Contribution
Below are our contributions for this cycle of iGEM. We also provide several reflections and suggestions for future iGEM teams performing cloning experiments:
  • We generated new Type IIS compatible basic parts that are relevant for further investigation of human T1D
  • We designed Type IIS L1 transcription units using T1D related genes and have complete gene maps for these L1 parts.
  • For short sequences like the 1x and 4x uORF, it may be more efficient to synthesize these parts rather than perform PCR or digestion to obtain the fragments.
  • We generated and stored plasmids and bacterial cultures from the Distribution Kit that can be shared upon request
Overview

The first section of the part collection (BBa_J435263, BBa_J433002, BBa_J433006, BBa_J433005, BBa_J433045) is designed for the enhancement of Reg3g. The Reg3g gene has been shown to reduce lymphocytic infiltration in intra-islet and peri-islet regions, indicating reduced autoimmune activity. Considering the critical role of Beta cells in insulin production for T1D patients, we have chosen to overexpress the Reg3-ʏ gene. This overexpression can facilitate leptin secretion, potentially promoting beta cell regeneration. The parts in the second section of the collection (BBa_K4748002, BBa_K4748003) are designed for the overexpressing mutated RNLS (dominant negative). RNLS is a gene expressed in the pancreas that plays a vital role in protecting beta cells from death due to ER stress and inflammation, both implicated in beta cell destruction in T1D. Mutant RNLS NIT-1 cells exhibit resistance to death induced by ER stressors like thapsigargin (TG). By overexpressing mutated RNLS (dominant negative), we can disrupt the cell line and halt the production of normal RNLS. We have removed the catalytic domain in the RNLS amino oxidase variant, rendering the protein non-functional. This modification aims to reduce the activity of autoreactive CD8+ T cells, potentially leading to fewer attacks on insulin-producing beta cells.

uORF_1x
Part Number Description Diagram
BBa_J433012 YFP
BBa_J435263 Sc-tSSA1 terminator
BBa_J433045 5’UTR (1x)
BBa_J433002 EFS
BBa_J433006 uORF_4x
BBa_J433005
BBa_K4748001 Reg3g_cds_human
BBa_K4748002 RNLS wildtype
Part:BBa_K4748028 RNLS CDS ∆ amino oxidase
BBa_J433045 L0 promoter
BBa_J433045 L0 5'UTR
BBa_J433013 L0 Kozak-CDS
BBa_J433045 L0 3'UTR
BBa_J433023 L0 polyA
Composite Parts
BBa_K4748006 EFS+uORF*4+H. sapiens Reg3g (CDS)+YFP+Terminator
BBa_K4748001 EFS+uORF*4+Mus musculus Reg3g (CDS)+YFP+Terminator
BBa_K4748008 EFS+uORF*1+H. sapiens Reg3g (CDS)+YFP+Terminator
BBa_K4748003 EFS+uORF*1+Mus musculus Reg3g (CDS)+YFP+Terminator
BBa_K4748024 EFS+Normal 5’UTR+RNLS WT(CDS)+YFP+Terminator
BBa_K4748025 EFS+Normal 5’UTR+RNLS ∆ amino oxidase+YFP+Terminator