Name: gene-targeted random mutagenesis to select heterochromatin-destabilizing proteasome mutants in fission yeast
Uploaded: 2018-05-15T14:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Gene-targeted Random Mutagenesis to Select Heterochromatin-destabilizing Proteasome Mutants in Fission Yeast at JoVE.com

Funding support for this project was provided by the Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Science and ICT (2016R1A2B2006354).

1. Preparation of Media
<ol>
	<li>Prepare Yeast Extract with supplements (YES), YES without adenine (YES Low Ade), Pombe Glutamate medium (PMG12), and PMG without adenine (PMG-Ade) by mixing the components as described in Table 1. YES-Ade (Low Ade) and PMG-Ade plates have all of the same components, but the adenine is omitted from the latter.
	<ol>
		<li>Use the following salt (50x) stock: 52.5 g/L MgCl2&#183;6H2O, 2 g/L CaCl2&#183;2H2...

<ol>
	<li>Pritchard, L., Corne, D., Kell, D., Rowland, J., Winson, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+general+model+of+error-prone+PCR.">A general model of error-prone PCR.</a> J Theor Biol. 234 (4), 497-509 (2005).</li><li>Pfeifer, G. P., You, Y. H., Besaratinia, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Mutations+induced+by+ultraviolet+light.">Mutations induced by ultraviolet light.</a> Mutat Res. 571 (1-2), 19-31 (2005).</li><li>Moreno, S., Klar, A., Nurse, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Molecular+genetic+analysis+of+fission+yeast+Schizosaccharomyces+pombe.">Molecular genetic analysis of fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe.</a> Methods Enzymol. 194, 795-823 (1991).</li><li>Selifonova, O., Valle, F., Schellenberger, V. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Rapid+evolution+of+novel+traits+in+microorganisms.">Rapid evolution of novel traits in microorganisms.</a> Appl Environ Microbiol. 67 (8), 3645-3649 (2001).</li><li>Cohen, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=How+DNA+shuffling+works.">How DNA shuffling works.</a> Science. 293 (5528), 237 (2001).</li><li>Sahu, P. P., Sharma, N., Puranik, S., Chakraborty, S., Prasad, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Tomato+26S+Proteasome+subunit+RPT4a+regulates+ToLCNDV+transcription+and+activates+hypersensitive+response+in+tomato.">Tomato 26S Proteasome subunit RPT4a regulates ToLCNDV transcription and activates hypersensitive response in tomato.</a> Sci Rep. 6, 27078 (2016).</li><li>Xu, Q., Singer, R. A., Johnston, G. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Sug1+modulates+yeast+transcription+activation+by+Cdc68.">Sug1 modulates yeast transcription activation by Cdc68.</a> Mol Cell Biol. 15 (11), 6025-6035 (1995).</li><li>Bhat, K. P., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+19S+proteasome+ATPase+Sug1+plays+a+critical+role+in+regulating+MHC+class+II+transcription.">The 19S proteasome ATPase Sug1 plays a critical role in regulating MHC class II transcription.</a> Mol Immunol. 45 (8), 2214-2224 (2008).</li><li>Chang, C., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+Gal4+activation+domain+binds+Sug2+protein,+a+proteasome+component,+in+vivo+and+in+vitro.">The Gal4 activation domain binds Sug2 protein, a proteasome component, in vivo and in vitro.</a> J Biol Chem. 276 (33), 30956-30963 (2001).</li><li>Ekwall, K., Cranston, G., Allshire, R. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Fission+yeast+mutants+that+alleviate+transcriptional+silencing+in+centromeric+flanking+repeats+and+disrupt+chromosome+segregation.">Fission yeast mutants that alleviate transcriptional silencing in centromeric flanking repeats and disrupt chromosome segregation.</a> Genetics. 153 (3), 1153-1169 (1999).</li><li>Grewal, S. I., Jia, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Heterochromatin+revisited.">Heterochromatin revisited.</a> Nat Rev Genet. 8 (1), 35-46 (2007).</li><li>Forsburg, S. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Forsburg Lab Recipes: Fission Yeast Media. , (2011).</li><li>. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> QIAquick PCR Purification Kit. , (2013).</li><li>. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> pBlueScript II Vector. , (2005).</li><li>. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> QIAquick Gel Extraction Kit. , (2013).</li><li>. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> QuickGene SP Kit Plasmid Kit II (SP-PL2). , (2016).</li><li>. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> PfuUltra High-fidelity DNA Polymerase. , (2004).</li><li>. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Gibson Assembly Master Mix. , (2017).</li><li>. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> GeneMorph II Random Mutagenesis Kits. , (2012).</li><li>. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Plasmid Plus Midi Kit. , (1999).</li><li>Bahler, J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Heterologous+modules+for+efficient+and+versatile+PCR-based+gene+targeting+in+Schizosaccharomyces+pombe.">Heterologous modules for efficient and versatile PCR-based gene targeting in Schizosaccharomyces pombe.</a> Yeast. 14 (10), 943-951 (1998).</li><li>Szewczyk, E., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Fusion+PCR+and+gene+targeting+in+Aspergillus+nidulans.">Fusion PCR and gene targeting in Aspergillus nidulans.</a> Nat Protoc. 1 (6), 3111-3120 (2006).</li><li>Nurse, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Fission Yeast Handbook. , (2000).</li><li>Seo, H. D., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+19S+proteasome+is+directly+involved+in+the+regulation+of+heterochromatin+spreading+in+fission+yeast.">The 19S proteasome is directly involved in the regulation of heterochromatin spreading in fission yeast.</a> J Biol Chem. , (2017).</li><li>Tang, N. H., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Generation+and+characterisation+of+temperature+sensitive+mutants+of+genes+encoding+the+fission+yeast+spindle+pole+body.">Generation and characterisation of temperature sensitive mutants of genes encoding the fission yeast spindle pole body.</a> PeerJ Preprints. 5, e3377v3371 (2017).</li><li>Rasooly, A., Weisz, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=In+vitro+antibacterial+activities+of+phloxine+B+and+other+halogenated+fluoresceins+against+methicillin-resistant+Staphylococcus+aureus.">In vitro antibacterial activities of phloxine B and other halogenated fluoresceins against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.</a> Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 46 (11), 3650-3653 (2002).</li><li>Wilson, D. S., Keefe, A. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Random+mutagenesis+by+PCR.">Random mutagenesis by PCR.</a> Curr Protoc Mol Biol. , (2001).</li></ol>

Random mutagenesis via error-prone PCR is a powerful tool for generating a diverse pool of mutants in a given region. This technique is especially useful for studies that seek to assess the function of a protein under a specific circumstance. For example, we herein used error-prone PCR to assess the function of the 19S proteasome subunit, Rpt4, in heterochromatin maintenance. By varying the region targeted by the error-prone PCR and adjusting the screening conditions, we were able to mutate cells at the genomic region of...

Forward genetics is a classical method in which researchers seek naturally occurring mutants that display a particular phenotype, and perform genetic analyses. In reverse genetics, mutations are introduced into a gene of interest and the phenotype is examined. In the latter case, random mutagenesis of a target gene is often used to generate a pool of mutants that are subsequently selected for desired phenotypes, such as temperature sensitivity or altered enzymatic activity. Various methods may be used to achieve random mutagenesis, including error-prone PCR1; UV irradiation2; chemical mutagens, such as ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) or nitrous acid3; the use of temporary mutator strains, such as those over-expressing mutD5 4; and DNA shuffling5.
Here, we describe a reverse-genetics strategy in which we utilize error-prone PCR to generate mutant pools for a target gene in the fission yeast. As one might guess from its name, this method generates mutations by deliberately introducing errors during PCR. Unlike other mutagenesis methods, error-prone PCR allows the user to define the region to be mutagenized. This makes it particularly useful in efforts to study the function of a protein/domain of interest.
To demonstrate this random mutagenesis procedure, we herein use rpt4+, which encodes the 19S proteasome subunit, as an example. Rpt4 has been shown to have proteolysis-independent functions in organisms other than fission yeast6,7,8,9, and a defect in proteolysis could cause indirect effects by altering proteins levels. We, therefore, screened for mutants that triggered proteolysis-independent changes, with the goal of investigating the function of the proteasome on heterochromatin.
Error-prone PCR can be applied to any gene region by tuning the location at which the primers bind. Mutants that exhibit the desired phenotypic change can be identified with appropriate reporters. Here, we utilized an ade6+ reporter inserted at the centromere 1 outer repeat (otr) region10. Constitutive heterochromatin is formed at this region11, so the ade6+ reporter is silenced in the wild-type condition; this is indicated by red colonies10. A mutation that destabilizes the constitutive heterochromatin at the centromere will lead to the expression of the ade6+ reporter, which is visualized as white colonies.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="825">
	<tbody>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:267px;">1. Media</td>
			<td style="width:155px;"></td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td style="width:285px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:267px;">Glucose</td>
			<td style="width:155px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">G8270-10KG</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:267px;">Yeast extract</td>
			<td style="width:155px;">BD Biosciences</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">212720</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:267px;">L-Leucine</td>
			<td style="width:155px;">JUNSEI</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">87070-0310</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:267px;">Adenine sulfate</td>
			<td style="width:155px;">ACR</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">16363-0250</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:267px;">Uracil&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:155px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">U0750</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:267px;">L-Histidine</td>
			<td style="width:155px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">H8125</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:267px;">KH2PO4</td>
			<td style="width:155px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">1.05108.0050</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:267px;">NaCl</td>
			<td style="width:155px;">JUNSEI</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">19015-0350</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="26">
			<td height="26" style="height:26px;width:267px;">MgSO4&#8226;7H2O</td>
			<td style="width:155px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">63140</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="26">
			<td height="26" style="height:26px;width:267px;">CaCl2</td>
			<td style="width:155px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">12095</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:267px;">Potassium phthalate</td>
			<td style="width:155px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">P6758-500g</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:267px;">Inositol</td>
			<td style="width:155px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">I7508-50G</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:267px;">Biotin</td>
			<td style="width:155px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">B4501-100MG</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:267px;">Boric Acid</td>
			<td style="width:155px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">B6768-1KG</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:267px;">MnSO4</td>
			<td style="width:155px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">M7634-500G</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="26">
			<td height="26" style="height:26px;width:267px;">ZnSO4&#8226;7H2O&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:155px;">JUNSEI</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">83060-031</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="26">
			<td height="26" style="height:26px;width:267px;">FeCl2&#8226;4H2O</td>
			<td style="width:155px;">KANTO</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">CB8943686</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:267px;">Sodium molybdate dihydrate</td>
			<td style="width:155px;">YAKURI</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">31621</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:267px;">KI</td>
			<td style="width:155px;">JUNSEI</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">80090-0301</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="26">
			<td height="26" style="height:26px;width:267px;">CuSO4&#8226;5H2O</td>
			<td style="width:155px;">YAKURI</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">09605</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:267px;">D-myo-inositol</td>
			<td style="width:155px;">MP biomedicals</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">102052</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:267px;">Pantothenate</td>
			<td style="width:155px;">YAKURI</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">26003</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:267px;">Nicotinic Acid</td>
			<td style="width:155px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">N4126-500G</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="26">
			<td height="26" style="height:26px;width:267px;">(NH4)2SO4&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:155px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">A4418-100G</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:267px;">Agarose</td>
			<td style="width:155px;">Biobasic</td>
			<td>D0012</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:267px;">G418, geneticin</td>
			<td style="width:155px;">LPS</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">G41805</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:267px;">2. Enzyme reactions</td>
			<td style="width:155px;"></td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="40">
			<td height="40" style="height:40px;width:267px;">PfuUltra II Fusion HS DNA Polymerase</td>
			<td style="width:155px;">Aglient</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">600380</td>
			<td>For site-directed mutagenesis</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="40">
			<td height="40" style="height:40px;width:267px;">GeneMorphII Random mutagenesis Kit</td>
			<td style="width:155px;">Aglient</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">200500</td>
			<td>For error-prone PCR</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="40">
			<td height="40" style="height:40px;width:267px;">Phusion High-Fidelity DNA Polymerase</td>
			<td style="width:155px;">Thermo Fisher</td>
			<td>F-530L</td>
			<td>For fusion PCR</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:267px;">Ex Taq&#160;DNA Polymerase</td>
			<td style="width:155px;">Takara</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">RR001b</td>
			<td>For general PCR</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="40">
			<td height="40" style="height:40px;width:267px;">BamH1</td>
			<td style="width:155px;">New England BioLabs</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">R0136S</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="40">
			<td height="40" style="height:40px;width:267px;">Xho1</td>
			<td style="width:155px;">New England BioLabs</td>
			<td>R0146S</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="40">
			<td height="40" style="height:40px;width:267px;">Dpn1</td>
			<td style="width:155px;">New England BioLabs</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">R0176S</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:267px;">3. Equipment</td>
			<td style="width:155px;"></td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:267px;">Velveteen square, black</td>
			<td style="width:155px;">VWR</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">89033-116</td>
			<td>For replica</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:267px;">Replica-plating tool</td>
			<td style="width:155px;">VWR</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">25395-380</td>
			<td>For replica</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:267px;">MicroPulser Electroporator</td>
			<td style="width:155px;">Biorad</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">1652100&#160;</td>
			<td>For fission yeast transformation</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="40">
			<td height="40" style="height:40px;width:267px;">Electroporation Cuvettes, 0.2 cm gap</td>
			<td style="width:155px;">Biorad</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">1652086&#160;</td>
			<td>For fission yeast transformation</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:267px;">Thermal Cycler</td>
			<td style="width:155px;">Bioer</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">BYQ6078</td>
			<td>For fusion PCR ramp reaction&#160;</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

gene-targeted random mutagenesis to select heterochromatin-destabilizing proteasome mutants in fission yeast

Random mutagenesis of a target gene is commonly used to identify mutations that yield the desired phenotype. Of the methods that may be used to achieve random mutagenesis, error-prone PCR is a convenient and efficient strategy for generating a diverse pool of mutants (i.e., a mutant library). Error-prone PCR is the method of choice when a researcher seeks to mutate a pre-defined region, such as the coding region of a gene while leaving other genomic regions unaffected. After the mutant library is amplified by error-prone PCR, it must be cloned into a suitable plasmid. The size of the library generated by error-prone PCR is constrained by the efficiency of the cloning step. However, in the fission yeast, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, the cloning step can be replaced by the use of a highly efficient one-step fusion PCR to generate constructs for transformation. Mutants of desired phenotypes may then be selected using appropriate reporters. Here, we describe this strategy in detail, taking as an example, a reporter inserted at centromeric heterochromatin.

The acquired Rpt4 mutants by following the procedures described in Figure 1 can be analyzed by assessing the colors of the colonies. The colors of the colonies are spotted onto the relevant plates in decreasing cell number in Figure 2. The ade6+ reporter inserted at the heterochromatin region is silenced in wild-type and shows red colonies in YES-Ade plate. Once the heterochromatin is destabilized and the ade6+ ...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Gene-targeted Random Mutagenesis to Select Heterochromatin-destabilizing Proteasome Mutants in Fission Yeast at JoVE.com

Gene-targeted Random Mutagenesis to Select Heterochromatin-destabilizing Proteasome Mutants in Fission Yeast

This article describes a detailed methodology for random mutagenesis of a target gene in fission yeast. As an example, we target rpt4+, which encodes a subunit of the 19S proteasome, and screen for mutations that destabilize heterochromatin.

Random mutagenesis of a target gene is commonly used to identify mutations that yield the desired phenotype. Of the methods that may be used to achieve ...

The overall goal of this random mutagenesis is to screen for mutations that destabilize heterochromatin. This method can help answer key questions in the heterochromatin field, such as factors that regulate the formation and maintenance of heterochromatin. The main advantage of this technique is that it can specifically target a desired gene for mutagenesis, even if the gene is essential.To begin, prepare yeast extract with supplements, or YES, without adenine, Pombe Glutamate Medium, or PMG, and PMG without adenine, by mixing the components as shown in this table. After autoclaving and adding G418 if necessary, stir the medium for another five to ten minutes. Then, aliquot the media into 90 milliliter Petri dishes and store the plates at four degrees Celsius.Using the cloned rpt4 positive, with its five prime and three prime UTRs and silent mutation, as well as primers p5 and p6 and a special polymerase, designed to generate a high error rate, perform error-prone PCR in a total volume of 50 microliters. After generating a transformation-fusion construct, according to the text protocol, inoculate ten milliliters of YES medium with yeast, and incubate it for more than 16 hours to saturation. Use 200 milliliters of YES medium to dilute the cells to an OD600 of 0.2, and incubate the culture at 30 degrees Celsius with shaking for five to six hours to an OD600 of 0.6 to 0.8.Calculate the volume of cells that add up to OD600 of 30. Then, dispense the cells into four 50 milliliter conical tubes and chill them on ice for 10 minutes. Harvest the cells by centrifugation at 1050 G and four degrees Celsius for three minutes.Then, place the microfuge tubes with cassette DNA and 10 electro cuvettes on ice. While still on ice, discard the supernatant and add 15 milliliters of 1.2-molar sorbitol, gently shake the tubes to re-suspend the cells, then centrifuge the cells at 1050 G and four degrees Celsius for three minutes. Discard the supernatant and perform a second sorbitol wash.After centrifugation, discard the supernatant. Then, re-suspend the cells and collect them all in one 15-milliliter conical tube. Next, add 1.2 molar sorbitol up to 2.4 milliliters.Keep the tube of cells on ice. Then, add 200 microliters of sorbitol-suspended cells to a tube containing the fusion PCR construct, mix well, and transfer the sample to an electro cuvette. It is important not to use an excess amount of PCR cassette, as it will give discharge errors.Electroporate the cells using the following options:add 600 microliters of 1.2-molar sorbitol to each electro cuvette for a total volume of 800 microliters. Then, spread the cells onto four YES plates. Incubate the plates at 30 degrees Celsius for 24 hours.Then, perform replica plating on YES plus G418 before incubating the plates for an additional three days. For each YES plus G418 plate, perform replica plating to YES without adenine and PMG without adenine plates. Incubate the replica plates at 30 degrees Celsius for one to two days until some of the colonies on the YES without adenine plates show a white coloration.Compare YES without adenine and PMG without adenine plates and select cells that show pink or white on the YES without adenine plate, and also grow on the PMG without adenine plate. Do not select colonies without growth on PMG without adenine, as they are false positives. Pick each colony and add it to 10 microliters of SPZ solution containing 2.5 milligrams per milliliter of zymolyase 100T.Then, incubate the colonies at 37 degrees Celsius for at least 30 minutes. Following the incubation, use one microliter of this solution as the starting template for colony PCR. After digesting selected colonies and carrying out gel electrophoresis according to the text protocol, mark the colonies whose PCR products were cut by XHO1 and patch them to YES plus G418 plates.Following the isolation of gDNA from fission yeast cells, and sequencing of the PCR products according to the text protocol, compare the obtained sequence with the wild-type sequence to identify mutations. Once the mutations are re-introduced into wild-type cells, use spotting to confirm the phenotype in the newly-made mutant cells. The rpt4 mutants generated using the protocol demonstrated in this video can be analyzed by assessing the colors of the colonies.As shown in this figure, the colonies were spotted onto the relevant plates in decreasing cell number. The adenine reporter inserted in the heterochromatin region is silenced in wild-type cells and produces red colonies on YES without adenine plates. Once the heterochromatin is destabilized and the adenine reporter is expressed, white colonies can be observed on the YES without adenine plates as seen with the clr4-delta mutant.The screened rpt4 mutants are as shown with the rpt4-1 mutant exhibiting the most severe heterochromatin destabilization. Once mastered, this technique can be done in two weeks to get the desired mutants. While attempting this procedure, it's important to eliminate the false positives as they are more frequent than expected.Following this procedure, other methods like protein purification and enzyme activity tests can be performed in order to answer additional questions, like the nature of the proteins. After watching this video, you should have a good understanding of how to generate mutants in a target gene with the desired phenotype.

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Genetics

Optogenetic Random Mutagenesis Using Histone-miniSOG in C. elegans

Forward genetic screening in model organisms is the workhorse to discover functionally important genes and pathways in many biological processes. In most mutagenesis-based screens, researchers have relied on the use of toxic chemicals, carcinogens, or irradiation, which requires designated equipment, safety setup, and/or disposal of hazardous materials. We have developed a simple approach to induce heritable mutations in C. elegans using germline-expressed histone-miniSOG, a light-inducible potent generator of reactive oxygen species. This mutagenesis method is free of toxic chemicals and requires minimal laboratory safety and waste management. The induced DNA modifications include single-nucleotide changes and small deletions, and complement those caused by classical chemical mutagenesis. This methodology can also be used to induce integration of extrachromosomal transgenes. Here, we provide the details of the LED setup and protocols for standard mutagenesis and transgene integration.

Optogenetic Random Mutagenesis Using Histone-miniSOG in C. elegans

Genetically-encoded histone-miniSOG induces genome-wide heritable mutations in a blue&#160;light-dependent manner. This mutagenesis method is simple, fast, free of toxic chemicals, and well-suited for forward genetic screening and transgene integration.

Forward genetic screening in model organisms is the workhorse to discover functionally important genes and pathways in many biological processes. In most ...

High-Throughput Robotically Assisted Isolation of Temperature-sensitive Lethal Mutants in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

Systematic identification and characterization of genetic perturbations have proven useful to decipher gene function and cellular pathways. However, the conventional approaches of permanent gene deletion cannot be applied to essential genes. We have pioneered a unique collection of ~70 temperature-sensitive (ts) lethal mutants for studying cell cycle regulation in the unicellular green algae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii1. These mutations identify essential genes, and the ts alleles can be conditionally inactivated by temperature shift, providing valuable tools to identify and analyze essential functions. Mutant collections are much more valuable if they are close to comprehensive, since scattershot collections can miss important components. However, this requires the efficient collection of a large number of mutants, especially in a wide-target screen. Here, we describe a robotics-based pipeline for generating ts lethal mutants and analyzing their phenotype in Chlamydomonas. This technique can be applied to any microorganism that grows on agar. We have collected over 3000 ts mutants, probably including mutations in most or all cell-essential pathways, including about 200 new candidate cell cycle mutations. Subsequent molecular and cellular characterization of these mutants should provide new insights in plant cell biology; a comprehensive mutant collection is an essential prerequisite to ensure coverage of a broad range of biological pathways. These methods are integrated with downstream genetics and bioinformatics procedures for efficient mapping and identification of the causative mutations that are beyond the scope of this manuscript.

High-Throughput Robotically Assisted Isolation of Temperature-sensitive Lethal Mutants in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

Temperature-sensitive (ts) lethal mutants are valuable tools to identify and analyze essential functions. Here we describe methods to generate and classify ts lethal mutants in high throughput.

Systematic identification and characterization of genetic perturbations have proven useful to decipher gene function and cellular pathways. However, the ...

Targeted in Situ Mutagenesis of Histone Genes in Budding Yeast

We describe a PCR- and homologous recombination-based system for generating targeted mutations in histone genes in budding yeast cells. The resulting mutant alleles reside at their endogenous genomic sites and no exogenous DNA sequences are left in the genome following the procedure. Since in haploid yeast cells each of the four core histone proteins is encoded by two non-allelic genes with highly homologous open reading frames (ORFs), targeting mutagenesis specifically to one of two genes encoding a particular histone protein can be problematic. The strategy we describe here bypasses this problem by utilizing sequences outside, rather than within, the ORF of the target genes for the homologous recombination step. Another feature of this system is that the regions of DNA driving the homologous recombination steps can be made to be very extensive, thus increasing the likelihood of successful integration events. These features make this strategy particularly well-suited for histone gene mutagenesis, but can also be adapted for mutagenesis of other genes in the yeast genome.

Targeted in Situ Mutagenesis of Histone Genes in Budding Yeast

A strategy for generating mutations in histone genes at their endogenous location in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is presented.

We describe a PCR- and homologous recombination-based system for generating targeted mutations in histone genes in budding yeast cells. The resulting ...

Using a Fluorescent PCR-capillary Gel Electrophoresis Technique to Genotype CRISPR/Cas9-mediated Knockout Mutants in a High-throughput Format

The development of programmable genome-editing tools has facilitated the use of reverse genetics to understand the roles specific genomic sequences play in the functioning of cells and whole organisms. This cause has been tremendously aided by the recent introduction of the CRISPR/Cas9 system-a versatile tool that allows researchers to manipulate the genome and transcriptome in order to, among other things, knock out, knock down, or knock in genes in a targeted manner. For the purpose of knocking out a gene, CRISPR/Cas9-mediated double-strand breaks recruit the non-homologous end-joining DNA repair pathway to introduce the frameshift-causing insertion or deletion of nucleotides at the break site. However, an individual guide RNA may cause undesirable off-target effects, and to rule these out, the use of multiple guide RNAs is necessary. This multiplicity of targets also means that a high-volume screening of clones is required, which in turn begs the use of an efficient high-throughput technique to genotype the knockout clones. Current genotyping techniques either suffer from inherent limitations or incur high cost, hence rendering them unsuitable for high-throughput purposes. Here, we detail the protocol for using fluorescent PCR, which uses genomic DNA from crude cell lysate as a template, and then resolving the PCR fragments via capillary gel electrophoresis. This technique is accurate enough to differentiate one base-pair difference between fragments and hence is adequate in indicating the presence or absence of a frameshift in the coding sequence of the targeted gene. This precise knowledge effectively precludes the need for a confirmatory sequencing step and allows users to save time and cost in the process. Moreover, this technique has proven to be versatile in genotyping various mammalian cells of various tissue origins targeted by guide RNAs against numerous genes, as shown here and elsewhere.

The genotyping technique described here, which couples fluorescent polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to capillary gel electrophoresis, allows for high-throughput genotyping of nuclease-mediated knockout clones. It circumvents limitations faced by other genotyping techniques and is more cost effective than sequencing methods.

The development of programmable genome-editing tools has facilitated the use of reverse genetics to understand the roles specific genomic sequences play ...

CRISPR/Cas9 Gene Editing to Make Conditional Mutants of Human Malaria Parasite P. falciparum

Malaria is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. This disease, which primarily affects those living in tropical and subtropical regions, is caused by infection with Plasmodium parasites. The development of more effective drugs to combat malaria can be accelerated by improving our understanding of the biology of this complex parasite. Genetic manipulation of these parasites is key to understanding their biology; however, historically the genome of P. falciparum has been difficult to manipulate. Recently, CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing has been utilized in malaria parasites, allowing for easier protein tagging, generation of conditional protein knockdowns, and deletion of genes. CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing has proven to be a powerful tool for advancing the field of malaria research. Here, we describe a CRISPR/Cas9 method for generating glmS-based conditional knockdown mutants in P. falciparum. This method is highly adaptable to other types of genetic manipulations, including protein tagging and gene knockouts.

CRISPR/Cas9 Gene Editing to Make Conditional Mutants of Human Malaria Parasite P. falciparum

We describe a method for generating glmS-based conditional knockdown mutants in Plasmodium falciparum using CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing.

Malaria is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. This disease, which primarily affects those living in tropical and subtropical ...

Mating-based Overexpression Library Screening in Yeast

Budding yeast has been widely used as a model in studying proteins associated with human diseases. Genome-wide genetic screening is a powerful tool commonly used in yeast studies. The expression of a number of neurodegenerative disease-associated proteins in yeast causes cytotoxicity and aggregate formation, recapitulating findings seen in patients with these disorders. Here, we describe a method for screening a yeast model of the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis-associated protein FUS for modifiers of its toxicity. Instead of using transformation, this new screening platform relies on the mating of yeast to introduce an arrayed library of plasmids into the yeast model. The mating method has two clear advantages: first, it is highly efficient; second, the pre-transformed arrayed library of plasmids can be stored for long-term as a glycerol stock, and quickly applied to other screens without the labor-intensive step of transformation into the yeast model each time. We demonstrate how this method can successfully be used to screen for genes that modify the toxicity of FUS.

This article presents a mating-based method to facilitate overexpression screening in budding yeast using an arrayed plasmid library.

Budding yeast has been widely used as a model in studying proteins associated with human diseases. Genome-wide genetic screening is a powerful tool ...

Characterizing Histone Post-translational Modification Alterations in Yeast Neurodegenerative Proteinopathy Models

Neurodegenerative diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Parkinson&#39;s disease (PD), cause the loss of hundreds of thousands of lives each year. Effective treatment options able to halt disease progression are lacking. Despite the extensive sequencing efforts in large patient populations, the majority of ALS and PD cases remain unexplained by genetic mutations alone. Epigenetics mechanisms, such as the post-translational modification of histone proteins, may be involved in neurodegenerative disease etiology and progression and lead to new targets for pharmaceutical intervention. Mammalian in vivo and in vitro models of ALS and PD are costly and often require prolonged and laborious experimental protocols. Here, we outline a practical, fast, and cost-effective approach to determining genome-wide alterations in histone modification levels using Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model system. This protocol allows for comprehensive investigations into epigenetic changes connected to neurodegenerative proteinopathies that corroborate previous findings in different model systems while significantly expanding our knowledge of the neurodegenerative disease epigenome.

This protocol outlines experimental procedures to characterize genome-wide changes in the levels of histone post-translational modifications (PTM) occurring in connection with the overexpression of proteins associated with ALS and Parkinson&#39;s disease in Saccharomyces cerevisiae models. After SDS-PAGE separation, individual histone PTM levels are detected with modification-specific antibodies via Western blotting.

Neurodegenerative diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Parkinson&#39;s disease (PD), cause the loss of hundreds of thousands of lives ...

A Deep-sequencing-assisted, Spontaneous Suppressor Screen in the Fission Yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe

A genetic screen for mutant alleles that suppress phenotypic defects caused by a mutation is a powerful approach to identify genes that belong to closely related biochemical pathways. Previous methods such as the Synthetic Genetic Array (SGA) analysis, and random mutagenesis techniques using ultraviolet (UV) or chemicals like ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) or N-ethyl-N- nitrosourea (ENU), have been widely used but are often costly and laborious. Also, these mutagen-based screening methods are frequently associated with severe side effects on the organism, inducing multiple mutations that add to the complexity of isolating the suppressors. Here, we present a simple and effective protocol to identify suppressor mutations in mutants which confer a growth defect in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. The fitness of cells with a growth deficiency in standard rich liquid media or synthetic liquid media can be monitored for recovery using an automated 96-well plate reader over an extended period. Once a cell acquires a suppressor mutation in the culture, its descendants outcompete those of the parental cells. The recovered cells that have a competitive growth advantage over the parental cells can then be isolated and backcrossed with the parental cells. The suppressor mutations are then identified using whole-genome sequencing. Using this approach, we have successfully isolated multiple suppressors that alleviate the severe growth defects caused by loss of Elf1, an AAA+ family ATPase that is important in nuclear mRNA transport and maintenance of genomic stability. There are currently over 400 genes in S. pombe with mutants conferring a growth defect. As many of these genes are uncharacterized, we propose that our method will hasten the identification of novel functional interactions with this user-friendly, high-throughput approach.

A Deep-sequencing-assisted, Spontaneous Suppressor Screen in the Fission Yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe

We present a simple suppressor screen protocol in fission yeast. This method is efficient, mutagen-free, and&#160; selective&#160; for&#160; mutations that&#160; often&#160; occur at&#160; &#160;a&#160; single&#160; genomic&#160; locus.&#160; The protocol is suitable for isolating suppressors that alleviate growth defects in liquid culture that are caused by a mutation or a drug.

A genetic screen for mutant alleles that suppress phenotypic defects caused by a mutation is a powerful approach to identify genes that belong to closely ...

Enhanced Yeast One-hybrid Screens To Identify Transcription Factor Binding To Human DNA Sequences

Identifying the sets of transcription factors (TFs) that regulate each human gene is a daunting task that requires integrating numerous experimental and computational approaches. One such method is the yeast one-hybrid (Y1H) assay, in which interactions between TFs and DNA regions are tested in the milieu of the yeast nucleus using reporter genes. Y1H assays involve two components: a &#8216;DNA-bait&#8217; (e.g., promoters, enhancers, silencers, etc.) and a &#8216;TF-prey,&#8217; which can be screened for reporter gene activation. Most published protocols for performing Y1H screens are based on transforming TF-prey libraries or arrays into DNA-bait yeast strains. Here, we describe a pipeline, called enhanced Y1H (eY1H) assays, where TF-DNA interactions are interrogated by mating DNA-bait strains with an arrayed collection of TF-prey strains using a high density array (HDA) robotic platform that allows screening in a 1,536 colony format. This allows for a dramatic increase in throughput (60 DNA-bait sequences against &#62;1,000 TFs takes two weeks per researcher) and reproducibility. We illustrate the different types of expected results by testing human promoter sequences against an array of 1,086 human TFs, as well as examples of issues that can arise during screens and how to troubleshoot them.

Here, we present an enhanced yeast one-hybrid screening protocol to identify the transcription factors (TFs) that can bind to a human DNA region of interest. This method uses a high-throughput screening pipeline that can interrogate the binding of &#62;1,000 TFs in a single experiment.

Identifying the sets of transcription factors (TFs) that regulate each human gene is a daunting task that requires integrating numerous experimental and ...

Embryo Microinjection Techniques for Efficient Site-Specific Mutagenesis in Culex quinquefasciatus

Culex quinquefasciatus is a vector of a diverse range of vector-borne diseases such as avian malaria, West Nile virus (WNV), Japanese encephalitis, Eastern equine encephalitis, lymphatic filariasis, and Saint Louis encephalitis. Notably, avian malaria has played a major role in the extinction of numerous endemic island bird species, while WNV has become an important vector-borne disease in the United States. To gain further insight into C. quinquefasciatus biology and expand their genetic control toolbox, we need to develop more efficient and affordable methods for genome engineering in this species. However, some biological traits unique to Culex mosquitoes, particularly their egg rafts, have made it difficult to perform microinjection procedures required for genome engineering. To address these challenges, we have developed an optimized embryo microinjection protocol that focuses on mitigating the technical obstacles associated with the unique characteristics of Culex mosquitoes. These procedures demonstrate optimized methods for egg collection, egg raft separation and other handling procedures essential for successful microinjection in C. quinquefasciatus. When coupled with the CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technology, these procedures allow us to achieve site-specific, efficient and heritable germline mutations, which are required to perform advanced genome engineering and develop genetic control technologies in this important, but currently understudied, disease vector.

Embryo Microinjection Techniques for Efficient Site-Specific Mutagenesis in Culex quinquefasciatus

This protocol describes microinjection procedures for Culex quinquefasciatus embryos that are optimized to work with CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing tools. This technique can efficiently generate site-specific, heritable, germline mutations that can be used for building genetic technologies in this understudied disease vector.

Culex quinquefasciatus is a vector of a diverse range of vector-borne diseases such as avian malaria, West Nile virus (WNV), Japanese encephalitis, ...