Journal: bioRxiv
Article Title: Gene Editing for ATXN3 Inactivation in Machado-Joseph disease: CRISPR-Cas9 as a Therapeutic Alternative to TALEN-Induced Toxicity
doi: 10.1101/2025.02.14.637261
Figure Lengend Snippet: (A) Four guide sequences (sgKO.1, sgKO.2, sgKO.3, and sgKO.4) were designed to recognize exon 2 of the human ATXN3 gene (sgRNA target sequences are displayed in green). Sp Cas9 is recruited to the locus of interest, mediating the insertion of a DSB (colored scissors in the scheme and arrowheads in the target sequences) at approximately 3 base pairs upstream of a PAM sequence (sequence displayed in magenta). Subsequently, genome editing is achieved via NHEJ repair pathway for the permanent blocking of ATXN3 gene expression. (B) sgRNA sequences were cloned into a lentiviral expression vector (lentiCRISPRv2, addgene plasmid #52961), which also codifies for a FLAG-tagged Sp Cas9 and a puromycin resistance cassette. For the validation of the guide sequences, HEK293T cells were transfected with each of the generated plasmids and maintained in culture for 72 hours (selection medium with puromycin 10 µg/mL for 48 hours). Cells transfected with a guide sequence targeting the bacterial lacZ gene (sgCTRL) were used as a negative control. (C-D) Locus modification efficiencies were analyzed using Surveyor nuclease assay. Lane 1: DNA ladder (GeneRuler 100 bp, Thermo Fisher Scientific); Lane 2: Cells transfected with the sgCTRL construct; Lanes 3-6: Cells transfected with the sgRNA knock-out guide sequences (sgKO.1, sgKO.2, sgKO.3 and sgKO.4, respectively). Arrowheads indicate the expected DNA fragments, cleaved by Surveyor nuclease. The estimated indel occurrence within human ATXN3 locus is represented as a percentage (n=4). (E-F) Western blot analysis revealed a significant decrease (approximately 0.5-fold change) in ATXN3 protein levels after Sp Cas9 targeting of ATXN3 locus in comparison with the control sequence (n=3). Results are presented as fold change relative to cells transfected with the sgCTRL expressing plasmid. Optical densitometry analysis of ATXN3 fractions were normalized with β-actin and FLAG signals. Statistical significance was evaluated with one-way ANOVA with Dunnett’s post hoc test (*p<0.05). Data are expressed as mean ± SEM. Abbreviations : LTR (long terminal repeat); U6 (Pol III promoter); sgRNA (single guide RNA); EFS (elongation factor 1α short promoter); Sp Cas9 (Cas9 nuclease from Streptococcus pyogenes) ; NLS (nuclear localization signal); FLAG (FLAG octapeptide tag); P2A (2A self-cleaving peptide); Puro (puromycin selection marker); WPRE (woodchuck hepatitis virus post-transcriptional regulatory element).
Article Snippet: Due to constraints related with AAV packaging capacity, a two-vector system was adopted for in vivo applications : i) AAV- Sp Cas9 (vector pX551, plasmid #60957, Addgene) and ii) AAV- Sp Guide (vector pX552, plasmid #60958, Addgene).
Techniques: Sequencing, Blocking Assay, Expressing, Clone Assay, Plasmid Preparation, Transfection, Generated, Selection, Negative Control, Modification, Nuclease Assay, Construct, Knock-Out, Western Blot, Comparison, Control, FLAG-tag, Marker, Virus