A logical way to reprogram plants

Ferreira, Sávio Siqueira; Anderson, Charles E.; Antunes, Mauricio S

doi:10.1016/j.bbrc.2023.02.080

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

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“…Based on the applied logic, the output is true only when specific combinations of inputs are met, and the overall operation is represented by a truth table. Logic gates are the simplest form of information processing, based on the presence or absence of signals, and many natural genetic networks in living cells can be modeled using Boolean logic (Ferreira et al, 2023; Koukara & Papadopoulou 2023). Simple logic gates typically integrate two inputs; however, multiple inputs can be computed by layering logic operations, increasing processing power and reliability of the system to respond according to user-defined rules (Koukara & Papadopoulou 2023; Ferreira et al, 2023).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetically encoded Boolean logic operators to sense and integrate phenylpropanoid metabolite levels in plants

Ferreira,

Antunes

2024

Preprint

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SummarySynthetic biology has the potential to revolutionize biotechnology, public health and agriculture. Recent studies have shown the enormous potential of plants as chassis for synthetic biology applications. However, tools to precisely manipulate metabolic pathways for bioproduction in plants are still needed.We have adapted bacterial allosteric transcription factors (aTFs) to control gene expression in plants in a ligand-specific manner. The aTFs used here function as transcription repressors of semi-synthetic promoters, and aTF activity is regulated by specific plant metabolites, especially phenylpropanoid-related molecules. Using these aTFs, we also designed synthetic genetic circuits capable of computing Boolean logic operations.Three aTFs, CouR, FapR and TtgR, were able to achieve ∼95% repression of their respective target promoters. For TtgR, a 6-fold de-repression could be triggered by inducing its ligand (naringenin) accumulation, showing its use as biosensor. Moreover, we designed synthetic genetic circuits that use AND, NAND, IMPLY and NIMPLY Boolean logic operations and integrate metabolite levels as input to the circuit.We showed that biosensors can be implemented in plants to detect phenylpropanoid-related metabolites and activate a genetic circuit that follows a pre-defined logic, demonstrating their potential as tools for exerting control over plant metabolic pathways and facilitating the bioproduction of natural products.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetically encoded Boolean logic operators to sense and integrate phenylpropanoid metabolite levels in plants

Ferreira,

Antunes

2024

Preprint

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Based on the applied logic, the output is true only when specific combinations of inputs are met, and the overall operation is represented by a truth table. Logic gates are the simplest form of information processing, based on the presence or absence of signals, and many natural genetic networks in living cells can be modeled using Boolean logic (Ferreira et al ., 2023; Koukara & Papadopoulou, 2023). Simple logic gates typically integrate two inputs; however, multiple inputs can be computed by layering logic operations, increasing processing power and reliability of the system to respond according to user‐defined rules (Ferreira et al ., 2023; Koukara & Papadopoulou, 2023).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetically encoded Boolean logic operators to sense and integrate phenylpropanoid metabolite levels in plants

Ferreira,

Antunes

2024

New Phytologist

Self Cite

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Summary Synthetic biology has the potential to revolutionize biotechnology, public health, and agriculture. Recent studies have shown the enormous potential of plants as chassis for synthetic biology applications. However, tools to precisely manipulate metabolic pathways for bioproduction in plants are still needed. We used bacterial allosteric transcription factors (aTFs) that control gene expression in a ligand‐specific manner and tested their ability to repress semi‐synthetic promoters in plants. We also tested the modulation of their repression activity in response to specific plant metabolites, especially phenylpropanoid‐related molecules. Using these aTFs, we also designed synthetic genetic circuits capable of computing Boolean logic operations. Three aTFs, CouR, FapR, and TtgR, achieved c. 95% repression of their respective target promoters. For TtgR, a sixfold de‐repression could be triggered by inducing its ligand accumulation, showing its use as biosensor. Moreover, we designed synthetic genetic circuits that use AND, NAND, IMPLY, and NIMPLY Boolean logic operations and integrate metabolite levels as input to the circuit. We showed that biosensors can be implemented in plants to detect phenylpropanoid‐related metabolites and activate a genetic circuit that follows a predefined logic, demonstrating their potential as tools for exerting control over plant metabolic pathways and facilitating the bioproduction of natural products.

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A logical way to reprogram plants

Cited by 2 publications

References 64 publications

Genetically encoded Boolean logic operators to sense and integrate phenylpropanoid metabolite levels in plants

Genetically encoded Boolean logic operators to sense and integrate phenylpropanoid metabolite levels in plants

Genetically encoded Boolean logic operators to sense and integrate phenylpropanoid metabolite levels in plants

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