Synthetic CRISPR-Cas gene activators for transcriptional reprogramming in bacteria

• DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-04901-6
• Publication Date: 2018-06-21T09:55:46Z
• Authors: Chen Dong; Jason Fontana; Anika Patel; James M. Carothers; Jesse G. Zalatan
• Keywords: Synthetic Biology; Reprogramming; CRISPR interference; Transcription

Methods to regulate gene expression programs in bacterial cells are limited by the absence of effective activators. To address this challenge, we have developed synthetic transcriptional activators E. coli linking activation domains programmable CRISPR-Cas DNA binding domains. Effective requires target sites situated a narrow region just upstream transcription start site, sharp contrast relatively flexible site requirements for eukaryotic cells. Together with existing tools CRISPRi repression, these enable control over multiple genes simultaneous and repression. Further, entire program can be switched on inducing system. This work will provide foundation engineering cellular devices applications including diagnostics, therapeutics, industrial biosynthesis.