Molecular Switch Engineering for Precise Genome Editing

Bioconjug Chem. 2021 Apr 21;32(4):639-648. doi: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.1c00088. Epub 2021 Apr 7.

Abstract

Genome editing technology commenced in 1996 with the discovery of the first zinc-finger nuclease. Application of Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeat (CRISPR) associated protein 9 (Cas9) technology to genome editing of mammalian cells allowed researchers to use genome editing more easily and cost-effectively. However, one of the technological problems that remains to be solved is "off-target effects", which are unexpected mutations in nontarget DNA. One significant improvement in genome editing technology has been achieved with molecular/protein engineering. The key to this engineering is a "switch" to control function. In this review, we discuss recent efforts to design novel "switching" systems for precise editing using genome editing tools.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • CRISPR-Cas Systems
  • DNA / genetics
  • Gene Editing*
  • Genetic Engineering*
  • Nucleic Acid Hybridization
  • Proteolysis
  • RNA / genetics

Substances

  • RNA
  • DNA