APL Bioeng: using CRISPR to open DNA to eliminate disease

February 18, 2020 / BIOON / -- a protein editing cofactor is clearing the way for cutting and pasting DNA editors (such as CRISPR) to access previously inaccessible genes of interest Opening these regions of the genetic code is essential to improve CRISPR's efficiency and move towards future gene based disease treatment The DNA binding editing aids were designed by an American who described their design in APL bioengineering Photo source: https://cn.bing.com Karmella Haynes, a leading author from Arizona State University and Emory University, said: "the innovation of this paper is that another protein that is transferred with simultaneous interpreting of CRISPR DNA editor is used to remove chromatin packaging, so CRISPR can get DNA more easily "DNA usually does not exist in cells in the form of freely obtained double helix structures It's surrounded by a protective substance called chromatin, which controls which genes the cell activates or silences at any time Unfortunately, the packaging prevents scientists who are trying to contact DNA from correcting the pathogenic mutation In CRISPR's discussion, Haynes described chromatin blocking as "the elephant in the room," but it wasn't until 2016 that Haynes's team conducted some clever experiments to capture this effect that it directly proved this Her team is trying to solve this problem by studying different methods of chromatin destruction They use a sophisticated artificial system that turns on or off the chromatin packaging of a gene, the luciferase gene, which encodes an easily detected luminescent protein In detecting the chromatin filling state, the team found several editing assistants, called DNA binding transient expression activation associated proteins (AAPS), which destroyed chromatin and enabled CRISPR to successfully edit luciferase genes "Our idea is that if CRISPR needs to be bound to a gene to work, but it can't be bound to a mutated gene for editing, then you can send in our proteins that can turn on chromatin, rearrange chromatin, and make it easier for genes to CRISPR edit genes," Haynes explained, hoping that others will use their system to improve CRISPR efficiency She points out that AAPS can be adjusted for different genes by changing the DNA binding region "It is interesting to find out whether one AAP is more effective than others in destroying the chromatin of some genes Or whether binding proteins together would further enhance CRISPR's editing power, "Haynes said "I envision a set of CRISPR cofactors that can be used to enhance CRISPR activities "Reference: karmella A Haynes Site directed targeting of scriptual activation associated proteins to expressed chromium restores CRISPR activity APL bioengineering, 2020; 4 (1): 016102 doi: 10.1063/1.5127302