.

Identification of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii Rad51C: Recombinational Characteristics

Unicellular green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is a promising model for fundamental and biotechnological research. However, little is known about its system of homologous recombination underlying recombination repair of double-strand breaks. Sequencing of the C. reinhardtii nuclear genome has revealed many repeats, which account for a low level of nuclear homologous recombination compared to that of nonhomologous recombination. Analysis of C. reinhardtii EST and genomic libraries made it possible to reconstruct and clone the RAD51C cDNA. In this work, this cDNA was expressed, the protein product was purified, and its main biochemical activities were studied. It was shown that Rad51C of lower eukaryote C. reinhardtii is a typical member of the subfamily of higher eukaryotic Rad51-like recombination proteins.