Abstract:
The present invention relates to genetically modified enzymes obtained by rational design of the active site binding pocket of the prototypic enzyme 4-hydroxyphenylacetate 3-hydroxylase (4HPA3H) for hydroxylating a 4-hydroxyphenyl compound to yield a 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl compound and to biotechnological methods including in vivo and in vitro methods using said enzymes or catalytically active fragments thereof. Further provided is a method either using a suitable oxidase or hydroxylase further enabling the subsequent site specific methylation of the 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl compound in a coupled enzymatic reaction by providing a suitable O-methyltransferase. Finally, compositions obtainable by the aforementioned methods are disclosed.
Abstract:
Methods for making alkaloid compounds, including ephedrine and derivatives thereof. The methods involve the performance of an N-methyltransferase catalyzed chemical reaction.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a method of determining whether cytosine residues present at a predetermined positions within a singl strand of a double stranded DNA of known sequence are methylated as well as compounds for carrying out this method. The present invention also provides a process of producing a derivative of a double-stranded DNA comprising contacting the double-stranded DNA with a CpG methyltransferase and an S-adenosylmethionine analog.
Abstract:
The invention provides novel personalized therapies, kits, transmittable forms of information and methods for use in treating patients having cancer, wherein the cancer is MTAP -deficient and/or MTA-accumulating and thus amenable to therapeutic treatment with a PRMT5 inhibitor. Kits, methods of screening for candidate PRMT5 inhibitors, and associated methods of treatment are also provided.
Abstract:
Methods and constructs for RNA-guided targeting of heterologous functional domains such as transcriptional activators to specific genomic loci. This invention relates to methods and constructs for RNA-guided targeting of genetic and epigenomic regulatory proteins, e.g., transcriptional activators, histone modification enzymes, DNA methylation modifiers, to specific genomic loci. At least in part, the present invention is based on the development of a fusion protein including a heterologous functional domain (e.g., a transcriptional activation domain) fused to a Cas9 nuclease that has had its nuclease activity inactivated by mutations (also known as "dCas9").
Abstract:
The invention provides compositions and methods for clostridial bacteria that have been engineered to produce and/or to improve efficiency of production of industrial bioproducts.
Abstract:
Methods for increasing specificity of RNA-guided genome editing, e.g., editing using CRISPR/Cas9 systems, using truncated guide RNAs (tru-gRNAs).