D-CAPS: an efficient CRISPR-Cas9-based phage defense system for E. coli

D-CAPS: an efficient CRISPR-Cas9-based phage defense system for E. coli

Escherichia coli is widely used in industrial chemical synthesis but faces significant challenges due to bacteriophage contamination, which reduces product quality and yield. Therefore, developing an efficient antiphage system is essential. In this study, we develop a CRISPR-Cas9-based antiphage sys...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Sun Mingjun, Gao Jie, Tang Hongjie, Wang Hengyi, Zhou Liyan, Song Chuan, Tian Yongqiang, Li Qi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: China Science Publishing & Media Ltd. 2025-04-01
Series:Acta Biochimica et Biophysica Sinica
Subjects:
Keywords: bacteriophage contamination
CRISPR-Cas9
<italic>E</italic>. <italic>coli</italic>
T7 phage
Online Access:https://www.sciengine.com/doi/10.3724/abbs.2024208
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Escherichia coli is widely used in industrial chemical synthesis but faces significant challenges due to bacteriophage contamination, which reduces product quality and yield. Therefore, developing an efficient antiphage system is essential. In this study, we develop a CRISPR-Cas9-based antiphage system (CAPS) targeting essential genes of the T7 phage (gene 5 and gene 19) with single gRNAs transformed into MG1655 strains expressing Cas9. While CAPS provides limited resistance, with plating efficiencies ranging from 10<sup>–5</sup> to 10<sup>–1</sup>, further optimization is needed. To enhance efficacy, we design a double-site-targeting CRISPR-Cas9-based antiphage system (D-CAPS). D-CAPS demonstrates complete resistance, with no plaques observed even at a high multiplicity of infection (MOI of 2), and growth curve analysis reveals that antiphage E. coli strains grow normally, similar to the wild-type strain, even at a high multiplicity of infection. Furthermore, D-CAPS is effective against BL21(DE3) strains, showing strong resistance and demonstrating its versatility across different E. coli strains. Protein expression analysis via green fluorescent protein confirms that E. coli carrying D-CAPS could maintain normal protein expression levels even in the presence of phages, comparable to wild-type strains. Overall, D-CAPS offers a robust and versatile approach to enhancing E. coli resistance to phages, providing a practical solution for protecting industrial E. coli strains and improving fermentation processes.
ISSN:1672-9145

Similar Items