Enhanced cleavage of double-stranded DNA by artificial zinc-finger nuclease sandwiched between two zinc-finger proteins

Biochemistry. 2008 Nov 25;47(47):12257-9. doi: 10.1021/bi801800k.

Abstract

To enhance DNA cleavage by zinc-finger nucleases (ZFNs), we sandwiched a DNA cleavage enzyme with two artificial zinc-finger proteins (AZPs). Because the DNA between the two AZP-binding sites is cleaved, the AZP-sandwiched nuclease is expected to bind preferentially to a DNA substrate rather than to cleavage products and thereby cleave it with multiple turnovers. To demonstrate the concept, we sandwiched a staphylococcal nuclease (SNase), which cleaves DNA as a monomer, between two three-finger AZPs. The AZP-sandwiched SNase cleaved large amounts of dsDNA site-specifically. Such multiple-turnover cleavage was not observed with nucleases that possess a single AZP. Thus, AZP-sandwiched nucleases will further refine ZFN technology.

MeSH terms

  • Base Sequence
  • Binding Sites
  • Biomimetic Materials / chemistry*
  • Biomimetic Materials / metabolism*
  • DNA / genetics
  • DNA / metabolism*
  • Deoxyribonucleases / chemistry*
  • Deoxyribonucleases / metabolism*
  • Protein Binding
  • Staphylococcus / enzymology*
  • Zinc Fingers*

Substances

  • DNA
  • Deoxyribonucleases