FUSION PROTEINS FOR BASE EDITING

Abstract
Provided are fusion proteins that include an apolipoprotein B mRNA editing enzyme catalytic subunit 3A (APOBEC3A) and a clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-associated (Cas) protein, optionally further with uracil glycosylase inhibitor (UGI). Such a fusion protein is able to conduct base editing in DNA by deaminating cytosine to uracil, even when the cytosine is in a GpC context or is methylated.
Description
BACKGROUND

Genome editing is a type of genetic engineering in which DNA is inserted, deleted or replaced in the genome of a living organism using engineered nucleases (molecular scissors). Utilizing genome editing tools to genetically manipulate the genome of cells and living organism has broad application interest in life sciences research, biotechnology/agricultural technology development and most importantly pharmaceutical/clinical innovation. For example, genome editing can be used to correct driver mutations underlying genetic diseases and thereby resulting in complete cure of these diseases in a living organism; genome editing can also be applied to engineer the genome of crops, thus increasing the yield of crops and conferring crops resistance to environmental contamination or pathogen infection; likewise, microbial genome transformation through accurate genome editing is of great significance in the development of renewable bio-energy.


CRISPR/Cas (Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated protein) system has been the most powerful genomic editing tool since its conception for its unparalleled editing efficiency, convenience and the potential applications in living organism. Directed by guide RNA (gRNA), a Cas nuclease can generate DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) at the targeted genomic sites in various cells (both cell lines and cells from living organisms). These DSBs are then repaired by the endogenous DNA repair system, which could be utilized to perform desired genome editing.


In general, two major DNA repair pathways could be activated by DSBs, non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) and homology-directed repair (HDR). NHEJ can introduce random insertions/deletions (indels) in the genomic DNA region around the DSBs, thereby leading to open reading frame (ORF) shift and ultimately gene inactivation. In contrast, when HDR is triggered, the genomic DNA sequence at target site could be replaced by the sequence of the exogenous donor DNA template through a homologous recombination mechanism, which can result in the correction of genetic mutation.


However, the practical efficiency of HDR-mediated gene correction is low (normally <5%) because the occurrence of homologous recombination is both cell type-specific and cell cycle-dependent and NHEJ is triggered more frequently than HDR is. The relatively low efficiency of HDR therefore limited the translation of CRISPR/Cas genome editing tools in the field of precision gene therapy (diseases-driven gene correction).


Base editors (BE), which integrate the CRISPR/Cas system with the APOBEC (apolipoprotein B mRNA editing enzyme, catalytic polypeptide-like) cytosine deaminase family, were recently invented that greatly enhanced the efficiency of CRISPR/Cas9-meditated gene correction. Through fusion with Cas9 nickase (nCas9), the cytosine (C) deamination activity of rat APOBEC1 (rA1) can be purposely directed to the target bases in genome and to catalyze C to Thymine (T) substitutions at these bases.


However, current rA1-based BEs cannot efficiently edit C that follows a G (i.e., C of GpC), thereby limiting the genome targeting breadth. Therefore, creating new BEs that can efficiently edit C of GpC is highly desirable. Such new BEs will enable us to perform efficient base editing in a broader genomic space of various living organisms. Importantly, the high efficiency of such BEs on C of GpC will promote clinical translation, particularly in gene therapies that involve restoring disease-related GpT-to-GpC mutations.


SUMMARY

The present disclosure demonstrates that when an apolipoprotein B mRNA editing enzyme catalytic subunit 3A (APOBEC3A or A3A) is fused to a clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-associated (Cas) protein, optionally further with uracil glycosylase inhibitor (UGI), the resulting fusion protein is able to efficiently deaminate cytosine's to uracil's resulting in C to T substitution. Such base editing, surprisingly and unexpectedly, was effective even when the C follows a G (i.e., in a GpC dinucleotide context) or when the C is methylated. The editing efficiency can be further increased when the A3A includes a few tested mutations. This has significant clinical significance as cytosine methylation is common in living cells.


In conventional base editors, Cas9 is the commonly used DNA endonuclease. The Cas12a (Cpf1) has the advantage of recognizing A/T rich sequence when used together with APOBEC1 in base editors. In another surprising discovery, when APOBEC1 was replaced with A3A, the editing efficiency was greatly increased. Yet, the editing efficiency of such a Cas12a-A3A can be further increased when the A3A includes a few tested mutations.


Accordingly, in one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a fusion protein comprising a first fragment comprising an apolipoprotein B mRNA editing enzyme catalytic subunit 3A (APOBEC3A) and a second fragment comprising a clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-associated (Cas) protein. In some embodiments, the fusion protein further comprises a uracil glycosylase inhibitor (UGI).


Preferably, the fusion protein has fewer than 3000, 2500, 2200, 2100, 2000, 1900, 1800, 1700, 1600, or 1500 amino acid residues in total.


In some embodiments, the APOBEC3A is a wildtype human APOBEC3A or a mutant of human APOBEC3A having a mutation selected from the group consisting of Y130F, D131Y, D131E, Y132D, W104A, W98Y, P134Y and combinations thereof, according to residue numbering in SEQ ID NO:1, wherein the mutant retains cytidine deaminase activity.


In some embodiments, the APOBEC3A is a mutant human APOBEC3A having mutations selected from the group consisting of Y130F+D131E+Y132D, Y130F+D131Y+Y132D, W98Y+W104A, W98Y+P134Y, W104A+P134Y, W104A+Y130F, W104A+Y132D, W98Y+W104A+Y130F, W98Y+W104A+Y132D, W104A+Y130F+P134Y, and W104A+Y132D+P134Y, according to residue numbering in SEQ ID NO:1.


In some embodiments, the APOBEC3A comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 or has at least 90% sequence identity to amino acid residues 29-199 of SEQ ID NO:1 and retains cytidine deaminase activity. In some embodiments, the APOBEC3A comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1-10 and 22-36.


In some embodiments, the Cas protein is selected from the group consisting of SpCas9, FnCas9, St1Cas9, St3Cas9, NmCas9, SaCas9, AsCpf1, LbCpf1, FnCpf1, VQR SpCas9, EQR SpCas9, VRER SpCas9, RHA FnCas9, KKH SaCas9, NmeCas9, StCas9, CjCas9, AsCpf1, FnCpf1, SsCpf1, PcCpf1, BpCpf1, CmtCpf1, LiCpf1, PmCpf1, Pb3310Cpf1, Pb4417Cpf1, BsCpf1, EeCpf1, BhCas12b, AkCas12b, EbCas12b, LsCas12b, RfCas13d, LwaCas13a, PspCas13b, PguCas13b, RanCas13b, CasX, and CasY. In some embodiments, the Cas protein is a mutant of protein selected from the group consisting of SpCas9, FnCas9, St1Cas9, St3Cas9, NmCas9, SaCas9, AsCpf1, LbCpf1, FnCpf1, VQR SpCas9, EQR SpCas9, VRER SpCas9, RHA FnCas9, KKH SaCas9, NmeCas9, StCas9, CjCas9, AsCpf1, FnCpf1, SsCpf1, PcCpf1, BpCpf1, CmtCpf1, LiCpf1, PmCpf1, Pb3310Cpf1, Pb4417Cpf1, BsCpf1, EeCpf1, BhCas12b, AkCas12b, EbCas12b, LsCas12b, RfCas13d, LwaCas13a, PspCas13b, PguCas13b, RanCas13b, CasX, and CasY, wherein the mutant retains the DNA-binding capability but does not introduce double strand DNA breaks. In some embodiments, the mutant is capable of introducing a nick to one of the strands of a double stranded DNA bound by the mutant. In some embodiments, the Cas protein comprises the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NO:11 and 37-39.


In some embodiments, the UGI comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:12 or has at least at least 90% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:12 and retains the uracil glycosylase inhibition activity.


In some embodiments, the first fragment is at the N-terminal side of the second fragment. In some embodiments, the first fragment is at the N-terminal side of the second fragment which is at the N-terminal side of the UGI.


In some embodiments, the fusion protein further comprises a peptide linker between the first fragment and the second fragment. In some embodiments, the peptide linker has from 1 to 100 amino acid residues. In some embodiments, at least 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80% or 90% of the amino acid residues of peptide linker are amino acid residues selected from the group consisting of alanine, glycine, cysteine, and serine. In some embodiments, the peptide linker has an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:13 or 14. In some embodiments, the fusion protein further comprises a nuclear localization sequence.


Non-limiting examples of fusion proteins include those having an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:16-20 and 40-50.


In another embodiment, a fusion protein is provided that comprises a first fragment comprising an apolipoprotein B mRNA editing enzyme catalytic subunit 3A (APOBEC3A) and a second fragment comprising a CRISPR-associated endonuclease in Prevotella and Francisella 1 (Cpf1). In some embodiments, the Cpf1 is catalytically inactive.


The Cpf1 (Cas12a) can be selected from the group consisting of AsCpf1, LbCpf1, and FnCpf1, in some embodiments. In a specific embodiment, the Cpf1 is a catalytically inactive Lachnospiraceae bacterium Cpf1 (dLbCpf1).


In some embodiments, the APOBEC3A is a wildtype human APOBEC3A or a mutant of human APOBEC3A having a mutation selected from the group consisting of Y130F, D131Y, D131E, Y132D, W104A, W98Y, P134Y and combinations thereof, according to residue numbering in SEQ ID NO:1, wherein the mutant retains cytidine deaminase activity.


Also provided is a polynucleotide that encodes a fusion protein of the present disclosure. Still, in another embodiment, provided is a composition comprising a fusion protein of the present disclosure and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. In some embodiments, the composition further comprises a guide RNA.


Methods of using the fusion proteins and compositions are also provided. In one embodiment, a method for editing a target polynucleotide is provided, comprising contacting to the target polynucleotide a fusion protein of the present disclosure and a guide RNA having at least partial sequence complementarity to the target polynucleotide, wherein the editing comprises deamination of a cytosine (C) in the target polynucleotide. In some embodiments, the C is in a GpC context. In some embodiments, the C is methylated. In some embodiments, the contacting is in vitro, ex vivo, or in vivo. In some embodiments, the method further comprises contacting to the target polynucleotide with a uracil glycosylase inhibitor (UGI) not fused to a Cas protein.





BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS


FIG. 1A-B. Construction and performance of hA3A-BE. Panel A: Schematic diagram illustrating the co-expression of BE3/sgRNA or hA3A-BE/sgRNA. Panel B: Comparing to the co-expression of BE3/sgRNA, the co-expression of hA3A-BE/sgRNA achieved more efficient base editing on the C of GpC in the sgRNA targeted genomic regions (sgFANCF-M-L6 and sgSITE4). Dashed boxes represent the cytosine's locating in the context of GpC. Sequences as shown in panel B, from left column to right column and from top to down, are SEQ ID NO:51-56.



FIG. 2A-B. Construction and performance of hA3A-BE-Y130F and hA3A-BE-Y132D. Panel A: Schematic diagram illustrating the co-expression of hA3A-BE/sgRNA, hA3A-BE-Y130F/sgRNA or hA3A-BE-Y132D/sgRNA. Panel B: Comparing to the co-expression of hA3A-BE/sgRNA, the co-expression of hA3A-BE-Y130F/sgRNA or hA3A-BE-Y132D/sgRNA induced base editing in more narrowed windows in the sgRNA targeted genomic regions (sgSITE3 and sgEMX1). Dashed boxes represent the base editing windows. Sequences as shown in panel B, from left column to right column and from top to down, are SEQ ID NO:57-64.



FIG. 3A-B. Construction and performance of hA3A-BE-W104A and hA3A-BE-D131Y. Panel A: Schematic diagram illustrating the co-expression of hA3A-BE/sgRNA, hA3A-BE-W104A/sgRNA or hA3A-BE-D131Y/sgRNA. Panel B: Comparing to the co-expression of hA3A-BE/sgRNA, the co-expression of hA3A-BE-W104A/sgRNA or hA3A-BE-D131Y/sgRNA induced more efficient base editing in the sgRNA targeted genomic regions (sgFANCF and sgSITE2). Dashed boxes represent the edited cytosine's. Sequences as shown in panel B, from left column to right column and from top to down, are SEQ ID NO:65-72.



FIG. 4A-B. Construction and performance of hA3A-BE-Y130E-D131E-Y132D and hA3A-BE-Y130E-D131Y-Y132D. Panel A: Schematic diagram illustrating the co-expression of hA3A-BE/sgRNA, hA3A-BE-Y130E-D131E-Y132D/sgRNA or hA3A-BE-Y130E-D131Y-Y132D/sgRNA. Panel B: Comparing to the co-expression of hA3A-BE/sgRNA, the co-expression of hA3A-BE-Y130E-D131E-Y132D/sgRNA or hA3A-BE-Y130E-D131Y-Y132D/sgRNA induced base editing in more narrowed windows in the sgRNA targeted genomic regions (sgFANCF and sgSITE3). Dashed boxes represent the edited cytosine's. Sequences as shown in panel B, from left column to right column and from top to down, are SEQ ID NO:73-80.



FIG. 5a-h. hA3A-BE3 induces efficient base editing in methylated region and in GpC context. (a) Distribution of BE-editable T-to-C (or A-to-G) variants. Potentially editable cytosines (underlined) are sub-classified according to their 3′ adjacent bases. (b) Screening of BEs for efficient base editing in a high-methylation background. A series of new BEs were constructed by fusing different APOBEC/AID deaminases with Cas9 nickase (nCas9) and uracil DNA glycosylase inhibitor (UGI). (c) Cumulative base editing frequencies induced by different BEs in unmethylated and methylated vectors. A commonly used rA1-based BE3 was chosen for comparison. Means±s.d. were from three (six for hA3A-BE3) independent experiments. (d) Immunoblots of BE3 and hA3A-BE3 co-transfected with unmethylated or methylated vectors. Tubulin was used as a loading control and immunoblot images are representative of three independent experiments. (e) Comparison of base editing efficiencies induced by BE3 and hA3A-BE3 in genomic regions with natively high levels of DNA methylation. C-to-T editing frequencies of indicated cytosines were determined individually. Target site sequences are shown with the BE3 editing window (position 4-8, setting the base distal to the PAM as position 1) in pink, PAM in cyan and CpG site in capital. Shaded gray, guanines at 5′ end of editable cytosines. NT, native HEK293T cells with no treatment. (f) Statistical analysis of normalized C-to-T editing frequencies in regions with natively high levels of DNA methylation shown in (e), setting the ones induced by BE3 as 100%. n=48 samples from three independent experiments. (g) Comparison of base editing efficiencies induced by BE3 and hA3A-BE3 at C of GpC in genomic regions with natively low levels of DNA methylation. (h) Statistical analysis of normalized C-to-T editing frequencies at GpC sites in regions with natively low levels of DNA methylation shown in (g), setting the ones induced by BE3 as 100%. n=24 samples from three independent experiments. (e,g) Means±s.d. were from three independent experiments. (f,h) P value, one-tailed Student's t test. The median and interquartile range (IQR) are shown. Sequences as shown in FIG. 5e are SEQ ID NO:81-89. Sequences as shown in FIG. 5g are SEQ ID NO:90-95.



FIG. 6a-i. Improvements in hA3A-BE3. (a) Comparison of base editing efficiencies induced by BE3, hA3A-BE3, hA3A-BE3-Y130F and hA3A-BE3-Y132D in genomic regions with natively high levels of DNA methylation. Target site sequences are shown with the overlapped editing window (position 4-7) in pink, PAM in cyan and CpG site in capital. NT, native HEK293T cells with no treatment. (b) Statistical analysis of normalized C-to-T editing frequencies in the overlapped editing window shown in (a), setting the ones induced by BE3 as 100%. n=12 samples from three independent experiments. (c) Comparison of base editing efficiencies induced by BE3, hA3A-BE3, hA3A-BE3-Y130F and hA3A-BE3-Y132D at C of GpC in the overlapped editing window in genomic regions with natively low levels of DNA methylation. (d) Statistical analysis of normalized C-to-T editing frequencies shown in (c), setting the ones induced by BE3 as 100%. n=9 samples from three independent experiments. (e) Immunoblots of BEs transfected into HEK293T cells. Tubulin was used as a loading control and immunoblot images are representative of three independent experiments. (f) Comparison of base editing efficiencies induced by hA3A-BE3-Y130F, hA3A-eBE-Y130F, hA3A-BE3-Y132D and hA3A-eBE-Y132D at C of GpC in the overlapped editing window in genomic regions with natively low levels of DNA methylation. (g) Statistical analysis of normalized C-to-T editing frequencies shown in (f), setting the ones induced by hA3A-BE3-Y130F (left) or hA3A-BE3-Y132D (right) as 100%. n=9 samples from three independent experiments. (h,i) Comparison of product purity (h) and indels (i) yielded by hA3A-BE3-Y130F, hA3A-eBE-Y130F, hA3A-BE3-Y132D and hA3A-eBE-Y132D in genomic DNA regions with natively low levels of DNA methylation. Asterisk denotes an unusually high basal indel frequency (or amplification, sequencing or alignment artifact) at the examined VEGFA-M-c site in NT. (a,c,f,i) Means±s.d. were from three independent experiments. (b,d,g) P value, one-tailed Student's t test. The median and IQR are shown. Sequences as shown in FIG. 6a are SEQ ID NO:96-98.



FIGS. 7A-B and 8A-B show the vector structures of each of the tested base editors and charting showing their editing efficiencies on the target DYRK1A gene.



FIGS. 9A-B and 10A-B show the vector structures of each of the tested base editors and charting showing their editing efficiencies on the target SITE6 gene.



FIGS. 11A-B and 12A-B show the vector structures of each of the tested base editors and charting showing their editing efficiencies on the target RUNX1 gene.



FIG. 13-18 show the sequencing results for Examples 3-5. Sequences as shown in FIG. 13, from left column to right column and from top to down, are SEQ ID NO:99-114. Sequences as shown in FIG. 14, from left column to right column and from top to down, are SEQ ID NO:115-126. Sequences as shown in FIG. 15, from left column to right column and from top to down, are SEQ ID NO:127-142. Sequences as shown in FIG. 16, from left column to right column and from top to down, are SEQ ID NO:143-156. Sequences as shown in FIG. 17, from left column to right column and from top to down, are SEQ ID NO:157-172. Sequences as shown in FIG. 18, from left column to right column and from top to down, are SEQ ID NO:173-184.





DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Definitions

It is to be noted that the term “a” or “an” entity refers to one or more of that entity; for example, “an antibody,” is understood to represent one or more antibodies. As such, the terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more,” and “at least one” can be used interchangeably herein.


As used herein, the term “polypeptide” is intended to encompass a singular “polypeptide” as well as plural “polypeptides,” and refers to a molecule composed of monomers (amino acids) linearly linked by amide bonds (also known as peptide bonds). The term “polypeptide” refers to any chain or chains of two or more amino acids, and does not refer to a specific length of the product. Thus, peptides, dipeptides, tripeptides, oligopeptides, “protein,” “amino acid chain,” or any other term used to refer to a chain or chains of two or more amino acids, are included within the definition of “polypeptide,” and the term “polypeptide” may be used instead of, or interchangeably with any of these terms. The term “polypeptide” is also intended to refer to the products of post-expression modifications of the polypeptide, including without limitation glycosylation, acetylation, phosphorylation, amidation, derivatization by known protecting/blocking groups, proteolytic cleavage, or modification by non-naturally occurring amino acids. A polypeptide may be derived from a natural biological source or produced by recombinant technology, but is not necessarily translated from a designated nucleic acid sequence. It may be generated in any manner, including by chemical synthesis.


The term “isolated” as used herein with respect to cells, nucleic acids, such as DNA or RNA, refers to molecules separated from other DNAs or RNAs, respectively, that are present in the natural source of the macromolecule. The term “isolated” as used herein also refers to a nucleic acid or peptide that is substantially free of cellular material, viral material, or culture medium when produced by recombinant DNA techniques, or chemical precursors or other chemicals when chemically synthesized. Moreover, an “isolated nucleic acid” is meant to include nucleic acid fragments which are not naturally occurring as fragments and would not be found in the natural state. The term “isolated” is also used herein to refer to cells or polypeptides which are isolated from other cellular proteins or tissues. Isolated polypeptides is meant to encompass both purified and recombinant polypeptides.


As used herein, the term “recombinant” as it pertains to polypeptides or polynucleotides intends a form of the polypeptide or polynucleotide that does not exist naturally, a non-limiting example of which can be created by combining polynucleotides or polypeptides that would not normally occur together.


“Homology” or “identity” or “similarity” refers to sequence similarity between two peptides or between two nucleic acid molecules. Homology can be determined by comparing a position in each sequence which may be aligned for purposes of comparison. When a position in the compared sequence is occupied by the same base or amino acid, then the molecules are homologous at that position. A degree of homology between sequences is a function of the number of matching or homologous positions shared by the sequences. An “unrelated” or “non-homologous” sequence shares less than 40% identity, though preferably less than 25% identity, with one of the sequences of the present disclosure.


A polynucleotide or polynucleotide region (or a polypeptide or polypeptide region) has a certain percentage (for example, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98% or 99%) of “sequence identity” to another sequence means that, when aligned, that percentage of bases (or amino acids) are the same in comparing the two sequences. This alignment and the percent homology or sequence identity can be determined using software programs known in the art, for example those described in Ausubel et al. eds. (2007) Current Protocols in Molecular Biology. Preferably, default parameters are used for alignment. One alignment program is BLAST, using default parameters. In particular, programs are BLASTN and BLASTP, using the following default parameters: Genetic code=standard; filter=none; strand=both; cutoff=60; expect=10; Matrix=BLOSUM62; Descriptions=50 sequences; sort by=HIGH SCORE; Databases=non-redundant, GenBank+EMBL+DDBJ+PDB+GenBank CDS translations+SwissProtein+SPupdate+PIR. Biologically equivalent polynucleotides are those having the above-noted specified percent homology and encoding a polypeptide having the same or similar biological activity.


The term “an equivalent nucleic acid or polynucleotide” refers to a nucleic acid having a nucleotide sequence having a certain degree of homology, or sequence identity, with the nucleotide sequence of the nucleic acid or complement thereof. A homolog of a double stranded nucleic acid is intended to include nucleic acids having a nucleotide sequence which has a certain degree of homology with or with the complement thereof. In one aspect, homologs of nucleic acids are capable of hybridizing to the nucleic acid or complement thereof. Likewise, “an equivalent polypeptide” refers to a polypeptide having a certain degree of homology, or sequence identity, with the amino acid sequence of a reference polypeptide. In some aspects, the sequence identity is at least about 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98%, or 99%. In some aspects, the equivalent polypeptide or polynucleotide has one, two, three, four or five addition, deletion, substitution and their combinations thereof as compared to the reference polypeptide or polynucleotide. In some aspects, the equivalent sequence retains the activity (e.g., epitope-binding) or structure (e.g., salt-bridge) of the reference sequence.


Hybridization reactions can be performed under conditions of different “stringency”. In general, a low stringency hybridization reaction is carried out at about 40° C. in about 10×SSC or a solution of equivalent ionic strength/temperature. A moderate stringency hybridization is typically performed at about 50° C. in about 6×SSC, and a high stringency hybridization reaction is generally performed at about 60° C. in about 1×SSC. Hybridization reactions can also be performed under “physiological conditions” which is well known to one of skill in the art. A non-limiting example of a physiological condition is the temperature, ionic strength, pH and concentration of Mg′ normally found in a cell.


A polynucleotide is composed of a specific sequence of four nucleotide bases: adenine (A); cytosine (C); guanine (G); thymine (T); and uracil (U) for thymine when the polynucleotide is RNA. Thus, the term “polynucleotide sequence” is the alphabetical representation of a polynucleotide molecule. This alphabetical representation can be input into databases in a computer having a central processing unit and used for bioinformatics applications such as functional genomics and homology searching. The term “polymorphism” refers to the coexistence of more than one form of a gene or portion thereof. A portion of a gene of which there are at least two different forms, i.e., two different nucleotide sequences, is referred to as a “polymorphic region of a gene”. A polymorphic region can be a single nucleotide, the identity of which differs in different alleles.


The terms “polynucleotide” and “oligonucleotide” are used interchangeably and refer to a polymeric form of nucleotides of any length, either deoxyribonucleotides or ribonucleotides or analogs thereof. Polynucleotides can have any three-dimensional structure and may perform any function, known or unknown. The following are non-limiting examples of polynucleotides: a gene or gene fragment (for example, a probe, primer, EST or SAGE tag), exons, introns, messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA, ribosomal RNA, ribozymes, cDNA, dsRNA, siRNA, miRNA, recombinant polynucleotides, branched polynucleotides, plasmids, vectors, isolated DNA of any sequence, isolated RNA of any sequence, nucleic acid probes and primers. A polynucleotide can comprise modified nucleotides, such as methylated nucleotides and nucleotide analogs. If present, modifications to the nucleotide structure can be imparted before or after assembly of the polynucleotide. The sequence of nucleotides can be interrupted by non-nucleotide components. A polynucleotide can be further modified after polymerization, such as by conjugation with a labeling component. The term also refers to both double- and single-stranded molecules. Unless otherwise specified or required, any embodiment of this disclosure that is a polynucleotide encompasses both the double-stranded form and each of two complementary single-stranded forms known or predicted to make up the double-stranded form.


The term “encode” as it is applied to polynucleotides refers to a polynucleotide which is said to “encode” a polypeptide if, in its native state or when manipulated by methods well known to those skilled in the art, it can be transcribed and/or translated to produce the mRNA for the polypeptide and/or a fragment thereof. The antisense strand is the complement of such a nucleic acid, and the encoding sequence can be deduced therefrom.


Fusion Proteins

The current rA1-based BEs (base editors) cannot efficiently edit C in methylated regions or in the context of GpC, which limits the use of base editing. The present disclosure provides fusion molecules that combine an apolipoprotein B mRNA editing enzyme catalytic subunit 3A (APOBEC3A or A3A) and a clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-associated (Cas) protein, optionally further with uracil glycosylase inhibitor (UGI).


The resulting fusion protein is able to efficiently deaminate cytosine's to uracil's resulting in C to T substitution. Such base editing, surprisingly and unexpectedly, was effective even when the C follows a G (i.e., in a GpC dinucleotide context) and/or even when it is in a methylated region. This has significant clinical significance as cytosine methylation is common in living cells.


In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, provided is a fusion protein comprising a first fragment comprising an apolipoprotein B mRNA editing enzyme catalytic subunit 3A (APOBEC3A) and a second fragment comprising a clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-associated (Cas) protein.


APOBEC3A, also referred to as apolipoprotein B mRNA editing enzyme catalytic subunit 3A or A3A, is a protein of the APOBEC3 family found in humans, non-human primates, and some other mammals. The APOBEC3A protein lacks the zinc binding activity of other family members. In human, isoform a (NP 663745.1; SEQ ID NO:1) and isoform b (NP 001257335.1; SEQ ID NO:6) both are active, while isoform a includes a few more residues close to the N-terminus. The term “APOBEC3A” also encompasses variants and mutants that have certain level (e.g., 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98%, 99%) of sequence identity to a wildtype mammalian APOBEC3A and retains its cytidine deaminating activity.


As demonstrated in the experimental examples, certain mutants (e.g., Y130F (SEQ ID NO:2), Y132D (SEQ ID NO:3), W104A (SEQ ID NO:4), D131Y (SEQ ID NO:5), D131E (SEQ ID NO:22), W98Y (SEQ ID NO:24), W104A (SEQ ID NO:25), and P134Y (SEQ ID NO:26)) even outperformed the wildtype human APOBEC3A. Furthermore, a number of tested combinations of these mutations also exhibited great performances. Moreover, although not specifically tested, the same mutations are believed to also work in the isoform b of A3A. Examples of such variants and mutants are provided in Table 1 below.









TABLE 1







Examples of APOBEC3A Sequences









Name
Sequence
SEQ ID NO:





Human
  1 MEASPASGPR HLMDPHIFTS NFNNGIGRHK TYLCYEVERL DNGTSVKMDQ
 1


APOBEC3A
 51 HRGFLHNQAK NLLCGFYGRH AELRFLDLVP SLQLDPAQIY RVTWFISWSP



isoform a
101 CFSWGCAGEV RAFLQENTHV RLRIFAARIY DYDPLYKEAL QMLRDAGAQV



wildtype
151 SIMTYDEFKH CWDTFVDHQG CPFQPWDGLD EHSQALSGRL RAILQNQGN






Human
  1 MEASPASGPR HLMDPHIFTS NFNNGIGRHK TYLCYEVERL DNGTSVKMDQ
 2


APOBEC3A
 51 HRGFLHNQAK NLLCGFYGRH AELRFLDLVP SLQLDPAQIY RVTWFISWSP



isoform a
101 CFSWGCAGEV RAFLQENTHV RLRIFAARIF DYDPLYKEAL QMLRDAGAQV



Y130F
151 SIMTYDEFKH CWDTFVDHQG CPFQPWDGLD EHSQALSGRL RAILQNQGN






Human
  1 MEASPASGPR HLMDPHIFTS NFNNGIGRHK TYLCYEVERL DNGTSVKMDQ
 3


APOBEC3A
 51 HRGFLHNQAK NLLCGFYGRH AELRFLDLVP SLQLDPAQIY RVTWFISWSP



isoform a
101 CFSWGCAGEV RAFLQENTHV RLRIFAARIY DDDPLYKEAL QMLRDAGAQV



Y132D
151 SIMTYDEFKH CWDTFVDHQG CPFQPWDGLD EHSQALSGRL RAILQNQGN






Human
  1 MEASPASGPR HLMDPHIFTS NFNNGIGRHK TYLCYEVERL DNGTSVKMDQ
 4


APOBEC3A
 51 HRGFLHNQAK NLLCGFYGRH AELRFLDLVP SLQLDPAQIY RVTWFISWSP



isoform a
101 CFSAGCAGEV RAFLQENTHV RLRIFAARIY DYDPLYKEAL QMLRDAGAQV



W104A
151 SIMTYDEFKH CWDTFVDHQG CPFQPWDGLD EHSQALSGRL RAILQNQGN






Human
  1 MEASPASGPR HLMDPHIFTS NFNNGIGRHK TYLCYEVERL DNGTSVKMDQ
 5


APOBEC3A
 51 HRGFLHNQAK NLLCGFYGRH AELRFLDLVP SLQLDPAQIY RVTWFISWSP



isoform a
101 CFSWGCAGEV RAFLQENTHV RLRIFAARIY YYDPLYKEAL QMLRDAGAQV



D131Y
151 SIMTYDEFKH CWDTFVDHQG CPFQPWDGLD EHSQALSGRL RAILQNQGN






Human
  1 MEASPASGPR HKTYLCYEVE RLDNGTSVKM DQHRGFLHNQ AKNLLCGFYG
 6


APOBEC3A
 51 RHAELRFLDL VPSLQLDPAQ IYRVTWFISW SPCFSWGCAG EVRAFLQENT



isoform b
101 HVRLRIFAAR IYDYDPLYKE ALQMLRDAGA QVSIMTYDEF KHCWDTFVDH



wildtype
151 QGCPFQPWDG LDEHSQALSG RLRAILQNQG N






Human
  1 MEASPASGPR HKTYLCYEVE RLDNGTSVKM DQHRGFLHNQ AKNLLCGFYG
 7


APOBEC3A
 51 RHAELRFLDL VPSLQLDPAQ IYRVTWFISW SPCFSWGCAG EVRAFLQENT



isoform b
101 HVRLrfeRIFAAR IFDYDPLYKE ALQMLRDAGA QVSIMTYDEF KHCWDTFVDH



Y112F
151 QGCPFQPWDG LDEHSQALSG RLRAILQNQG N






Human
  1 MEASPASGPR HKTYLCYEVE RLDNGTSVKM DQHRGFLHNQ AKNLLCGFYG
 8


APOBEC3A
 51 RHAELRFLDL VPSLQLDPAQ IYRVTWFISW SPCFSWGACG EVRAFLQENT



isoform b
101 HVRLRIFAAR IYDDDPLYKE ALQMLRDAGA QVSIMTYDEF KHCWDTFVDH



Y114D
151 QGCPFQPWDG LDEHSQALSG RLRAILQNQG N






Human
  1 MEASPASGPR HKTYLCYEVE RLDNGTSVKM DQHRGFLHNQ AKNLLCGFYG
 9


APOBEC3A
 51 RHAELRFLDL VPSLQLDPAQ IYRVTWFISW SPCFSAGCAG RVRAFLQENT



isoform b
101 HVRLRIFAAR IYDYDPLYKE ALQMLRDAGA QVSIMTYDEF KHCWDTFVDH



W86A
151 QGCPFQPWDG LDEHSQALSG RLRAILQNQG N






Human
  1 MEASPASGPR HKTYLCYEVE RLDNGTSVKM DQHRGFLHNQ AKNLLCGFYG
10


APOBEC3A
 51 RHAELRFLDL VPSLQLDPAQ IYRVTWFISW SPCFSWGCAG EVRAFLQENT



isoform b
101 HVRLRIFAAR IYYYDPLYKE ALQMLRDAGA QVSIMTYDEF KHCWDTFVDH



D113Y
151 QGCPFQPWDG LDEHSQALSG RLRAILQNQG N






Human
  1 MEASPASGPR HLMDPHIFTS NFNNGIGRHK TYLCYEVERL DNGTSVKMDQ
22


APOBEC3A
 51 HRGFLHNQAK NLLCGFYGRH AELRFLDLVP SLQLDPAQIY RVTWFISWSP



isoform a
101 CFSWGCAGEV RAFLQENTHV RLRIFAARIFEDDPLYKEAL QMLRDAGAQV



Y130F − D131E −
151 SIMTYDEFKH CWDTFVDHQG VFPQPWDGLD EHSQALSGRL RAILQNQGN



Y132D







Human
  1 MEASPASGPR HLMDPHIFTS NFNNGIGRHK TYLCYEVERL DNGTSVKMDQ
23


APOBEC3A
 51 HRGFLHNQAK NLLCGFYGRH AELRFLDLVP SLQLDPAQIY RVTWFISWSP



isoform a
101 CFSWGCAGEV RAFLQENTHV RLRIFAARIFYDDPLYKEAL QMLRDAGAQV



Y130F − D131Y −
151 SIMTYDEFKH CWDTFVDHQG CPFQPWDGLD EHSQALSGRL RAILQNQGN



Y132D







Human
  1 MEASPASGPR HLMDPHIFTS NFNNGIGRHK TYLCYEVERL DNGTSVKMDQ
24


APOBEC3A
 51 HRGFLHNQAK NLLCGFYGRH AELRDLDLVP SLQLDPAQIY RVTWFISYSP



isoform a
101 CFSWGCAGEV RAFLQENTHV RLRIFAARIY DYDPLYKEAL QMLRDAGAQV



W98Y
150 SIMTYDEFKH CWDTFVDHQG CPFQPWDGLD EHSQALSGRL RAILQNQGN






Human
  1 MEASPASGPR HLMDPHIFTS NFNNGIGRHK TYLCYEVERL DNGTSVKMDQ
25


APOBEC3A
 51 HRGFLHNQAK NLLCGFYGRH AELRFLDLVP SLQLDPAQIY RVTWFISWSP



isoform a
101 VFSWGCAGEV RAFLQENTHV RLRIFAARIY DYDYLYKEAL QMLRDAGAQV



P134Y
151 SIMTYDEFKH CWDTFVDHQG CPFQPWDGLD EHSQALSGRL RAILQNQGN






Human
  1 MEASPASGPR HLMDPHIFTS NFNNGIGRHK TYLCYEVERL DNGTSVKMDQ
26


APOBEC3A
 51 HRGFLHNQAK NLLCGFYGRH AELRFLDLVP SLQLDPAQIY RVTWFISYSP



isoform a
101 CFSAGCAGEV RAFLQENTHV RLRIFAARIY DYDPLYKEAL QMLRDAGAQV



W98Y + W104A
151 SIMTYDEFKH CWDTFVDHQG CPFQPWDGLD EHSQALSGRL RAILQNQGN






Human
  1 MEASPASGPR HLMDPHIFTS NFNNGIGRHK TYLCYEVERL DNGTSVKMDQ
27


APOBEC3A
 51 HRGFLHNQAK NLLCGFYGRH AELRFLDLVP SLQLDPAQIY RVTWFISYSP



isoform a
101 CFSWGCAGEV RAFLQENTHV RLRIFAARIY DYDYLYKEAL QMLRDAGAQV



W98Y + P134Y
151 SIMTYDEFKH CWDTFVDHQG VPFQPWDGLD EHSQALSGRL RAILQNQGN






Human
  1 MEASPASGPR HLMDPHIFTS NFNNGIGRHK TYLCYEVERL DNGTSVKMDQ
28


APOBEC3A
 51 HRGFLHNQAK NLLCGFYGRH AELRFLDLVP SLQLDPAQIY RVTWFISWSP



isoform a
101 CFSAGCAGEV RAFLQENTHV RLRIFAARIY DYDYLYKEAL QMLRDAGAQV



W104A + P134Y
151 SIMTYDEFKH CWDTFVDHQG CPFQPWDGLD EHSQALSGRL RAILQNQGN






Human
  1 MEASPASGPR HLMDPHIFTS NFNNGIGRHK TYLCYEVERL DNGTSVKMDQ
29


APOBEC3A
 51 HRGFLHNQAK NLLCGFYGRH AELRFLDLVP SLQLDPAQIY RVTWFISYSP



isoform a
101 VFSAGCAGEV RAFLQENTHV RLRIFAARIF DYDPLYKEAL QMLRDAGAQV



W98Y + W104A +
151 SIMTYDEFKH CWDTFVDHQG CPFQPWDGLD EHSQALSGRL RAILQNQGN



Y130F







Human
  1 MEASPASGPR HLMDPHIFTS NFNNGIGRHK TYLCYEVERL DNGTSVKMDQ
30


APOBEC3A
 51 HRGFLHNQAK NLLCGFYGRH AELRFLDLVP SLQLDPAQIY RVTWFISYSP



isoform a
101 CFSAGCAGEV RAFLQENTHV RLRIFAARIY DDDPLYKEAL QMLRDAGAQV



W98Y + W104A +
151 SIMTYDEFKH CWDTFVDHQG VPFQPWDGLD EHSQALSGRL RAILQNQGN



Y132D







Human
  1 MEASPASGPR HLMDPHIFTS NFNNGIGRHK TYLCYEVERL DNGTSVKMDQ
31


APOBEC3A
 51 HRGFLHNQAK NLLCGFYGRH AELRFLDLVP SLQLDPAQIY RVTWFISWSP



isoform a
101 VFSAGCAGEV RAFLQENTHV RLRIFAARIF DYDYLYKEAL QMLRDAGAQV



W104A + Y130F +
151 SIMTYDEFKH CWDTFVDHQG CPFQPWDGLD EHSQALSGRL RAILQNQGN



P134Y







Human
  1 MEASPASGPR HLMDPHIFTS NFNNGIGRHK TYLCYEVERL DNGTSVKMDQ
32


APOBEC3A
 51 HRGFLHNQAK NLLCGFYGRH AELRFLDLVP SLQLDPAQIY RVTWFISWSP



isoform a
101 CFSAGCAGEV RAFLQENTHV RLRIFAARIY DDDYLYKEAL QMLRDAGAQV



W104A + Y132D +
151 SIMTYDEFKH CWDTFVDHQG CPFQPWDGLD EHSQALSGRL RAILQNQGN



P134Y







Human
  1 MEASPASGPR HLMDPHIFTS NFNNGIGRHK TYLCYEVERL DNGTSVKMDQ
33


APOBEC3A
 51 HRGFLHNQAK NLLCGFYGRH AELRFLDLVP SLQLDPAQIY RVTWFISWSP



isoform a
101 CFSAGCAGEV RAFLQENTHV RLRIFAARIF DYDPLYKEAL QMLRDAGAQV



W104A + Y130F
151 SIMTYDEFKH CWDTFVDHQG CPFQPWDGLD EHSQALSGRL RAILQNQGN






Human
  1 MEASPASGPR HLMDPHIFTS NFNNGIGRHK TYLCYEVERL DNGTSVKMDQ
34


APOBEC3A
 51 HRGFLHNQAK NLLCGFYGRH AELRFLDLVP SLQLDPAQIY RVTWFISWSP



isoform a
101 CFSAGCAGEV RAFLQENTHV RLRIFAARIY DDDPLYKEAL QMLRDAGAQV



W104A + Y132D
151 SIMTYDEFKH CWDTFVDHQG CPFQPWDGLD EHSQALAGRL RAILQNQGN






Human
  1 MEASPASGPR HKTYLCYEVE RLDNGTSVKM DQHRGFLHNQ AKNLLCGFYG
35


APOBEC3A
 51 RHAELRFLDL VPSLQLDPAQ IYRVTWFISY SPCFSWGCAG RVRAFLQENT



isoform b W80Y
101 HVRLRIFAAR IYDYDPLYKE ALQMLRDAGA QVSIMTYDEF KHCWDTFVDH




151 QGCPFQPWDG LDEHSQALSG RLRAILQNQG N






Human
  1 MEASPASGPR HKTYLCYEVE RLDNGTSVKM DQHRGFLHNQ AKNLLCGFYG
36


APOBEC3A
 51 RHAELRFLDL VPSLQLDPAQ IYRVTWFISW SPCFSWGCAG RVRAFLQENT



isoform b P116Y
101 HVRLRIFAAR IYDYDYLYKE ALQMLRDAGA QVSIMTYDEF KHCWDTFVDH




151 QGCPFQPWDG LDEHSQALSG RLRAILQNQG N









In some embodiments, the APOBEC3A in the fusion protein of the present disclosure is human isoform a or a sequence having at least 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98%, 99% of sequence identity to isoform a. In some embodiments, the APOBEC3A in the fusion protein of the present disclosure is human isoform b or a sequence having at least 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98%, 99% of sequence identity to isoform b. In some embodiments, the APOBEC3A in the fusion protein of the present disclosure is rat APOBEC3 or a sequence having at least 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98%, 99% of sequence identity to the rat APOBEC3. In some embodiments, the APOBEC3A in the fusion protein of the present disclosure is mouse APOBEC3 or a sequence having at least 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98%, 99% of sequence identity to the mouse APOBEC3. In some embodiments, the sequence retains the cytidine deaminase activity.


In some embodiments, the APOBEC3A includes a Y130F mutation, according to residue numbering in SEQ ID NO:1 (the numbering would be different in human isoform b and rat and mouse sequences, but can readily converted). In some embodiments, the APOBEC3A includes a Y132D mutation, according to residue numbering in SEQ ID NO:1. In some embodiments, the APOBEC3A includes a W104A mutation, according to residue numbering in SEQ ID NO:1. In some embodiments, the APOBEC3A includes a D131Y mutation, according to residue numbering in SEQ ID NO:1. In some embodiments, the APOBEC3A includes a D131E mutation, according to residue numbering in SEQ ID NO:1. In some embodiments, the APOBEC3A includes a W98Y mutation, according to residue numbering in SEQ ID NO:1. In some embodiments, the APOBEC3A includes a P134Y mutation, according to residue numbering in SEQ ID NO:1.


In some embodiments, the APOBEC3A includes mutations Y130F, D131E, and Y132D, according to residue numbering in SEQ ID NO:1 (the numbering would be different in human isoform b and rat and mouse sequences, but can readily converted). In some embodiments, the APOBEC3A includes mutations Y130F, D131Y, and Y132D, according to residue numbering in SEQ ID NO:1. In some embodiments, the APOBEC3A includes mutations W98Y and W104A, according to residue numbering in SEQ ID NO:1. In some embodiments, the APOBEC3A includes mutations W98Y and P134Y, according to residue numbering in SEQ ID NO:1. In some embodiments, the APOBEC3A includes mutations W104A and P134Y, according to residue numbering in SEQ ID NO:1. In some embodiments, the APOBEC3A includes mutations W98Y, W104A, and Y130F, according to residue numbering in SEQ ID NO:1. In some embodiments, the APOBEC3A includes mutations W98Y, W104A, and Y132D, according to residue numbering in SEQ ID NO:1. In some embodiments, the APOBEC3A includes mutations W104A, Y130F, and P134Y, according to residue numbering in SEQ ID NO:1. In some embodiments, the APOBEC3A includes mutations W104A, Y132D, and P134Y, according to residue numbering in SEQ ID NO:1. In some embodiments, the APOBEC3A includes mutations W104A and Y130F, according to residue numbering in SEQ ID NO:1. In some embodiments, the APOBEC3A includes mutations W104A and Y132D, according to residue numbering in SEQ ID NO:1.


Example APOBEC3A sequences are shown in SEQ ID NO:1-10 and 22-36.


The APOBEC3A protein can allow further modifications, such as addition, deletion and/or substitutions, at other amino acid locations as well. Such modifications can be substitution at one, two or three or more positions. In one embodiment, the modification is substitution at one of the positions. Such substitutions, in some embodiments, are conservative substitutions. In some embodiments, the modified APOBEC3A protein still retains the cytidine deaminase activity. In some embodiments, the modified APOBEC3A protein retains the mutations tested in the experimental examples.


In various embodiments, the APOBEC3A can be substituted with another deaminase such as A3B (APOBEC3B), A3C (APOBEC3C), A3D (APOBEC3D), A3F (APOBEC3F), A3G (APOBEC3G), A3H (APOBEC3H), A3 (APOBEC3), and AID (AICDA).


In some embodiments, provided is a fusion protein comprising a first fragment comprising an apolipoprotein B mRNA editing enzyme catalytic subunit 3B (APOBEC3B) and a second fragment comprising a clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-associated (Cas) protein. In some embodiments, provided is a fusion protein comprising a first fragment comprising an apolipoprotein B mRNA editing enzyme catalytic subunit 3C (APOBEC3C) and a second fragment comprising a clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-associated (Cas) protein. In some embodiments, provided is a fusion protein comprising a first fragment comprising an apolipoprotein B mRNA editing enzyme catalytic subunit 3D (APOBEC3D) and a second fragment comprising a clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-associated (Cas) protein. In some embodiments, provided is a fusion protein comprising a first fragment comprising an apolipoprotein B mRNA editing enzyme catalytic subunit 3F (APOBEC3F) and a second fragment comprising a clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-associated (Cas) protein. In some embodiments, provided is a fusion protein comprising a first fragment comprising an apolipoprotein B mRNA editing enzyme catalytic subunit 3G (APOBEC3G) and a second fragment comprising a clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-associated (Cas) protein. In some embodiments, provided is a fusion protein comprising a first fragment comprising an apolipoprotein B mRNA editing enzyme catalytic subunit 3H (APOBEC3H) and a second fragment comprising a clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-associated (Cas) protein. In some embodiments, provided is a fusion protein comprising a first fragment comprising an apolipoprotein B mRNA editing enzyme catalytic subunit 3 (APOBEC3) and a second fragment comprising a clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-associated (Cas) protein. In some embodiments, provided is a fusion protein comprising a first fragment comprising an apolipoprotein B mRNA editing enzyme catalytic subunit AID (AICDA) and a second fragment comprising a clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-associated (Cas) protein.


In some embodiments, the APOBEC protein is a human protein. In some embodiments, the APOBEC protein is a mouse or rat protein. Some example APOBEC proteins are listed in the table below.















Example



Deaminase
version
NCBI Accession Nos.







A3B (APOBEC3B)
hA3B (human)
NP_001257340, NP_004891


A3C (APOBEC3C)
hA3C (human)
NP_055323


A3D (APOBEC3D)
hA3D (human)
NP_689639, NP_001350710


A3F (APOBEC3F)
hA3F (human)
NP_660341, NP_001006667


A3G (APOBEC3G)
hA3G (human)
NP_068594, NP_001336365,




NP_001336366, NP_001336367


A3H (APOBEC3H)
hA3H (human)
NP_001159474, NP_001159475,




NP_001159476, and NP_861438


A1 (APOBEC1)
hA1 (human)
NP_001291495, NP_001635,




NP_005880



mA1 (mouse)
NP_001127863, NP_112436


A3 (APOBEC3)
mA3 (mouse)
NP_001153887, NP_001333970,




NP_084531


AID (AICDA)
hAID (human)
NP_001317272, NP_065712



mAID (mouse)
NP_033775



cAICDA
NP_001187114



(channel




catfish)









A “conservative amino acid substitution” is one in which the amino acid residue is replaced with an amino acid residue having a similar side chain. Families of amino acid residues having similar side chains have been defined in the art, including basic side chains (e.g., lysine, arginine, histidine), acidic side chains (e.g., aspartic acid, glutamic acid), uncharged polar side chains (e.g., glycine, asparagine, glutamine, serine, threonine, tyrosine, cysteine), nonpolar side chains (e.g., alanine, valine, leucine, isoleucine, proline, phenylalanine, methionine, tryptophan), beta-branched side chains (e.g., threonine, valine, isoleucine) and aromatic side chains (e.g., tyrosine, phenylalanine, tryptophan, histidine). Thus, a nonessential amino acid residue in an immunoglobulin polypeptide is preferably replaced with another amino acid residue from the same side chain family. In another embodiment, a string of amino acids can be replaced with a structurally similar string that differs in order and/or composition of side chain family members.


Non-limiting examples of conservative amino acid substitutions are provided in the table below, where a similarity score of 0 or higher indicates conservative substitution between the two amino acids.









TABLE A







Amino Acid Similarity Matrix




























C
G
P
S
A
T
D
E
N
Q
H
K
R
V
M
I
L
F
Y
W






























W
−8
−7
−6
−2
−6
−5
−7
−7
−4
−5
−3
−3
2
−6
−4
−5
−2
0
0
17


Y
0
−5
−5
−3
−3
−3
−4
−4
−2
−4
0
−4
−5
−2
−2
−1
−1
7
10



F
−4
−5
−5
−3
−4
−3
−6
−5
−4
−5
−2
−5
−4
−1
0
1
2
9




L
−6
−4
−3
−3
−2
−2
−4
−3
−3
−2
−2
−3
−3
2
4
2
6





I
−2
−3
−2
−1
−1
0
−2
−2
−2
−2
−2
−2
−2
4
2
5






M
−5
−3
−2
−2
−1
−1
−3
−2
0
−1
−2
0
0
2
6







V
−2
−1
−1
−1
0
0
−2
−2
−2
−2
−2
−2
−2
4








R
−4
−3
0
0
−2
−1
−1
−1
0
1
2
3
6









K
−5
−2
−1
0
−1
0
0
0
1
1
0
5










H
−3
−2
0
−1
−1
−1
1
1
2
3
6











Q
−5
−1
0
−1
0
−1
2
2
1
4












N
−4
0
−1
1
0
0
2
1
2













E
−5
0
−1
0
0
0
3
4














D
−5
1
−1
0
0
0
4















T
−2
0
0
1
1
3
















A
−2
1
1
1
2

















S
0
1
1
1


















P
−3
−1
6



















G
−3
5




















C
12
















TABLE B







Conservative Amino Acid Substitutions








For Amino



Acid
Substitution With





Alanine
D-Ala, Gly, Aib, β-Ala, L-Cys, D-Cys


Arginine
D-Arg, Lys, D-Lys, Orn D-Orn


Asparagine
D-Asn, Asp, D-Asp, Glu, D-Glu Gln, D-Gln


Aspartic Acid
D-Asp, D-Asn, Asn, Glu, D-Glu, Gln, D-Gln


Cysteine
D-Cys, S-Me-Cys, Met, D-Met, Thr, D-Thr,



L-Ser, D-Ser


Glutamine
D-Gln, Asn, D-Asn, Glu, D-Glu, Asp, D-Asp


Glutamic Acid
D-Glu, D-Asp, Asp, Asn, D-Asn, Gln, D-Gln


Glycine
Ala, D-Ala, Pro, D-Pro, Aib, β-Ala


Isoleucine
D-Ile, Val, D-Val, Leu, D-Leu, Met, D-Met


Leucine
Val, D-Val, Met, D-Met, D-Ile, D-Leu, Ile


Lysine
D-Lys, Arg, D-Arg, Orn, D-Orn


Methionine
D-Met, S-Me-Cys, Ile, D-Ile, Leu, D-Leu,



Val, D-Val


Phenylalanine
D-Phe, Tyr, D-Tyr, His, D-His, Trp, D-Trp


Proline
D-Pro


Serine
D-Ser, Thr, D-Thr, allo-Thr, L-Cys, D-Cys


Threonine
D-Thr, Ser, D-Ser, allo-Thr, Met, D-Met,



Val, D-Val


Tyrosine
D-Tyr, Phe, D-Phe, His, D-His, Trp, D-Trp


Valine
D-Val, Leu, D-Leu, Ile, D-Ile, Met, D-Met









The term “clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-associated (Cas) protein” or simply “Cas protein” refers to RNA-guided DNA endonuclease enzymes associated with the CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) adaptive immunity system in Streptococcus pyogenes, as well as other bacteria. Non-limiting examples of Cas proteins include Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9 (SpCas9), Staphylococcus aureus Cas9 (SaCas9), Acidaminococcus sp. Cas12a (Cpf1), Lachnospiraceae bacterium Cas12a (Cpf1), Francisella novicida Cas12a (Cpf1). Additional examples are provided in Komor et al., “CRISPR-Based Technologies for the Manipulation of Eukaryotic Genomes,” Cell. 2017 Jan. 12; 168(1-2):20-36.


Example Cas proteins include SpCas9, FnCas9, St1Cas9, St3Cas9, NmCas9, SaCas9, AsCpf1, LbCpf1, FnCpf1, VQR SpCas9, EQR SpCas9, VRER SpCas9, RHA FnCas9, KKH SaCas9, NmeCas9, StCas9, CjCas9, AsCpf1, FnCpf1, SsCpf1, PcCpf1, BpCpf1, CmtCpf1, LiCpf1, PmCpf1, Pb3310Cpf1, Pb4417Cpf1, BsCpf1, EeCpf1, BhCas12b, AkCas12b, EbCas12b, LsCas12b, RfCas13d, LwaCas13a, PspCas13b, PguCas13b, RanCas13b, CasX, CasY and those provided in Table C below.









TABLE C







Example Cas Proteins








Cas protein types
Cas proteins





Cas9 proteins
Cas 9 from Streptococcus pyogenes (SpCas9)



Cas9 from Staphylococcus aureus (SaCas9)



Cas9 from Neisseria meningitidis (NmeCas9)



Cas9 from Streptococcus thermophilus (StCas9)



Cas9 from Campylobacter jejuni (CjCas9)


Cas12a (Cpf1) proteins
Cas12a (Cpf1) from Lachnospiraceae bacterium Cas12a (LbCpf1)



Cas12a (Cpf1) from Acidaminococcus sp BV3L6 (AsCpf1)



Cas12a (Cpf1) from Francisella novicida sp BV3L6 (FnCpf1)



Cas12a (Cpf1) from Smithella sp SC K08D17 (SsCpf1)



Cas12a (Cpf1) from Porphyromonas crevioricanis (PcCpf1)



Cas12a (Cpf1) from Butyrivibrio proteoclasticus (BpCpf1)



Cas12a (Cpf1) from Candidatus Methanoplasma termitum (CmtCpf1)



Cas12a (Cpf1) from Leptospira inadai (LiCpf1)



Cas12a (Cpf1) from Porphyromonas macacae (PmCpf1)



Cas12a (Cpf1) from Peregrinibacteria bacterium GW2011 WA2 33 10



(Pb3310Cpf1)



Cas12a (Cpf1) from Parcubacteria bacterium GW2011 GWC2 44 17



(Pb4417Cpf1)



Cas12a (Cpf1) from Butyrivibrio sp. NC3005 (BsCpf1)



Cas12a (Cpf1) from Eubacterium eligens (EeCpf1)


Cas12b (C2c1) proteins
Cas12b (C2c1) Bacillus hisashii (BhCas12b)



Cas12b (C2c1) Bacillus hisashii with a gain-of-function mutation (see,



e.g., Strecker et al., Nature Communications 10 (article 212) (2019)



Cas12b (C2c1) Alicyclobacillus kakegawensis (AkCas12b)



Cas12b (C2c1) Elusimicrobia bacterium (EbCas12b)



Cas12b (C2c1) Laceyella sediminis (Ls) (LsCas12b)


Cas13 proteins
Cas13d from Ruminococcus flavefaciens XPD3002 (RfCas13d)



Cas13a from Leptotrichia wadei (LwaCas13a)



Cas13b from Prevotella sp. P5-125 (PspCas13b)



Cas13b from Porphyromonas gulae (PguCas13b)



Cas13b from Riemerella anatipestifer (RanCas13b)


Engineered Cas proteins
Nickases (mutation in one nuclease domain)



Catalytically inactive mutant (dCas; mutations in both of the nuclease



domains)



Enhanced variants with improved specificity (see, e.g., Chen et al.,




Nature, 550, 407-410 (2017)










In some embodiments, the Cas protein is a mutant of protein selected from the above, wherein the mutant retains the DNA-binding capability but does not introduce double strand DNA breaks.


For example, it is known that in SpCas9, residues Asp10 and His840 are important for Cas9's catalytic (nuclease) activity. When both residues are mutated to Ala, the mutant loses the nuclease activity. In another embodiment, only the Asp10Ala mutation is made, and such a mutant protein cannot generate a double strand break; rather, a nick is generated on one of the strands. Such a mutant is also referred to as a Cas9 nickase. A non-limiting example of a Cas9 nickase is provided is SEQ ID NO: 11. Non-limiting example of a Cas12a nickase are provided is SEQ ID NO:37-39. Cas proteins also encompass mutants of known Cas proteins that have certain sequence identity (e.g., 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98%, 99% or more). In some embodiments, the Cas protein retains the catalytic (nuclease) activity.


In some embodiments, the Cas protein in a fusion protein of the present disclosure is a Cas12a (Cpf1, CRISPR-associated endonuclease in Prevotella and Francisella 1) protein. In conventional base editors, Cas9 is the commonly used DNA endonuclease. The Cas12a (Cpf1) has the advantage of recognizing A/T rich sequence when used together with APOBEC1 in base editors. In another surprising discovery of the present disclosure, when APOBEC1 was replaced with A3A, the editing efficiency was greatly increased (see, e.g., Examples 3-5 and FIGS. 7B, 9B and 11B). Yet, the editing efficiency of such a Cas12a-A3A can be further increased when the A3A includes a few tested mutations (Examples 3-5 and FIGS. 7B, 9B and 11B) and the editing window such a Cas12a-A3A can be narrowed to achieve more precise editing when even more tested mutations are included in A3A (Examples 3-5 and FIGS. 8B, 10B and 12B).


In some embodiments, therefore, provided is a fusion protein comprising a first fragment comprising an apolipoprotein B mRNA editing enzyme catalytic subunit 3A (APOBEC3A) and a second fragment comprising a CRISPR-associated endonuclease in Prevotella and Francisella 1 (Cpf1). Examples of APOBEC3A, as well as its alternatives (e.g., A3B (APOBEC3B), A3C (APOBEC3C), A3D (APOBEC3D), A3F (APOBEC3F), A3G (APOBEC3G), A3H (APOBEC3H), A3 (APOBEC3), or AID (AICDA)) and biological equivalents (homologues) have been disclosed above. Non-limiting example fusion sequences are provided in SEQ ID NO:40-50.


In some embodiments, the fusion protein further comprises a uracil glycosylase inhibitor (UGI). A non-limiting example of UGI is found in Bacillus phage AR9 (YP_009283008.1). In some embodiments, the UGI comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:12 or has at least at least 90% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:12 and retains the uracil glycosylase inhibition activity.


In some embodiments, the UGI is not fused to the fusion protein, but rather is provided separately (free UGI, not fused to a Cas protein or a cytosine deaminase) when the fusion protein is used for genomic editing. In some embodiments, the free UGI is provided with the fusion protein which also includes a UGI portion.


Preferably, a peptide linker is provided between each of the fragments in the fusion protein. In some embodiments, the peptide linker has from 1 to 100 amino acid residues (or 3-20, 4-15, without limitation). In some embodiments, at least 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80% or 90% of the amino acid residues of peptide linker are amino acid residues selected from the group consisting of alanine, glycine, cysteine, and serine. In some embodiments, the peptide linker has an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:13 or 14.


The APOBEC3A, Cas protein, and UGI can be arranged in any manner. However, in a preferred embodiment, APOBEC3A is placed at the N-terminal side of the Cas protein. In one embodiment, the Cas protein is placed at the N-terminal side of the UGI.


In some embodiments, the fusion protein further comprises a nuclear localization sequence such as SEQ ID NO:15.


Non-limiting examples of fusion proteins include those having an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:16-20.









TABLE 2







Additional Sequences









Name
Sequence
SEQ ID NO:





Cas9-Nickase
   1 MYPYDVPDYA SPKKKRKVEA SDKKYSIGLA IGTNSVGWAV ITDEYKVPSK
11



  51 KFKVLGNTDR HSIKKNLIGA LLFDSGETAE ATRLKRTARR RYTRRKNRIC




 101 YLQEIFSNEM AKVDDSFFHR LEESFLVEED KKHERHPIFG NIVDEVAYHE




 151 KYPTIYHLRK KLVDSTDKAD LRLIYLALAH MIKFRGHFLI EGDLNPDNSD




 201 VDKLFIQLVQ TYNQLFEENP INASGVDAKA ILSARLSKSR RLENLIAQLP




 251 GEKKNGLFGN LIALSLGLTP NFKSNFDLAE DAKLQLSKDT YDDDLDNLLA




 301 QIGDQYADLF LAAKNLSDAI LLSDILRVNT EITKAPLSAS MIKRYDEHHQ




 351 DLTLLKALVR QQLPEKYKEI FFDQSKNGYA GYIDGGASQE EFYKFEIPIL




 401 EKMDGTEELL VKLNREDLLR KQRTFDNGSI PHQIHLGELH AILRRQEDFY




 451 PFLKDNREKI EKILTFRIPY YVGPLARGNS RFAWMTRKSE ETITPWNFEE




 501 VVDKGASAQS FIERMTNFDK NLPNEKVLPK HSLLYEYFTV YNELTKVKYV




 551 TEGMRKPAFL SGEQKKAIVD LLFKTNRKVT VKQLKEDYFK KIECFDSVEI




 601 SGVEDRFNAS LGTYHDLLKI IKDKDFLDNE ENEDILEDIV LTLTLFEDRE




 651 MIEERLKTYA HLFDDKVMKQ KLRRRYTGWG RLSRKLINGI RDKQSGKTIL




 701 DFLKSDGFAN RNFMQLIHDD SLTFKEDIQK AQVSGQGDSL HEHIANLAGS




 751 PAIKKGILQT VKVVDELVKV MGRHKPENIV IEMARENQTT QKGQKNSRER




 801 MKRIEEGIKE LGSQILKEHP VENTQLQNEK LYLYYLQNGR DMYVDQELDI




 851 NRLSDYDVDH IVPQSFLKDD SIDNKVLTRS DKNRGKSDNV PSEEVVKKMK




 901 NYWRQLLNAK LITQRKFDNL TKAERGGLSE LDKAGFIKRQ LVETRQITKH




 951 VAQILDSRMN TKYDENDKLI REVKVITLKS KLVSDFRKDF QFYKVREINN




1001 YHHAHDAYLN AVVGTALIKK YPKLESEFVY GDYKVYDVRK MIAKSEQEIG




1051 KATAKYFFYS NIMNFFKTEI TLANGEIRKR PLIETNGETG EIVWDKGRDF




1101 ATVRKVLSMP QVNIVKKTEV QTGGFSKESI LPKRNSDKLI ARKKDWDPKK




1151 YGGFDSPTVA YSVLVVAKVE KGKSKKLKSV KELLGITIME RSSFEKNPID




1201 FLEAKGYKEV KKDLIIKLPK YSLFELENGR KRMLASAGEL QKGNELALPS




1251 KYVNFLYLAS HYEKLKGSPE DNEQKQLFVE QHKHYLDEII EQISEFSKRV




1301 ILADANLDKV LSAYNKHRDK PIREQAENII HLFTLTNLGA PAAFKYFDTT




1351 IDRKRYTSTK EVLDATLIHQ SITGLYETRI DLSQLGGDSP KKKRKVEAS






Uracil-DNA-
   1 TNLSDIIEKE TGKQLVIQES ILMLPEEVEE VIGNKPESDI LVHTAYDEST
12


glycosylase
  51 DENVMLLTSD APEYKPWALV IQDSNGENKI KML



inhibitor (UGI)







Linker 1
   1 SGSETPGTSE SATPES
13





Linker 2
   1 SGGS
14





Nuclear
   1 PKKKRKV



localization




sequence







Fusion protein 1
   1 MEASPASGPR HLMDPHIFTS NFNNGIGRHK TYLCYEVERL DNGTSVKMDQ
16



  51 HRGFLHNQAK NLLCGFYGRH AELRFLDLVP SLQLDPAQIY RVTWFISWSP




 101 CFSWGCAGEV RAFLQENTHV RLRIFAARIY DYDPLYKEAL QMLRDAGAQV




 151 SIMTYDEFKH CWDTFVDHQG CPFQPWDGLD EHSQALSGRL RAILQNQGNS




 201 GSETPGTSES ATPESDKKYS IGLAIGTNSV GWAVITDEYK VPSKKFKVLG




 251 NTDRHSIKKN LIGALLFDSG ETAEATRLKR TARRRYTRRK NRICYLQEIF




 301 SNEMAKVDDS FFHRLEESFL VEEDKKHERH PIFGNIVDEV AYHEKYPTIY




 351 HLRKKLVDST DKADLRLIYL ALAHMIKFRG HFLIEGDLNP DNSDVDKLFI




 401 QLVQTYNQLF EENPINASGV DAKAILSARL SKSRRLENLI AQLPGEKKNG




 451 LFGNLIALSL SLTPNFKSNF DLAEDAKLQL SKDTYDDDLD NLLAQIGDQY




 501 ADLFLAAKNL SDAILLSDIL RVNTEITKAP LSASMIKRYD EHHQDLTLLK




 551 ALVRQQLPEK YKEIFFDQSK NGYAGYIDGG ASQEEYFKFI KPILEKMDGT




 601 EELLVKLNRE DLLRKQRTFD NGSIPHQIHL GELHAILRRQ EDFYPFLKDN




 651 REKIEKILTF RIPYYVGPLA RGNSRFAWMT RKSEETITPW NFEEVVDKGA




 701 SAQSFIERMT NFDKNLPNEK VLPKHSLLYE YFTVYNELTK VKYVTEGMRK




 751 PAFLSGEQKK AIVDLLFKTN RKVTVKQLKE DYFKKIECFD SVEISGVEDR




 801 FNASLGTYHD LLKIIKDKDF LDNEENEDIL EDIVLTLTLF EDREMIEERL




 851 KTYAHLFDDK VMKQLKRRRY TGWGRLSRKL INGIRDKQSG KTILDFLKSD




 901 GFANRNFMQL IHDDSLTFKE IDQKAQVSGQ GDSLHEHIAN LAGSPAIKKG




 951 ILQTVKVVDE LVKVMGRHKP ENIVIEMARE NQTTQKGQKN SRERMKRIEE




1001 GIKELGSQIL HEKPVENTQL QNEKLYLYYL QNGRDMYVDQ ELDINRLSDY




1051 DVDHIVPQSF LKDDSIDNKV LTRSDKNRGK SDNVPSEEVV KKMKNYWRQL




1101 LNAKLITQRK FDNLTKAERG GLSELDKAGF IKRQLVETRQ ITKHVAQILD




1151 SRMNTKYDEN DKLIREVKVI TLKSKLVSDF RKDFQFYKVR EINNYHHAHD




1201 AYLNAVVGTA LIKKYPKLES EFVYGDYKVY DVRKMIAKSE QEIGKATAKY




1251 FFYSNIMNFF KTEITLANGE IRKRPLIETN GETGEIVWDK GRDFATVRKV




1301 LSMPQVNIVK KTEVQTGGFS KESILPKRNS DKLIARKKDW DPKKYGGFDS




1351 PTVAYSVLVV AKVEKGKSKK LKSVKELLGI TIMERSSFEK NPIDFLEAKG




1401 YKEVKKDLII KLPKYSLFEL ENGRKRMLAS AGELQKGNEL ALPSKYVNFL




1451 YLASHYEKLK GSPEDNEQKQ LFVEQHKHYL DEIIEQISEF SKRVILADAN




1501 LDKVLSAYNK HRDKPIREQA ENIIHLFTLT NLGAPAAFKY FDTTIDRKRY




1551 TSTKEVLDAT LIHQSITGLY ETRIDLSQLG GDSGGSTNLS DIIEKETGKQ




1601 LVIQESILML PEEVEEVIGN KPESDILVHT AYDESTDENV MLLTSDAPEY




1651 KPWALVIQDS NGENKIKMLS GGSPKKKRKV






Fusion protein 2
   1 MEASPASGPR HLMDPHIFTS NFNNGIGRHK TYLCYEVERL DNGTSVKMDQ
17


(Y130F)
  51 HRGFLHNQAK NLLCGFYGRH AELRFLDLVP SLQLDPAQIY RVTWFISWSP




 101 CFSWGCAGEV RAFLQENTHV RLRIFAARIF DYDPLYKEAL QMLRDAGAQV




 151 SIMTYDEFKH VWDTFVDHQG CPFQPWDGLD EHSQALSGRL RAILQNQGNS




 201 GSETPGTSES ATPESDKKYS IGLAIGTNSV GWAVITDEYK VPSKKFKVLG




 251 NTDRHSIKKN LIGALLFDSG ETAEATRLKR TARRRYTRRK NRICYLQEIF




 301 SNEMAKVDDS FFHRLEESFL VEEDKKHERH PIFGNIVDEV AYHEKYPTIY




 351 HLRKKLVDST DKADLRLIYL ALAHMIKFRG HFLIEGDLNP DNSDVDKLFI




 401 QLVQTYNQLF EENPINASGV DAKAILSARL SKSRRLENLI AQLPGEKKNG




 451 LFGNLIALSL GLTPNFKSNF DLAEDAKLQL SKDTYDDDLD NLLAQIGDQY




 501 ADLFLAAKNL SDAILLSDIL RVNTEITKAP LSASMIKRYD EHHQDLTLLK




 551 ALVRQQLPEK YKEIFFDQSK NGYAGYIDGG ASQEEFYKFI KIPLEKMDGT




 601 EELLVKLNRE DLLRKQRTFD NGSIPHQIHL GELHAILRRQ EDFYPFLKDN




 651 REKIEKILTF RIPYYVGPLA RGNSRFAWMT RKSEETITPW NFEEVVDKGA




 701 SAQSFIERMT NFDKNLPNEK VLPKHSLLYE YFTVYNELTK VKYVTEGMRK




 751 PAFLSGEQKK QIVDLLFKTN RKVTVKQLKE DYFKKIECFD SVEISGVEDR




 801 FNASLGTYHD LLKIIKDKDF LDNEENEDIL EDIVLTLTLF EDREMIEERL




 851 KTYAHLFDDK VMKQLKRRRY TGWGRLSRKL INGIRDKQSG KTILDFLKSD




 901 GFANRNFMQL IHDDSLTFKE DIQKAQVSGQ GDSLHEHIAN LAGSPAIKKG




 951 ILQTVKVVDE KVKVMGRHKP ENIVIEMARE NQTTQKGQKN SRERMKRIEE




1001 GIKELGSQIL KEHPVENTQL QNEKLYLYYL QNGRDMYVDQ ELDINRLSDY




1051 DVDHIVPQSF LKDDSIDNKV LTRSDKNRGK SDNVPSEEVV KKMKNYWRQL




1101 LNAKLITQRK FDNLTKAERG GLSELDKAGF IKRQLVETRQ ITKHVAQILD




1151 SRMNTKYDEN DKLIREVKVI TLKSKLVSDF RKDFQFYKVR EINNYHHAHD




1201 AYLNAVVGTA LIKKYPKLES EFVYGDYKVY DVRKMIAKSE QEIGKATAKY




1251 FFYSNIMNFF KTEITLANGE IRKRPLIETN GETGEIVWDK GRDFATVRKV




1301 LSMPQVNIVK KTEVQTGGFS KESILPKRNS DKLIARKKDW DPKKYGGFDS




1351 PTVAYSVLVV AKVEKGKSKK LKSVKELLGI TIMERSSFEK NPIDFLEAKG




1401 YKEVKKDLII KLPKYSLFEL ENGRKRMLAS AGELQKGNEL ALPSLYVNFL




1451 YLASHYEKLK GSPEDNEQKQ LFVEQHKHYL DEIIEQISEF SKRVILADAN




1501 LDKVLSAYNK HRDKPIREQA ENIIHLFTLT NLGAPAAFKY FDTTIDRKRY




1551 TSTKEVLDAT LIHQSITGLY ETRIDLSQLG GDSGGSTNLS DIIEKETGKQ




1601 LVIQESILML PEEVEEVIGN KPESDILVHT AYDESTDENV MLLTSDAPEY




1651 KPWALVIQDS NGENKIKMLS GGSPKKKRKV






Fusion protein 3
   1 MEASPASGPR HLMDPHIFTS NFNNGIGRHK TYLCYEVERL DNGTSVKMDQ
18


(Y132D)
  51 HRGFLHNQAK NLLCGFYGRH AELRFLDLVP SLQLDPAQIY RVTWFISWSP




 101 CFSWGCAGEV RAFLQENTHV RLRIFAARIY DDDPLYKEAL QMLRDAGAQV




 151 SIMTYDEFKH CWDTFVDHQG CPFQPWDGLD EHSQALSGRL RAILQNQGNS




 201 GSETPGTSES ATPESDKKYS IGLAIGTNSV GWAVITDEYK VPSKKFKVLG




 251 NTDRHSIKKN LIGALLFDSG ETAEATRLKR TARRRYTRRK NRICYLQEIF




 301 SNEMAKVDDS FFHRLEESFL VEEDKKHERH PIFGNIVDEV AYHEKYPTIY




 351 HLRKKLVDST DKADLRLIYL ALAHMIKFRG HFLIEGDLNP DNSDVDKLFI




 401 QLVQTYNQLF EENPINASGV DAKAILSARL SKSRRLENLI AQLPGEKKNG




 451 LFGNLIALSL GLTPNFKSNF DLAEDAKLQL SKDTYDDDLD NLLAQIGDQY




 501 ADLFLAAKNL SDAILLSDIL RVNTEITKAP LSASMIKRYD EHHQDLTLLK




 551 ALVRQQLPEK YKEIFFDQSK NGYAGYIDGG ASQEEFYKFI KPILEKMDGT




 601 EELLVKLNRE DLLRKQRTFD NGSIPHQIHL GELHAILRRQ EDFYPFLKDN




 651 REKIEKILTF RIPYYVGPLA RGNSRFAWMT RKSEETITPW NFEEVVDKGA




 701 SAQSFIERMT NFDKNLPNEK VLPKHSLLYE YFTVYNELTK VKYVTEGMRK




 751 PAFLSGEQKK AIVDLLFKTN RKVTVKQLKE DYFKKIECFD SVEISGVEDR




 801 FNASLGTYHD LLKIIKDKDF LDNEENEDIL EDIVLTLTLF EDREMIEERL




 851 KTYAHLFDDK VMKQLKRRRY TGWGRLSRKL INGIRDKQSG KTILDFLKSD




 901 GFANRNFMQL IHDDSLTFKE DIQKAQVSGQ GDSLHEHIAN LAGSPAIKKG




 951 ILQTVKVVDE LVKVMGRHKP ENIVIEMARE NQTTQKGQKN SRERMKRIEE




1001 GIKELGSQIL KEHPVENTQL QNEKLYLYYL QNGRDMYVDQ ELDINRLSDY




1051 DVDHIVPQSF LKDDSIDNKV LTRSDKNRGK SDNVPSEEVV KKMKNYWRQL




1101 LNAKLITQRK FDNLTKAERG GLSELDKAGF IKRQLVETRQ ITKHVAQILD




1151 SRMNTKYDEN DKLIREVKVI TLKSKLVSDF RKDFQFYKVR EINNYHHAHD




1201 AYLNAVVGTA LIKKYPKLES EFVYGDYKVY DVRKMIAKSE QEIGKATAKY




1251 FFYSNIMNFF KTEITLANGE IRKRPLIETN GETGEIVWDK GRDFATVRKV




1301 LSMPQVNIVK KTEVQTGGFS KESILPKRNS DKLIARKKDW DPKKYGGFDS




1351 PTVAYSVLVV AKVEKGKSKK LKSVKELLGI TIMERSSFEK NPIDFLEAKG




1401 YKEVKKDLII KLPKYSLFEL ENGRKRMLAS AGELQKGNEL ALPSKYVNFL




1451 YLASHYEKLK GSPEDNEQKQ LFVEQHKHYL DEIIEQISEF SKRVILADAN




1501 LDKVLSAYNK HRDKPIREQA ENIIHLFTLT NLGAPAAFKY FDTTIDRKRY




1551 TSTKEVLDAT LIHQSITGLY ETRIDLSQLG GDSGGSTNLS DIIEKETGKQ




1601 LVIQESILML PEEVEEVIGN KPESDILVHT AYDESTDENV MLLTSDAPEY




1651 KPWALVIQDS NGENKIKMLS GGSPKKKRKV






Fusion protein 4
   1 MEASPASGPR HLMDPHIFTS NFNNGIGRHK TYLCYEVERL DNGTSVKMDQ
19


(W104A)
  51 HRGFLHNQAK NLLCGFYGRH AELRFLDLVP SLQLDPAQIY RVTWFISWSP




 101 CFSAGCAGEV RAFLQENTHV RLRIFAARIY DYDPLYKEAL QMLRDAGAQV




 151 SIMTYDEFKH CWDTFVDHQG CPFQPWDGLD EHSQALSGRL RAILQNQGNS




 201 GSETPGTSES ATPESDKKYS IGLAIGTNSV GWAVITDEYK VPSKKFKVLG




 251 NTDRHSIKKN LIGALLFDSG ETAEATRLKR TARRRYTRRK NRICYLQEIF




 301 SNEMAKVDDS FFHRLEESFL VEEDKKHERH PIFGNIVDEV AYHEKYPTIY




 351 HLRKKLVDST DKADLRLIYL ALAHMIKFRG HFLIEGDLNP DNSDVDKLFI




 401 QLVQTYNQLF EENPINASGV DAKAILSARL SKSRRLENLI AQLPGEKKNG




 451 LFGNLIALSL GLTPNFKSNF DLAEDAKLQL SKDTYDDDLD NLLAQIGDQY




 501 ADLFLAAKNL SDAILLSDIL RVNTEITKAP LSASMIKRYD EHHQDLTLLK




 551 ALVRQQLPEK YEIKFFDQSK NGYAGYIDGG ASQEEFYKFI KPILEKMDGT




 601 EELLVKLNRE DLLRKQRTFD NGSIPHQIHL GELHAILRRQ EDFYPFLKDN




 651 REKIEKILTF RIPYYVGPLA RGNSRFAWMT RKSEETITPW NFEEVVDKGA




 701 SAQSFIERMT NFDKNLPNEK VLPKHSLLYE YFTVYNELTK VKYVTEGMRK




 751 PAFLSGEQKK AIVDLLFKTN RKVTVKQLKE DYFKKIECFD SVEISGVEDR




 801 FNASLGTYHD LLKIIKDKDF LDNEENEDIL EDIVLTLTLF EDREMIEERL




 851 KTYAHLFDDK VMKQLKRRRY TGWGRLSRKL INGIRDKQSG KTILDFLKSD




 901 GFANRNFMQL IHDDSLTFKE DIQKAQVSGQ GDSLHEHIAN LAGSPAIKKG




 951 ILQTVKVVDE LVKVMGHRKP ENIVIEMARE NQTTQKGQKN SRERMKRIEE




1001 GIKELGSQIL KEHPVENTQL QNEKLYLYYL QNGRDMYVDQ ELDINRLSDY




1051 DVDHIVPQSF LKDDSIDNKV LTRSDKNRGK SDNVPSEEVV KKMKNYWRQL




1101 LNAKLITQRK FDNLTKAERG GLSELDKAGF IKRQLVETRQ ITKHVAQILD




1151 SRMNTKYDEN DKLIREVKVI TLKSKLVSDF RKDFQFYKVR EINNYHHAHD




1201 AYLNAVVGTA LIKKYPKLES EFVYGDYKVY DVRKMIAKSE QEIGKATAKY




1251 FFYSNIMNFF KTEITLANGE IRKRPLIETN GETGEIVWDK GRDFATVRKV




1301 LSMPQVNIVK KTEVQTGGFS KESILPKRNS DKLIARKKDW DPKKYGGFDS




1351 PTVAYSVLVV AKVEKGKSKK LKSVKELLGI TIMERSSFEK NPIDFLEAKG




1401 YKEVKKDLII KLPKYSLFEL ENGRKRMLAS AGELQKGNEL ALPSKYVNFL




1451 YLASHYEKLK GSPENDEQKQ LFVEQHKHYL DEIIEQISEF SKRVILADAN




1501 LDKVLSAYNK HRDKPIREQA ENIIHLFTLT NLGAPAAFKY FDTTIDRKRY




1551 TSTKEVLDAT LIHQSITGLY ETRIDLSQLG GDSGGSTNLS DIIEKETGKQ




1601 LVIQESILML PEEVEEVIGN KPESDILVHT AYDESTDENV MLLTSDAPEY




1651 KPWALVIQDS NGENKIKMLS GGSPKKKRKV






Fusion protein 5
   1 MEASPASGPR HLMDPHIFTS NFNNGIGRHK TYLCYEVERL DNGTSVKMDQ
20



  51 HRGFLHNQAK NLLCGFYGRH AELRFLDLVP SLQLDPAQIY RVTWFISWSP




 101 CFSWGCAGEV RAFLQENTHV RLRIFAARIY YYDPLYKEAL QMLRDAGAQV




 151 SIMTYDEFKH CWDTFVDHQG CPFQPWDGLD EHSQALSGRL RAILQNQGNS




 201 GSETPGTSES ATPESDKKYS IGLAIGTNSV GWAVITDEYK VPSKKFKVLG




 251 NTDRHSIKKN LIGALLFDSG ETAEATRLKR TARRRYTRRK NRICYLQEIF




 301 SNEMAKVDDS FFHRLEESFL VEEDKKHERH PIFGNIVDEV AYHEKYPTIY




 351 HLRKKLVDST DKADLRLIYL ALAHMIKFRG HFLIEGDLNP DNSDVDKLFI




 401 QLVQTYNQLF EENPINASGV DAKAILSARL SKSRRLENLI AQLPGEKKNG




 451 LFGNLIALSL GLTPNFKSNF DLAEDAKLQL SKDTYDDDLD NLLAQIGDQY




 501 ADLFLAAKNL SDAILLSDIL RVNTEITKAP LSASMIKRYD EHHQDLTLLK




 551 ALVRQQLPEK YKEIFFDQSK NGYAGYIDGG ASQEEFYKFI KPILEKMDGT




 601 EELLVKLNRE DLLRKQRTFD NGSIPHQIHL GELHAILRRQ EDFYPFLKDN




 651 REKIEKILTF RIPYYVGPLA RGNSRFAWMT RKSEETITPW NFEEVVDKGA




 701 SAQSFIERMT NFDKNLPNEK VLPKHSLLYE YFTVYNELTK VKYVTEGMRK




 751 PAFLSGEQKK AIVDLLFKTN RKVTVKQLKE DYFKKIECFD SVEISGVEDR




 801 FNASLGTYHD LLKIIKDKDF LDNEENEDIL EDIVLTLTLF EDREMIEERL




 851 KTYAHLFDDK VMKQLKRRRY TGWGRLSRKP INGIRDKQSG KTILDFLKSD




 901 GFANRNFMQL IHDDSLTFKE DIQKAQVSGQ GDSLHEHIAN LAGSPAIKKG




 951 ILQTVKVVDE LVKVMGRHKP ENIVIEMARE NQTTQKGQKN SRERMKRIEE




1001 GIKELGSQIL KEHPVENTQL QNEKLYLYYL QNGRDMYVDQ ELDINRLSDY




1051 DVDHIVPQSF LKDDSIDNKV LTRSDKNRGK SDNVPSEEVV KKMKNYWRQL




1101 LNAKLITQRK FDNLTKAERG GLSELDKAGF IKRQLVETRQ ITKHVAQILD




1151 SRMNTKYDEN DKLIREVKVI TLKSKLVSDF RKDFQFYKVR EINNYHHAHD




1201 AYLNAVVGTA LIKKYPKLES EFVYGDYKVY DVRKMIAKSE QEIGKATAKY




1251 FFYSNIMNFF KTEITLANGE IRKRPLIETN GETGEIVWDK GRDFATVRKV




1301 LSMPQVNIVK KTEVQTGGFS KESILPKRNS DKLIARKKDW DPKKYGGFDS




1351 PTVAYSVLVV AKVEKGKSKK LKSVKELLGI TIMERSSFEK NPIDFLEAKG




1401 YKEVKKDLII KLPKYSLFEL ENGRKRMLAS AGELQKGNEL ALPSKYVNFL




1451 YLASHYELKL GSPEDNEQKQ LFVEQHKHYL DEIIEQISEF SKRVILADAN




1501 LDKVLSAYNK HRDKPIREQA ENIIHLFTLT NLGAPAAFKY FDTTIDRKRY




1551 TSTKEVLDAT LIHQSITGLY ETRIDLSQLG GDSGGSTNLS DIIEKETGKQ




1601 LVIQESILML PEEVEEVIGN KPESDILVHT AYDESTDENV MLLTSDAPEY




1651 KPWALVIQDS NGENKIKMLS GGSPKKKRKV






DNA construct
   1 Atatgccaag tacgccccct attgacgtca atgacggtaa atggcccgcc
21



  51 tggcattatg cccagtacat gaccttatgg gactttccta cttggcagta




 101 catctacgta ttagtcatcg ctattaccat ggtgatgcgg ttttggcagt




 151 acatcaatgg gcgtggatag cggtttgact cacggggatt tccaagtctc




 201 caccccattg acgtcaatgg gagtttgttt tggcaccaaa atcaacggga




 251 ctttccaaaa tgtcgtaaca actccgcccc attgacgcaa atgggcggta




 301 ggcgtgtacg gtgggaggtc tatataagca gagctggttt agtgaaccgt




 351 cagatccgct agagatccgc ggccgctaat acgactcact atagggagag




 401 ccgccaccat ggaagccagc ccagcatccg ggcccagaca cttgatggat




 451 ccacacatat tcacttccaa ctttaacaat ggcattggaa ggcataagac




 501 ctacctgtgc tacgaagtgg agcgcctgga caatggcacc tcggtcaaga 




 551 tggaccagca caggggcttt ctacacaacc aggctaagaa tcttctctgt




 601 ggcttttacg gccgccatgc ggagctgcgc ttcttggacc tggttccttc 




 651 tttgcagttg gacccggccc agatctacag ggtcacttgg ttcatctcct




 701 ggagcccctg cttctcctgg ggctgtgccg gggaagtgcg tgcgttcctt  




 751 caggagaaca cacacgtgag actgcgtatc ttcgctgccc gcatctatga




 801 ttacgacccc ctatataagg aggcactgca aatgctgcgg gatgctgggg




 851 cccaagtctc catcatgacc tacgatgaat ttaagcactg ctgggacacc




 901 tttgtggacc accagggatg tcccttccag ccctgggatg gactagatga




 951 gcacagccaa gccctgagtg ggaggctgcg ggccattctc cagaatcagg




1001 gaaacagcgg cagcgagact cccgggacct cagagtccgc cacacccgaa




1051 agtgataaaa agtattctat tggtttagcc atcggcacta attccgttgg




1101 atgggctgtc ataaccgatg aatacaaagt accttcaaag aaatttaagg




1151 tgttggggaa cacagaccgt cattcgatta aaaagaatct tatcggtgcc




1201 ctcctattcg atagtggcga aacggcagag gcgactcgcc tgaaacgaac




1251 cgctcggaga aggtatacac gtcgcaagaa ccgaatatgt tacttacaag




1301 aaatttttag caatgagatg gccaaagttg acgattcttt ctttcaccgt




1351 ttggaagagt ccttccttgt cgaagaggac aagaaacatg aacggcaccc




1401 catctttgga aacatagtag atgaggtggc atatcatgaa aagtacccaa




1451 cgatttatca cctcagaaaa aagctagttg actcaactga taaagcggac




1501 ctgaggttaa tctacttggc tcttgcccat atgataaagt tccgtgggca




1551 ctttctcatt gagggtgatc taaatccgga caactcggat gtcgacaaac




1601 tgttcatcca gttagtacaa acctataatc agttgtttga agagaaccct




1651 ataaatgcaa gtggcgtgga tgcgaaggct attcttagcg cccgcctctc




1701 taaatcccga cggctagaaa acctgatcgc acaattaccc ggagagaaga




1751 aaaatgggtt gttcggtaac cttatagcgc tctcactagg cctgacacca




1801 aattttaagt cgaacttcga cttagctgaa gatgccaaat tgcagcttag




1851 taaggacacg tacgatgacg atctcgacaa tctactggca caaattggag




1901 atcagtatgc ggacttattt ttggctgcca aaaaccttag cgatgcaatc




1951 ctcctatctg acatactgag agttaatact gagattacca aggcgccgtt




2001 atccgcttca atgatcaaaa ggtacgatga acatcaccaa gacttgacac




2051 ttctcaaggc cctagtccgt cagcaactgc ctgagaaata taaggaaata




2101 ttctttgatc agtcgaaaaa cgggtacgca ggttatattg acggcggagc




2151 gagtcaagag gaattctaca agtttatcaa acccatatta gagaagatgg




2201 atgggacgga agagttgctt gtaaaactca atcgcgaaga tctactgcga




2251 aagcagcgga ctttcgacaa cggtagcatt ccacatcaaa tccacttagg




2301 cgaattgcat gctatactta gaaggcagga ggatttttat ccgttcctca




2351 aagacaatcg tgaaaagatt gagaaaatcc taacctttcg cataccttac




2401 tatgtgggac ccctggcccg agggaactct cggttcgcat ggatgacaag




2451 aaagtccgaa gaaacgatta ctccatggaa ttttgaggaa gttgtcgata




2501 aaggtgcgtc agctcaatcg ttcatcgaga ggatgaccaa ctttgaccag




2551 aatttaccga acgaaaaagt attgcctaag cacagtttac tttacgagta




2601 tttcacagtg tacaatgaac tcacgaaagt taagtatgtc actgagggca




2651 tgcgtaaacc cgcctttcta agcggagaac agaagaaagc aatagtagat




2701 ctgttattca agaccaaccg caaagtgaca gttaagcaat tgaaagagga




2751 ctactttaag aaaattgaat gcttcgattc tgtcgagatc tccggggtag




2801 aagatcgatt taatgcgtca cttggtacgt atcatgacct cctaaagata




2851 attaaagata aggacttcct ggataacgaa gagaatgaag atatcttaga




2901 agatatagtg ttgactctta ccctctttga agatcgggaa atgattgagg




2951 aaagactaaa aacatacgct cacctgttcg acgataaggt tatgaaacag




3001 ttaaagaggc gtcgctatac gggctgggga cgattgtcgc ggaaacttat




3051 caacgggata agagacaagc aaagtggtaa aactattctc gattttctaa




3101 agagcgacgg cttcgccaat aggaacttta tgcagctgat ccatgatgac




3151 tctttaacct tcaaagagga tatacaaaag gcacaggttt ccggacaagg




3201 ggactcattg cacgaacata ttgcgaatct tgctggttcg ccagccatca




3251 aaaagggcat actccagaca gtcaaagtag tggatgagct agttaaggtc




3301 atgggacgtc acaaaccgga aaacattgta atcgagatgg cacgcgaaaa




3351 tcaaacgact cagaaggggc aaaaaaacag tcgagagcgg atgaagagaa




3401 tagaagaggg tattaaagaa ctgggcagcc agatcttaaa ggagcatcct




3451 gtggaaaata cccaattgca gaacgagaaa ctttacctct attacctaca




3501 aaatggaagg gacatgtatg ttgatcagga actggacata aaccgtttat




3551 ctgattacga cgtcgatcac attgtacccc aatccttttt gaaggacgat




3601 tcaatcgaca ataaagtgct tacacgctcg gataagaacc gagggaaaag




3651 tgacaatgtt ccaagcgagg aagtcgtaaa gaaaatgaag aactattggc




3701 ggcagctcct aaatgcgaaa ctgataacgc aaagaaagtt cgataactta




3751 actaaagctg agaggggtgg cttgtctgaa cttgacaagg ccggatttat




3801 taaacgtcag ctcgtggaaa cccgccaaat cacaaagcat gttgcacaga




3851 tactagattc ccgaatgaat acgaaatacg acgagaacga taagctgatt




3901 cgggaagtca aagtaatcac tttaaagtca aaattggtgt cggacttcag




3951 aaaggatttt caattctata aagttaggga gataaataac taccaccatg




4001 cgcacgacgc ttatcttaat gccgtcgtag ggaccgcact cattaagaaa




4051 tacccgaagc tagaaagtga gtttgtgtat ggtgattaca aagtttatga




4101 cgtccgtaag atgatcgcga aaagcgaaca ggagataggc aaggctacag




4151 ccaaatactt cttttattct aacattatga atttctttaa gacggaaatc




4201 actctggcaa acggagagat acgcaaacga cctttaattg aaaccaatgg




4251 ggagacaggt gaaatcgtat gggataaggg ccgggacttc gcgacggtga




4301 gaaaagtttt gtccatgccc caagtcaaca tagtaaagaa aactgaggtg




4351 cagaccggag ggttttcaaa ggaatcgatt cttccaaaaa ggaatagtga




4401 taagctcatc gctcgtaaaa aggactggga cccgaaaaag tacggtggct




4451 tcgatagccc tacagttgcc tattctgtcc tagtagtggc aaaagttgag




4501 aagggaaaat ccaagaaact gaagtcagtc aaagaattat tggggataac




4551 gattatggag cgctcgtctt ttgaaaagaa ccccatcgac ttccttgagg




4601 cgaaaggtta caaggaagta aaaaaggatc tcataattaa actaccaaag




4651 tatagtctgt ttgagttaga aaatggccga aaacggatgt tggctagcgc




4701 cggagagctt caaaagggga acgaactcgc actaccgtct aaatacgtga




4751 atttcctgta tttagcgtcc cattacgaga agttgaaagg ttcacctgaa




4801 gataacgaac agaagcaact ttttgttgag cagcacaaac attatctcga




4851 cgaaatcata gagcaaattt cggaattcag taagagagtc atcctagctg




4901 atgccaatct ggacaaagta ttaagcgcat acaacaagca cagggataaa




4951 cccatacgtg agcaggcgga aaatattatc catttgttta ctcttaccaa




5001 cctcggcgct ccagccgcat tcaagtattt tgacacaacg gattcaccaa




5051 aacgatacac ttctaccaag gaggtgctag acgcgacact gattcaccaa




5101 tccatcacgg gattatatga aactcggata gatttgtcac agcttggggg




5151 tgactctggt ggttctacta atctgtcaga tattattgaa aaggagaccg




5201 gtaagcaact ggttatccag gaatccatcc tcatgctccc agaggaggtg




5251 gaagaagtca ttgggaacaa gccggaaagc gatatactcg tgcacaccgc




5301 ctacgacgag agcaccgacg agaatgtcat gcttctgact agcgacgccc




5351 ctgaatacaa gccttgggct ctggtcatac aggatagcaa cggtgagaac




5401 aagattaaga tgctctctgg tggttctccc aagaagaaga ggaaagtcta




5451 accggtcatc atcaccatca ccattgagtt taaacccgct gatcagcctc




5501 gactgtgcct tctagttgcc agccatctgt tgtttgcccc tcccccgtgc




5551 cttccttgac cctggaaggt gccactccca ctgtcctttc ctaataaaat




5601 gaggaaattg catcgcattg tctgagtagg tgtcattcta ttctgggggg




5651 tggggtgggg caggacagca agggggagga ttgggaagac aatagcaggc




5701 atgctgggga tgcggtgggc tctatggctt ctgaggcgga aagaaccagc




5751 tggggctcga taccgtcgac ctctagctag agcttggcgt aatcatggtc




5801 atagctgttt cctgtgtgaa attgttatcc gctcacaatt ccacacaaca




5851 tacgagccgg aagcataaag tgtaaagcct agggtgccta atgagtgagc




5901 taactcacat taattgcgtt gcgctcactg cccgctttcc agtcgggaaa




5951 cctgtcgtgc cagctgcatt aatgaatcgg ccaacgcgcg gggagaggcg




6001 gtttgcgtat tgggcgctct tccgcttcct cgctcactga ctcgctgcgc




6051 tcggtcgttc ggctgcggcg agcggtatca gctcactcaa aggcggtaat




6101 acggttatcc acagaatcag gggataacgc aggaaagaac atgtgagcaa




6151 aaggccagca aaaggccagg aaccgtaaaa aggccgcgtt gctggcgttt




6201 ttccataggc tccgcccccc tgacgagcat cacaaaaatc gacgctcaag




6251 tcagaggtgg cgaaacccga caggactata aagataccag gcgtttcccc




6301 ctggaagctc cctcgtgcgc tctcctgttc cgaccctgcc gcttaccgga




6351 tacctgtccg cctttctccc ttcgggaagc gtggcgcttt ctcatagctc




6401 acgctgtagg tatctcagtt cggtgtaggt cgttcgctcc aagctgggct




6451 gtgtgcacga accccccgtt cagcccgacc gctgcgcctt atccggtaac




6501 tatcgtcttg agtccaaccc ggtaagacac gacttatcgc cactggcagc




6551 agccactggt aacaggatta gcagagcgag gtatgtaggc ggtgctacag




6601 agttcttgaa gtggtggcct aactacggct acactagaag aacagtattt




6651 ggtatctgcg ctctgctgaa gccagttacc ttcggaaaaa gagttggtag




6701 ctcttgatcc ggcaaacaaa ccaccgctgg tagcggtggt ttttttgttt




6751 gcaagcagca gattacgcgc agaaaaaaag gatctcaaga agatcctttg




6801 atcttttcta cggggtctga cgctcagtgg aacgaaaact cacgttaagg




6851 gattttggtc atgagattat caaaaaggat cttcacctag atccttttaa




6901 attaaaaatg aagttttaaa tcaatctaaa gtatatatga gtaaacttgg




6951 tctgacagtt accaatgctt aatcagtgag gcacctatct cagcgatctg




7001 tctatttcgt tcatccatag ttgcctgact ccccgtcgtg tagataacta




7051 cgatacggga gggcttacca tctggcccca gtgctgcaat gataccgcga




7101 gacccacgct caccggctcc agatttatca gcaataaacc agccagccgg




7151 aagggccgag cgcagaagtg gtcctgcaac tttatccgcc tccatccagt




7201 ctattaattg ttgccgggaa gctagagtaa gtagttcgcc agttaatagt




7251 ttgcgcaacg ttgttgccat tgctacaggc atcgtggtgt cacgctcgtc




7301 gtttggtatg gcttcattca gctccggttc ccaacgatca aggcgagtta




7351 catgatcccc catgttgtgc aaaaaagcgg ttagctcctt cggtcctccg




7401 atcgttgtca gaagtaagtt ggccgcagtg ttatcactca tggttatggc




7451 agcactgcat aattctctta ctgtcatgcc atccgtaaga tgcttttctg




7501 tgactggtga gtactcaacc aagtcattct gagaatagtg tatgcggcga




7551 ccgagttgct cttgcccggc gtcaatacgg gataataccg cgccacatag




7601 cagaacttta aaagtgctca tcattggaaa acgttcttcg gggcgaaaac




7651 tctcaaggat cttaccgctg ttgagatcca gttcgatgta acccactcgt




7701 gcacccaact gatcttcagc atcttttact ttcaccagcg tttctgggtg




7751 agcaaaaaca ggaaggcaaa atgccgcaaa aaagggaata agggcgacac




7801 ggaaatgttg aatactcata ctcttccttt ttcaatatta ttgaagcatt




7851 tatcagggtt attgtctcat gagcggatac atatttgaat gtatttagaa




7901 aaataaacaa ataggggttc cgcgcacatt tccccgaaaa gtgccacctg




7951 acgtcgacgg atcgggagat cgatctcccg atcccctagg gtcgactctc




8001 agtacaatct gctctgatgc cgcatagtta agccagtatc tgctccctgc




8051 ttgtgtgttg gaggtcgctg agtagtgcgc gagcaaaatt taagctacaa




8101 caaggcaagg cttgaccgac aattgcatga agaatctgct tagggttagg




8151 cgttttgcgc tgcttcgcga tgtacgggcc agatatacgc gttgacattg




8201 attattgact agttattaat agtaatcaat tacggggtca ttagttcata




8251 gcccatatat ggagttccgc gttacataac ttacggtaaa tggcccgcct




8301 ggctgaccgc ccaacgaccc ccgcccattg acgtcaataa tgacgtatgt




8351 tcccatagta acgccaatag ggactttcca ttgacgtcaa tgggtggagt




8401 atttacggta aactgcccac ttggcagtac atcaagtgta tc






Lb-dCas12a
   1 MSKLEKFTNC YSLSKTLRFK AIPVGKTQEN IDNKRLLVED EKRAEDYKGV
37



  51 KKLLDRYYLS FINDVLHSIK LKNLNNYISL FRKKTRTEKE NKELENLEIN




 101 LRKEIAKAFK GNEGYKSLFK KDIIETILPE FLDDKDEIAL VNSFNGFTTA




 151 FTGFFDNREN MFSEEAKSTS IAFRCINENL TRYISNMDIF EKVDAIFDKH




 201 EVQEIKEKIL NSDYDVEDFF EGEFFNFVLT QEGIDVYNAI IGGFVTESGE




 251 KIKGLNEYIN LYNQKTKQKL PKFKPLYKQV LSDRESLSFY GEGYTSDEEV




 301 LEVFRNTLNK NSEIFSSIKK LEKLFKNFDE YSSAGIFVKN GPAISTISKD




 351 IFGEWNVIRD KWNAEYDDIH LKKKAVVTEK YEDDRRKSFK KIGSFSLEQL




 401 QEYADADLSV VEKLKEIIIQ KVDEIYKVYG SSEKLFDADF VLEKSLKKND




 451 AVVAIMKDLL DSVKSFENYI KAFFGEGKET NRDESFYGDF VLAYDILLKV




 501 DHIYDAIRNY VTQKPYSKDK FKLYFQNPQF MGGWDKDKET DYRATILRYG




 551 SKYYLAIMDK KYAKCLQKID KDDVNGNYEK INYKLLPGPN KMLPKVFFSK




 601 KWMAYYNPSE DIQKIYKNGT FKKGDMFNLN DCHKLIDFFK DSISRYPKWS




 651 NAYDFNFSET EKYKDIAGFY REVEEQGYKV SFESASKKEV DKLVEEGKLY




 701 MFQIYNKDFS DKSHGTPNLH TMYFKLLFDE NNHGQIRLSG GAELFMRRAS




 751 LKKEELVVHP ANSPIANKNP DNPKKTTTLS YDVYKDKRFS EDQYELHIPI




 801 AINKCPKNIF KINTEVRVLL KHDDNPYVIG IARGERNLLY IVVVDGKGNI




 851 VEQYSLNEII NNFNGIRIKT DYHSLLDKKE KERFEARQNW TSIENIKELK




 901 AGYISQVVHK ICELVEKYDA VIALADLNSG FKNSRVKVEK QVYQKFEKML




 951 IDKLNYMVDK KSNPCATGGA LKGYQITNKF ESFKSMSTQN GFIFYIPAWL




1001 TSKIDPSTGF VNLLKTKYTS IADSKKFISS FDRIMYVPEE DLFEFALDYK




1051 NFSRTDADYI KKWKLYSYGN RIRIFRNPKK NNVFDWEEVC LTSAYKELFN




1101 KYGINYQQGD IRALLCEQSD KAFYSSFMAL MSLMLQMRNS ITGRTDVAFL




1151 ISPVKNSDGI FYDSRNYEAQ ENAILPKNAD ANGAYNIARK VLWAIGQFKK




1201 AEDEKLDKVK IAISNKEWLE YAQTSVKHGS






AsCas12a
   1 MTQFEGFTNL YQVSKTLRFE LIPQGKTLKH IQEQGFIEED KARNDHYKEL
38



  51 KPIIDRIYKT YADQCLQLVQ LDWENLSAAI DSYRKEKTEE TRNALIEEQA




 101 TYRNAIHDYF IGRTDNLTDA INKRHAEIYK GLFKAELFNG KVLKQLGTVT




 151 TTEHENALLR SFDKFTTYFS GFYENRKNVF SAEDISTAIP HRIVQDNFPK




 201 FKENCHIFTR LITAVPSLRE HFENVKKAIG IFVSTSIEEV FSFPFYNQLL




 251 TQTQIDLYNQ LLGGISREAG TEKIKGLNEV LNLAIQKNDE TAHIIASLPH




 301 RFIPLFKQIL SDRNTLSFIL EEFKSDEEVI QSFCKYKTLL RNENVLETAE




 351 ALFNELNSID LTHIFISHKK LETISSALCD HWDTLRNALY ERRISELTGK




 401 ITKSAKEKVQ RSLKHEDINL QEIISAAGKE LSEAFKQKTS EILSHAHAAL




 451 DQPLPTTLKK QEEKEILKSQ LDSLLGLYHL LDWFAVDESN EVDPEFSARL




 501 TGIKLEMEPS LSFYNKARNY ATKKPYSVEK FKLNFQMPTL ASGWDVNKEK




 551 NNGAILFVKN GLYYLGIMPK QKGRYKALSF EPTEKTSEGF DKMYYDYFPD




 601 AAKMIPKCST QLKAVTAHFQ THTTPILLSN NFIEPLEITK EIYDLNNPEK




 651 EPKKFQTAYA KKTGDQKGYR EALCKWIDFT RDFLSKYTKT TSIDLSSLRP




 701 SSQYKDLGEY YAELNPLLYH ISFQRIAEKE IMDAVETGKL YLFQIYNKDF




 751 AKGHHGKPNL HTLYWTGLFS PENLAKTSIK LNGQAELFYR PKSRMKRMAH




 801 RLGEKMLNKK LKDQKTPIPD TLYQELYDYV NHRLSHDLSD EARALLPNVI




 851 TKEVSHEIIK DRRFTSDKFF FHVPITLNYQ AANSPSKFNQ RVNAYLKEHP




 901 ETPIIGIDRG ERNLIYITVI DSTGKILEQR SLNTIQQFDY QKKLDNREKE




 951 RVAARQAWSV VGTIKDLKQG YLSQVIHEIV DLMIHYQAVV VLENLNFGFK




1001 SKRTGIAEKA VYQQFEKMLI DKLNCLVLKD YPAEKVGGVL NPYQLTDQFT




1051 SFAKMGTQSG FLFYVPAPYT SKIDPLTGFV DPFVWKTIKN HESRKHFLEG




1101 FDFLHYDVKT GDFILHFKMN RNLSFQRGLP GFMPAWDIVF EKNETQFDAK




1151 GTPFIAGKRI VPVIENHRFT GRYRDLYPAN ELIALLEEKG IVFRDGSNIL




1201 PKLLENDDSH AIDTMVALIR SVLQMRNSNA ATGEDYINSP VRDLNGVCFD




1251 SRFQNPEWPM DADANGAYHI ALKGQLLLNH LKESKDLKLQ NGISNQDWLA




1301 YIQELRN






FnCas12a
   1 MSIYQEFVNK YSLSKTLRFE LIPQGKTLEN IKARGLILDD EKRAKDYKKA
39



  51 KQIIDKYHQF FIEEILSSVC ISEDLLQNYS DVYFKLKKSD DDNLQKDFKS




 101 AKDTIKKQIS EYIKDSEKFK NLFNQNLIDA KKGQESDLIL WLKQSKDNGI




 151 ELFKANSDIT DIDEALEIIK SFKGWTTYFK GFHENRKNVY SSNDIPTSII




 201 YRIVDDNLPK FLENKAKYES LKDKAPEAIN YEQIKKDLAE ELTFDIDYKT




 251 SEVNQRVFSL DEVFEIANFN NYLNQSGITK FNTIIGGKFV NGENTKRKGI




 301 NEYINLYSQQ INDKTLKKYK MSVLFKQILS DTESKSFVID KLEDDSDVVT




 351 TMQSFYEQIA AFKTVEEKSI KETLSLLFDD LKAQKLDLSK IYFKNDKSLT




 401 DLSQQVFDDY SVIGTAVLEY ITQQIAPKNL DNPSKKEQEL IAKKTEKAKY




 451 LSLETIKLAL EEFNKHRDID KQCRFEEILA NFAAIPMIFD EIAQNKDNLA




 501 QISIKYQNQG KKDLLQASAE DDVKAIKDLL DQTNNLLHKL KIFHISQSED




 551 KANILDKDEH FYLVFEECYF ELANIVPLYN KIRNYITQKP YSDEKFKLNF




 601 ENSTLANGWD KNKEPDNTAI LFIKDDKYYL GVMNKKNNKI FDDKAIKENK




 651 GEGYKKIVYK LLPGANKMLP KVFFSAKSIK FYNPSEDILR IRNHSTHTKN




 701 GSPQKGYEKF EFNIEDCRKF IDFYKQSISK HPEWKDFGFR FSDTQRYNSI




 751 DEFYREVENQ GYKLTFENIS ESYIDSVVNQ GKLYLFQIYN KDFSAYSKGR




 801 PNLHTLYWKA LFDERNLQDV VYKLNGEAEL FYRKQSIPKK ITHPAKEAIA




 851 NKNKDNPKKE SVFEYDLIKD KRFTEDKFFF HCPITINFKS SGANKFNDEI




 901 NLLLKEKAND VHILSIDRGE RHLAYYTLVD GKGNIIKQDT FNIIGNDRMK




 951 TNYHDKLAAI EKDRDSARKD WKKINNIKEM KEGYLSQVVH EIAKLVIEYN




1001 AIVVFEDLNF GFKRGRFKVE KQVYQKLEKM LIEKLNYLVF KDNEFDKTGG




1051 VLRAYQLTAP FETFKKMGKQ TGIIYYVPAG FTSKICPVTG FVNQLYPKYE




1101 SVSKSQEFFS KFDKICYNLD KGYFEFSFDY KNFGDKAAKG KWTIASFGSR




1151 LINFRNSDKN HNWDTREVYP TKELEKLLKD YSIEYGHGEC IKAAICGESD




1201 KKFFAKLTSV LNTILQMRNS KTGTELDYLI SPVADVNGNF FDSRQAPKNM




1251 PQDADANGAY HIGLKGLMLL GRIKNNQEGK KLNLVIKNEE YFEFVQNRNN






dCas12a-hA3A-BE
   1 MPKKKRKVME ASPASGPRHL MDPHIFTSNF NNGIGRHKTY LCYEVERLDN
40



  51 GTSVKMDQHR GFLHNQAKNL LCGFYGRHAE LRFLDLVPSL QLDPAQIYRV




 101 TWFISWSPCF SWGCAGEVRA FLQENTHVRL RIFAARIYDY DPLYKEALQM




 151 LRDAGAQVSI MTYDEFKHCW DTFVDHQGCP FQPWDGLDEH SQALSGRLRA




 201 ILQNQGNSGS ETPGTSESAT PESMSKLEKF TNCYSLSKTL RFKAIPVGKT




 251 QENIDNKRLL VEDEKRAEDY KGVKKLLDRY YLSFINDVLH SIKLKNLNNY




 301 ISLFRKKTRT EKENKELENL EINLRKEIAK AFKGNEGYKS LFKKDIIETI




 351 LPEFLDDKDE IALVNSFNGF TTAFTGFFDN RENMFSEEAK STSIAFRCIN




 401 ENLTRYISNM DIFEKVDAIF DKHEVQEIKE KILNSDYDVE DFFEGEFFNF




 451 VLTQEGIDVY NAIIGGFVTE SGEKIKGLNE YINLYNQKTK QKLPKFKPLY




 501 KQVLSDRESL SFYGEGYTSD EEVLEVFRNT LNKNSEIFSS IKKLEKLFKN




 551 FDEYSSAGIF VKNGPAISTI SKDIFGEWNV IRDKWNAEYD DIHLKKKAVV




 601 TEKYEDDRRK SFKKIGSFSL EQLQEYADAD LSVVEKLKEI IIQKVDEIYK




 651 VYGSSEKLFD ADFVLEKSLK KNDAVVAIMK DLLDSVKSFE NYIKAFFGEG




 701 KETNRDESFY GDFVLAYDIL LKVDHIYDAI RNYVTQKPYS KDKFKLYFQN




 751 PQFMGGWDKD KETDYRATIL RYGSKYYLAI MDKKYAKCLQ KIDKDDVNGN




 801 YEKINYKLLP GPNKMLPKVF FSKKWMAYYN PSEDIQKIYK NGTFKKGDMF




 851 NLNDCHKLID FFKDSISRYP KWSNAYDFNF SETEKYKDIA GFYREVEEQG




 901 YKVSFESASK KEVDKLVEEG KLYMFQIYNK DFSDKSHGTP NLHTMYFKLL




 951 FDENNHGQIR LSGGAELFMR RASLKKEELV VHPANSPIAN KNPDNPKKTT




1001 TLSYDVYKDK RFSEDQYELH IPIAINKCPK NIFKINTEVR VLLKHDDNPY




1051 VIGIARGERN LLYIVVVDGK GNIVEQYSLN EIINNFNGIR IKTDYHSLLD




1101 KKEKERFEAR QNWTSIENIK ELKAGYISQV VHKICELVEK YDAVIALADL




1151 NSGFKNSRVK VEKQVYQKFE KMLIDKLNYM VDKKSNPCAT GGALKGYQIT




1201 NKFESFKSMS TQNGFIFYIP AWLTSKIDPS TGFVNLLKTK YTSIADSKKF




1251 ISSFDRIMYV PEEDLFEFAL DYKNFSRTDA DYIKKWKLYS YGNRIRIFRN




1301 PKKNNVFDWE EVCLTSAYKE LFNKYGINYQ QGDIRALLCE QSDKAFYSSF




1351 MALMSLMLQM RNSITGRTDV AFLISPVKNS DGIFYDSRNY EAQENAILPK




1401 NADANGAYNI ARKVLWAIGQ FKKAEDEKLD KVKIAISNKE WLEYAQTSVK




1451 HGSPKKKRKV SGGSTNLSDI IEKETGKQLV IQESILMLPE EVEEVIGNKP




1501 ESDILVHTAY DESTDENVML LTSDAPEYKP WALVIQDSNG ENKIKMLSGG




1551 SPKKKRKV






dCas12a-hA3A-
   1 MPKKKRKVME ASPASGPRHL MDPHIFTSNF NNGIGRHKTY LCYEVERLDN
41


BE-W98Y
  51 GTSVKMDQHR GFLHNQAKNL LCGFYGRHAE LRFLDLVPSL QLDPAQIYRV




 101 TWFISYSPCF SWGCAGEVRA FLQENTHVRL RIFAARIYDY DPLYKRALQM




 151 LRDAGAQVSI MTYDEFKHCW DTFVDHQGCP FQPWDGLDEH SQALSGRLRA




 201 ILQNQGNSGS ETPGTSESAT PESMSKLEKF TNCYSLSKTL RFKAIPVGKT




 251 QENIDNKRLL VEDEKRAEDY KGVKKLLDRY YLSFINDVLH SIKLKNLNNY




 301 ISLFRKKTRT EKENKELENL EINLRKEIAK AFKGNEGYKS LFKKDIIETI




 351 LPEFLDDKDE IALVNSFNGF TTAFTGFFDN RENMFSEEAK STSIAFRCIN




 401 ENLTRYISNM DIFEKVDAIF DKHEVQEIKE KILNSDYDVE DFFEGEFFNF




 451 VLTQEGIDVY NAIIGGFVTE SGEKIKGLNE YINLYNQKTK QKLPKFKPLY




 501 KQVLSDRESL SFYGEGYTSD EEVLEVFRNT LNKNSEIFSS IKKLEKLFKN




 551 FDEYSSAGIF VKNGPAISTI SKDIFGEWNV IRDKWNAEYD DIHLKKKAVV




 601 TEKYEDDRRK SFKKIGSFSL EQLQEYADAD LSVVEKLKEI IIQKVDEIYK




 651 VYGSSEKLFD ADFVLEKSLK KNDAVVAIMK DLLDSVKSFE NYIKAFFGEG




 701 KETNRDESFY GDFVLAYDIL LKVDHIYDAI RNYVTQKPYS KDKFKLYFQN




 751 PQFMGGWDKD KETDYRATIL RYGSKYYLAI MDKKYAKCLQ KIDKDDVNGN




 801 YEKINYKLLP GPNKMLPKVF FSKKWMAYYN PSEDIQKIYK NGTFKKGDMF




 851 NLNDCHKLID FFKDSISRYP KWSNAYDFNF SETEKYKDIA GFYREVEEQG




 901 YKVSFESASK KEVDKLVEEG KLYMFQIYNK DFSDKSHGTP NLHTMYFKLL




 951 FDENNHGQIR LSGGAELFMR RASLKKEELV VHPANSPIAN KNPDNPKKTT




1001 TLSYDVYKDK RFSEDQYELH IPIAINKCPK NIFKINTEVR VLLKHDDNPY




1051 VIGIARGERN LLYIVVVDGK GNIVEQYSLN EIINNFNGIR IKTDYHSLLD




1101 KKEKERFEAR QNWTSIENIK ELKAGYISQV VHKICELVEK YDAVIALADL




1151 NSGFKNSRVK VEKQVYQKFE KMLIDKLNYM VDKKSNPCAT GGALKGYQIT




1201 NKFESFKSMS TQNGFIFYIP AWLTSKIDPS TGFVNLLKTK YTSIADSKKF




1251 ISSFDRIMYV PEEDLFEFAL DYKNFSRTDA DYIKKWKLYS YGNRIRIFRN




1301 PKKNNVFDWE EVCLTSAYKE LFNKYGINYQ QGDIRALLCE QSDKAFYSSF




1351 MALMSLMLQM RNSITGRTDV AFLISPVKNS DGIFYDSRNY EAQENAILPK




1401 NADANGAYNI ARKVLWAIGQ FKKAEDEKLD KVKIAISNKE WLEYAQTSVK




1451 HGSPKKKRKV SGGSTNLSDI IEKETGKQLV IQESILMLPE EVEEVIGNKP




1501 ESDILVHTAY DESTDENVML LTSDAPEYKP WALVIQDSNG ENKIKMLSGG




1551 SPKKKRKV






dCas12a-hA3A-
   1 MPKKKRKVME ASPASGPRHL MDPHIFTSNF NNGIGRHKTY LCYEVERLDN
42


BE-W104A
  51 GTSVKMDQHR GFLHNQAKNL LCGFYGRHAE LRFLDLVPSL QLDPAQIYRV




 101 TWFISWSPCF SAGCAGEVRA FLQENTHVRL RIFAARIYDY DPLYKRALQM




 151 LRDAGAQVSI MTYDEFKHCW DTFVDHQGCP FQPWDGLDEH SQALSGRLRA




 201 ILQNQGNSGS ETPGTSESAT PESMSKLEKF TNCYSLSKTL RFKAIPVGKT




 251 QENIDNKRLL VEDEKRAEDY KGVKKLLDRY YLSFINDVLH SIKLKNLNNY




 301 ISLFRKKTRT EKENKELENL EINLRKEIAK AFKGNEGYKS LFKKDIIETI




 351 LPEFLDDKDE IALVNSFNGF TTAFTGFFDN RENMFSEEAK STSIAFRCIN




 401 ENLTRYISNM DIFEKVDAIF DKHEVQEIKE KILNSDYDVE DFFEGEFFNF




 451 VLTQEGIDVY NAIIGGFVTE SGEKIKGLNE YINLYNQKTK QKLPKFKPLY




 501 KQVLSDRESL SFYGEGYTSD EEVLEVFRNT LNKNSEIFSS IKKLEKLFKN




 551 FDEYSSAGIF VKNGPAISTI SKDIFGEWNV IRDKWNAEYD DIHLKKKAVV




 601 TEKYEDDRRK SFKKIGSFSL EQLQEYADAD LSVVEKLKEI IIQKVDEIYK




 651 VYGSSEKLFD ADFVLEKSLK KNDAVVAIMK DLLDSVKSFE NYIKAFFGEG




 701 KETNRDESFY GDFVLAYDIL LKVDHIYDAI RNYVTQKPYS KDKFKLYFQN




 751 PQFMGGWDKD KETDYRATIL RYGSKYYLAI MDKKYAKCLQ KIDKDDVNGN




 801 YEKINYKLLP GPNKMLPKVF FSKKWMAYYN PSEDIQKIYK NGTFKKGDMF




 851 NLNDCHKLID FFKDSISRYP KWSNAYDFNF SETEKYKDIA GFYREVEEQG




 901 YKVSFESASK KEVDKLVEEG KLYMFQIYNK DFSDKSHGTP NLHTMYFKLL




 951 FDENNHGQIR LSGGAELFMR RASLKKEELV VHPANSPIAN KNPDNPKKTT




1001 TLSYDVYKDK RFSEDQYELH IPIAINKCPK NIFKINTEVR VLLKHDDNPY




1051 VIGIARGERN LLYIVVVDGK GNIVEQYSLN EIINNFNGIR IKTDYHSLLD




1101 KKEKERFEAR QNWTSIENIK ELKAGYISQV VHKICELVEK YDAVIALADL




1151 NSGFKNSRVK VEKQVYQKFE KMLIDKLNYM VDKKSNPCAT GGALKGYQIT




1201 NKFESFKSMS TQNGFIFYIP AWLTSKIDPS TGFVNLLKTK YTSIADSKKF




1251 ISSFDRIMYV PEEDLFEFAL DYKNFSRTDA DYIKKWKLYS YGNRIRIFRN




1301 PKKNNVFDWE EVCLTSAYKE LFNKYGINYQ QGDIRALLCE QSDKAFYSSF




1351 MALMSLMLQM RNSITGRTDV AFLISPVKNS DGIFYDSRNY EAQENAILPK




1401 NADANGAYNI ARKVLWAIGQ FKKAEDEKLD KVKIAISNKE WLEYAQTSVK




1451 HGSPKKKRKV SGGSTNLSDI IEKETGKQLV IQESILMLPE EVEEVIGNKP




1501 ESDILVHTAY DESTDENVML LTSDAPEYKP WALVIQDSNG ENKIKMLSGG




1551 SPKKKRKV






dCas12a-hA3A-
   1 MPKKKRKVME ASPASGPRHL MDPHIFTSNF NNGIGRHKTY LCYEVERLDN
43


BE-P134Y
  51 GTSVKMDQHR GFLHNQAKNL LCGFYGRHAE LRFLDLVPSL QLDPAQIYRV




 101 TWFISWSPCF SWGCAGEVRA FLQENTHVRL RIFAARIYDY DYLYKRALQM




 151 LRDAGAQVSI MTYDEFKHCW DTFVDHQGCP FQPWDGLDEH SQALSGRLRA




 201 ILQNQGNSGS ETPGTSESAT PESMSKLEKF TNCYSLSKTL RFKAIPVGKT




 251 QENIDNKRLL VEDEKRAEDY KGVKKLLDRY YLSFINDVLH SIKLKNLNNY




 301 ISLFRKKTRT EKENKELENL EINLRKEIAK AFKGNEGYKS LFKKDIIETI




 351 LPEFLDDKDE IALVNSFNGF TTAFTGFFDN RENMFSEEAK STSIAFRCIN




 401 ENLTRYISNM DIFEKVDAIF DKHEVQEIKE KILNSDYDVE DFFEGEFFNF




 451 VLTQEGIDVY NAIIGGFVTE SGEKIKGLNE YINLYNQKTK QKLPKFKPLY




 501 KQVLSDRESL SFYGEGYTSD EEVLEVFRNT LNKNSEIFSS IKKLEKLFKN




 551 FDEYSSAGIF VKNGPAISTI SKDIFGEWNV IRDKWNAEYD DIHLKKKAVV




 601 TEKYEDDRRK SFKKIGSFSL EQLQEYADAD LSVVEKLKEI IIQKVDEIYK




 651 VYGSSEKLFD ADFVLEKSLK KNDAVVAIMK DLLDSVKSFE NYIKAFFGEG




 701 KETNRDESFY GDFVLAYDIL LKVDHIYDAI RNYVTQKPYS KDKFKLYFQN




 751 PQFMGGWDKD KETDYRATIL RYGSKYYLAI MDKKYAKCLQ KIDKDDVNGN




 801 YEKINYKLLP GPNKMLPKVF FSKKWMAYYN PSEDIQKIYK NGTFKKGDMF




 851 NLNDCHKLID FFKDSISRYP KWSNAYDFNF SETEKYKDIA GFYREVEEQG




 901 YKVSFESASK KEVDKLVEEG KLYMFQIYNK DFSDKSHGTP NLHTMYFKLL




 951 FDENNHGQIR LSGGAELFMR RASLKKEELV VHPANSPIAN KNPDNPKKTT




1001 TLSYDVYKDK RFSEDQYELH IPIAINKCPK NIFKINTEVR VLLKHDDNPY




1051 VIGIARGERN LLYIVVVDGK GNIVEQYSLN EIINNFNGIR IKTDYHSLLD




1101 KKEKERFEAR QNWTSIENIK ELKAGYISQV VHKICELVEK YDAVIALADL




1151 NSGFKNSRVK VEKQVYQKFE KMLIDKLNYM VDKKSNPCAT GGALKGYQIT




1201 NKFESFKSMS TQNGFIFYIP AWLTSKIDPS TGFVNLLKTK YTSIADSKKF




1251 ISSFDRIMYV PEEDLFEFAL DYKNFSRTDA DYIKKWKLYS YGNRIRIFRN




1301 PKKNNVFDWE EVCLTSAYKE LFNKYGINYQ QGDIRALLCE QSDKAFYSSF




1351 MALMSLMLQM RNSITGRTDV AFLISPVKNS DGIFYDSRNY EAQENAILPK




1401 NADANGAYNI ARKVLWAIGQ FKKAEDEKLD KVKIAISNKE WLEYAQTSVK




1451 HGSPKKKRKV SGGSTNLSDI IEKETGKQLV IQESILMLPE EVEEVIGNKP




1501 ESDILVHTAY DESTDENVML LTSDAPEYKP WALVIQDSNG ENKIKMLSGG




1551 SPKKKRKV






dCas12a-hA3A-
   1 MPKKKRKVME ASPASGPRHL MDPHIFTSNF NNGIGRHKTY LCYEVERLDN
44


BE-W98Y-W104A
  51 GTSVKMDQHR GFLHNQAKNL LCGFYGRHAE LRFLDLVPSL QLDPAQIYRV




 101 TWFISYSPCF SAGCAGEVRA FLQENTHVRL RIFAARIYDY DPLYKRALQM




 151 LRDAGAQVSI MTYDEFKHCW DTFVDHQGCP FQPWDGLDEH SQALSGRLRA




 201 ILQNQGNSGS ETPGTSESAT PESMSKLEKF TNCYSLSKTL RFKAIPVGKT




 251 QENIDNKRLL VEDEKRAEDY KGVKKLLDRY YLSFINDVLH SIKLKNLNNY




 301 ISLFRKKTRT EKENKELENL EINLRKEIAK AFKGNEGYKS LFKKDIIETI




 351 LPEFLDDKDE IALVNSFNGF TTAFTGFFDN RENMFSEEAK STSIAFRCIN




 401 ENLTRYISNM DIFEKVDAIF DKHEVQEIKE KILNSDYDVE DFFEGEFFNF




 451 VLTQEGIDVY NAIIGGFVTE SGEKIKGLNE YINLYNQKTK QKLPKFKPLY




 501 KQVLSDRESL SFYGEGYTSD EEVLEVFRNT LNKNSEIFSS IKKLEKLFKN




 551 FDEYSSAGIF VKNGPAISTI SKDIFGEWNV IRDKWNAEYD DIHLKKKAVV




 601 TEKYEDDRRK SFKKIGSFSL EQLQEYADAD LSVVEKLKEI IIQKVDEIYK




 651 VYGSSEKLFD ADFVLEKSLK KNDAVVAIMK DLLDSVKSFE NYIKAFFGEG




 701 KETNRDESFY GDFVLAYDIL LKVDHIYDAI RNYVTQKPYS KDKFKLYFQN




 751 PQFMGGWDKD KETDYRATIL RYGSKYYLAI MDKKYAKCLQ KIDKDDVNGN




 801 YEKINYKLLP GPNKMLPKVF FSKKWMAYYN PSEDIQKIYK NGTFKKGDMF




 851 NLNDCHKLID FFKDSISRYP KWSNAYDFNF SETEKYKDIA GFYREVEEQG




 901 YKVSFESASK KEVDKLVEEG KLYMFQIYNK DFSDKSHGTP NLHTMYFKLL




 951 FDENNHGQIR LSGGAELFMR RASLKKEELV VHPANSPIAN KNPDNPKKTT




1001 TLSYDVYKDK RFSEDQYELH IPIAINKCPK NIFKINTEVR VLLKHDDNPY




1051 VIGIARGERN LLYIVVVDGK GNIVEQYSLN EIINNFNGIR IKTDYHSLLD




1101 KKEKERFEAR QNWTSIENIK ELKAGYISQV VHKICELVEK YDAVIALADL




1151 NSGFKNSRVK VEKQVYQKFE KMLIDKLNYM VDKKSNPCAT GGALKGYQIT




1201 NKFESFKSMS TQNGFIFYIP AWLTSKIDPS TGFVNLLKTK YTSIADSKKF




1251 ISSFDRIMYV PEEDLFEFAL DYKNFSRTDA DYIKKWKLYS YGNRIRIFRN




1301 PKKNNVFDWE EVCLTSAYKE LFNKYGINYQ QGDIRALLCE QSDKAFYSSF




1351 MALMSLMLQM RNSITGRTDV AFLISPVKNS DGIFYDSRNY EAQENAILPK




1401 NADANGAYNI ARKVLWAIGQ FKKAEDEKLD KVKIAISNKE WLEYAQTSVK




1451 HGSPKKKRKV SGGSTNLSDI IEKETGKQLV IQESILMLPE EVEEVIGNKP




1501 ESDILVHTAY DESTDENVML LTSDAPEYKP WALVIQDSNG ENKIKMLSGG




1551 SPKKKRKV






dCas12a-hA3A-
   1 MPKKKRKVME ASPASGPRHL MDPHIFTSNF NNGIGRHKTY LCYEVERLDN
45


BE-W98Y-P134Y
  51 GTSVKMDQHR GFLHNQAKNL LCGFYGRHAE LRFLDLVPSL QLDPAQIYRV




 101 TWFISYSPCF SWGCAGEVRA FLQENTHVRL RIFAARIYDY DYLYKRALQM




 151 LRDAGAQVSI MTYDEFKHCW DTFVDHQGCP FQPWDGLDEH SQALSGRLRA




 201 ILQNQGNSGS ETPGTSESAT PESMSKLEKF TNCYSLSKTL RFKAIPVGKT




 251 QENIDNKRLL VEDEKRAEDY KGVKKLLDRY YLSFINDVLH SIKLKNLNNY




 301 ISLFRKKTRT EKENKELENL EINLRKEIAK AFKGNEGYKS LFKKDIIETI




 351 LPEFLDDKDE IALVNSFNGF TTAFTGFFDN RENMFSEEAK STSIAFRCIN




 401 ENLTRYISNM DIFEKVDAIF DKHEVQEIKE KILNSDYDVE DFFEGEFFNF




 451 VLTQEGIDVY NAIIGGFVTE SGEKIKGLNE YINLYNQKTK QKLPKFKPLY




 501 KQVLSDRESL SFYGEGYTSD EEVLEVFRNT LNKNSEIFSS IKKLEKLFKN




 551 FDEYSSAGIF VKNGPAISTI SKDIFGEWNV IRDKWNAEYD DIHLKKKAVV




 601 TEKYEDDRRK SFKKIGSFSL EQLQEYADAD LSVVEKLKEI IIQKVDEIYK




 651 VYGSSEKLFD ADFVLEKSLK KNDAVVAIMK DLLDSVKSFE NYIKAFFGEG




 701 KETNRDESFY GDFVLAYDIL LKVDHIYDAI RNYVTQKPYS KDKFKLYFQN




 751 PQFMGGWDKD KETDYRATIL RYGSKYYLAI MDKKYAKCLQ KIDKDDVNGN




 801 YEKINYKLLP GPNKMLPKVF FSKKWMAYYN PSEDIQKIYK NGTFKKGDMF




 851 NLNDCHKLID FFKDSISRYP KWSNAYDFNF SETEKYKDIA GFYREVEEQG




 901 YKVSFESASK KEVDKLVEEG KLYMFQIYNK DFSDKSHGTP NLHTMYFKLL




 951 FDENNHGQIR LSGGAELFMR RASLKKEELV VHPANSPIAN KNPDNPKKTT




1001 TLSYDVYKDK RFSEDQYELH IPIAINKCPK NIFKINTEVR VLLKHDDNPY




1051 VIGIARGERN LLYIVVVDGK GNIVEQYSLN EIINNFNGIR IKTDYHSLLD




1101 KKEKERFEAR QNWTSIENIK ELKAGYISQV VHKICELVEK YDAVIALADL




1151 NSGFKNSRVK VEKQVYQKFE KMLIDKLNYM VDKKSNPCAT GGALKGYQIT




1201 NKFESFKSMS TQNGFIFYIP AWLTSKIDPS TGFVNLLKTK YTSIADSKKF




1251 ISSFDRIMYV PEEDLFEFAL DYKNFSRTDA DYIKKWKLYS YGNRIRIFRN




1301 PKKNNVFDWE EVCLTSAYKE LFNKYGINYQ QGDIRALLCE QSDKAFYSSF




1351 MALMSLMLQM RNSITGRTDV AFLISPVKNS DGIFYDSRNY EAQENAILPK




1401 NADANGAYNI ARKVLWAIGQ FKKAEDEKLD KVKIAISNKE WLEYAQTSVK




1451 HGSPKKKRKV SGGSTNLSDI IEKETGKQLV IQESILMLPE EVEEVIGNKP




1501 ESDILVHTAY DESTDENVML LTSDAPEYKP WALVIQDSNG ENKIKMLSGG




1551 SPKKKRKV






dCas12a-hA3A-
   1 MPKKKRKVME ASPASGPRHL MDPHIFTSNF NNGIGRHKTY LCYEVERLDN
46


BE-W104A-P134Y
  51 GTSVKMDQHR GFLHNQAKNL LCGFYGRHAE LRFLDLVPSL QLDPAQIYRV




 101 TWFISWSPCF SAGCAGEVRA FLQENTHVRL RIFAARIYDY DYLYKRALQM




 151 LRDAGAQVSI MTYDEFKHCW DTFVDHQGCP FQPWDGLDEH SQALSGRLRA




 201 ILQNQGNSGS ETPGTSESAT PESMSKLEKF TNCYSLSKTL RFKAIPVGKT




 251 QENIDNKRLL VEDEKRAEDY KGVKKLLDRY YLSFINDVLH SIKLKNLNNY




 301 ISLFRKKTRT EKENKELENL EINLRKEIAK AFKGNEGYKS LFKKDIIETI




 351 LPEFLDDKDE IALVNSFNGF TTAFTGFFDN RENMFSEEAK STSIAFRCIN




 401 ENLTRYISNM DIFEKVDAIF DKHEVQEIKE KILNSDYDVE DFFEGEFFNF




 451 VLTQEGIDVY NAIIGGFVTE SGEKIKGLNE YINLYNQKTK QKLPKFKPLY




 501 KQVLSDRESL SFYGEGYTSD EEVLEVFRNT LNKNSEIFSS IKKLEKLFKN




 551 FDEYSSAGIF VKNGPAISTI SKDIFGEWNV IRDKWNAEYD DIHLKKKAVV




 601 TEKYEDDRRK SFKKIGSFSL EQLQEYADAD LSVVEKLKEI IIQKVDEIYK




 651 VYGSSEKLFD ADFVLEKSLK KNDAVVAIMK DLLDSVKSFE NYIKAFFGEG




 701 KETNRDESFY GDFVLAYDIL LKVDHIYDAI RNYVTQKPYS KDKFKLYFQN




 751 PQFMGGWDKD KETDYRATIL RYGSKYYLAI MDKKYAKCLQ KIDKDDVNGN




 801 YEKINYKLLP GPNKMLPKVF FSKKWMAYYN PSEDIQKIYK NGTFKKGDMF




 851 NLNDCHKLID FFKDSISRYP KWSNAYDFNF SETEKYKDIA GFYREVEEQG




 901 YKVSFESASK KEVDKLVEEG KLYMFQIYNK DFSDKSHGTP NLHTMYFKLL




 951 FDENNHGQIR LSGGAELFMR RASLKKEELV VHPANSPIAN KNPDNPKKTT




1001 TLSYDVYKDK RFSEDQYELH IPIAINKCPK NIFKINTEVR VLLKHDDNPY




1051 VIGIARGERN LLYIVVVDGK GNIVEQYSLN EIINNFNGIR IKTDYHSLLD




1101 KKEKERFEAR QNWTSIENIK ELKAGYISQV VHKICELVEK YDAVIALADL




1151 NSGFKNSRVK VEKQVYQKFE KMLIDKLNYM VDKKSNPCAT GGALKGYQIT




1201 NKFESFKSMS TQNGFIFYIP AWLTSKIDPS TGFVNLLKTK YTSIADSKKF




1251 ISSFDRIMYV PEEDLFEFAL DYKNFSRTDA DYIKKWKLYS YGNRIRIFRN




1301 PKKNNVFDWE EVCLTSAYKE LFNKYGINYQ QGDIRALLCE QSDKAFYSSF




1351 MALMSLMLQM RNSITGRTDV AFLISPVKNS DGIFYDSRNY EAQENAILPK




1401 NADANGAYNI ARKVLWAIGQ FKKAEDEKLD KVKIAISNKE WLEYAQTSVK




1451 HGSPKKKRKV SGGSTNLSDI IEKETGKQLV IQESILMLPE EVEEVIGNKP




1501 ESDILVHTAY DESTDENVML LTSDAPEYKP WALVIQDSNG ENKIKMLSGG




1551 SPKKKRKV






dCas12a-hA3A-
   1 MPKKKRKVME ASPASGPRHL MDPHIFTSNF NNGIGRHKTY LCYEVERLDN
47


BE-W98Y-W104A-
  51 GTSVKMDQHR GFLHNQAKNL LCGFYGRHAE LRFLDLVPSL QLDPAQIYRV



Y130F
 101 TWFISYSPCF SAGCAGEVRA FLQENTHVRL RIFAARIFDY DPLYKRALQM




 151 LRDAGAQVSI MTYDEFKHCW DTFVDHQGCP FQPWDGLDEH SQALSGRLRA




 201 ILQNQGNSGS ETPGTSESAT PESMSKLEKF TNCYSLSKTL RFKAIPVGKT




 251 QENIDNKRLL VEDEKRAEDY KGVKKLLDRY YLSFINDVLH SIKLKNLNNY




 301 ISLFRKKTRT EKENKELENL EINLRKEIAK AFKGNEGYKS LFKKDIIETI




 351 LPEFLDDKDE IALVNSFNGF TTAFTGFFDN RENMFSEEAK STSIAFRCIN




 401 ENLTRYISNM DIFEKVDAIF DKHEVQEIKE KILNSDYDVE DFFEGEFFNF




 451 VLTQEGIDVY NAIIGGFVTE SGEKIKGLNE YINLYNQKTK QKLPKFKPLY




 501 KQVLSDRESL SFYGEGYTSD EEVLEVFRNT LNKNSEIFSS IKKLEKLFKN




 551 FDEYSSAGIF VKNGPAISTI SKDIFGEWNV IRDKWNAEYD DIHLKKKAVV




 601 TEKYEDDRRK SFKKIGSFSL EQLQEYADAD LSVVEKLKEI IIQKVDEIYK




 651 VYGSSEKLFD ADFVLEKSLK KNDAVVAIMK DLLDSVKSFE NYIKAFFGEG




 701 KETNRDESFY GDFVLAYDIL LKVDHIYDAI RNYVTQKPYS KDKFKLYFQN




 751 PQFMGGWDKD KETDYRATIL RYGSKYYLAI MDKKYAKCLQ KIDKDDVNGN




 801 YEKINYKLLP GPNKMLPKVF FSKKWMAYYN PSEDIQKIYK NGTFKKGDMF




 851 NLNDCHKLID FFKDSISRYP KWSNAYDFNF SETEKYKDIA GFYREVEEQG




 901 YKVSFESASK KEVDKLVEEG KLYMFQIYNK DFSDKSHGTP NLHTMYFKLL




 951 FDENNHGQIR LSGGAELFMR RASLKKEELV VHPANSPIAN KNPDNPKKTT




1001 TLSYDVYKDK RFSEDQYELH IPIAINKCPK NIFKINTEVR VLLKHDDNPY




1051 VIGIARGERN LLYIVVVDGK GNIVEQYSLN EIINNFNGIR IKTDYHSLLD




1101 KKEKERFEAR QNWTSIENIK ELKAGYISQV VHKICELVEK YDAVIALADL




1151 NSGFKNSRVK VEKQVYQKFE KMLIDKLNYM VDKKSNPCAT GGALKGYQIT




1201 NKFESFKSMS TQNGFIFYIP AWLTSKIDPS TGFVNLLKTK YTSIADSKKF




1251 ISSFDRIMYV PEEDLFEFAL DYKNFSRTDA DYIKKWKLYS YGNRIRIFRN




1301 PKKNNVFDWE EVCLTSAYKE LFNKYGINYQ QGDIRALLCE QSDKAFYSSF




1351 MALMSLMLQM RNSITGRTDV AFLISPVKNS DGIFYDSRNY EAQENAILPK




1401 NADANGAYNI ARKVLWAIGQ FKKAEDEKLD KVKIAISNKE WLEYAQTSVK




1451 HGSPKKKRKV SGGSTNLSDI IEKETGKQLV IQESILMLPE EVEEVIGNKP




1501 ESDILVHTAY DESTDENVML LTSDAPEYKP WALVIQDSNG ENKIKMLSGG




1551 SPKKKRKV






dCas12a-hA3A-BE-
   1 MPKKKRKVME ASPASGPRHL MDPHIFTSNF NNGIGRHKTY LCYEVERLDN
48


W98Y-W104A-Y132D
  51 GTSVKMDQHR GFLHNQAKNL LCGFYGRHAE LRFLDLVPSL QLDPAQIYRV




 101 TWFISYSPCF SAGCAGEVRA FLQENTHVRL RIFAARIYDD DPLYKRALQM




 151 LRDAGAQVSI MTYDEFKHCW DTFVDHQGCP FQPWDGLDEH SQALSGRLRA




 201 ILQNQGNSGS ETPGTSESAT PESMSKLEKF TNCYSLSKTL RFKAIPVGKT




 251 QENIDNKRLL VEDEKRAEDY KGVKKLLDRY YLSFINDVLH SIKLKNLNNY




 301 ISLFRKKTRT EKENKELENL EINLRKEIAK AFKGNEGYKS LFKKDIIETI




 351 LPEFLDDKDE IALVNSFNGF TTAFTGFFDN RENMFSEEAK STSIAFRCIN




 401 ENLTRYISNM DIFEKVDAIF DKHEVQEIKE KILNSDYDVE DFFEGEFFNF




 451 VLTQEGIDVY NAIIGGFVTE SGEKIKGLNE YINLYNQKTK QKLPKFKPLY




 501 KQVLSDRESL SFYGEGYTSD EEVLEVFRNT LNKNSEIFSS IKKLEKLFKN




 551 FDEYSSAGIF VKNGPAISTI SKDIFGEWNV IRDKWNAEYD DIHLKKKAVV




 601 TEKYEDDRRK SFKKIGSFSL EQLQEYADAD LSVVEKLKEI IIQKVDEIYK




 651 VYGSSEKLFD ADFVLEKSLK KNDAVVAIMK DLLDSVKSFE NYIKAFFGEG




 701 KETNRDESFY GDFVLAYDIL LKVDHIYDAI RNYVTQKPYS KDKFKLYFQN




 751 PQFMGGWDKD KETDYRATIL RYGSKYYLAI MDKKYAKCLQ KIDKDDVNGN




 801 YEKINYKLLP GPNKMLPKVF FSKKWMAYYN PSEDIQKIYK NGTFKKGDMF




 851 NLNDCHKLID FFKDSISRYP KWSNAYDFNF SETEKYKDIA GFYREVEEQG




 901 YKVSFESASK KEVDKLVEEG KLYMFQIYNK DFSDKSHGTP NLHTMYFKLL




 951 FDENNHGQIR LSGGAELFMR RASLKKEELV VHPANSPIAN KNPDNPKKTT




1001 TLSYDVYKDK RFSEDQYELH IPIAINKCPK NIFKINTEVR VLLKHDDNPY




1051 VIGIARGERN LLYIVVVDGK GNIVEQYSLN EIINNFNGIR IKTDYHSLLD




1101 KKEKERFEAR QNWTSIENIK ELKAGYISQV VHKICELVEK YDAVIALADL




1151 NSGFKNSRVK VEKQVYQKFE KMLIDKLNYM VDKKSNPCAT GGALKGYQIT




1201 NKFESFKSMS TQNGFIFYIP AWLTSKIDPS TGFVNLLKTK YTSIADSKKF




1251 ISSFDRIMYV PEEDLFEFAL DYKNFSRTDA DYIKKWKLYS YGNRIRIFRN




1301 PKKNNVFDWE EVCLTSAYKE LFNKYGINYQ QGDIRALLCE QSDKAFYSSF




1351 MALMSLMLQM RNSITGRTDV AFLISPVKNS DGIFYDSRNY EAQENAILPK




1401 NADANGAYNI ARKVLWAIGQ FKKAEDEKLD KVKIAISNKE WLEYAQTSVK




1451 HGSPKKKRKV SGGSTNLSDI IEKETGKQLV IQESILMLPE EVEEVIGNKP




1501 ESDILVHTAY DESTDENVML LTSDAPEYKP WALVIQDSNG ENKIKMLSGG




1551 SPKKKRKV






dCas12a-hA3A-BE-
   1 MPKKKRKVME ASPASGPRHL MDPHIFTSNF NNGIGRHKTY LCYEVERLDN
49


W104A-Y130F-P134Y
  51 GTSVKMDQHR GFLHNQAKNL LCGFYGRHAE LRFLDLVPSL QLDPAQIYRV




 101 TWFISWSPCF SAGCAGEVRA FLQENTHVRL RIFAARIFDY DYLYKRALQM




 151 LRDAGAQVSI MTYDEFKHCW DTFVDHQGCP FQPWDGLDEH SQALSGRLRA




 201 ILQNQGNSGS ETPGTSESAT PESMSKLEKF TNCYSLSKTL RFKAIPVGKT




 251 QENIDNKRLL VEDEKRAEDY KGVKKLLDRY YLSFINDVLH SIKLKNLNNY




 301 ISLFRKKTRT EKENKELENL EINLRKEIAK AFKGNEGYKS LFKKDIIETI




 351 LPEFLDDKDE IALVNSFNGF TTAFTGFFDN RENMFSEEAK STSIAFRCIN




 401 ENLTRYISNM DIFEKVDAIF DKHEVQEIKE KILNSDYDVE DFFEGEFFNF




 451 VLTQEGIDVY NAIIGGFVTE SGEKIKGLNE YINLYNQKTK QKLPKFKPLY




 501 KQVLSDRESL SFYGEGYTSD EEVLEVFRNT LNKNSEIFSS IKKLEKLFKN




 551 FDEYSSAGIF VKNGPAISTI SKDIFGEWNV IRDKWNAEYD DIHLKKKAVV




 601 TEKYEDDRRK SFKKIGSFSL EQLQEYADAD LSVVEKLKEI IIQKVDEIYK




 651 VYGSSEKLFD ADFVLEKSLK KNDAVVAIMK DLLDSVKSFE NYIKAFFGEG




 701 KETNRDESFY GDFVLAYDIL LKVDHIYDAI RNYVTQKPYS KDKFKLYFQN




 751 PQFMGGWDKD KETDYRATIL RYGSKYYLAI MDKKYAKCLQ KIDKDDVNGN




 801 YEKINYKLLP GPNKMLPKVF FSKKWMAYYN PSEDIQKIYK NGTFKKGDMF




 851 NLNDCHKLID FFKDSISRYP KWSNAYDFNF SETEKYKDIA GFYREVEEQG




 901 YKVSFESASK KEVDKLVEEG KLYMFQIYNK DFSDKSHGTP NLHTMYFKLL




 951 FDENNHGQIR LSGGAELFMR RASLKKEELV VHPANSPIAN KNPDNPKKTT




1001 TLSYDVYKDK RFSEDQYELH IPIAINKCPK NIFKINTEVR VLLKHDDNPY




1051 VIGIARGERN LLYIVVVDGK GNIVEQYSLN EIINNFNGIR IKTDYHSLLD




1101 KKEKERFEAR QNWTSIENIK ELKAGYISQV VHKICELVEK YDAVIALADL




1151 NSGFKNSRVK VEKQVYQKFE KMLIDKLNYM VDKKSNPCAT GGALKGYQIT




1201 NKFESFKSMS TQNGFIFYIP AWLTSKIDPS TGFVNLLKTK YTSIADSKKF




1251 ISSFDRIMYV PEEDLFEFAL DYKNFSRTDA DYIKKWKLYS YGNRIRIFRN




1301 PKKNNVFDWE EVCLTSAYKE LFNKYGINYQ QGDIRALLCE QSDKAFYSSF




1351 MALMSLMLQM RNSITGRTDV AFLISPVKNS DGIFYDSRNY EAQENAILPK




1401 NADANGAYNI ARKVLWAIGQ FKKAEDEKLD KVKIAISNKE WLEYAQTSVK




1451 HGSPKKKRKV SGGSTNLSDI IEKETGKQLV IQESILMLPE EVEEVIGNKP




1501 ESDILVHTAY DESTDENVML LTSDAPEYKP WALVIQDSNG ENKIKMLSGG




1551 SPKKKRKV






dCas12a-hA3A-
   1 MPKKKRKVME ASPASGPRHL MDPHIFTSNF NNGIGRHKTY LCYEVERLDN
50


BE-W104A-Y132D-
  51 GTSVKMDQHR GFLHNQAKNL LCGFYGRHAE LRFLDLVPSL QLDPAQIYRV



P134Y
 101 TWFISWSPCF SAGCAGEVRA FLQENTHVRL RIFAARIYDD DYLYKRALQM




 151 LRDAGAQVSI MTYDEFKHCW DTFVDHQGCP FQPWDGLDEH SQALSGRLRA




 201 ILQNQGNSGS ETPGTSESAT PESMSKLEKF TNCYSLSKTL RFKAIPVGKT




 251 QENIDNKRLL VEDEKRAEDY KGVKKLLDRY YLSFINDVLH SIKLKNLNNY




 301 ISLFRKKTRT EKENKELENL EINLRKEIAK AFKGNEGYKS LFKKDIIETI




 351 LPEFLDDKDE IALVNSFNGF TTAFTGFFDN RENMFSEEAK STSIAFRCIN




 401 ENLTRYISNM DIFEKVDAIF DKHEVQEIKE KILNSDYDVE DFFEGEFFNF




 451 VLTQEGIDVY NAIIGGFVTE SGEKIKGLNE YINLYNQKTK QKLPKFKPLY




 501 KQVLSDRESL SFYGEGYTSD EEVLEVFRNT LNKNSEIFSS IKKLEKLFKN




 551 FDEYSSAGIF VKNGPAISTI SKDIFGEWNV IRDKWNAEYD DIHLKKKAVV




 601 TEKYEDDRRK SFKKIGSFSL EQLQEYADAD LSVVEKLKEI IIQKVDEIYK




 651 VYGSSEKLFD ADFVLEKSLK KNDAVVAIMK DLLDSVKSFE NYIKAFFGEG




 701 KETNRDESFY GDFVLAYDIL LKVDHIYDAI RNYVTQKPYS KDKFKLYFQN




 751 PQFMGGWDKD KETDYRATIL RYGSKYYLAI MDKKYAKCLQ KIDKDDVNGN




 801 YEKINYKLLP GPNKMLPKVF FSKKWMAYYN PSEDIQKIYK NGTFKKGDMF




 851 NLNDCHKLID FFKDSISRYP KWSNAYDFNF SETEKYKDIA GFYREVEEQG




 901 YKVSFESASK KEVDKLVEEG KLYMFQIYNK DFSDKSHGTP NLHTMYFKLL




 951 FDENNHGQIR LSGGAELFMR RASLKKEELV VHPANSPIAN KNPDNPKKTT




1001 TLSYDVYKDK RFSEDQYELH IPIAINKCPK NIFKINTEVR VLLKHDDNPY




1051 VIGIARGERN LLYIVVVDGK GNIVEQYSLN EIINNFNGIR IKTDYHSLLD




1101 KKEKERFEAR QNWTSIENIK ELKAGYISQV VHKICELVEK YDAVIALADL




1151 NSGFKNSRVK VEKQVYQKFE KMLIDKLNYM VDKKSNPCAT GGALKGYQIT




1201 NKFESFKSMS TQNGFIFYIP AWLTSKIDPS TGFVNLLKTK YTSIADSKKF




1251 ISSFDRIMYV PEEDLFEFAL DYKNFSRTDA DYIKKWKLYS YGNRIRIFRN




1301 PKKNNVFDWE EVCLTSAYKE LFNKYGINYQ QGDIRALLCE QSDKAFYSSF




1351 MALMSLMLQM RNSITGRTDV AFLISPVKNS DGIFYDSRNY EAQENAILPK




1401 NADANGAYNI ARKVLWAIGQ FKKAEDEKLD KVKIAISNKE WLEYAQTSVK




1451 HGSPKKKRKV SGGSTNLSDI IEKETGKQLV IQESILMLPE EVEEVIGNKP




1501 ESDILVHTAY DESTDENVML LTSDAPEYKP WALVIQDSNG ENKIKMLSGG




1551 SPKKKRKV









The present disclosure also provides isolated polynucleotides or nucleic acid molecules (e.g., SEQ ID NO:21) encoding the fusion proteins, variants or derivatives thereof of the disclosure. Methods of making fusion proteins are well known in the art and described herein.


Compositions and Methods

The present disclosure also provides compositions and methods. Such compositions comprise an effective amount of a fusion protein, and an acceptable carrier. In some embodiments, the composition further includes a guide RNA that has a desired complementarity to a target DNA. Such a composition can be used for base editing in a sample.


The fusion proteins and the compositions can be used for base editing. In one embodiment, a method for editing a target polynucleotide is provided, comprising contacting to the target polynucleotide a fusion protein of the present disclosure and a guide RNA having at least partial sequence complementarity to the target polynucleotide, wherein the editing comprises deamination of a cytosine (C) in the target polynucleotide.


It is shown that the presently disclosed fusion proteins can edit cytosine at any location and in any context, such as in CpC, ApC, GpC, TpC, CpA, CpG, CpC, CpT. It is surprising and unexpected, however, that these fusion proteins can edit C in a GpC dinucleotide context, and even when the C is methylated.


The contacting between the fusion protein (and the guide RNA) and the target polynucleotide can be in vitro, in particular in a cell culture. When the contacting is ex vivo, or in vivo, the fusion proteins can exhibit clinical/therapeutic significance.


EXAMPLES
Example 1: Base Editors

Human apolipoprotein B mRNA editing enzyme catalytic subunit 3A (APOBEC3A, hA3A; SEQ ID NO:1) was included in an expression vector that further included a Cas9 nickase (SEQ ID NO:11) and a uracil-DNA-glycosylase inhibitor [Bacillus phage AR9] (SEQ ID NO:12). The Cas9 nickase contained a Asp10Ala mutation that inactivated its double strand nuclease activity, while allowing it to introduce a nick on one of the strands.


The fusion vector, hA3A-nCas9-UGI (hA3A-BE, SEQ ID NO:21), and a sgRNA expression vector were co-transfected into eukaryotic cells (FIG. 1A) to perform C-to-T base editing at sgRNA target site in the genome. After PCR amplification of the target genomic DNA, the C-to-T base editing efficiency at targeted site in genome were determined through Sanger DNA sequencing. As illustrated in two sgRNA target sites (sgFANCF-M-L6 and sgSITE4), efficient C-to-T base editing was executed on C of GpC through co-expressing hA3A-BE and sgRNA, as compared to co-expressing BE3 (APOBEC1-nCas9-UGI) and sgRNA (FIG. 1B, dashed box).


Next, mutations Y130F (SEQ ID NO:2) and Y132D (SEQ ID NO:3) were individually introduced into the hA3A gene in the construct, thereby generating the base editor hA3A-BE-Y130F or hA3A-BE-Y132D (FIG. 2A). The Y130F and Y132D mutations in hA3A-BE narrowed the window of base editing, and further improved the editing precision of hA3A-BE (FIG. 2B).


Furthermore, the mutations W104A (SEQ ID NO:4) and D131Y (SEQ ID NO:5) were individually introduced into the hA3A gene of hA3A-BE, thereby generating the base editor hA3A-BE-W104A or hA3A-BE-D131Y (FIG. 3A). Both hA3A-BE-W104A and hA3A-BE-D131Y increased the efficiency of desired C to T base substitutions (FIG. 3B), achieving even higher efficiency of base editing as compared to hA3A-BE.


In a further experiment, three amino acid changes (Y130E-D131E-Y132D, SEQ ID NO:22 or Y130E-D131Y-Y132D, SEQ ID NO:23) of human APOBEC3A (hA3A) in hA3A-BE3 (FIG. 4A) were tested and it was found that these two base editors (hA3A-BE-Y130E-D131E-Y132D and hA3A-BE-Y130E-D131Y-Y132D) have more narrowed editing windows (position 4-6 in target region) and therefore higher editing precision (FIG. 4B).


Example 2: Efficient Base Editing in Methylated Regions with a Human APOBEC3A-Cas9 Fusion

Base editors (BEs) enable the generation of targeted single-nucleotide mutations, but currently used rat APOBEC1-based BEs are relatively inefficient in editing cytosines in highly-methylated regions or in GpC contexts. By screening a variety of APOBEC/AID deaminases, this example shows that human APOBEC3A-conjugated BEs and versions engineered to have narrower editing windows can mediate efficient C-to-T base editing in regions with high methylation levels and GpC dinucleotide content.


Base editors (BEs), which combine a cytidine deaminase with Cas9 or Cpf1, have been successfully applied to perform targeted base editing, including C-to-T. Numerous human diseases have been reported to be driven by point mutations in genomic DNAs. With recently developed BEs, these disease-related point mutations can be potentially corrected, providing new therapeutic options. By analyzing disease-related T-to-C mutations that can be theoretically reverted to thymines by BEs, the example found that ˜43% of them are on cytosines in the context of CpG dinucleotides (FIG. 5a). It is well known that C of CpG is usually methylated in mammalian cells, and methylation of C strongly suppresses cytidine deamination catalyzed by some APOBEC/AID deaminases. This example shows that CpG dinucleotide methylation hinders the C-to-T base editing by current BEs and has successfully developed BEs for efficient C-to-T base editing in highly methylated regions.


Methods and Materials
Plasmid Construction

Primer sets (hA3A_PCR_F/hA3A_PCR_R) were used to amplify the fragment Human_APOBEC3A with template pUC57-Human_APOBEC3A (synthesized by Genscript). Then the fragment Human APOBEC3A was cloned into the SacI and SmaI linearized pCMV-BE3 (addgene, 73021) with plasmid recombination kit Clone Express® (Vazyme, C112-02) to generate the hA3A-BE3 expression vector pCMV-hAPOBEC3A-XTEN-D10A-SGGS-UGI-SGGS-NLS. hA3B-BE3, hA3C-BE3, hA3D-BE3, hA3F-BE3, hA3G-BE3, hA3H-BE3, hAID-BE3, hA1-BE3, mA3-BE3, mAID-BE3, mA1-BE3, cAICDA-BE3, expression vectors were constructed with the same strategy. The pmCDA1 expression vector pcDNA3.1_pCMV-nCas-PmCDA1-ugi pH1-gRNA (HPRT) was purchased from Addgene (79620).


Primer sets (SupF_PCR_F/SupF_PCR_R) were used to amplify the fragment SupF with template shuttle vector pSP189. Then the fragment SupF was cloned into pEASY-ZERO-BLUNT (TransGen Biotech, CB501) to generate the vector pEASY-SupF-ZERO-BLUNT.


Oligonucleotides SupF_sg1_FOR/SupF_sg1_REV and SupF_sg2_FOR/SupF_sg2_REV were annealed and ligated into BsaI linearized pGL3-U6-sgRNA-PGK-puromycin (addgene, 51133) to generate the sgRNA expression vectors psgSupF-1 and psgSupF-2 that target the SupF gene in pEASY-SupF-ZERO-BLUNT.


Two primer sets (hA3A_PCR_F/hA3A_Y130F_PCR_R) (hA3A_Y130F_PCR_F/hA3A_PCR_R) were used to amplify the Y130E-containing fragment hA3A-Y130F. Then the fragment was cloned into the ApaI and SmaI linearized hA3A-BE3 expression vector to generate the hA3A-BE3-Y130F expression vector pCMV-hAPOBEC3A_Y130E-XTEN-D10A-SGGS-UGI-SGGS-NLS. hA3A-BE3-D131Y, hA3A-BE3-Y132D, hA3A-BE3-C101S and hA3A-BE3-C106S expression vectors were constructed with the same strategy.


Primer sets (hA3A_PCR_F/hA3A_PCR_R) were used to amplify the fragment Human_APOBEC3A_Y130F with template hA3A-BE3-Y130F. Then the fragment Human_APOBEC3A_Y130F was cloned into the SacI and SmaI linearized pCMV-eBE-S319 to generate the hA3A-eBE-Y130F expression vector pCMV-hAPOBEC3A_Y130F-XTEN-D10A-SGGS-UGI-SGGS-NLS-T2A-UGI-NLS-P2A-UGI-NLS-T2A-UGI-NLS. hA3A-eBE-Y132D expression vector was constructed by the similar way.


Oligonucleotides hEMX1_FOR/hEMX1_REV were annealed and ligated into BsaI linearized pGL3-U6-sgRNA-PGK-puromycin to generate sgEMX1 expression vector psgEMX1. Other sgRNA expression vectors were constructed with the same strategy.


Antibodies

Antibodies were purchased from the following sources: against alpha-tubulin (T6199)—Sigma; against Cas9 (ab204448)—Abcam.


Immunoblotting Analysis

Protein samples were incubated at 95° C. for 20 min, separated by SDS-PAGE in sample loading buffer and proteins were transferred to nitrocellulose membranes (Thermo Fisher Scientific). After blocking with TBST (25 mM Tris pH 8.0, 150 mM NaCl, and 0.1% Tween 20) containing 5% (w/v) nonfat dry milk for 2 h, the membrane was reacted overnight with indicated primary antibody. After extensive washing, the membranes were reacted with HRP-conjugated secondary antibodies for 1h. Reactive bands were developed in ECL (Thermo Fisher Scientific) and detected with Amersham Imager 600.


Cell Culture and Transfection

HEK293T cells from ATCC were maintained in DMEM (10566, Gibco/Thermo Fisher Scientific)+10% FBS (16000-044, Gibco/Thermo Fisher Scientific) and regularly tested to exclude mycoplasma contamination.


The dCas9-Suntag-TetCD system was used to induce targeted demethylation of the genomic regions with natively high levels of methylation, e.g., FANCF, MAGEA1 and MSSK1 regions. The dCas9-DNMT3a-DNMT31 system was used to induce targeted methylation of the genomic regions with natively low levels of methylation, e.g., VEGFA and PDL1 regions. HEK293T cells were transfected by using LIPOFECTAMINE 2000 (Life, Invitrogen) with 3 μg pCAG-scFvGCN4sfGFPTET1CD (synthesized by Genscript) and 1 μg sgRNA expression vector or with 3 μg dCas9-DNMT3a-DNMT31 (synthesized by Genscript) and 1 μg sgRNA expression vector. Blasticidin (10 μg/ml, Sigma, 15205) and puromycin (1 μg/ml, Merck, 540411) were added 24 h after transfection. One week later, a portion of cells were collected to determine DNA methylation level and others were stored in liquid nitrogen for base editing. The sgRNAs used to induce genomic DNA methylation/demethylation are the ones used to induce base editing.


For base editing in genomic DNA, HEK293T cells were seeded in a 24-well plate at a density of 1.6×105 per well and transfected with 200 μl serum-free Opti-MEM that contained 5.04 μl LIPOFECTAMINE LTX (Life, Invitrogen), 1.68 μl LIPOFECTAMINE plus (Life, Invitrogen), 1 μg BE3 expression vector (or hA3A-BE3, hA3A-BE3-Y130F, hA3A-BE3-D131Y, hA3A-BE3-Y132D, hA3A-BE3-C101S, hA3A-BE3-C106S, hA3A-eBE-Y130F, hA3A-eBE-Y132D expression vector) and 0.68 μg sgRNA expression vector. After 72 hr, the genomic DNA was extracted from the cells with QuickExtract™ DNA Extraction Solution (QE09050, Epicentre) or the cells were lysed in 2×SDS loading buffer for western blot.


For base editing in plasmid vector, 293T cells were seeded in a 6-well plate at a density of 3×105 per well and transfected with 500 μl serum-free Opti-MEM that contained 4 μl LIPOFECTAMINE LTX (Life, Invitrogen), 2 μl LIPOFECTAMINE plus (Life, Invitrogen), 1 μg BE3 expression vector (or hA3A-BE3, hA3B-BE3, hA3C-BE3, hA3D-BE3, hA3F-BE3, hA3G-BE3, hA3H-BE3, hAID-BE3, hA1-BE3, mA3-BE3, mAID-BE3, mA1-BE3, cAICDA-BE3 or pmCDA1 expression vector) and 0.5 μg sgRNA expression vector. After 24 hr, these cells were transfected with 500 μl serum-free Opti-MEM that contained 4 μl LIPOFECTAMINE LTX, 2 μl LIPOFECTAMINE plus and 1.5 μg un-methylated (or methylated) pEASY-SupF-ZERO-BLUNT. After 48 hr, the plasmids were extracted from the cells with TIANprep Mini Plasmid Kit (DP103-A, TIANGEN) or the cells were lysed in 2×SDS loading buffer for western blot.


Bisulfite Sequencing Analysis

Genomic DNA was isolated and treated with bisulfite according to the instruction of EZ DNA methylation-direct Kit (Zymo Research, D5021). The bisulfite-treated DNA was PCR-amplified with Taq™ Hot Start Version (Takara, R007B). The PCR products were ligated into T-Vector pMDTM19 (Takara, 3271). Eight clones were picked out and sequenced by Sanger sequencing (Genewiz). The primers used for bisulfite PCR were listed in Supplementary Table 2.


Plasmid DNA Methylation

For in vitro methylation, 1 μl CpG methyltransferase (M.SssI, Life, EM0821) was used to methylate 2 μl plasmid DNA in a 20-μl reaction. After in vitro methylation, pEASY-SupF-ZERO-BLUNT was restricted with BstUI (NEB, R0518S) to determine the methylation level.


Blue/White Colony Screening

The plasmids extracted from transfected cells were transformed into E. coli strain MBM7070 (lacZuag_amber), which were grown on LB plates containing 50 μg/ml kanamycin, 1 mM IPTG and 0.03% Bluo-gal (Life, Invitrogen) at 37° C. overnight and then at room temperature for another day (for maximal color development). The cumulative base editing frequency is calculated by dividing the number of white colonies with the number of total colonies.


DNA Library Preparation and Sequencing

Target genomic sites were PCR amplified by high-fidelity DNA polymerase PrimeSTAR HS (Clonetech) with primers flanking each examined sgRNA target site. The PCR primers used to amplify target genomic sequences were listed in Supplementary Table 2. Indexed DNA libraries were prepared by using the TruSeq ChIP Sample Preparation Kit (Illumina) with some minor modifications. Briefly, the PCR products were fragmented by Covaris 5220 and then amplified by using the TruSeq ChIP Sample Preparation Kit (Illumina). After being quantitated with Qubit High-Sensitivity DNA kit (Life, Invitrogen), PCR products with different tags were pooled together for deep sequencing by using the Illumina NextSeq 500 (2×150) or Hiseq X Ten (2×150) at CAS-MPG Partner Institute for Computational Biology Omics Core, Shanghai, China. Raw read qualities were evaluated by FastQC. For paired-end sequencing, only R1 reads were used. Adaptor sequences and read sequences on both ends with Phred quality score lower than 28 were trimmed. Trimmed reads were then mapped with the BWA-MEM algorithm (BWA v0.7.9a) to target sequences. After being piled up with samtools (v0.1.18), indels and base substitutions were further calculated.


Indel Frequency Calculation

Indels were estimated in the aligned regions spanning from upstream eight nucleotides of the target site to downstream 19 nucleotides of PAM sites (50 bp). Indel frequencies were subsequently calculated by dividing reads containing at least one inserted and/or deleted nucleotide by all the mapped reads at the same region.


Base Substitution Calculation

Base substitutions were selected at each position of the examined sgRNA target sites that mapped with at least 1,000 independent reads, and obvious base substitutions were only observed at the targeted base editing sites. Base substitution frequencies were calculated by dividing base substitution reads by total reads.


Calculation of BE-Targetable Genetic Variants

The single nucleotide variants (SNVs) from NCBI ClinVar database were overlapped with the pathogenic human allele sequence from NCBI dbSNP database to calculate the pathogenic T-to-C and A-to-G mutations. In 3,089 pathogenic T-to-C or A-to-G mutations, 2,499 are potentially editable by SpCas9-BE3, SaCas9-BE3, dLbCpf1-BE or xCas9-BE3 with nearby PAM sequences. These 2,499 BE-targetable SNVs are further sub-classified according to their 3′ adjacent base preferences, i.e., CpA, CpC, CpG and CpT (FIG. 5a).


Statistical Analysis

P values were calculated from one-tailed Student's t test in this study.


Data Availability

The deep-sequencing data from this study are deposited in the NCBI Gene Expression Omnibus (accession no. GSE114999) and the National Omics Data Encyclopedia (accession no. OEP000030).


Results

This example first examined the base editing efficiency of a commonly used BE, the rat APOBEC1 (rA1)-based BE3, in human cells having either increased or decreased levels of methylation. When DNA methylation was promoted by DNMT3 in regions with native low methylation levels, editing frequencies by BE3 decreased. In addition, when DNA methylation was reduced by TET1 in regions with native high methylation levels, BE3-induced editing frequencies increased accordingly. These results suggest that the canonical rA1-based BE3 is less efficient in editing cytosines embedded in highly methylated genomic regions. Notably, C-to-T editing was suppressed by DNA methylation at both CpG and flanking non-CpG sites (median decrement ˜28%, P=2×10−8 for CpG sites and ˜51%, P=7×10−10 for flanking non-CpG sites). APOBECs deaminate cytidines on single-stranded DNA in a processive manner. CpG methylation may affect the sliding of APOBEC and therefore impairs its binding on the flanking non-CpG sites for deamination.


To screen for efficient base editing in high-methylation background, a series of BEs was obtained by fusing Cas9 nickase with fifteen different APOBEC/AID deaminases (FIG. 5b). This example tested these BEs then in an E. coif-derived vector system (FIG. 5b), which has been previously used to probe mutations. In unmethylated vectors, these BEs showed varied levels of base editing. The BEs containing human APOBEC3A (hA3A-BE3, mean editing frequency ˜39%), human APOBEC3B (hA3B-BE3, mean editing frequency ˜33%) or human AID (hAID-BE3, mean editing frequency ˜28%) mediated base editing at levels that are comparable to BE3 (mean editing frequency ˜31%) (FIG. 5c). Whereas in methylated vectors, only hA3A-BE3 induced efficient base editing (mean editing frequency ˜35%), compared to relatively low editing efficiencies induced by BE3 (mean editing frequency ˜12%) or other examined BEs (mean editing frequencies ˜1%-20%) (FIG. 5c). Of note, protein products of hA3A-BE3, BE3 and other examined BEs are comparable (FIG. 5d).


Similar to the observation in E. coif-derived vectors, hA3A-BE3 exhibited significantly higher base editing frequencies than rA1-based BE3 in all tested genomic regions, either those with a native high-methylation background (median ˜1.7-fold, P=2×10−10, FIG. 5e,f) or those with an induced high-methylation condition (median ˜1.8-fold, P=5×10−4). Thus, using hA3A as the deaminase module in BE could generally achieve high base editing efficiency in genomic regions with high methylation levels.


The base editing on cytosines in a GpC context was observed to be generally inefficient by rA1-based BEs. While, this example found that hA3A-BE3 could induce efficient base editing on most of cytosines at GpC sites in both endogenously and induced high-methylation backgrounds (FIG. 5e). This example further compared their editing efficiencies under both endogenously and induced low-methylation backgrounds and observed a similar superiority of hA3A-BE3 over BE3 on editing cytosines in the GpC context (FIG. 5g,h). Statistical analysis confirmed that the base editing efficiency induced by hA3A-BE3 was significantly higher than that induced by BE3 on cytosines in the GpC context in either high- (median ˜2.3-fold, P=1×10−5) or low- (median ˜1.8-fold, P=6×10−9) methylation conditions. Notably, hA3A-BE3-mediated base editing was as efficient as BE3 at cytosines in non-GpC contexts in all tested low-methylation regions (median ˜1.1-fold, P=0.045). This example also found that hA3A-BE3 yielded less non-C-to-T conversion than BE3 in both high- (median ˜97% by hA3A-BE3 comparing to ˜94% by BE3, P=3×10−4) and low-methylation regions (median ˜92% by hA3A-BE3 comparing to ˜90% by BE3, P=4×10−6). Both BE3 and hA3A-BE3 induced less non-C-to-T conversion at CpG sites with high methylation status than at CpG sites with low methylation status (median ˜95% vs ˜90%, P=3×10−5 for BE3 and median ˜95% vs ˜92%, P=5×10−4 for hA3A-BE3). This example also found that hA3A-BE3 induced higher indel frequencies than BE3 (median ˜2 in both high- and low-methylation regions). Such an increase may be caused by the high deaminase activity of hA3A, which can trigger downstream DNA repair pathways to generate DNA double strand breaks.


The results suggest that hA3A-BE3 can efficiently induce base editing in a broader scope (FIG. 5). However, the editing window of hA3A-BE3 is wider (˜12 nt, position 2-13 in the sgRNA target site) than that of BE3 (˜5 nt, position 4-8). As the wide editing window of hA3A-BE3 may result from the high deaminase activity of hA3A, mutations in hA3A that can reduce deaminase activity might correspondingly narrow the editing window of hA3A-BE3. Designated mutations (Y130F, D131Y or Y132D) successfully narrowed the editing window with little effect on the base editing efficiency, whereas mutations in the zinc-coordination motif almost completely eliminated the deaminase activity (C101S and C106S).


This example then focused on two engineered hA3A-BE3s (hA3A-BE3-Y130F and hA3A-BE3-Y132D), which have similar editing windows (position 3-8 for hA3A-BE3-Y130F and position 3-7 for hA3A-BE3-Y132D) as BE3 (position 4-8). In highly-methylated regions, hA3A-BE3-Y130F and hA3A-BE3-Y132D induced higher editing efficiencies than BE3 at all editable sites in overlapping editing windows (position 4-7) (FIG. 6a, cytosines in pink and FIG. 6b, median ˜2.3 fold, P=0.002 for hA3A-BE3-Y130F and median ˜1.2 fold, P=0.03 for hA3A-BE3-Y132D). For cytosines outside of overlapping editing windows, hA3A-BE3-Y132D induced C-to-T editing frequencies similar to BE3 while hA3A-BE3-Y130F induced higher editing frequencies (FIG. 6a, cytosines in black). Similar to the original hA3A-BE3, both engineered hA3A-BE3-Y130F and hA3A-BE3-Y132D edited cytosines in GpC contexts more efficiently than BE3 in overlapping editing windows (FIG. 6c,d, median ˜2.3 fold, P=3×10−5 for hA3A-BE3-Y130F and median ˜1.9 fold, P=0.002 for hA3A-BE3-Y132D). Protein expression levels of hA3A-BE3-Y130F and hA3A-BE3-Y132D were very similar to that of BE3 (FIG. 6e), though the two engineered hA3A-BEs induced higher C-to-T editing efficiencies (FIG. 6b,d). In terms of product purity, we found that hA3A-BE3-Y130F yielded less non-C-to-T conversion (median ˜96.3% by hA3A-BE3-Y130F comparing to ˜95.6% by BE3, P=0.03 in high-methylation regions, median ˜92% by hA3A-BE3-Y130F comparing to ˜90% by BE3, P=0.002 in low-methylation regions) but more indels (median ˜2.1 fold, P=0.0002 in high-methylation regions, median ˜1.3 fold in low-methylation regions, P=0.12) than BE3. The product purity induced by hA3A-BE3-Y132D was higher than BE3 in native low-methylation regions (median ˜93% by hA3A-BE3-Y132D comparing to ˜90% by BE3, P=0.001), but lower in native high-methylation regions (median ˜94.9% by hA3A-BE3-Y132D comparing to ˜95.6% by BE3, P=0.03). Nevertheless, indel frequencies induced by hA3A-BE3-Y132D were comparable to those induced by BE3 at all tested sites (median ˜1.2 fold in both high- and low-methylation regions).


To further enhance C-to-T base editing system, three copies of the 2A-uracil DNA glycosylase inhibitor (UGI) sequence were fused to the C-terminus of hA3A-BE3-Y130F and hA3A-BE3-Y132D to develop hA3A-eBE-Y130F and hA3A-eBE-Y132D. In low-methylation regions, hA3A-eBE-Y130F and hA3A-eBE-Y132D induced significantly higher editing efficiencies (FIG. 6f,g, median ˜1.2 fold, P=0.0004 for hA3A-eBE-Y130F and median ˜1.2 fold, P=0.004 for hA3A-eBE-Y132D), higher product purity (FIG. 6h, median ˜96% by hA3A-eBE-Y130F comparing to ˜94% by hA3A-BE3-Y130F, P=0.006 and median ˜96% by hA3A-eBE-Y132D comparing to ˜92% by hA3A-BE3-Y132D, P=0.004) and lower indel frequencies (FIG. 6i, median decrement ˜21%, P=4×10−5 for hA3A-eBE-Y130F and median decrement ˜9%, P=0.03 for hA3A-eBE-Y132D) than hA3A-BE3-Y130F and hA3A-BE3-Y132D, respectively. In high-methylation regions, hA3A-eBE-Y130F and hA3A-eBE-Y132D induced significantly higher product purity (median ˜97% by hA3A-eBE-Y130F comparing to ˜95% by hA3A-BE3-Y130F, P=0.003 and median ˜97% by hA3A-eBE-Y132D comparing to ˜95% by hA3A-BE3-Y132D, P=0.003) and lower indel frequencies (median decrement ˜23%, P=2×10−7 for hA3A-eBE-Y130F and median decrement ˜21%, P=4×10−5 for hA3A-eBE-Y132D) than hA3A-BE3-Y130F and hA3A-BE3-Y132D, respectively, though editing efficiencies remained the same (median ˜1 fold for hA3A-eBE-Y130F and hA3A-eBE-Y132D). Together, these results indicated that hA3A-BE3-Y130F, hA3A-BE3-Y132D, hA3A-eBE-Y130F and hA3A-eBE-Y132D can mediate highly efficient base editing in narrowed editing windows compared to the original hA3A-BE3 in all examined contexts.


Here, this example demonstrates that hA3A-BE3 and its engineered forms, can comprehensively induce efficient base editing in all examined contexts, including both methylated DNA regions and GpC dinucleotides. It is contemplated that hA3A can also be conjugated with other Cas proteins to further expand the scope of base editing.


Example 3. Gene Editing of Human DYRK1A with dCas12a-hA3A Base Editors

This example tested base editors that combined a Cas12a (Cpf1) and various mutant human A3A proteins.


Methods

Construction of dCas12a-hA3A-BE Expression Vector


pUC57-hA3A (synthesized by Genscript Biotechnology Co., Ltd.) was used as a template, using suitable primers. PCR was carried out to obtain the coding sequence of hA3A, and a fragment homologous to the linearized vector at both ends was subjected to gel electrophoresis purification. After purification by gel electrophoresis, the fragment was recombined into the linearized dCas12a-BE vector produced by SacI and SmaI by plasmid recombinant kit Clone Express® to obtain expression vector dCas12a-hA3A-BE.


Construction of dCas12a-hA3A-BE-W98Y Expression Vector


Using dCas12a-hA3A-BE as a template, two PCR products with a W98Y mutation and a homology arm, and a homologous segment with a linearized vector. After purification by gel electrophoresis, the two fragments were simultaneously recombined into the linearized dCas12a-hA3A-BE vector generated by ApaI and SmaI using plasmid recombinant kit Clone Express® to obtain expression vector dCas12a-hA3A-BE-W98Y.


Likewise, expression vectors dCas12a-hA3A-BE-W104A, dCas12a-hA3A-BE-P134Y, dCas12a-hA3A-BE-W98Y-W104A, dCas12a-hA3A-BE-W98Y-P134Y, dCas12a-hA3A-BE-W104A-P134Y, dCas12a-hA3A-BE-W98Y-W104A-Y130F, dCas12a-hA3A-BE-W98Y-W104A-Y132D, dCas12a-hA3A-BE-W104A-Y130E-P134Y, and dCas12a-hA3A-BE-W104A-Y132D-P134Y. Relevant sequences are shown in Tables 1 and 2.


Construction of gRNA Expression Plasmid


The nucleotide sequence was annealed to primers and the annealed product was ligated into the gRNA expression vector pLb-Cas12a-pGL3-U6-sgRNA digested with restriction endonuclease BsaI using T4 DNA ligase. gRNA expression plasmid sgDYRK1A targeting human DYRK1A site was obtained.


Eukaryotic Cell Transfection

The sgDYRK1A and each of dCas12a-hA3A-BE, dCas12a-hA3A-BE-W98Y, dCas12a-hA3A-BE-W104A, dCas12a-hA3A-BE-P134Y, dCas12a-hA3A-BE-W98Y-W104A, dCas12a-hA3A-BE-W98Y-P134Y, dCas12a-hA3A-BE-W104A-P134Y, dCas12a-hA3A-BE-W98Y-W104A-Y130F, dCas12a-hA3A-BE-W98Y-W104A-Y132D, dCas12a-hA3A-BE-W104A-Y130E-P134Y, dCas12a-hA3A-BE-W104A-Y132D-P134Y were mixed into 200 μl Opti-MEM at a ratio of 0.68 ug:1 μg, added with 1.68 μl of LIPOFECTAMINE plus, and 5.04 μl of LIPOFECTAMINE LTX was added, and allowed to stand at room temperature for 5 minutes. 500 μl DMEM (+10% FBS) medium was add for 24-well plates and transfected HEK293T cells 160,000. After 12 h, replaced with fresh medium containing 1% double antibody (cyanin). The cells were harvested after 60 hours of incubation.


EditR Analysis of Sanger Sequencing Results

DNA sanger sequencing results were analyzed using EditR software (moriaritylab.shinyapps.io/editr_v10/). EditR is a web version of the sanger sequencing result analysis software developed in 2018 (Kluesner M G, Nedveck D A, Lahr W S, et al. EditR: A Method to Quantify Base Editing from Sanger Sequencing [J]. The CRISPR Journal, 2018, 1 (3): 239-250.). EditR is a simple, accurate and efficient analytical tool for processing the sequencing results of DNA samples based on the sgRNA sequence by using the sanger sequencing signal, and finally outputting the base editing efficiency at the sgRNA target site.


The sequencing results are shown FIGS. 11 and 12. The EditR analysis results are presented in FIGS. 7 and 8. When fused to the conventional cytosine deaminase, A1 (APOBEC1), Cas12a (cpf1) exhibited poor efficiency (see, e.g., FIG. 7B, the first column in each group). The combination with the hA3A wild-type protein greatly increased the editing efficiency (see, e.g., the second column). Interestingly, the A3A mutation W98Y, W104A, P134Y or the combination of each two further increased the editing efficiency (FIG. 7). Also, the editing window such a Cas12a-A3A can be narrowed to achieve more precise editing when the mutation Y130F or Y132D is further included in A3A (FIG. 8).


Example 4. Gene Editing of Human SITE6 with dCas12a-hA3A Base Editors

This example tested various indicated base editors with the human gene SITE6.


The experimental procedure is similar to Example 3. The sequencing results are shown in detail in FIGS. 15 and 16 (two replicates of experimental data). The EditR analysis results are shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. Like in Example 3, the Cas12a-A3A editor had greater editing efficiency than the Cas12a-A1 and the A3A mutation W98Y, W104A, P134Y or the combination of each two further increased the editing efficiency (FIG. 9). Also, the editing window such a Cas12a-A3A can be narrowed to achieve more precise editing when the mutation Y130F or Y132D is further included in A3A (FIG. 10).


Example 5. Gene Editing of Human RUNX1 with dCas12a-hA3A Base Editors

This example tested various indicated base editors with the human gene RUNX1.


The experimental procedure is similar to Example 3. The sequencing results are shown in detail in FIGS. 17 and 18 (two replicates of experimental data). The EditR analysis results are shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. Like in Example 3, the Cas12a-A3A editor had greater editing efficiency than the Cas12a-rA1, and the A3A mutation W98Y, W104A, P134Y or the combination of each two further increased the editing efficiency (FIG. 11). Also, the editing window such a Cas12a-A3A can be narrowed to achieve more precise editing when the mutation Y130F or Y132D is further included in A3A (FIG. 12).


The present disclosure is not to be limited in scope by the specific embodiments described which are intended as single illustrations of individual aspects of the disclosure, and any compositions or methods which are functionally equivalent are within the scope of this disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the methods and compositions of the present disclosure without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. Thus, it is intended that the present disclosure cover the modifications and variations of this disclosure provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.


All publications and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

Claims
  • 1. A method for deaminating a cytosine (C) in a GpC context in a target polynucleotide, comprising contacting the target polynucleotide with a fusion protein and a guide RNA having at least partial sequence complementarity to the target polynucleotide, wherein the fusion protein comprises a first fragment comprising an apolipoprotein B mRNA editing enzyme catalytic subunit 3A (APOBEC3A) and a second fragment comprising a clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-associated (Cas) protein.
  • 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the C is methylated.
  • 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the target polynucleotide is in a cell.
  • 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the contacting is in vivo.
  • 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the APOBEC3A is a mutant of human APOBEC3A having a mutation selected from the group consisting of D131Y, Y132D, W104A, P134Y and combinations thereof, according to residue numbering in SEQ ID NO:1, wherein the amino acid sequence of the fusion protein has at least 85% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:1, and wherein the mutant retains cytidine deaminase activity.
  • 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the mutant human APOBEC3A has mutations selected from the group consisting of Y130F+D131E+Y132D, Y130F+D131Y+Y132D, W98Y+W104A, W98Y+P134Y, W104A+P134Y, W104A+Y130F, W104A+Y132D, W98Y+W104A+Y130F, W98Y+W104A+Y132D, W104A+Y130F+P134Y, and W104A+Y132D+P134Y, according to residue numbering in SEQ ID NO:1.
  • 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the human APOBEC3A is human APOBEC3A isoform a or isoform b.
  • 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the APOBEC3A comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:3-5, 22-23, 25-34.
  • 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the Cas protein is selected from the group consisting of Streptococcus pyogenes CRISPR-associated protein (SpCas9), Francisella novicida Cas9 (FnCas9), Streptococcus thermophilus CRISPR-1 Cas9 (St1Cas9), Streptococcus thermophilus CRISPR-3 Cas9 (St3Cas9), NmCas9, SaCas9, AsCpf1, LbCpf1, FnCpf1, D1135V/R1335Q/T1337R (VQR) SpCas9, D1135E/R1335Q/T1337R (EQR) SpCas9, D1135V/G1218R/R1335E/T1337R (VRER) SpCas9, E1369R/E1449H/R1556A (RHA) FnCas9, E782K/N968K/R1015H (KKH) Staphylococcus aureus Cas9 (SaCas9), Neisseria meningitidis Cas9 (NmeCas9), Streptococcus thermophilus Cas9 (StCas9), Campylobacter jejuni (CjCas9), Acidaminococcus sp. Cpf1 (AsCpf1), Franscisella novicida Cpf1 (FnCpf1), Smithella sp. Cpf1 (SsCpf1), Porphyromonas crevioricanis Cpf1 (PcCpf1), Butyrivibrio proteoclasticus Cpf1 (BpCpf1), Candidatus Methanoplasma termitum (CmtCpf1), Leptospira inadai Cpf1 (LiCpf1), Porphyromonas macacae Cpf1 (PmCpf1), Parcubacteria bacterium 3310 Cpf1 (Pb3310Cpf1), Parcubacteria bacterium 4417 Cpf1 (Pb4417Cpf1), Butyrivibrio sp. NC3005 Cpf1 (BsCpf1), Eubacterium eligens Cpf1 (EeCpf1), Bacillus hisashii Cas12b (BhCas12b), Alicyclobacillus kakegawensis Cas12b (AkCas12b), Elusimicrobia bacterium Cas12b (EbCas12b), Laceyella sediminis Cas12b (LsCas12b), Ruminococcus flavefaciens Cas13d (RfCas13d), Leptotrichia wadei Cas13a (LwaCas13a), Prevotella sp. Cas13b (PspCas13b), Porphyromonas gulae Cas13b (PguCas13b), Porphyromonas gulae Cas13b (RanCas13b), CasX, and CasY.
  • 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the Cas protein is a mutant of protein selected from the group consisting of SpCas9, FnCas9, St1Cas9, St3Cas9, NmCas9, SaCas9, AsCpf1, LbCpf1, FnCpf1, VQR SpCas9, EQR SpCas9, VRER SpCas9, RHA FnCas9, KKH SaCas9, NmeCas9, StCas9, CjCas9, AsCpf1, FnCpf1, SsCpf1, PcCpf1, BpCpf1, CmtCpf1, LiCpf1, PmCpf1, Pb3310Cpf1, Pb4417Cpf1, BsCpf1, EeCpf1, BhCas12b, AkCas12b, EbCas12b, LsCas12b, RfCas13d, LwaCas13a, PspCas13b, PguCas13b, RanCas13b, CasX, and CasY, wherein the mutant retains the DNA-binding capability but does not introduce double strand DNA breaks.
  • 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the mutant Cas protein is capable of introducing a nick to one of the strands of a double stranded DNA bound by the mutant.
  • 12. The method of claim 10, wherein the mutant Cas protein comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:11, and 37-39.
  • 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the first fragment is at the N-terminal side of the second fragment.
  • 14. The method of claim 1, further comprising contacting the target polynucleotide with a uracil glycosylase inhibitor (UGI) not fused to a Cas protein.
Priority Claims (2)
Number Date Country Kind
PCT/CN2018/076991 Feb 2018 WO international
PCT/CN2018/100411 Aug 2018 WO international
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/770,572, filed Jun. 5, 2020, which is a U.S. National Stage Application under 37 U.S.C. 371 of International Application No. PCT/CN2019/075897, filed Feb. 22, 2019, which claim priority to PCT/CN2018/100411, filed Aug. 14, 2018 and PCT/CN2018/076991, filed Feb. 23, 2018, the content of each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. The contents of the electronic sequence listing (49BD-268973-US2 Sequence Listing.xml; Size: 275,675 bytes; and Date of Creation: Nov. 29, 2023) is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Continuations (1)
Number Date Country
Parent 16770572 Jun 2020 US
Child 18525555 US