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A tunable dual-input system for on-demand dynamic gene expression regulation.

Elisa PedoneLorena PostiglioneFrancesco AulicinoDan L RoccaSandra Montes-OlivasMahmoud KhazimDiego Di BernardoMaria Pia CosmaLucia Marucci
Published in: Nature communications (2019)
Cellular systems have evolved numerous mechanisms to adapt to environmental stimuli, underpinned by dynamic patterns of gene expression. In addition to gene transcription regulation, modulation of protein levels, dynamics and localization are essential checkpoints governing cell functions. The introduction of inducible promoters has allowed gene expression control using orthogonal molecules, facilitating its rapid and reversible manipulation to study gene function. However, differing protein stabilities hinder the generation of protein temporal profiles seen in vivo. Here, we improve the Tet-On system integrating conditional destabilising elements at the post-translational level and permitting simultaneous control of gene expression and protein stability. We show, in mammalian cells, that adding protein stability control allows faster response times, fully tunable and enhanced dynamic range, and improved in silico feedback control of gene expression. Finally, we highlight the effectiveness of our dual-input system to modulate levels of signalling pathway components in mouse Embryonic Stem Cells.
Keyphrases
  • gene expression
  • dna methylation
  • protein protein
  • amino acid
  • genome wide
  • systematic review
  • embryonic stem cells
  • copy number
  • risk assessment
  • mesenchymal stem cells
  • life cycle