Journal: bioRxiv

Article Title: Elucidating genes sufficient for viral entry into cells through sequential genome-wide CRISPR activation screens

doi: 10.64898/2026.03.06.710083

Figure Lengend Snippet: (A) Summary of gene deletion vs. gene overexpression approaches. (B) Rationale for the present study. (C) Experimental outline of the present study. (D) HEK293 and Jurkat cells were inoculated with different volumes of Ebola or rabies pseudovirus encoding a cell-surface marker (mCD19t; a truncated mutant of mouse CD19), followed by flow cytometry to determine the percentage of infected cells. This revealed that Jurkat cells are largely refractory to Ebola or rabies pseudovirus entry, relative to HEK293 cells. (E) Construction of a clonal Jurkat cell line, known as “Jurkat C6”, stably expressing a degron-tagged CRISPRa construct ( left ). Jurkat C6 cells were transduced with sgRNA targeting the endogenous human CD19 gene, in the presence or absence of TMP (1 μM) for 3 days, followed by flow cytometry to detect hCD19 expression ( right ). (F) At each of the indicated points of the genome-wide CRISPRa screen, the cell population was challenged with Ebola or rabies pseudovirus, and cell infectivity was evaluated by flow cytometry. Upon successive rounds of the screen, the cell population became progressively more susceptible to infection to either Ebola or rabies pseudovirus, respectively. (G) sgRNA distribution upon successive rounds of the genome-wide CRISPRa screen for Ebola pseudovirus entry. (H) sgRNA distribution upon successive rounds of the genome-wide CRISPRa screen for rabies pseudovirus entry.

Article Snippet: The human genome-wide CRISPRa sgRNA library (hCRISPRa-v2 [Addgene, 1000000091]) comprises 209,080 sgRNAs targeting 18,915 human genes (approximately 10 sgRNAs per gene), in addition to 3,790 non-targeting control sgRNAs .

Techniques: Over Expression, Marker, Mutagenesis, Flow Cytometry, Infection, Stable Transfection, Expressing, Construct, Transduction, Genome Wide

Journal: bioRxiv

Article Title: Elucidating genes sufficient for viral entry into cells through sequential genome-wide CRISPR activation screens

doi: 10.64898/2026.03.06.710083

Figure Lengend Snippet: A) Plasmids used to pseudotype non-replicating lentiviruses with either Ebola or rabies envelope proteins. EBOV-GP: glycoprotein of Ebola virus, Makona variant. RABV-GP N2C: glycoprotein of rabies virus, N2C variant. B) HEK293 and Jurkat cells were inoculated with different volumes of VSV envelope protein-pseudotyped lentivirus encoding a cell-surface marker (mCD19t; a truncated mutant of mouse CD19), followed by flow cytometry to determine the percentage of infected cells. This served as a positive control to confirm that Jurkat cells and HEK293 cells are both susceptible to VSV pseudovirus entry. C) Jurkat C6 cells were transduced with sgRNA targeting the endogenous human CD19 gene, in the presence of different TMP concentrations (0-4 μM) for 2-3 days, followed by flow cytometry to detect human CD19 expression.

Article Snippet: The human genome-wide CRISPRa sgRNA library (hCRISPRa-v2 [Addgene, 1000000091]) comprises 209,080 sgRNAs targeting 18,915 human genes (approximately 10 sgRNAs per gene), in addition to 3,790 non-targeting control sgRNAs .

Techniques: Virus, Variant Assay, Marker, Mutagenesis, Flow Cytometry, Infection, Positive Control, Transduction, Expressing

Journal: bioRxiv

Article Title: Elucidating genes sufficient for viral entry into cells through sequential genome-wide CRISPR activation screens

doi: 10.64898/2026.03.06.710083

Figure Lengend Snippet: A) NGFR was expressed in Jurkat C6 cells using CRISPRa, or alternatively, Jurkat cells using cDNA expression. NGFR -expressing or control cells were then inoculated with rabies pseudovirus encoding mCD19t. Flow cytometry was then performed to determine the percentage of infected cells. This revealed that NGFR expression significantly increased the susceptibility of Jurkat cells to rabies pseudovirus infection. B) L-SIGN or DC-SIGN were expressed in Jurkat or primary human CD4 + T cells using cDNA expression. L-SIGN -expressing, DC-SIGN -expressing, or control cells were inoculated with rabies pseudovirus encoding hEGFRt (a truncated mutant of human EGFR). Flow cytometry was then performed to determine the percentage of infected cells. This revealed that L-SIGN or DC-SIGN expression significantly increased the susceptibility of Jurkat cells and primary T cells to Ebola pseudovirus infection. C) L-SIGN or DC-SIGN were expressed in primary human CD4 + T cells using cDNA expression, and then L-SIGN -expressing, DC-SIGN -expressing, or control cells were inoculated with GFP -expressing Ebola virus or zsGreen -expressing Sudan virus under BSL4 containment. Flow cytometry was then performed to determine the percentage of infected cells. This revealed that L-SIGN or DC-SIGN expression significantly increased the susceptibility of primary T cells to authentic Ebola and Sudan virus infection.

Article Snippet: The human genome-wide CRISPRa sgRNA library (hCRISPRa-v2 [Addgene, 1000000091]) comprises 209,080 sgRNAs targeting 18,915 human genes (approximately 10 sgRNAs per gene), in addition to 3,790 non-targeting control sgRNAs .

Techniques: Expressing, Control, Flow Cytometry, Infection, Mutagenesis, Virus

Journal: bioRxiv

Article Title: Elucidating genes sufficient for viral entry into cells through sequential genome-wide CRISPR activation screens

doi: 10.64898/2026.03.06.710083

Figure Lengend Snippet: A) NGFR was expressed in Jurkat C6 cells using CRISPRa, or alternatively, Jurkat cells using cDNA expression. NGFR -expressing or control cells were then inoculated with rabies pseudovirus encoding mCD19t. Flow cytometry was then performed to determine the percentage of infected cells. This revealed that NGFR expression significantly increased the susceptibility of Jurkat cells to rabies pseudovirus infection. As positive controls, flow cytometry was used to confirm successful delivery of the sgRNA construct as part of the CRISPRa workflow (as denoted by BFP expression) and that NGFR was expressed (upon cDNA expression). B) L-SIGN or DC-SIGN were expressed in primary human CD4 + T cells using cDNA expression. L-SIGN -expressing, DC-SIGN -expressing, or control cells were inoculated with rabies pseudovirus encoding hEGFRt (a truncated mutant of human EGFR). Flow cytometry was then performed to determine the percentage of infected cells. This revealed that L-SIGN or DC-SIGN expression significantly increased the susceptibility of Jurkat cells and primary T cells to Ebola pseudovirus infection. Cells expressing the highest levels of L-SIGN and DC-SIGN were preferentially infected by Ebola pseudovirus. C) L-SIGN or DC-SIGN were expressed in primary human CD4 + T cells using cDNA expression, and then L-SIGN -expressing, DC-SIGN -expressing, or control cells were inoculated with GFP -expressing Ebola virus or zsGreen -expressing Sudan virus under BSL4 containment. On days 0, 1, and 2 post-infection, flow cytometry was performed to determine the percentage of infected cells and qPCR was performed on cell culture supernatants to quantify viral genome replication. This revealed that L-SIGN or DC-SIGN expression enabled authentic Ebola and Sudan virus entry into primary human T cells, but viral genome replication was impaired, perhaps reflective of cell-intrinsic restriction factors.

Article Snippet: The human genome-wide CRISPRa sgRNA library (hCRISPRa-v2 [Addgene, 1000000091]) comprises 209,080 sgRNAs targeting 18,915 human genes (approximately 10 sgRNAs per gene), in addition to 3,790 non-targeting control sgRNAs .

Techniques: Expressing, Control, Flow Cytometry, Infection, Construct, Mutagenesis, Virus, Cell Culture

Journal: Redox Biology

Article Title: CRISPR-based chemogenomic profiling reveals redox vulnerabilities to epigallocatechin-3-gallate and green tea polyphenol extract

doi: 10.1016/j.redox.2026.104047

Figure Lengend Snippet: Genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 screen identifies genetic determinants of GTE-induced cytotoxicity. (A) Schematic overview of the experimental workflow for the genome-wide CRISPR knockout screen in NALM-6 cells treated with green tea extract (GTE), aimed at identifying genes modulating compound sensitivity. (B) Distribution of CRANKS scores for 19,034 genes following GTE treatment. Negative scores (red arrows, CRANKS ≤ −2) indicate sensitizer genes whose knockout enhances compound sensitivity, while positive scores (green arrows, CRANKS ≥2) represent rescuers whose knockout confers resistance. The 2D scatter plot is aligned with a one-dimensional frequency distribution, illustrating the thresholds used to define top hits. (C) Volcano plot showing CRANKS scores plotted against –log 10 p -values. Genes above the horizontal dashed line marks the p -threshold ( p < 0.05), while those beyond the vertical dashed lines exceed CRANKS thresholds of ±2, identifying 30 filtered genes ( p ≤ 0.01) labeled by gene symbol. Red points represent sensitizers; green points represent rescuers. Listed starred gene (∗) indicate top hits. (D) KEGG pathway enrichment analysis of highest CRANKS-filtered candidates (|CRANKS| ≥ 2; p ≤ 0.01; set including all top hits). Bubble color reflects false discovery rate (FDR), ranging from light green (FDR = 9 × 10 −7 ) to dark blue (FDR = 4 × 10 −3 ), and bubble size corresponds to the number of genes in each pathway. Pathways are ranked by significance on the y-axis. Analysis was performed using the STRING database with whole-genome background, requiring a minimum of two genes per pathway and FDR ≤0.05.

Article Snippet: Briefly, a human NALM-6 (pre-B ALL lymphocytes) clone bearing an integrated inducible Cas9 expression cassette generated by lentiviruses made from pCW-Cas9 (Addgene #50661) was transduced with the genome-wide KO EKO sgRNA library (278,754 different sgRNAs).

Techniques: Genome Wide, CRISPR, Knock-Out, Labeling

Journal: Redox Biology

Article Title: CRISPR-based chemogenomic profiling reveals redox vulnerabilities to epigallocatechin-3-gallate and green tea polyphenol extract

doi: 10.1016/j.redox.2026.104047

Figure Lengend Snippet: EGCG-induced pro-oxidant mechanisms: Insights from genome-wide CRISPR screening. (1) EGCG undergoes auto-oxidation generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) and quinone intermediates. A genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 screen identified key genes modulating cellular response to EGCG-induced oxidative stress. (2) Knockouts of glutathione biosynthesis genes ( GCLC , GCLM , GSS ) impair H 2 O 2 detoxification, sensitizing cells to ferroptosis. (3) Peroxisomal genes ( PEX1 , PEX6 , PEX12 , PEX14 ) regulate ROS metabolism; their disruption compromises H 2 O 2 clearance via catalase ( CAT ) and peroxiredoxin-1 ( PRDX1 ). (4) The KEAP1-NRF2 axis controls antioxidant gene expression, inducing enzymes (e.g., CAT, PRDX1, GCLs) that mitigate ROS toxicity. KEAP1 knockout enhances NRF2 signaling and confers resistance. (5) Additional modulators include ABCC1 (drug efflux), SLC7A11 (cysteine transporter) and BAK1 (apoptosis). Sensitizer hits (red labels) indicate knockouts that heighten EGCG toxicity, while resistance hits (green labels) protect against cell death. Color intensity reflects CRANKS scores relative to the highest scoring genes. Together, these findings illustrate how EGCG's pro-oxidant activity can overwhelm cancer cell defenses when redox-regulating pathways are genetically compromised.

Article Snippet: Briefly, a human NALM-6 (pre-B ALL lymphocytes) clone bearing an integrated inducible Cas9 expression cassette generated by lentiviruses made from pCW-Cas9 (Addgene #50661) was transduced with the genome-wide KO EKO sgRNA library (278,754 different sgRNAs).

Techniques: Genome Wide, CRISPR, Disruption, Gene Expression, Knock-Out, Activity Assay

Journal: bioRxiv

Article Title: Antibody-Dependent Heterotypic Syncytia Drive COVID-19 Inflammation and Disease Progression

doi: 10.64898/2026.02.11.705426

Figure Lengend Snippet: A , Schematic of the CRISPR-Cas9 screen. B , Volcano plot of genes from the screen, ranked by fold change and adjusted P value. C , Representative flow cytometry dot plots of GW01-induced syncytia between A549-spike and FCER1G -KO (FcRγ-KO) THP-1 clones versus non-targeting control (NT), and quantification of syncytia(right inset)(mean ± SEM, n=3, * P <0.05, **** P <0.0001). D , Representative plots A549-spike fusion with ADAM10-KO THP-1 clones versus control and quantification of syncytia. E , Rescue of FcRγ: representative plots for FcRγ-KO-LVX (empty lentiviral vector), FcRγ-KO-FcRγ (FcRγ cDNA), and NT-LVX; with quantification of syncythia. F , Rescue of ADAM10: representative plots for ADAM10-KO-LVX (empty vector), ADAM10-KO-ADAM10 (ADAM10 cDNA), and NT-LVX, along with quantification of syncytia. G , Effect of CD64 or CD32 blocking antibodies on GW01-dependent syncytium formation measured by NanoLuc assay. H , Effect of the ADAM10 inhibitor GI254023X on GW01-dependent syncytium formation. I , Representative fluorescence images of syncytia (yellow merge) between THP-1-mCherry (red) and A549-spike (green; CFSE) at 3 hour post co-culture, with or without GI254023X. Scale bar, 100 μm. Data are presented as mean ± SEM, n=3, * P <0.05, *** P <0.001, **** P <0.0001 by one-way ANOVA.

Article Snippet: The genome-wide CRISPR sgRNA library (Addgene, 101926-101934) was packaged into lentiviruses.

Techniques: CRISPR, Flow Cytometry, Clone Assay, Control, Plasmid Preparation, Blocking Assay, Fluorescence, Co-Culture Assay

Journal: Cell Reports Medicine

Article Title: CDK4/6 inhibition overcomes venetoclax resistance mechanisms with enhanced combination activity in acute myeloid leukemia

doi: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2025.102526

Figure Lengend Snippet: Combining ven+palbo mitigates single-agent resistance due to clinically observed mutations (A) Enrichment of individual sgRNAs for RB1, BAX, and IKZF1 shown as fold change over DMSO control following a 21-day exposure to palbo, ven, or ven+palbo in OCI-AML2 Cas9 C6 cells. (B) Immunoblot showing efficiency of knockdown of RB1, BAX, and IKZF1 proteins in OCI-AML2 cell lines. A cell line expressing an NT sgRNA was used to generate a control cell line. Vinculin was used as a protein loading control. Par, parental; NT, non-targeting. (C–F) Dose-response curves for OCI-AML2 NT and KO cell lines evaluated for drug sensitivity to palbo, ven, or the combination. Data points denote the mean normalized cell viability ± SD for 3 replicates. (G) IC 50 values derived from dose-response curves of OCI-AML2 cell line drug sensitivity assays shown in (C)–(F). Data represent the mean IC 50 ± SD for 3 replicates (∗ p ≤ 0.05 and ∗∗ p ≤ 0.01 by Student’s t test). (H–J) Outgrowth of OCI-AML2 Non-targeting (H), OCI-AML2 Bax KO (I), and OCI-AML3 cell lines (J) treated with palbo, aza, and ven single agents, duplicate combinations and the triplet. Total viable cells over a 14-day drug treatment are shown. Data points denote the mean total number of viable cells ± SD for 3 replicates. One-way ANOVA with Tukey’s post-test for multiple comparisons was used for day 7 and day 14 time points as indicated. (∗ p ≤ 0.05, ∗∗ p ≤ 0.01, ∗∗∗ p ≤ 0.001, ∗∗∗∗ p ≤ 0.0001) (K) Immunoblot of apoptotic proteins in OCI-AML2 cells, drug treated for 14 days.

Article Snippet: Clonal OCI-AML2 Cas9 C6 cells were used for genome wide knockout with sgRNA library (Addgene #67989) as described above.

Techniques: Control, Western Blot, Knockdown, Expressing, Derivative Assay