ACS Synthetic BiologyPub Date : 2025-07-18Epub Date: 2025-07-03DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.5c00186
Michael Brasino, Eli Wagnell, Elise C Manalo, Samuel Drennan, Jared M Fischer, Justin Merritt
{"title":"Engineered <i>Lactiplantibacillus plantarum</i> WCFS1 as a Biosensor Probe for Lung Cancer.","authors":"Michael Brasino, Eli Wagnell, Elise C Manalo, Samuel Drennan, Jared M Fischer, Justin Merritt","doi":"10.1021/acssynbio.5c00186","DOIUrl":"10.1021/acssynbio.5c00186","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Lung cancer is exceedingly difficult and costly to detect early, leading to delayed diagnosis, limited treatment options, and high patient mortality. Tumor-secreted molecules are useful in identifying early disease but are difficult to detect when diluted in accessible bodily fluids. Here, we demonstrate a low-cost, minimally invasive method to probe the lungs for disease using genetically engineered <i>Lactiplantibacillus plantarum</i> bacteria as living biosensors. When delivered to the lungs of mice, the engineered bacteria remained transcriptionally active for several hours and were cleared without colonization. Nanoluciferase secreted by bacteria from within the lungs was subsequently detected in mouse urine. Bacteria were engineered to secrete nanoluciferase in response to a model peptide excreted by a mouse lung cancer cell line, allowing the bacteria to detect tumors formed from these cells in the lungs of mice. Finally, biosensor bacteria were also able to detect a secreted protease overexpressed in adenocarcinoma using a probe protein that is cleaved to release a bacterial pheromone peptide. These results indicate that genetically engineered commensal bacteria yield tremendous promise as living biosensors for early detection screens of lung cancer.</p>","PeriodicalId":26,"journal":{"name":"ACS Synthetic Biology","volume":" ","pages":"2774-2787"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144551419","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Anna M Van Keuren, Casey T Simoes, Chandra L Tucker
{"title":"Chemical Control of Protease Activity and Gene Expression Using a Biotin-Released Inhibitory Domain.","authors":"Anna M Van Keuren, Casey T Simoes, Chandra L Tucker","doi":"10.1021/acssynbio.5c00224","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acssynbio.5c00224","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Chemical tools that enable precise temporal control of protein function are valuable reagents for probing dynamic processes within live cells. Here, we introduce the biotin unblocking of the StrepTactin steric block (BUSS) system, a novel chemogenetic tool that enables precise temporal control of protein activity and interactions using biotin. BUSS leverages the small StrepTagII (STII) peptide to flank target domains, blocking their function by binding to StrepTactin, with this steric block rapidly released upon biotin addition. Unlike existing systems, which rely on larger protein tags that can disrupt sensitive proteins, BUSS uses a smaller, minimally disruptive tag compatible with a wide range of target proteins. We demonstrate the versatility of the BUSS system for chemical control over diverse cellular processes, including protein localization, protease activity, and gene expression. With its compact design and broad utility, BUSS offers a powerful approach for manipulating protein functions in living cells.</p>","PeriodicalId":26,"journal":{"name":"ACS Synthetic Biology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144657840","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A Tn5 Transposase-Based System for High-Efficiency Genome-Wide Gene Activation in <i>Escherichia coli</i>.","authors":"Yuling Song, Yifei Liu, Qingyan Li, Lei Chen, Zhe Sun, Xueli Zhang","doi":"10.1021/acssynbio.5c00170","DOIUrl":"10.1021/acssynbio.5c00170","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Deciphering gene function to understand the genetic basis of microbial phenotypes in a high-throughput manner is crucial for bacterial engineering. However, efficient tools for generating genome-wide gene activation mutant libraries to enable gain-of-function analyses remain limited. Here, we developed a Tn5 transposase-based system for efficient genome-wide gene activation in <i>Escherichia coli</i>. The cargo DNA incorporated a tetracycline-inducible promoter Ptet and a kanamycin resistance gene, enabling selective growth and conditional gene activation. The system achieved near-random integration with an insertion frequency of approximately 2.83 × 10<sup>7</sup> cfu/μg DNA. Both in vitro and in vivo transposition results demonstrated the effective activation of specific and nonspecific genes. Using this system, we identified three putative transporters that, despite being unrelated to glycine export, significantly enhanced glycine resistance in <i>E. coli</i>. These results highlight the utility of this method for genotype-phenotype mapping and strain optimization, offering a powerful tool for synthetic biology and functional genomics.</p>","PeriodicalId":26,"journal":{"name":"ACS Synthetic Biology","volume":" ","pages":"2753-2763"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144315471","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
ACS Synthetic BiologyPub Date : 2025-07-18Epub Date: 2025-06-24DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.5c00212
Lauren M Irie, Dylan M Brown, Julius B Lucks, Nathan C Gianneschi
{"title":"UV-Resistant Cell-Free Reactions with Synthetic Melanin Additives.","authors":"Lauren M Irie, Dylan M Brown, Julius B Lucks, Nathan C Gianneschi","doi":"10.1021/acssynbio.5c00212","DOIUrl":"10.1021/acssynbio.5c00212","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>Escherichia coli</i> lysate-based cell-free systems have gained traction for a variety of point-of-use biological applications. Lysate-based cell-free reactions can be freeze-dried, deployed without requiring cold chain, and have a high ease of use through simple rehydration. To maximize their potential, it is of interest to stabilize these reactions to withstand a variety of conditions for long-term storage and use, including stabilization to UV exposure. To address this issue and aid in point-of-use applications, we investigate the use of synthetic melanin nanoparticles as UV-protective additives that are compatible with cell-free reactions. These particles have broadband absorption properties and radical scavenging activity that allow for protection from free radical generation during prolonged UV exposure. Stabilizing cell-free reactions in this way may prolong the stability for use in the field where exposure to sunlight is inevitable.</p>","PeriodicalId":26,"journal":{"name":"ACS Synthetic Biology","volume":" ","pages":"2821-2831"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144482543","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
ACS Synthetic BiologyPub Date : 2025-07-18Epub Date: 2025-07-08DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.5c00096
Mackenzie Thornbury, Adrien Knoops, Iain Summerby-Murray, James Dhaliwal, Sydney Johnson, Joseph Christian Utomo, Jaya Joshi, Lauren Narcross, Gabriel Remondetto, Michel Pouliot, Malcolm Whiteway, Vincent J J Martin
{"title":"Sequencing of a Dairy Isolate Unlocks <i>Kluyveromyces marxianus</i> as a Host for Lactose Valorization.","authors":"Mackenzie Thornbury, Adrien Knoops, Iain Summerby-Murray, James Dhaliwal, Sydney Johnson, Joseph Christian Utomo, Jaya Joshi, Lauren Narcross, Gabriel Remondetto, Michel Pouliot, Malcolm Whiteway, Vincent J J Martin","doi":"10.1021/acssynbio.5c00096","DOIUrl":"10.1021/acssynbio.5c00096","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The use of genetically modified nonconventional yeast provides significant potential for the bioeconomy by diversifying the tools available for the development of sustainable and novel products. In this study, we sequenced and annotated the genome of <i>Kluyveromyces marxianus</i> Y-1190 to establish it as a platform for lactose valorization. The strain was chosen for rapid growth on lactose-rich dairy permeate, high transformation efficiency, and ease of culturing in bioreactors. Genomic sequencing revealed that <i>K. marxianus</i> Y-1190 possesses single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with efficient lactose metabolism. The strain is diploid with notable genomic heterogeneity, which appears to be critical for its robust growth and acid tolerance. To further exploit this platform strain, we developed protocols for gene and chromosome manipulation using CRISPR editing, constructed and validated a series of promoters compatible with MoClo vectors, and designed synthetically inducible promoters for <i>K. marxianus</i>. These tools enable precise control over gene expression, allowing for the tailored optimization of metabolic pathways and production processes. The synthetic promoters provide flexibility for dynamic expression tuning, while the CRISPR-based editing protocols facilitate targeted genetic modifications with high efficiency. Together, these advancements significantly enhance the genetic toolbox for <i>K. marxianus</i>, positioning it as a versatile platform for industrial biotechnology. These tools open new opportunities for the sustainable production of biobased chemicals, fuels, and high-value products, leveraging lactose-rich feedstocks to contribute to a circular economy.</p>","PeriodicalId":26,"journal":{"name":"ACS Synthetic Biology","volume":" ","pages":"2667-2680"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144590041","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}