Jan 17, 2024

Public workspaceCleavage Under Targets and Release Using Nuclease (CUT&RUN) V.2

CheckPeer-reviewed method
  • Geneva Miller1,
  • Lindsey M. Rollosson1,
  • Carrie Saada1,
  • Serenity J. Wade1,
  • Danae Schulz1
  • 1Harvey Mudd College, Claremont, CA
Open access
Protocol CitationGeneva Miller, Lindsey M. Rollosson, Carrie Saada, Serenity J. Wade, Danae Schulz 2024. Cleavage Under Targets and Release Using Nuclease (CUT&RUN). protocols.io https://dx.doi.org/10.17504/protocols.io.x54v9p8ppg3e/v2Version created by Danae Schulz
Manuscript citation:
Miller G, Rollosson LM, Saada C, Wade SJ, Schulz D (2023) Adaptation of CUT&RUN for use in African trypanosomes. PLOS ONE 18(11): e0292784. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0292784
License: This is an open access protocol distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License,  which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited
Protocol status: Working
We use this protocol and it's working
Created: January 09, 2024
Last Modified: January 17, 2024
Protocol Integer ID: 93219
Keywords: Trypanosoma brucei, CUT&RUN, genomic occupancy, mapping genomic protein binding sites
Abstract
This Cleavage Under Targets and Release Using Nuclease (CUT&RUN) protocol produces genomic occupancy data for a protein of interest in the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma brucei. The data produced is analyzed in a similar way as that produced by ChIP-seq. While we describe the protocol for parasites carrying an epitope tag for the protein of interest, antibodies against the native protein could be used for the same purpose.

The last step contains a supplemental video with extra context and tips, as part of the protocols.io Spotlight series, featuring conversations with protocol authors.
Attachments
Guidelines
Guidelines

Pay extra attention to time-sensitive incubation periods, particularly the DNA cleavage step. We find that working through the protocol rather speedily produces the best results, so don’t dawdle.

Additional Notes

We keep our centrifuges at Temperature10 °C to make sure the samples don’t freeze if the temperature drifts slightly. All spin steps of the protocol can be performed anywhere between Temperature4 °C and Temperature10 °C .

While we have not rigorously tested whether increasing the exposure time to saponin influences permeabilization, we recommend that the saponin permeabilization step be completed in smaller batches of samples if large numbers of samples (>10) are being processed simultaneously.

Materials
Materials

  1. ReagentSpermidine trihydrochlorideMerck MilliporeSigma (Sigma-Aldrich)Catalog #S2501
  2. ReagentSaponinMerck Millipore (EMD Millipore)Catalog #558255
  3. ReagentSodium ChlorideMerck MilliporeSigma (Sigma-Aldrich)Catalog #S9888
  4. ReagentCalcium chlorideMerck MilliporeSigma (Sigma-Aldrich)Catalog #C4901
  5. ReagentTris Hydrochloride (Tris-HCl)Merck MilliporeSigma (Sigma-Aldrich)Catalog #RES3098T-B7
  6. ReagentcOmplete™ EDTA-free Protease Inhibitor CocktailMerck MilliporeSigma (Sigma-Aldrich)Catalog #11873580001
  7. ReagentUltrapPure 0.5M EDTA pH 8.0Invitrogen - Thermo FisherCatalog #15575020
  8. ReagentBioworld EGTA Buffer 0.5M pH 8.0 100mlFisher ScientificCatalog #50-255-957
  9. Reagentmouse anti-rabbit IgG-PESanta Cruz BiotechnologyCatalog #sc-3753
  10. ReagentAnti-HA antibody produced in rabbitMerck MilliporeSigma (Sigma-Aldrich)Catalog #H6908 , primary antibody will vary depending on your system
  11. Rabbit anti-H3 (gift)
  12. ReagentSodium dodecyl sulfate solutionMerck MilliporeSigma (Sigma-Aldrich)Catalog #428018
  13. ReagentProteinase KThermo Fisher ScientificCatalog #EO0491
  14. ReagentMonarch RNase A – 1 ml (2x0.5ml)New England BiolabsCatalog #T3018L
  15. Reagent Ampure XP beads Beckman CoulterCatalog #A63881
  16. ReagentCUT&RUN pAG-MNase and Spike-In DNACell Signaling TechnologyCatalog #40366

Equipment

  1. Microcentrifuge (Eppendorf 5424R)
  2. Swinging bucket centrifuge (Eppendorf 5920R)
  3. 1.7ml Olympus microtubes (Genesee 22-281)
  4. Olympus 50ml Centrifuge Tubes (Genesee 21-108)
  5. Roto-Mini Plus Variable Speed Rotator with tube holders, 115V (ThermoFisher Scientific, 1159P34)
  6. Novocyte Flow Cytometer 2000
Buffers
NP-S Buffer with 0.1% Saponin
AB
Individual Components
spermidine0.5 mM
Saponin0.1% (vol/vol)
NaCl50 mM
Tris-Cl (pH 7.5)10 mM
Store at 4ºC
Add protease inhibitors just before use.

NP-S Buffer no detergent
AB
Individual Components
spermidine0.5 mM
NaCl50 mM
Tris-Cl (pH 7.5)10 mM
Store at 4ºC
Add protease inhibitors just before use.
Antibody Buffer
NP-S Buffer with 2mM EDTA

2X Stop Buffer
AB
EDTA20mM
EGTA40mM
Add 50 pg of yeast spike-in DNA to each reaction, or 50 pg/100 µl of 2X Stop Buffer.














Before start
Before Start

We use 50-75 million bloodstream parasites per sample. Parasites are cultured in HMI9 media with incubation at Temperature37 °C and 5% CO2. Cultures should be prepared in advance so that sufficient numbers of parasites are available for each sample.

The protocol works best when everything is kept cold prior to cutting with the protein A-MNase fusion protein. We recommend keeping buffers chilled on ice and pre-cooling centrifuges to Temperature4-10 °C . Protease inhibitors should be added to the NP-S buffer just before commencing the experiment. The amount of 2X Stop Buffer required for the experiment should be calculated and yeast spike-in DNA should be added prior to starting (see 2X Stop Buffer recipe below).

Prepare cells
Prepare cells
Count parasite cultures with hemocytometer or other preferred counting method.
Spin down cells in centrifuge at Centrifigation2800 x g, 00:10:00 .
Note
This spin step can be performed at TemperatureRoom temperature or at Temperature10 °C .

10m
Centrifigation
Remove supernatant and resuspend in small amount of remaining media (~Amount100 µL ).
If needed, combine samples from multiple Eppendorf tubes so that each final tube has 75 million cells, and spin again at Centrifigation2800 x g, 10°C, 00:04:00 in microcentrifuge. Remove supernatant.

4m
Centrifigation
Permeabilize cells
Permeabilize cells
Wash all samples with Amount1 mL NP-S Buffer with 0.1% Saponin.

Wash
Spin at Centrifigation4600 x g, 10°C, 00:04:00 . Remove sup.
4m
Centrifigation
Primary Antibody Binding
Primary Antibody Binding
Resuspend each sample in Amount100 µL NP-S Buffer with 0.1% Saponin.

Add EDTA to Concentration2 millimolar (mM) final (Amount4 µL of Concentration0.05 Molarity (M) EDTA/ tube).
Pipetting
Add Amount5 µg α-HA antibody (or other antibody against protein of interest for experimental sample) OR add Amount5 µg α-H3 antibody (for control sample, might require titration) OR add Amount5 µg α-IgG antibody (for control sample).
Pipetting
Incubate for Duration00:45:00 on tube rotator at TemperatureRoom temperature .

45m
Incubation
Add Amount1 mL NP-S Buffer no detergent to each sample.
Pipetting
Spin at Centrifigation4600 x g, 10°C, 00:04:00 . Remove supernatant.

4m
Centrifigation
Add Amount1 mL NP-S Buffer no detergent to each sample.

Pipetting
Take out aliquot of 1 million cells for flow cytometry analysis (~Amount14 µL if starting with 75 million cells). Set aside TemperatureOn ice .
Spin the remainder of the sample at Centrifigation4600 x g, 10°C, 00:04:00 . Remove supernatant. (total 2 washes).
4m
Centrifigation
pAG-MNase binding
pAG-MNase binding
Resuspend each sample in Amount100 µL of buffer NP-S Buffer no detergent.

Add Amount1.5 µL of pAG-MNase enzyme to each sample.
Pipetting
Incubate for Duration00:45:00 at TemperatureRoom temperature on rotator.

45m
Incubation
FACS Sample preparation
FACS Sample preparation
Add Amount1 mL NP-S Buffer no detergent to 1 million cell aliquot prepared above.
Note
We also routinely use HMI-9 media for the flow cytometry antibody incubation and washes.

Pipetting
Spin at Centrifigation4600 x g, 00:04:00 .

4m
Centrifigation
Resuspend in Amount100 µL NP-S Buffer no detergent.
Stain with α-rabbit IgG PE at 1:200 for Duration00:15:00 at TemperatureRoom temperature .
15m
Wash.
Centrifigation
Wash
Wash in Amount1 mL NP-S Buffer no detergent (or HMI-9) at Centrifigation7000 rpm, 00:04:00 . (1/2)

4m
Wash in Amount1 mL NP-S Buffer no detergent (or HMI-9) at Centrifigation7000 rpm, 00:04:00 .(2/2)

4m
Resuspend in Amount300 µL NP-S Buffer no detergent (or HMI-9).
Transfer sample into flow cytometry tube.
Analyze on flow cytometer.
pAG-MNAse wash
pAG-MNAse wash

Note
continued after 45m incubation above.
Add Amount1 mL NP-S Buffer no detergent to each sample.
Pipetting
Spin at Centrifigation4600 x g, 10°C, 00:04:00 . Remove supernatant.

4m
Centrifigation
Add Amount1 mL NP-S Buffer no detergent to each sample.
Pipetting
Spin at Centrifigation4600 x g, 10°C, 00:04:00 . Remove supernatant.
4m
Centrifigation
Targeted Digestion Preparation
Targeted Digestion Preparation
Make sure to prepare enough 2X Stopbuffer with spike in control.
Note
This is the section where timing is very important.

Targeted Digestion
Targeted Digestion
Resuspend each sample in Amount100 µL buffer NP-S Buffer no detergent.

Incubate at TemperatureRoom temperature for Duration00:05:00 .
5m
Incubation
Add Amount2 µL Concentration100 millimolar (mM) CaCl2 to all samples (final concentration = 2mM), mix by flicking.
Pipetting
Incubate all samples at Temperature25 °C for Duration00:05:00 .
Note
We recommend using a heat block as ambient temperature in the lab can vary.


5m
Incubation
Add Amount100 µL 2X Stop buffer to each sample and mix by flicking.
Pipetting
Chromatin Release
Chromatin Release
Incubate Duration00:10:00 at Temperature37 °C to release CUT&RUN fragments from the insoluble nuclear chromatin.
10m
Incubation
Spin at Centrifigation4600 x g, 10°C, 00:04:00 . Remove supernatant into new tube. SAVE SUPERNATANT.

4m
Centrifigation
DNA Extraction
DNA Extraction
10m
To all samples add Amount2 µL of 10% SDS (final concentration = 0.1%), Amount3.3 µL of Amount10 undetermined proteinase K (165µg/ml), and Amount1.33 µL of Amount1 undetermined RNAse A (6.5µg/ml).
Pipetting
Mix by gentle flicking and incubate for Duration00:10:00 at Temperature70 °C .

10m
Incubation
Mix
Purify using Ampure XP beads at 1.8X or phenol chloroform extraction.
Note
Following DNA purification, high-throughput sequencing libraries can be prepared using the preferred method of the research lab.

Spotlight video
Spotlight video
Protocol references
Citations

Ashby E, Paddock L, Betts HL, Liao J, Miller G, Porter A, Rollosson LM, Saada C, Tang E, Wade SJ, Hardin J, Schulz D. 2022. Genomic occupancy of the bromodomain protein Bdf3 is dynamic during differentiation of African trypanosomes from bloodstream to procyclic forms. mSphere 7:e00023-22.

Skene PJ, Henikoff S. 2017. An efficient targeted nuclease strategy for high-resolution mapping of DNA binding sites. eLife 6:e21856.