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Updated: Sep 14, 2025

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A New Toolkit for Evaluating Gene Functions using Conditional Cas9 Stabilization
Published on: September 2, 2021
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A quorum sensing-controlled type I CRISPRi toolkit for dynamically regulating metabolic flux
Han Zheng1, Chengyao Mao1, Siyao Chen1
1College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, China.
Nucleic Acids Research
|July 19, 2025
Summary
We developed a novel quorum sensing-controlled CRISPR interference (QICi) toolkit for dynamic metabolic engineering. This tool enhances microbial production of valuable compounds like d-pantothenic acid and riboflavin.
Area of Science:
- Synthetic Biology
- Metabolic Engineering
- Microbial Biotechnology
Background:
- Dynamic metabolic regulation using quorum sensing (QS) and CRISPR systems is advancing synthetic biology.
- Integrating QS with CRISPR for dynamic control is underexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a QS-controlled type I CRISPR interference (QICi) toolkit for dynamic gene expression modulation.
- To optimize QICi components and implement it for enhanced microbial biosynthesis.
Main Methods:
- Developed a QS-controlled type I CRISPR interference (QICi) toolkit.
- Streamlined CRISPR RNA (crRNA) vector construction and optimized QS components (PhroQ and RapQ).
- Implemented QICi in Bacillus subtilis for d-pantothenic acid (DPA) and riboflavin (RF) biosynthesis.
Main Results:
- Achieved a twofold enhancement in QICi efficacy.
- Elevated DPA titers to 14.97 g/l in fed-batch fermentations.
- Increased RF production by 2.49-fold through QICi-mediated metabolic rewiring.
Conclusions:
- The QICi toolkit provides robust dynamic control over microbial metabolism.
- This tool advances sustainable biomanufacturing by enhancing the production of key compounds.
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