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Title: Redirecting Metabolic Flux via Combinatorial Multiplex CRISPRi-Mediated Repression for Isopentenol Production in Escherichia coli

Journal Article · · ACS Synthetic Biology
 [1];  [2];  [1]; ORCiD logo [1]
  1. Joint BioEnergy Inst. (JBEI), Emeryville, CA (United States); Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
  2. Joint BioEnergy Inst. (JBEI), Emeryville, CA (United States); Univ. of California, Berkeley, CA (United States); Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)

CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) via target guide RNA (gRNA) arrays and a deactivated Cas9 (dCas9) protein has been shown to simultaneously repress expression of multiple genomic DNA loci. By knocking down endogenous genes in competing pathways, CRISPRi technology can be utilized to redirect metabolic flux toward target metabolite. In this study, we constructed a CRISPRi-mediated multiplex repression system to silence transcription of several endogenous genes to increase precursor availability in a heterologous isopentenol biosynthesis pathway. To identify genomic knockdown targets in competing pathways, we first designed a single-gRNA library with 15 individual targets, where 3 gRNA cassettes targeting gene asnA, prpE, and gldA increased isopentenol titer by 18-24%. We then combined the 3 single-gRNA cassettes into a two- or three-gRNA array and observed up to 98% enhancement in production by fine-tuning the repression level through titrating dCas9 expression. Our strategy shows that multiplex combinatorial knockdown of competing genes using CRISPRi can increase production of the target metabolite, while the repression level needs to be adjusted to balance the metabolic network and achieve the maximum titer improvement.

Research Organization:
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC02-05CH11231
OSTI ID:
1580375
Journal Information:
ACS Synthetic Biology, Vol. 8, Issue 2; ISSN 2161-5063
Publisher:
American Chemical Society (ACS)Copyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 50 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

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Cited By (7)

Impact of CRISPR interference on strain development in biotechnology journal January 2020
Increased Production of Dicinnamoylmethane Via Improving Cellular Malonyl-CoA Level by Using a CRISPRi in Escherichia coli journal December 2019
Multiplex genome editing of microorganisms using CRISPR-Cas journal April 2019
Obtaining a series of native gradient promoter-5′-UTR sequences in Corynebacterium glutamicum ATCC 13032 journal June 2020
Establishment and application of CRISPR interference to affect sporulation, hydrogen peroxide detoxification, and mannitol catabolism in the methylotrophic thermophile Bacillus methanolicus journal May 2019
Establishment and application of multiplexed CRISPR interference system in Bacillus licheniformis journal November 2019
An expanded CRISPRi toolbox for tunable control of gene expression in Pseudomonas putida journal August 2019

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