Part:BBa_K1673102

UV Mutation Optimized RFP (Improved Expression)

RFP sequence, based on E1010, with the number of possible pyrimidine dimer-forming sites reduced to the maximum possible extent. In addition, this sequence had a greatly improved expression profile relative to, BBa_K1673101 with fluorescence increased approximately 40%

Mutation Optimization

To generate this RFP variant with enhanced mutation resistance, we made synonymous codon substitutions to the commonly used E1010 RFP sequence in the registry. These sequence modifications were preformed by a computer algorithm developed by the Vanderbilt 2015 team. The algorithm removed sites that, upon UV irradiation, could possible form pyrimidine dimers, including CT, TT, CC, and TC base pairs. Each pyrimidine dimer sequence hotspot was assigned a weight corresponding to that particular hotspot's mutagenicity. These weights were taken from previously published quantum yields of each photodimer, as determined by HPLC-MS/MS (Douki 2013).

Overall, our optimization algorithim was able to reduce the UV-mutagenicity score by 34% relative to the original E1010 sequence. This degree of optimization is virtually identical to K1673101, despite the sequence changes made to improve expression. As shown on this graph for data using K1673010, which has only a 12% reduction in UV-mutagenicity score, there is a clearly detectable decrease in the rate of pyrimidine dimer formation following UV irradiation.

Cloning

We first check for the successful integration of our synthesized sequence for K1673102 first by restriction digest. A band was produced at 2.8 kb, as expected for the sequence in pSB1C3. We then sequenced the gene from the forward and reverse ends using VF2 and VR primers. This sequencing conclusively determined that our optimized sequence was present and in the correct orientation.

Expression

Although both K1673101 and K1673102 had codon-usage frequencies factored in during the algorithmic optimization process, the method used for optimizing K1673102 was greatly improved with new rules for accounting for codon expression differences. In particular, emphasis was placed on "rate-limiting" codons, that is, codons with especially low abundance, as opposed to general CAI scores (table of codon usage frequencies provided by GenScript). When placed under the R0010 IPTG-inducble promoter, our cells visibly fluoresced red. To check that our mutation-optimization procedure did not disrupt expression compared to the codon-optimized sequence, we measured fluorescence intensity at 645 nm with multiple replicates. As shown on the graph below, K1673102 (labeled as RFP uv exp) has about 80% as intense expression as E1010.

References

Douki T. The variety of UV-induced pyrimidine dimeric photoproducts in DNA as shown by chromatographic quantification methods. Photochem Photobiol Sci. 2013;12(8):1286-302. Sequence and Features

Assembly Compatibility:

• 10
  COMPATIBLE WITH RFC[10]
• 12
  COMPATIBLE WITH RFC[12]
• 21
  COMPATIBLE WITH RFC[21]
• 23
  COMPATIBLE WITH RFC[23]
• 25
  COMPATIBLE WITH RFC[25]
• 1000
  COMPATIBLE WITH RFC[1000]