The American Journal of Human Genetics,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
111(6), P. 1165 - 1183
Published: May 14, 2024
The
pathological
huntingtin
(HTT)
trinucleotide
repeat
underlying
Huntington
disease
(HD)
continues
to
expand
throughout
life.
Repeat
length
correlates
both
with
earlier
age
at
onset
(AaO)
and
faster
progression,
making
slowing
its
expansion
an
attractive
therapeutic
approach.
Genome-wide
association
studies
have
identified
candidate
variants
associated
altered
AaO
many
found
in
DNA
mismatch
repair
(MMR)-associated
genes.
We
examine
whether
lowering
expression
of
these
genes
affects
the
rate
human
ex
vivo
models
using
HD
iPSCs
iPSC-derived
striatal
medium
spiny
neuron-enriched
cultures.
generated
a
stable
CRISPR
interference
iPSC
line
which
we
can
specifically
efficiently
lower
gene
from
donor
carrying
over
125
CAG
repeats.
Lowering
each
member
MMR
complexes
MutS
(MSH2,
MSH3,
MSH6),
MutL
(MLH1,
PMS1,
PMS2,
MLH3),
LIG1
resulted
characteristic
deficiencies.
Reduced
MSH2,
MLH1
slowed
largest
degree,
while
either
or
MLH3
it
lesser
degree.
These
effects
were
recapitulated
cultures
where
factor
was
lowered.
CRISPRi-mediated
key
levels
feasibly
achievable
by
current
approaches
able
effectively
slow
HTT
tract.
highlight
members
family
as
potential
targets
pathogenic
aim
delay
progression
potentially
other
disorders
exhibiting
somatic
instability.
Cell,
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
185(14), P. 2559 - 2575.e28
Published: June 9, 2022
A
central
goal
of
genetics
is
to
define
the
relationships
between
genotypes
and
phenotypes.
High-content
phenotypic
screens
such
as
Perturb-seq
(CRISPR-based
with
single-cell
RNA-sequencing
readouts)
enable
massively
parallel
functional
genomic
mapping
but,
date,
have
been
used
at
limited
scales.
Here,
we
perform
genome-scale
targeting
all
expressed
genes
CRISPR
interference
(CRISPRi)
across
>2.5
million
human
cells.
We
use
transcriptional
phenotypes
predict
function
poorly
characterized
genes,
uncovering
new
regulators
ribosome
biogenesis
(including
CCDC86,
ZNF236,
SPATA5L1),
transcription
(C7orf26),
mitochondrial
respiration
(TMEM242).
In
addition
assigning
gene
function,
allow
for
in-depth
dissection
complex
cellular
phenomena—from
RNA
processing
differentiation.
leverage
this
ability
systematically
identify
genetic
drivers
consequences
aneuploidy
discover
an
unanticipated
layer
stress-specific
regulation
genome.
Our
information-rich
genotype-phenotype
map
reveals
a
multidimensional
portrait
function.
Nature Communications,
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
13(1)
Published: Sept. 6, 2022
Abstract
The
proximal
tubule
is
a
key
regulator
of
kidney
function
and
glucose
metabolism.
Diabetic
disease
leads
to
injury
changes
in
chromatin
accessibility
that
modify
the
activity
transcription
factors
involved
metabolism
inflammation.
Here
we
use
single
nucleus
RNA
ATAC
sequencing
show
diabetic
reduced
glucocorticoid
receptor
binding
sites
an
injury-associated
expression
signature
tubule.
We
hypothesize
regulated
by
genetic
background
closely-intertwined
with
metabolic
memory,
which
pre-programs
respond
differently
external
stimuli.
Glucocorticoid
excess
has
long
been
known
increase
risk
for
type
2
diabetes,
raises
possibility
inhibition
may
mitigate
adverse
effects
disease.
Physiological Reviews,
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
102(3), P. 1263 - 1325
Published: Jan. 24, 2022
Optogenetics
combines
light
and
genetics
to
enable
precise
control
of
living
cells,
tissues,
organisms
with
tailored
functions.
has
the
advantages
noninvasiveness,
rapid
responsiveness,
tunable
reversibility,
superior
spatiotemporal
resolution.
Following
initial
discovery
microbial
opsins
as
light-actuated
ion
channels,
a
plethora
naturally
occurring
or
engineered
photoreceptors
photosensitive
domains
that
respond
at
varying
wavelengths
ushered
in
next
chapter
optogenetics.
Through
protein
engineering
synthetic
biology
approaches,
genetically
encoded
photoswitches
can
be
modularly
into
scaffolds
host
cells
myriad
biological
processes,
well
behavioral
disease
intervention
vivo.
Here,
we
summarize
these
optogenetic
tools
on
basis
their
fundamental
photochemical
properties
better
inform
chemical
design
principles.
We
also
highlight
exemplary
applications
opsin-free
optogenetics
dissecting
cellular
physiology
(designated
"optophysiology")
describe
current
progress,
future
trends,
wireless
optogenetics,
which
enables
remote
interrogation
physiological
processes
minimal
invasiveness.
This
review
is
anticipated
spark
novel
thoughts
next-generation
devices
promise
accelerate
both
basic
translational
studies.
Molecular Therapy,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
31(7), P. 1920 - 1937
Published: March 24, 2023
The
CRISPR-Cas
system
is
commonly
known
for
its
ability
to
cleave
DNA
in
a
programmable
manner,
which
has
democratized
gene
editing
and
facilitated
recent
breakthroughs
therapy.
However,
newer
iterations
of
the
technology
using
nuclease-disabled
Cas
enzymes
have
spurred
variety
different
types
genetic
engineering
platforms
such
as
transcriptional
modulation
CRISPR
activation
(CRISPRa)
interference
(CRISPRi)
systems.
This
review
introduces
creation
these
modulators,
various
methods
delivery
utilized
systems,
technological
developments.
CRISPRa
CRISPRi
also
been
implemented
screens
interrogating
function
discovering
genes
involved
biological
pathways.
We
describe
compelling
examples
how
tools
become
powerful
means
unravel
networks
uncovering
important
information
about
devastating
diseases.
Finally,
we
provide
an
overview
preclinical
studies
used
therapeutically,
discuss
potential
future
directions
novel
modalities.
Nature Biotechnology,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
41(8), P. 1117 - 1129
Published: Jan. 26, 2023
Cys2His2
zinc
finger
(ZF)
domains
engineered
to
bind
specific
target
sequences
in
the
genome
provide
an
effective
strategy
for
programmable
regulation
of
gene
expression,
with
many
potential
therapeutic
applications.
However,
structurally
intricate
engagement
ZF
DNA
has
made
their
design
challenging.
Here
we
describe
screening
49
billion
protein-DNA
interactions
and
development
a
deep-learning
model,
ZFDesign,
that
solves
any
genomic
target.
ZFDesign
is
modern
machine
learning
method
models
global
target-specific
differences
induced
by
range
library
environments
specifically
takes
into
account
compatibility
neighboring
fingers
using
novel
hierarchical
transformer
architecture.
We
demonstrate
versatility
designed
ZFs
as
nucleases
well
activators
repressors
seamless
reprogramming
human
transcription
factors.
These
factors
could
be
used
upregulate
allele
haploinsufficiency,
downregulate
gain-of-function
mutation
or
test
consequence
single
opposed
genes
factor
would
normally
influence.