Plant Chassis for Synthetic Biology
Plant Chassis Services at CD BioGlyco
In the field of synthetic glycobiology, plant chassis refers to the use of plants as biological factories to produce or improve glycan substances through synthetic biology methods. As the most important biomass producers on earth, plants have efficient photosynthesis systems, rich metabolic pathways, and relatively simple genetic manipulation systems, making them ideal biological substrates. With the advanced GlycoChas™ Cells platform, CD BioGlyco provides a variety of plant chassis for synthetic glycobiology, including Nicotiana benthamianachassis, Nicotiana tabacum chassis, Arabidopsis thaliana chassis, Physcomitrella patens chassis, Lemna minor chassis, Oryza sativa chassis, and Medicago sativa chassis. In addition to offering a variety of plant chassis, we also offer Microalgae Chassis, Insect Chassis, Fungal Chassis, Bacteria Chassis, and Mammalian Chassis for synthetic glycobiology.
Fig.1 Plant chassis for synthetic biology. (CD BioGlyco)
- Genetic engineering: A tool that enables the modification of plant genomes to artificially express or silence specific genes involved in carbohydrate metabolism or synthesis.
- Metabolic engineering: A bioengineering approach that involves the modification of metabolic pathways within the plant chassis to achieve desired changes in the type or quantity of carbohydrates produced. This can be done by overexpressing certain carbohydrate synthesis genes or downregulating/carving out the genes involved in competing or unwanted pathways.
- Glycan microarray: This is a high-throughput screening technology, used in studying carbohydrate-protein interactions. In plant chassis, it can be utilized for the rapid analysis of changes in total glycome profiles resulting from synthetic genetic modifications.
- Mass spectrometry and other analytical methods: These are instrumental techniques used to validate and characterize the yield and quality of the synthesized carbohydrates at the molecular level.
Nicotiana benthamiana chassis is a commonly used plant chassis favored for its rapid growth cycle and high biomass accumulation. It has an efficient transient expression system and is suitable for the rapid production of recombinant proteins and carbohydrates. Through genetic engineering technology, CD BioGlyco customizes and optimizes specific glycan synthesis pathways in the N. benthamiana chassis.
N. tabacum has strong biosynthetic ability and is suitable for the production of various complex glycan molecules. N. tabacum chassis is easy to genetically manipulate, and its large leaves facilitate biomass harvesting and extraction.
A. thaliana has a well-defined genetic background that facilitates precise regulation of key genes in the carbohydrate synthesis pathway. A. thaliana chassis is suitable for basic research in synthetic biology and also has the potential to be used in industrial production.
P. patens can grow on soilless media, which facilitates large-scale culture and operation. P. patens chassis has unique applications in synthetic glycobiology, especially for the production of unconventional glycans.
L. minor chassis is capable of high-density cultivation in hydroponic systems and is suitable for large-scale production.
Through genetic engineering means, CD BioGlyco introduces or optimizes the glycan synthesis pathway in the L. minor chassis to achieve the production of high-value glycans.
O. sativa seeds are rich in glycans such as starch and are a natural source of energy-rich food. Through synthetic biology technology, CD BioGlyco customizes specific types of glycan molecules in the O. sativa chassis to enhance its nutritional value and functional properties.
The leaves and stems of M. sativa chassis are rich in polysaccharides and have potential biological activity. M. sativa chassis is suitable for the production of carbohydrate compounds with specific biological activities, such as functional polysaccharides and glycoproteins.
Publication
Technology: CRISPR/Cas9 strategy
Journal: Frontiers in plant science
IF: 6.627
Published: 2017
Results: The authors conducted a targeted removal of two β(1,2)-xylosyltransferase (XylT) genes and four α(1,3)-fucosyltransferase (FucT) genes in N. tabacum BY-2 suspension cells. They crafted three XylT and six FucT sgRNAs and aimed at the conserved regions. Subsequently, they introduced genes that coded for these sgRNAs, Cas9, and a selectable marker into the N. tabacum BY-2 cells, resulting in the creation of transgenic lines. They then evaluated the extracellular and intracellular protein compositions of these lines using Western blotting, specifically using antibodies that detected β(1,2)-xylose and α(1,3)-fucose. They determined that β(1,2)-xylose and α(1,3)-fucose significantly decreased in three of the lines while completely disappearing in two of the lines, indicating a total gene inactivation. This complete disappearance of carbohydrates was subsequently confirmed by mass spectrometry analysis of the extracellular proteins.
Here are some of the results shown in this article:
Fig.2 Absence of α(1,3)-fucose and β(1,2)-xylose on glycoproteins from the XylT and FucT KO lines. (Mercx, et al., 2017)
Applications
- Plant chassis can be used to produce high-value and structurally complex glycans such as rare monosaccharides, oligosaccharides, and polysaccharides.
- Plant chassis can be used to produce pharmaceutical glycoconjugates for the development of new biopharmaceuticals. Expression of glycosyltransferases and other related enzymes in plant chassis can be used to produce drug glycoconjugates with specific glycosylation patterns.
- Plant chassis can be used for the regulation of plant glycan signaling networks. Modulating plant glycan signaling networks through synthetic biology methods enhances plants' ability to adapt to stress and improve yield and quality.
CD BioGlyco offers a diverse range of plant chassis for synthetic biology and its advanced engineering technologies. Our plant chassis systems are carefully designed and optimized to meet our clients' unique needs in carbohydrate production. In addition, we provide customized plant chassis systems and comprehensive technical support based on client's specific needs. We sincerely invite clients who are interested in plant chassis for synthetic biology to contact us.
Reference
- Mercx, S.; et al. Inactivation of the β (1, 2)-xylosyltransferase and the α (1, 3)-fucosyltransferase genes in Nicotiana tabacum BY-2 cells by a multiplex CRISPR/Cas9 strategy results in glycoproteins without plant-specific glycans. Frontiers in plant science. 2017, 8: 403.
For research use only. Not intended for any clinical use.
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