Multiplex genome editing eliminates the Warburg Effect without impacting growth rate in mammalian cells.

The Warburg effect is ubiquitous in proliferative mammalian cells, including cancer cells, but poses challenges for biopharmaceutical production, as lactate accumulation inhibits cell growth and protein production. Previous efforts to eliminate lactate production via knockout have failed in mammalian bioprocessing since lactate dehydrogenase has proven essential. However, here we eliminated the Warburg effect in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) and HEK293 cells by simultaneously knocking out lactate dehydrogenase and regulators involved in a negative feedback loop that typically inhibits pyruvate conversion to acetyl-CoA.

Inferring secretory and metabolic pathway activity from omic data with secCellFie.

Understanding protein secretion has considerable importance in biotechnology and important implications in a broad range of normal and pathological conditions including development, immunology, and tissue function. While great progress has been made in studying individual proteins in the secretory pathway, measuring and quantifying mechanistic changes in the pathway's activity remains challenging due to the complexity of the biomolecular systems involved. Systems biology has begun to address this issue with the development of algorithmic tools for analyzing biological pathways; however most of these tools remain accessible only to experts in systems biology with extensive computational experience.

Ribosomal RNA 2'-O-methylation dynamics impact cell fate decisions.

Translational regulation impacts both pluripotency maintenance and cell differentiation. To what degree the ribosome exerts control over this process remains unanswered. Accumulating evidence has demonstrated heterogeneity in ribosome composition in various organisms.

Inferring secretory and metabolic pathway activity from omic data with secCellFie.

Understanding protein secretion has considerable importance in the biotechnology industry and important implications in a broad range of normal and pathological conditions including development, immunology, and tissue function. While great progress has been made in studying individual proteins in the secretory pathway, measuring and quantifying mechanistic changes in the pathway's activity remains challenging due to the complexity of the biomolecular systems involved. Systems biology has begun to address this issue with the development of algorithmic tools for analyzing biological pathways; however most of these tools remain accessible only to experts in systems biology with extensive computational experience.

Regulation of translation by site-specific ribosomal RNA methylation.

Ribosomes are complex ribozymes that interpret genetic information by translating messenger RNA (mRNA) into proteins. Natural variation in ribosome composition has been documented in several organisms and can arise from several different sources. A key question is whether specific control over ribosome heterogeneity represents a mechanism by which translation can be regulated.

Increased mAb production in amplified CHO cell lines is associated with increased interaction of CREB1 with transgene promoter.

Most therapeutic monoclonal antibodies in biopharmaceutical processes are produced in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. Technological advances have rendered the selection procedure for higher producers a robust protocol. However, information on molecular mechanisms that impart the property of hyper-productivity in the final selected clones is currently lacking.

Combating viral contaminants in CHO cells by engineering innate immunity.

Viral contamination in biopharmaceutical manufacturing can lead to shortages in the supply of critical therapeutics. To facilitate the protection of bioprocesses, we explored the basis for the susceptibility of CHO cells to RNA virus infection. Upon infection with certain ssRNA and dsRNA viruses, CHO cells fail to generate a significant interferon (IFN) response.

Tousled-like kinases phosphorylate Asf1 to promote histone supply during DNA replication.

During DNA replication, nucleosomes are rapidly assembled on newly synthesized DNA to restore chromatin organization. Asf1, a key histone H3-H4 chaperone required for this process, is phosphorylated by Tousled-like kinases (TLKs). Here, we identify TLK phosphorylation sites by mass spectrometry and dissect how phosphorylation has an impact on human Asf1 function.

Codanin-1, mutated in the anaemic disease CDAI, regulates Asf1 function in S-phase histone supply.

Efficient supply of new histones during DNA replication is critical to restore chromatin organization and maintain genome function. The histone chaperone anti-silencing function 1 (Asf1) serves a key function in providing H3.1-H4 to CAF-1 for replication-coupled nucleosome assembly.

The chromatin-remodeling factor CHD4 coordinates signaling and repair after DNA damage.

In response to ionizing radiation (IR), cells delay cell cycle progression and activate DNA repair. Both processes are vital for genome integrity, but the mechanisms involved in their coordination are not fully understood. In a mass spectrometry screen, we identified the adenosine triphosphate-dependent chromatin-remodeling protein CHD4 (chromodomain helicase DNA-binding protein 4) as a factor that becomes transiently immobilized on chromatin after IR.

Shoot differentiation from protocorm callus cultures of Vanilla planifolia (Orchidaceae): proteomic and metabolic responses at early stage.

Background: Vanilla planifolia is an important Orchid commercially cultivated for the production of natural vanilla flavour. Vanilla plants are conventionally propagated by stem cuttings and thus causing injury to the mother plants. Regeneration and in vitro mass multiplication are proposed as an alternative to minimize damage to mother plants.

RNF168 binds and amplifies ubiquitin conjugates on damaged chromosomes to allow accumulation of repair proteins.

DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) not only interrupt the genetic information, but also disrupt the chromatin structure, and both impairments require repair mechanisms to ensure genome integrity. We showed previously that RNF8-mediated chromatin ubiquitylation protects genome integrity by promoting the accumulation of repair factors at DSBs. Here, we provide evidence that, while RNF8 is necessary to trigger the DSB-associated ubiquitylations, it is not sufficient to sustain conjugated ubiquitin in this compartment.

An interactional network of genes involved in chitin synthesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Background: In S. cerevisiae the beta-1,4-linked N-acetylglucosamine polymer, chitin, is synthesized by a family of 3 specialized but interacting chitin synthases encoded by CHS1, CHS2 and CHS3. Chs2p makes chitin in the primary septum, while Chs3p makes chitin in the lateral cell wall and in the bud neck, and can partially compensate for the lack of Chs2p.

Analysis of beta-1,3-glucan assembly in Saccharomyces cerevisiae using a synthetic interaction network and altered sensitivity to caspofungin.

Large-scale screening of genetic and chemical-genetic interactions was used to examine the assembly and regulation of beta-1,3-glucan in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Using the set of deletion mutants in approximately 4600 nonessential genes, we scored synthetic interactions with genes encoding subunits of the beta-1,3-glucan synthase (FKS1, FKS2), the glucan synthesis regulator (SMI1/KNR4), and a beta-1,3-glucanosyltransferase (GAS1). In the resulting network, FKS1, FKS2, GAS1, and SMI1 are connected to 135 genes in 195 interactions, with 26 of these genes also interacting with CHS3 encoding chitin synthase III.

Global mapping of the yeast genetic interaction network.

A genetic interaction network containing approximately 1000 genes and approximately 4000 interactions was mapped by crossing mutations in 132 different query genes into a set of approximately 4700 viable gene yeast deletion mutants and scoring the double mutant progeny for fitness defects. Network connectivity was predictive of function because interactions often occurred among functionally related genes, and similar patterns of interactions tended to identify components of the same pathway. The genetic network exhibited dense local neighborhoods; therefore, the position of a gene on a partially mapped network is predictive of other genetic interactions.

A synthetic analysis of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae stress sensor Mid2p, and identification of a Mid2p-interacting protein, Zeo1p, that modulates the PKC1-MPK1 cell integrity pathway.

Mid2p is a plasma membrane protein that functions in Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a sensor of cell wall stress, activating the PKC1-MPK1 cell integrity pathway via the small GTPase Rho1p during exposure to mating pheromone, calcofluor white, and heat. To examine Mid2p signalling, a global synthetic interaction analysis of a mid2 mutant was performed; this identified 11 interacting genes. These include WSC1 and ROM2, upstream elements in cell integrity pathway signalling, and FKS1 and SMI1, required for 1,3-beta-glucan synthesis.

A Saccharomyces cerevisiae genome-wide mutant screen for altered sensitivity to K1 killer toxin.

Using the set of Saccharomyces cerevisiae mutants individually deleted for 5718 yeast genes, we screened for altered sensitivity to the antifungal protein, K1 killer toxin, that binds to a cell wall beta-glucan receptor and subsequently forms lethal pores in the plasma membrane. Mutations in 268 genes, including 42 in genes of unknown function, had a phenotype, often mild, with 186 showing resistance and 82 hypersensitivity compared to wild type. Only 15 of these genes were previously known to cause a toxin phenotype when mutated.

Functional profiling of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae genome.

Determining the effect of gene deletion is a fundamental approach to understanding gene function. Conventional genetic screens exhibit biases, and genes contributing to a phenotype are often missed. We systematically constructed a nearly complete collection of gene-deletion mutants (96% of annotated open reading frames, or ORFs) of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.