Genetically encoded fluorescent sensors enable cell-specific measurements of ions and small molecules in real time. Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) is one of the most important signaling molecules in virtually all cell types and organisms. Here, we describe cAMPr, a new single-wavelength cAMP sensor. We developed cAMPr in bacteria and embryonic stem cells and validated the sensor in mammalian neurons in vitro and in Drosophila circadian pacemaker neurons in intact brains. Comparison with other single-wavelength cAMP sensors showed that cAMPr provided improved quantitative detection of cAMP abundance. In addition, cAMPr is compatible with both single-photon and two-photon imaging. This enabled us to use cAMPr together with the red fluorescent Ca2+ sensor RCaMP1h to simultaneously monitor Ca2+ and cAMP in Drosophila brains. Thus, cAMPr is a new and versatile genetically encoded cAMP sensor.

CRISPR-Cas9 has revolutionized genetic engineering. However, the inability to control double-strand break (DSB) repair has severely limited both therapeutic and academic applications. Many attempts have been made to control DSB repair choice. However, particularly in the case of larger edits, none have been able to bypass the ratelimiting step of homologous recombination (HR): long-range 5¢ end resection. Here, we describe a novel set of Cas9 fusions, Cas9-HRs, designed to bypass the rate-limiting step of HR repair by simultaneously coupling initial and long-range end resection. Here, we demonstrate that Cas9-HRs can increase the rate of homology directed repair (HDR) by 2-to 2.5-fold and decrease p53 mediated cellular toxicity by two-to fourfold compared to Cas9 and are functional in multiple mammalian cell lines with minimal apparent editing site bias. These properties should make Cas9-HRs an attractive option for applications demanding increased HDR rates for long inserts and/or reduced p53 pathway activation.

A novel Cas9 fusion protein designed to increase HDR rates through bypassing the rate limiting step of homologous recombination repair. Abstract:CRISPR/Cas9 has revolutionized genetic engineering, however, the inability to control double strand break (DSB) repair has severely limited both therapeutic and academic applications. Many attempts have been made to control DSB repair choice, however particularly in the case of larger edits, none have been able to bypass the rate-limiting step of Homologous Recombination (HR): long-range 5' end resection. Here we describe a novel set of Cas9 fusions, Cas9-HRs, designed to bypass the rate-limiting step of HR repair by simultaneously coupling initial and long-range end resection. Cas9-HRs can increase the rate HR by 2-2.5 fold and decrease cellular toxicity by 2-4 fold compared to Cas9 in mammalian cells with minimal apparent editing site bias, thus making Cas9-HRs an attractive option for applications demanding increased HDR rates for long inserts and/or reduced p53 pathway activation.