Comparative analysis of cell free and in planta protein synthesis systems
Our aim is to optimise a high-throughput protein synthesis method primarily for wheat transcription factors (TFs)
The Idea
This project brings together expertise from the Earlham Institute (Hall and Patron Labs), John Innes (Philippa Borrill) and the Hibberd Lab in University of Cambridge (Pallavi Singh). Our aim is to optimise a high-throughput protein synthesis method primarily for wheat transcription factors (TFs). We propose using a high throughput Golden Gate cloning strategy to create constructs that will allow us to directly compare yield from cell free and in planta protein synthesis systems. This funding would foster collaborations between groups from synergistic areas of plant biology, provide useful data for the synbio community and support future transcriptional network research in wheat.
Wheat is a primary world food crop. It’s production needs to increase to meet demand and understanding regulatory networks will be critical for designing crops for the future. Although we have good understanding of key networks in the model plant Arabidopsis, the extent to which they have been conserved in wheat remains an open question. In addition, we have very little understanding how gene regulatory networks operate across complex polypoid genomes. Phylogenetic analyses have revealed many core network transcription factor (TF) homologues, but knowledge of sequence specific binding sites and downstream targets will be required to determine the extent to which they can be considered functional orthologues. DNA Affinity Purification Sequencing (DAP-Seq) is a high throughput method that can provide both of these key pieces of information (O’Malley et al., 2016). It uses epitope tagged TFs to pull out associated DNA sequences to reveal binding sites. A recently published DAP-seq dataset for Arabidopsis transcription factors has paved the way for similar studies to be carried out in other plant species and Susan is leading a project in the Hall lab to set this up for wheat. We are requesting Open Plant funding to extend the optimisation of protein synthesis section of this technique with the aim of improving the ~30% DAP-Seq success rate reported for Arabidopsis TFs. It will allow us to extend the scope of the project and carry out a comprehensive test of three protein synthesis methods. We propose comparing cell free and in planta synthesis systems for 42 wheat TFs which include homologues of key Arabidopsis TFs involved in circadian rhythms and photosynthesis as well as a characterized TF that is known to be involved in wheat senescence.
The Team
Dr Susan Duncan,
Postdoctoral Researcher, Organisms and Ecosystems Department, Earlham Institute, Norwich
Dr Laura-Jayne Gardiner,
Postdoctoral Researcher, Organisms and Ecosystems Department, Earlham Institute, Norwich
Dr Quentin Dudley,
Postdoctoral Researcher, Engineering Biology Department, Earlham Institute, Norwich
Dr Philippa Borrill,
Research Fellow, Department of Crop Genetics, John Innes Centre
Dr Pallavi Singh,
Postdoctoral Researcher, Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge
Project Outputs
Project Report
SUMMARY OF THE PROJECT'S ACHIEVEMENTS AND FUTURE PLANS
Project Proposal
Original proposal and application
Project Resources
Progress Report, August 2018
Our Proposal
Wheat is a primary world food crop. It’s production needs to increase to meet demand and understanding gene regulatory networks will be critical for designing crops for the future. Although we have good understanding of key networks in the model plant Arabidopsis, the extent to which they have been conserved in wheat remains an open question. In addition, we have very little understanding of how gene regulatory networks operate across complex polyploid genomes. Phylogenetic analyses have revealed many core network transcription factor (TF) homologues, but knowledge of sequence specific binding sites and downstream targets is required to determine the extent to which they can be considered functional orthologues. DNA Affinity Purification Sequencing (DAP-Seq) is a high throughput method that can provide both of these key pieces of information (O’Malley et al., 2016). It uses epitope tagged TFs to pull out associated DNA sequences to reveal binding sites. A recently published DAP-seq dataset for Arabidopsis transcription factors has paved the way for similar studies to be carried out in other plant species and Susan is leading a project in the Hall lab to set this up for wheat. We are requesting Open Plant funding to extend optimisation of the protein synthesis section of this technique with the aim of improving the ~30% DAP-Seq success rate reported for Arabidopsis TFs. This will allow us to extend the scope of the project and carry out a comprehensive test of three protein synthesis methods. We propose comparing cell free and in planta synthesis systems for 42 wheat TFs which include homologues of key Arabidopsis TFs involved in circadian rhythms and photosynthesis as well as a characterized TF that is known to be involved in wheat senescence.
Benefits and Outcomes
We envisaged four major outcomes from this project:
Objective 1: Synthesis of 42 freely available DNA modules for wheat transcription factors
Construct Design
After obtaining CDS sequences for our 42 candidate wheat TFs, we took a three-step sequence optimisation approach. Firstly, we used an automated pipeline (provided by TWIST Bioscience) to generate sequences that would maximise chances of DNA synthesis success. Secondly we applied a manual codon optimisation approach to ensure that our DNA modules would be suitable for unbiased protein synthesis method assessment. Thirdly, we removed all Bsa I, Bpi I, Bsmb I and Sap I sites. Finally we carried out BLAST alignments to confirm that we had preserved TF amino acid sequences during these domestication and codon optimization steps.
Next we modified our proposed Golden Gate level 0 module design. We added 4 flanking sequences: Strep tag, linker sequence, E. coli promoter and terminator. This enabled us to order plasmids that could immediately be tested using Quentin’s “in-house” E. coli Cell Free Protein Synthesis (CFPS) system. We also added BsaI sites at either end of each CDS to ensure that all constructs could function as Level 0 CDS modules and be suitable for downstream Golden Gate reactions (see Figure 1). Our decision to invest in the synthesis of these small flanking sequences greatly accelerated the progress of our project. It effectively removed the assembly and sequencing steps that would have been required before any attempt at protein synthesis could be made. In addition, it enabled us to test all our constructs using the E. coli CFPS system - our most cost effective protein synthesis option.
Figure 1. Diagram showing the design strategy used for all constructs.
Construct Synthesis
40 of our 42 construct were successfully synthesised. From these we were able to carry out successful transformations, extract DNA and generate glycerol stocks for 36.
Ongoing Work
Transformation is being repeated for the 4 outstanding plasmids.
Objective 2: Valuable comparative data for in vitro cell free and in planta protein synthesis methods (potential open access publication).
Initial CFPS Tests
We tested all 36 constructs using the E. coli CFPS synthesis system. After optimising western blotting conditions we were able to show that 11 of these constructs had generated tagged protein (of the expected size) in the soluble lysate fractions.
Progress made toward synthesis comparison experiments
Golden Gate DigLig reactions have been completed for all constructs to enable comparative analysis of the wheat germ and N. benth expression systems.
Ongoing
Any of the four outstanding constructs that transform successfully following a second attempt, will be put through our existing CFPS, western pipeline.
There is evidence that E.coli CFPS temperature reduction can increase concentrations of soluble protein. Assessments are ongoing for constructs that have been re-tested using 16 oC CFPS conditions.
Once CFPS success has been determined for all available constructs, a subset of TFs will be tested in both the wheat germ and transient N. benth systems. It is anticipated that results from these experiments will be written up as a short paper and submitted for open access publication.
Objective 3: An optimised protein synthesis pipeline that will underpin an ongoing large DAP-Seq project
Bead purification efficiency tests for synthesised Strep-tagged proteins
Affinity tagged TFs need to be effectively purified from lysate for use in DAP-Seq experiments. As there are no published studies where Strep affinity tags have been used for this purpose, we set up experiments to determine bead purification efficiency. Results from an SDS PAGE experiment enabled calculations to be made for our first set of DNA affinity tests.
Wheat DNA library construction
A total of 8 amplified KAPA libraries have been constructed. All of these passed quality control tests and are suitable for DAP-Seq experiments. Before investing in whole genome sequencing, some of these libraries are being used for method optimisation and DAP-qPCR experiments. This economic approach enables TF enrichment to be identified at a subset of putative binding sites.
Sequence specific binding of synthesised proteins
A DAP-qPCR experiment has been completed for two proteins synthesised using the E. coli CFPS system. We compared sequence specific binding for a control strep-tagged GFP and a wheat circadian gene homologue (LUX). Our results indicate that LUX enrichment occurs at two of our candidate binding sites and GFP does not preferentially bind any of the 10 regions we tested.
Ongoing work
After confirmation of our preliminary DAP-qPCR, we will proceed with a full DAP-Seq run to identify LUX binding sites across the wheat genome.
Objective 4: New collaborations that would promote knowledge exchange and capitalise on expertise across EI, JIC and University of Cambridge.
We have successfully synthesised constructs and have succeeded in synthesising at least one TF of interest for each of our collaborators.
Thanks to OpenPlant funding, we now have an economical in-house E. coli CFPS system based at the Earlham Institute. This has already been used extensively and now has a proven success rate for wheat TF synthesis.
This project has created ongoing, beneficial collaborations between our four labs: Hall Lab (EI), Patron lab (EI), Hibberd Lab (Uni. Cambridge) and Uauy Lab (John Innes).
It is anticipated that data generated for this project will be used to support future collaborative BBSRC grant applications.
Summary
OpenPlant funding has provided us with a strong foundation from which to pursue our goal - to generate the first genome-wide TF binding site dataset for wheat.