We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us
PURITAN MEDICAL

Download Mobile App




Artificial Editing Technique Modifies Gene Activity

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 16 May 2017
Print article
Image: Neurons from Angelman syndrome (AS) patients lack expression of the UBE3A protein due to an epigenetic defect. The photomicrograph shows that a new method restored normal expression of the UBE3A protein in neurons derived from the cells of an AS patient by correcting the aberrant methylation pattern (Photo courtesy of the Salk Institute for Biological Studies).
Image: Neurons from Angelman syndrome (AS) patients lack expression of the UBE3A protein due to an epigenetic defect. The photomicrograph shows that a new method restored normal expression of the UBE3A protein in neurons derived from the cells of an AS patient by correcting the aberrant methylation pattern (Photo courtesy of the Salk Institute for Biological Studies).
A team of molecular biologists has developed an artificial epigenetic editing technique that adds methyl groups to DNA and modifies specific gene activity in a hereditary manner.

Certain regions of the genome known as CpG islands or CGIs are segments of DNA where cytosine nucleotides are followed by guanine nucleotides in the linear sequence of bases along the 5' to 3' direction. These are primarily promoter-associated genomic regions and are mostly unmethylated within otherwise highly methylated mammalian genomes. The mechanisms by which CGIs are protected from de novo methylation have not been clarified.

Investigators at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies recently developed a new technique that allowed them to methylate CGIs in stem cells derived from normal or cancerous starting material or from patients suffering from Angelman syndrome (AS), a rare neurodegenerative disorder characterized by aberrant DNA methylation, which causes a loss of the ubiquitin-protein ligase E3A (UBE3A) enzyme in neurons.

They reported in the May 5, 2017, issue of the journal Science that by inserting a segment of CpG-free DNA into targeted CGIs, they were able to induce de novo methylation of the entire CGI in human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs). The methylation status was stably maintained even after the CpG-free DNA was removed, and remained despite the cells being passaged extensively and differentiated.

By targeting the DNA mismatch repair gene MLH1 (mutL homolog 1), the investigators generated a PSC model of a cancer-related epigenetic mutation. In addition, they corrected the DNA methylation in induced PSCs derived from an Angelman syndrome patient and restored UBE3A protein levels in AS neuronal cells grown in culture.

"We are excited at how many new avenues this work opens up for understanding disease processes and developing effective new therapies," said senior author Dr. Juan Carlos Izpisua Belmonte, a professor in the gene expression laboratories at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies. "It was a giant step to discover how to edit the genome--this technology to edit the epigenome is another leap forward."

Platinum Member
COVID-19 Rapid Test
OSOM COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test
One Step HbA1c Measuring System
GREENCARE A1c
Complement 3 (C3) Test
GPP-100 C3 Kit
Gold Member
Real-time PCR System
GentierX3 Series

Print article

Channels

Clinical Chemistry

view channel
Image: Reaching speeds up to 6,000 RPM, this centrifuge forms the basis for a new type of inexpensive, POC biomedical test (Photo courtesy of Duke University)

POC Biomedical Test Spins Water Droplet Using Sound Waves for Cancer Detection

Exosomes, tiny cellular bioparticles carrying a specific set of proteins, lipids, and genetic materials, play a crucial role in cell communication and hold promise for non-invasive diagnostics.... Read more

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: The study showed the blood-based cancer screening test detects 83% of people with colorectal cancer with specificity of 90% (Photo courtesy of Guardant Health)

Blood Test Shows 83% Accuracy for Detecting Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer is the second biggest cause of cancer deaths among adults in the U.S., with forecasts suggesting 53,010 people might die from it in 2024. While fewer older adults are dying from this... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: The Gazelle Hb Variant Test (Photo courtesy of Hemex Health)

First Affordable and Rapid Test for Beta Thalassemia Demonstrates 99% Diagnostic Accuracy

Hemoglobin disorders rank as some of the most prevalent monogenic diseases globally. Among various hemoglobin disorders, beta thalassemia, a hereditary blood disorder, affects about 1.5% of the world's... Read more

Microbiology

view channel
Image: The new platform is designed to perform blood-based diagnoses of nontuberculosis mycobacteria (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

New Blood Test Cuts Diagnosis Time for Nontuberculous Mycobacteria Infections from Months to Hours

Breathing in nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) is a common experience for many people. These bacteria are present in water systems, soil, and dust all over the world and usually don't cause any problems.... Read more

Industry

view channel
Image: These new assays are being developed for use on the recently introduced DxI 9000 Immunoassay Analyzer (Photo courtesy of Beckman Coulter)

Beckman Coulter and Fujirebio Expand Partnership on Neurodegenerative Disease Diagnostics

Beckman Coulter Diagnostics (Brea, CA, USA) and Fujirebio Diagnostics (Tokyo, Japan) have expanded their partnership focused on the development, manufacturing and clinical adoption of neurodegenerative... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.