Genome-Scale CRISPR Knockout Screening Identifies BACH1 as a Key Regulator of Aflatoxin B<sub>1</sub>-Induced Oxidative Damage
Jinfu Zhang,
Siyi Hu,
Changzhi Zhao,
Yuan Zhou,
Lu Zhang,
Hailong Liu,
Peng Zhou,
Sheng Li,
Liangliang Fu,
Zhuqing Zheng,
Yue Xiang,
Xuewen Xu,
Jinxue Ruan,
Xinyun Li,
Lvhui Sun,
Gang Cao,
Shuhong Zhao,
Xu Wang,
Shengsong Xie
Affiliations
Jinfu Zhang
Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education & Key Lab of Swine Genetics and Breeding of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
Siyi Hu
National Reference Laboratory of Veterinary Drug Residues (HZAU) and MAO Key Laboratory for Detection of Veterinary Drug Residues, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
Changzhi Zhao
Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education & Key Lab of Swine Genetics and Breeding of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
Yuan Zhou
Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education & Key Lab of Swine Genetics and Breeding of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
Lu Zhang
Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education & Key Lab of Swine Genetics and Breeding of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
Hailong Liu
Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education & Key Lab of Swine Genetics and Breeding of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
Peng Zhou
Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education & Key Lab of Swine Genetics and Breeding of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
Sheng Li
Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education & Key Lab of Swine Genetics and Breeding of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
Liangliang Fu
Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education & Key Lab of Swine Genetics and Breeding of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
Zhuqing Zheng
Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education & Key Lab of Swine Genetics and Breeding of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
Yue Xiang
Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education & Key Lab of Swine Genetics and Breeding of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
Xuewen Xu
Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education & Key Lab of Swine Genetics and Breeding of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
Jinxue Ruan
Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education & Key Lab of Swine Genetics and Breeding of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
Xinyun Li
Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education & Key Lab of Swine Genetics and Breeding of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
Lvhui Sun
Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
Gang Cao
Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
Shuhong Zhao
Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education & Key Lab of Swine Genetics and Breeding of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
Xu Wang
National Reference Laboratory of Veterinary Drug Residues (HZAU) and MAO Key Laboratory for Detection of Veterinary Drug Residues, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
Shengsong Xie
Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education & Key Lab of Swine Genetics and Breeding of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is amongst the mycotoxins commonly affecting human and animal health, raising global food safety and control concerns. The mechanisms underlying AFB1 toxicity are poorly understood. Moreover, antidotes against AFB1 are lacking. Genome-wide CRISPR/Cas9 knockout screening in porcine kidney cells identified the transcription factor BTB and CNC homolog 1 (BACH1) as a gene required for AFB1 toxicity. The inhibition of BACH1 expression in porcine kidney cells and human hepatoma cells resulted in increased resistance to AFB1. BACH1 depletion attenuates AFB1-induced oxidative damage via the upregulation of antioxidant genes. Subsequently, virtual structural screening identified the small molecule 1-Piperazineethanol, α-[(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yloxy)methyl] -4-(2-methoxyphenyl) (M2) as an inhibitor of BACH1. M2 and its analogues inhibited AFB1-induced porcine and human cell death in vitro, while M2 administration significantly improved AFB1-induced symptoms of weight loss and liver injury in vivo. These findings demonstrate that BACH1 plays a central role in AFB1-induced oxidative damage by regulating antioxidant gene expression. We also present a potent candidate small-molecule inhibitor in developing novel treatments for AFB1 toxicity.