Cas-Staple: SV40 NLS-dMbCas12a-dSpCas9-Nucleoplasmin NLS

Fusion of the Cas staple subunits dMbCas12a (BBa_K5237001) and dSpCas9 (BBa_K5237002) to generate a bivalent protein staple capable of bringing any two sequences into proximity. It can be combined with a fusion gRNA (BBa_K5237000)

Next to the well-studied linear DNA sequence, the 3D spatial organization of DNA plays a crucial role in gene regulation, cell fate, disease development and more. However, the tools to precisely manipulate this genomic architecture remain limited, rendering it challenging to explore the full potential of the 3D genome in synthetic biology. We - iGEM Team Heidelberg 2024 - have developed PICasSO, a powerful molecular toolbox based on various DNA-binding proteins to address this issue.

The PICasSO part collection offers a comprehensive, modular platform for precise manipulation and re-programming of DNA-DNA interactions using protein staples in living cells, enabling researchers to recreate natural 3D genomic interactions, such as enhancer hijacking, or to design entirely new spatial architectures for gene regulation. Beyond its versatility, PICasSO includes robust assay systems to support the engineering, optimization, and testing of new staples, ensuring functionality in vitro and in vivo. We took special care to include parts crucial for testing every step of the cycle (design, build, test, learn) when engineering new parts.

At its heart, the PICasSO part collection consists of three categories.
(i) Our DNA-binding proteins include our finalized enhancer hijacking Cas staple as well as half staples that can be used by scientists to compose entirely new Cas staples in the future. We also include our Simple staples that serve as controls for successful stapling and can be further engineered to create alternative, simpler and more compact staples.
(ii) As functional elements, we list additional parts that enhance the functionality of our Cas and Basic staples. These consist of protease-cleavable peptide linkers and inteins that allow condition-specific, dynamic stapling in vivo. Besides staple functionality, we also include the parts to enable the efficient delivery of PICasSO's constructs with our interkingdom conjugation system.
(iii) As the final category of our collection, we provide parts that support the use of our custom readout systems. These include components of our established FRET-based proximity assay system, enabling users to confirm accurate stapling. Additionally, we offer a complementary, application-oriented testing system for functional readouts via a luciferase reporter, which allows for straightforward experimental simulation of enhancer hijacking in mammalian cells.

The following table gives a comprehensive overview of all parts in our PICasSO toolbox. The highlighted parts showed exceptional performance as described on our iGEM wiki and can serve as a reference. The other parts in the collection are versatile building blocks designed to provide future iGEMers with the flexibility to engineer their own custom Cas staples, enabling further optimization and innovation.

Our part collection includes:

DNA-binding proteins: The building blocks for engineering of custom staples for DNA-DNA interactions with a modular system ensuring easy assembly.
BBa_K5237000	fgRNA Entry vector MbCas12a-SpCas9	Entryvector for simple fgRNA cloning via SapI
BBa_K5237001	Staple subunit: dMbCas12a-Nucleoplasmin NLS	Staple subunit that can be combined with sgRNA or fgRNA and dCas9 to form a functional staple
BBa_K5237002	Staple subunit: SV40 NLS-dSpCas9-SV40 NLS	Staple subunit that can be combined witha sgRNA or fgRNA and dCas12avto form a functional staple
BBa_K5237003	Cas Staple: SV40 NLS-dMbCas12a-dSpCas9-Nucleoplasmin NLS	Functional Cas staple that can be combined with sgRNA or fgRNA to bring two DNA strands into close proximity
BBa_K5237004	Staple subunit: Oct1-DBD	Staple subunit that can be combined to form a functional staple, for example with TetR. Can also be combined with a fluorescent protein as part of the FRET proximity assay
BBa_K5237005	Staple subunit: TetR	Staple subunit that can be combined to form a functional staple, for example with Oct1. Can also be combined with a fluorescent protein as part of the FRET proximity assay
BBa_K5237006	Simple staple: TetR-Oct1	Functional staple that can be used to bring two DNA strands in close proximity
BBa_K5237007	Staple subunit: GCN4	Staple subunit that can be combined to form a functional staple, for example with rGCN4
BBa_K5237008	Staple subunit: rGCN4	Staple subunit that can be combined to form a functional staple, for example with rGCN4
BBa_K5237009	Mini staple: bGCN4	Assembled staple with minimal size that can be further engineered
Functional elements: Protease-cleavable peptide linkers and inteins are used to control and modify staples for further optimization for custom applications
BBa_K5237010	Cathepsin B-cleavable Linker: GFLG	Cathepsin B-cleavable peptide linker that can be used to combine two staple subunits to make responsive staples
BBa_K5237011	Cathepsin B Expression Cassette	Expression Cassette for the overexpression of cathepsin B
BBa_K5237012	Caged NpuN Intein	A caged NpuN split intein fragment that undergoes protein trans-splicing after protease activation. Can be used to create functionalized staples units
BBa_K5237013	Caged NpuC Intein	A caged NpuC split intein fragment that undergoes protein trans-splicing after protease activation. Can be used to create functionalized staples units
BBa_K5237014	fgRNA processing casette	Processing casette to produce multiple fgRNAs from one transcript, that can be used for multiplexed 3D genome reprograming
BBa_K5237015	Intimin anti-EGFR Nanobody	Interkindom conjugation between bacteria and mammalian cells, as alternative delivery tool for large constructs
BBa_K4643003	incP origin of transfer	Origin of transfer that can be cloned into the plasmid vector and used for conjugation as a means of delivery
Readout Systems: FRET and enhancer recruitment to measure proximity of stapled DNA in bacterial and mammalian living cells enabling swift testing and easy development for new systems
BBa_K5237016	FRET-Donor: mNeonGreen-Oct1	FRET Donor-Fluorpohore fused to Oct1-DBD that binds to the Oct1 binding cassette. Can be used to visualize DNA-DNA proximity
BBa_K5237017	FRET-Acceptor: TetR-mScarlet-I	Acceptor part for the FRET assay binding the TetR binding cassette. Can be used to visualize DNA-DNA proximity
BBa_K5237018	Oct1 Binding Casette	DNA sequence containing 12 Oct1 binding motifs, compatible with various assays such as the FRET proximity assay
BBa_K5237019	TetR Binding Cassette	DNA sequence containing 12 Oct1 binding motifs, can be used for different assays such as the FRET proximity assay
BBa_K5237020	Cathepsin B-Cleavable Trans-Activator: NLS-Gal4-GFLG-VP64	Readout system that responds to protease activity. It was used to test cathepsin B-cleavable linker
BBa_K5237021	NLS-Gal4-VP64	Trans-activating enhancer, that can be used to simulate enhancer hijacking
BBa_K5237022	mCherry Expression Cassette: UAS, minimal Promotor, mCherry	Readout system for enhancer binding. It was used to test cathepsin B-cleavable linker
BBa_K5237023	Oct1 - 5x UAS binding casette	Oct1 and UAS binding cassette, that was used for the simulated enhancer hijacking assay
BBa_K5237024	TRE-minimal promoter- firefly luciferase	Contains Firefly luciferase controlled by a minimal promoter. It was used as a luminescence readout for simulated enhancer hijacking

1. Sequence overview

Sequence and Features

Assembly Compatibility:

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Illegal PstI site found at 1813
Illegal PstI site found at 3100
Illegal PstI site found at 3375
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Illegal EcoRI site found at 8026
Illegal PstI site found at 325
Illegal PstI site found at 346
Illegal PstI site found at 658
Illegal PstI site found at 1813
Illegal PstI site found at 3100
Illegal PstI site found at 3375
Illegal PstI site found at 4663
Illegal NgoMIV site found at 406
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2. Usage and Biology

2.1 Discovery and Mechanism of CRISPR/Cas9

Figure 2: The CRISPR/Cas system (adapted from Pacesa et al. (2024)) A and B, schematic structure of Cas9 and Cas12a with their sgRNA/crRNA, sitting on a DNA strand with the PAM. The spacer sequence forms base pairings with the dsDNA. In case of Cas9 the spacer is located at the 5' prime end, for Cas12a at the 3' end of the gRNA. The scaffold of the gRNA forms a specific secondary structure enabling it to bind to the Cas protein. The cut sites by the cleaving domains, RuvC and HNH, are symbolized by the scissors

In 2012, Jinek et al. discovered the use of the Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)/Cas system to induce double-strand breaks in DNA. Since then, the system has been well established as a tool for genome editing. The CRISPR/Cas system, which originates from the bacterial immune system, is constituted by a ribonucleoprotein complex. For class 1 CRISPR systems, the RNA is complexed by multiple Cas proteins, whereas class 2 systems consist of a singular protein and RNA. The class 2 type II system describes all ribonucleoprotein complexes with Cas9 (Pacesa et al., 2024). They include a CRISPR RNA (crRNA), which specifies the target with a 20 nucleotide (nt) spacer sequence, and a transactivating CRISPR RNA (tracrRNA), which induces the processing by the Cas protein (Jinek et al., 2012) (Fig. 2 A). Furthermore, a specific three nucleotide sequence (NGG) on the 3' end in the targeted DNA is needed for binding and cleavage. This is referred to as the protospacer adjacent motif (PAM) (Sternberg et al., 2014). The most commonly used Cas9 protein is SpCas9 or SpyCas9, which originates from Streptococcus pyogenes (Pacesa et al., 2024).

A significant enhancement of this system was the introduction of single guide RNA (sgRNA)s, which combine the functions of a tracrRNA and crRNA (Mali et al., 2013). Moreover, Cong (2013) established precise targeting of human endogenous loci by designing the 20 nt spacer sequence accordingly.

2.2 Differences between Cas9 and Cas12a

Over the following years, further CRISPR/Cas systems have been discovered, including the Cpf1 system, which has been classified as Cas12a since then (Zetsche et al., 2015). Cas12a forms a class 2 type V system with its RNA, that in comparison to the type II systems, only requires a crRNA for targeting and activation. Cas12a is capable of processing the precursor crRNA into crRNA independently, whereas Cas9 requires the RNase III enzyme and tracrRNA for this process (Paul and Montoya, 2020). This crRNA is often also referred to as a guide RNA (gRNA). However, the stem loop that is formed when binding the Cas protein is structurally distinct to the Cas9 gRNA and positioned on the 5' side of the crRNA (Fig. 2 B). Similarly, the PAM (TTTV) is also on the 5' side (Pacesa et al., 2024). Cas9 possesses RuvC and HNH domains that are catalytically active, each of which cleaves one of the DNA strands at the same site, resulting in the formation of blunt end cuts (Nishimasu et al., 2014). Cas12a possesses one RuvC-like domain that creates staggered cuts with overhangs that are about 5nt long (Paul and Montoya, 2020).

2.3 dCas Proteins and their Application

Specific mutations of these domains result in catalytic inactivity and therefore allow for the creation of nickases that only cut one of the DNA strands, or completely inactive Cas proteins (Koonin et al., 2023) (Kleinstiver et al., 2019). These are referred to as dead Cas proteins or dCas9 and dCas12a. These Cas proteins can be used to activate (CRISPRa) or inhibit (CRISPRi) the expression of genes by fusing them to effector domains and targeting the respective gene with the spacer sequence (Kampmann, 2017). A common approach for CRISPRa involves fusing Cas9 with the transcriptional activator VP64 (Kampmann, 2017).

2.4 fgRNA and CHyMErA System

Figure 3: Applications of the Fusion Guide RNA (adapted from Kweon et al. (2017)). Fusion Guide RNAs can be used for multiplex genome editing by guidingactive Cas12a and Cas9 to two distinct loci. Similarly, fgRNAs allow for CRISPRa, by guiding the Cas9-VP64 transcriptional activator towards a target locus.

Kweon et al. (2017) further expanded the ways in which the CRISPR/Cas system could be used by introducing the concept of fusion guide RNA (fgRNA)s. By fusing the 3' end of a Cas12a gRNA to the 5' end of a Cas9 gRNA, the newly created fgRNA could be used by both proteins independently for either multiplex genome editing or transcriptional regulation and genome editing in parallel (Fig. 3). Similarly, this is also possible using the Cas Hybrid for Multiplexed Editing and screening Applications (CHyMErA) system (Gonatopoulos-Pournatzis et al., 2020). In this instance, the gRNAs of Cas12a and Cas9 are connected in the opposite direction (3' Cas9 gRNA to 5' Cas12a gRNA), allowing for Cas12a to process the RNA into individual units (Fig. 3). Amongst other things, this allows for the analysis of the interaction between different genes by targeting them simultaneously with the two distinct spacers (Aregger et al., 2021) (Fig. 3).

Building on the CRISPR/Cas system's versatile functionality in genome editing, recent advances have extended its applications into DNA nanotechnology. Traditionally, DNA nanostructures have been constructed through the hybridization of multiple single-stranded DNAs. However, a new strategy leverages the CRISPR system to create double-stranded DNA-ribonucleoprotein (RNP) hybrid nanostructures. Using the dCas proteins, which were previously described for their gene regulation capabilities (Wu et al.(2022)). Once the RNP has formed, the bivalent fusion dCas can precisely recognize target sequences on a double-stranded DNA, pulling them together to form intricate hybrid nanostructures. These nanostructures resemble DNA-protein hybrids found in chromosomes, mimicking the genomic structure and enabling stimuli-responsive gene regulation. This innovative use of dCas proteins not only extends the capabilities of the CRISPR system but also presents new opportunities for advancing DNA nanotechnology.

3. Assembly and part evolution

3.1 Decision of Cas proteins for the staple

As one part of our staple we decided on SpCas9, as it well characterized. Three different orhtologs were ordered from Addgene: AsCas12a (#69982), LbCas12a (#69988), and MbCas12a (#115142).

We assessed their performance using a T7 Endonuclease I (T7EI) assay on three genomic loci: RUNX1, DNMT1, and FANCF. For comparison, we also included SpCas9 editing the CCR5 locus (Fig. 3). Editing was only observed at the RUNX1 locus, where we used the qualitative assay to compare the editing efficiencies of the Cas12a orthologs.

Figure 3: Preliminary T7 Endonuclease I testing of Cas12a orthologs. T7EI samples were run on a 2% agarose gel in 1x TBE buffer dyed with gel red. SpCas9 targeting CCR5 functions as a benchmark for proper editing. For the Cas12a orthologs, LbCas12a, AsCas12a and MbCas12a, the three loci RUNX1, DNMT1 and FANCF were targeted. Editing is indicated by an extra band compared to the negative control.

3.2 Quantitative comparison between AsCas12a and MbCas12a

Since the T7EI assay can only be used to qualitatively compare editing efficiencies, it was hard to distinguish between the better editing ortholog.
For the next assay we constructed an AsCas12a fusion with SpCas9 and a MbCas12a fusion with SpCas9 by PCR amplifying the Cas12a orthologs out of the plasmids used in prior tests and cloning them into the plasmid containing the SpCas9.
To accurately quantify the editing efficiency, we concted a dual luciferase assay. This assay measures the luminescence of Firefly luciferase, which decreases proportionally to the editing efficiency at the target site. To account for variations in cell count and transfection efficiency, the luminescence is normalized to Renilla luciferase, which acts as an internal control (Fig. 4). The results revealed a clear difference, with MbCas12a demonstrating significantly higher editing efficiency compared to AsCas12a (p=0.005). Based on these findings, we decided to proceed with MbCas12a.

Figure 4: Comparison of AsCas12a and MbCas12a with a dual luciferae assay. Firefly luminescence intensity measured 48 h after transfection. Normalized against renilla luminescence. On the x-axis the samples Cas9 + AsCas12a , Cas9 + MbCas12a, AsCas12a and MbCas12a are grouped by fused proteins. Co-transformed contains single Cas proteins, in contrast to the fusion Cas having the same cas proteins covalently bound to each other. Data is depicted as the mean +/- SD (n=3). Statistical analysis was performed using 2way ANOVA with Tukey;s multiple comparisons test. For better clarity, only significant differences within a group between the same Cas proteins are shown. *p<0.05, **p<0.01, ***p<0.001, ****p<0.0001

For the single co-transfected Cas proteins the SpCas9 showed, as expected, the highest editing efficiency, shown by low relative luminescence units. Contradicting the T7EI, but being in-line with the previous dual luciferase, MbCas12a showed better editing efficiency compared to AsCas12a (p=0.005). The Fusion Cas proteins exhibited less editing efficiency compared to the single counterparts. Of the MbCas12a-SpCas9 fusion, SpCas9 showed higher efficiency. For the Cas12s in the fusion Cas, both proteins exhibit low editing activity, with no significant difference. These results left us with the conclusion to further pursue MbCas12a for fusion Cas construction. Further testing of the catalytically active version is needed before cloning the dMbCas12a variant.

3.3 MbCas12a and SpCas9 remain functional after fusion

Testing showed simultaneous editing of both MbCas12a and SpCas9. Therefore we wanted to test protein-protein fusion, potentially giving us another way of Cas stapling. Our goal was to find out how well MbCas12a can stay active while being fused to SpCas9. Therefore we employed the previously engineered dual luciferase assay to allow us for testing two catalytically active Cas proteins at once, this time being fused to each other (see figure Fusion Cas registry).

Figure 8: Double cut dual luciferase assay testing Fusion Cas simultaneous editing. Firefly and renilla luminescence intensity is plotted, both measured 48 h after transfection. On the x-axis the negative control, single edit and simultaneous edit, are grouped by the two Cas proteins in the fusion Cas. The fusion Cas contains MbCas12a and SpCas9. MbCas12a are the Firefly relative luminescence units (RLUs), while Cas9 are the Renilla RLUs. Data is depicted as the mean +/- SD (n=3). Statistical analysis was performed using 2way ANOVA with Tukey's multiple comparisons test. For better clarity, only significant differences within a group are shown.*p<0.05, **p<0.01, ***p<0.001, ****p<0.0001

For the MbCas12a we have a highly significant editing rate in the single cut, meaning only MbCas12a has a targeting gRNA. When introducing a targeting gRNA for SpCas9 we see no reduction in the highly significant editing of MbCas12a, strongly suggesting both Cas proteins in the fusion Cas to be able to edit simultaneously. Same results could be observed for SpCas9 with the single cut showing highly significant editing. When introducing targeting gRNAs for both Cas proteins we see no reduction in the highly significant editing compared to only one targeting, strongly suggesting both Cas proteins in the fusion Cas to be able to edit simultaneously.

3.4 Combining fusion Cas editing with fgRNA

The capability of the fusion Cas was tested by assessing the editing rates via a T7EI assay. For this, the same target sequences as before were used, namely FANCF and VEGFA in both configurations. We included biological duplicates in this assay.
MbCas12a editing rates were significantly lower, dropping to about 1%. At the same time, when targeting VEGFA they resulted in a higher editing efficiency than FANCF.

Figure 9: Editing rates for fusion guide RNAs with fusion Cas proteins. In A and B the editing rates were determined 72h after transfection via T7EI assay. Editing % was determined by measuring band intensities; Editing % = 100 x (1 - (1- cleaved band/uncleaved band))^1/2. The schematic at the top shows the composition of the fgRNA. Below each spacer is the targeted gene. The symbols below indicate which parts are included in each sample. Cas proteins linked by a dash ("-") were fused to each other. Biological replicates are marked as individual dots.

4. Results

4.1 Forming a Cas staple with fusion Cas and fgRNA

Continuing the procedure in a similar manner, we focused on inducing proximity between genetic loci using the fusion dCas next, consisting of dMbCas12a fused to dSpCas9. The dual luciferase assay was used, with one enhancer plasmid and one reporter plasmid. The fusion Cas proteins can be used to increase expression levels of the reporter firefly luciferase (see figure 12). While using sgRNAs results in similar relative luciferase activity as for the negative control between 0.1 and 0.2., using a fgRNA with a 20 to 30 nt linker consistently resulted in activities at 0.25. Fusion guide RNAs without a linker and with a 40 nt linker had on average about the same activity, but with a higher spread over the biological replicates. Nonetheless this showed the dMbCas12a fused to the dSpCas9 to be working as a Cas staple. Further tweaking is needed to get better results.

Figure 10: Reproter Trans Acitvation through Fusion Cas and fgRNA In A and B Firefly luciferase activity was measured 48h after transfection. Normalized against ubiquitously expressed Renilla luciferase. Statistical significance was calculated with ordinary One-way ANOVA with Dunn's method for multiple comparisons (*p < 0.05; **p < 0.01; ***p < 0.001; mean +/- SD). Fusion Cas proteins were paired with sgRNAs and fgRNAs with linker lengths from 0 nt to 40 nt.

5. References

Jinek, M., Chylinski, K., Fonfara, I., Hauer, M., Doudna, J. A., & Charpentier, E. (2012). A Programmable Dual-RNA-Guided DNA Endonuclease in Adaptive Bacterial Immunity. Science, 337, 816-821. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1225829.

Kampmann, M. (2017). CRISPRi and CRISPRa Screens in Mammalian Cells for Precision Biology and Medicine. ACS Chemical Biology, 13, 406-416. https://doi.org/10.1021/acschembio.7b00657.

Kleinstiver, B. P., Sousa, A. A., Walton, R. T., Tak, Y. E., Hsu, J. Y., Clement, K., Welch, M. M., Horng, J. E., Malagon-Lopez, J., Scarfò, I., Maus, M. V., Pinello, L., Aryee, M. J., & Joung, J. K. (2019). Engineered CRISPR-Cas12a variants with increased activities and improved targeting ranges for gene, epigenetic and base editing. Nature Biotechnology, 37, 276-282. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41587-018-0011-0.

Koonin, E. V., Gootenberg, J. S., & Abudayyeh, O. O. (2023). Discovery of Diverse CRISPR-Cas Systems and Expansion of the Genome Engineering Toolbox. Biochemistry, 62, 3465-3487. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.biochem.3c00159.

Mali, P., Yang, L., Esvelt, K. M., Aach, J., Guell, M., DiCarlo, J. E., Norville, J. E., & Church, G. M. (2013). RNA-Guided Human Genome Engineering via Cas9. Science, 339, 823-826. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1232033.

Nishimasu, H., Ran, F. A., Hsu, P. D., Konermann, S., Shehata, S. I., Dohmae, N., Ishitani, R., Zhang, F., & Nureki, O. (2014). Crystal Structure of Cas9 in Complex with Guide RNA and Target DNA. Cell, 156, 935-949. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2014.02.001.

Pacesa, M., Pelea, O., & Jinek, M. (2024). Past, present, and future of CRISPR genome editing technologies. Cell, 187, 1076-1100. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2024.01.042.

Sternberg, S. H., Redding, S., Jinek, M., Greene, E. C., & Doudna, J. A. (2014). DNA interrogation by the CRISPR RNA-guided endonuclease Cas9. Nature, 507, 62-67. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature13011.

Part:BBa_K5237003