Abstract:
SpRYc is a grafted ScCas9++-SpRY chimeric Cas9 possessing minimal 5′-NNN-3′ PAM specificity. SpRYc comprises the N-terminus (residues 1-1119) of ScCas9++ (Sc++), including the flexible loop, followed by the region of SpRY (residues 1111-1368) spanning its PAM-interacting domain mutations. Methods of altering gene expression include use of SpRYc in complex with guide RNA in a CRISPR-Cas9 system.
Abstract:
Fabrication and arrangement of nanoparticles into one-dimensional linear chains is achieved by successive chemical reactions, each reaction adding one or more nanoparticles by building onto exposed, unprotected linker functionalities. Optionally, protecting groups may be used to control and organize growth. Nanoparticle spheres are functionalized in a controlled manner in order to enable covalent linkages. Functionalization of nanoparticles is accomplished by either ligand exchange or chemical modification of the terminal functional groups of the capping ligand. Nanoparticle chains are obtained by a variety of connectivity modes such as direct coupling, use of linker molecules, and use of linear polymeric templates. In particular, a versatile building block system is obtained through controlled monofunctionalization of nanoparticles.
Abstract:
The invention provides compositions and methods for repeatable directed endonucleases (RDEs) and methods for repeatedly, and specifically cleaving DNA offset from the RDE's DNA recognition sequence on the target nucleic acid rather than within the DNA recognition sequence. Conservation of the recognition sequence of the target nucleic acid enables for re-localization of an RDE back to the DNA recognition sequence for further cleavage. The RDEs and methods of the invention are useful in applications including, but not limited to, recording data into a genome, timing the order of biochemical pathway events, efficient genome engineering and encoding lagged cellular death.
Abstract:
A Streptococcus canis Cas9 (ScCas9) ortholog and its engineered variants, possessing novel PAM specificity, is an addition to the family of CRISPR-Cas9 systems. ScCas9 endonuclease is used in complex with guide RNA, consisting of identical non-target-specific sequence to that of the guide RNA SpCas9, for specific recognition and activity on a DNA target immediately upstream of either an “NNGT” or “NNNGT” PAM sequence. A novel DNA-interacting loop domain within ScCas9, and other Cas9 orthologs, such as those from Streptococcus gordonii and Streptococcus angionosis facilitates a divergent PAM sequence from the “NGG” PAM of SpCas9.
Abstract:
Engineered Streptococcus canis Cas9 (ScCas9) variants include an ScCas9 protein with its PID being the PID amino acid composition of Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9 (SpCas9-NG, an ScCas9 protein having a threonine-to-lysine substitution mutation at position 1227 in its amino acid sequence (Sc+), and an ScCas9 protein having a threonine-to-lysine substitution mutation at position 1227 and a substitution of residues ADKKLRKRSGKLATE [SEQ ID No. 4] in position 365-379 in the ScCas9 open reading frame (Sc++). Also included are CRISPR-associated DNA endonucleases with a PAM specificity of 5′-NG-3′ or 5′-NNG-3′ and a method of altering expression of a gene product by utilizing the engineered ScCas9 variants.
Abstract:
Peptide-E3 ubiquitin ligase fusions representing minimal protein to proteasome linkers are specifically targeted to degrade endogenous FOXP3 proteins in regulatory T cells. An engineered peptide for functional inactivation of a target regulatory T cell includes a fusion protein comprising a targeting domain and a ubiquitin ligase recruiting domain, wherein the targeting domain is engineered to bind FOXP3 of the target regulatory T cell for mediated degradation by the ubiquitin-proteosome pathway. The targeting domain may comprise a peptide having amino acid [SEQ ID No. 3], [SEQ ID No. 4], [SEQ ID No. 5], [SEQ ID No. 6], or [SEQ ID No. 7]. The ubiquitin ligase recruiting domain recruits an E3 ubiquitin ligase, which may be CHIPΔTPR [SEQ ID No. 2]. An engineered minimal, specific, nucleotide-encodable, FOXP3 protein to proteasome linker comprises a peptide-E3 ubiquitin ligase fusion in which the peptide binds to FOXP3. A method for treatment includes administering to a subject an engineered peptide-based therapeutic or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein the engineered peptide-based therapeutic comprises a peptide fusion of a targeting domain and a ubiquitin ligase recruiting domain, and wherein the targeting domain is engineered to bind FOXP3 of at least one regulatory T cell for mediated degradation by the ubiquitin-proteosome pathway.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a cell based genomic Recorded Accumulative Memory (geRAM) system (also referred to herein as Genomically Encoded Memory (GEM)) for recoding data (i.e., changes in nucleic acid sequences in cellular DNA in response to physical and/or chemical signal(s)) from the cellular environment.
Abstract:
In a method for generating an elongated nucleic acid molecule, a nucleic acid addition of a first nucleic acid molecule attached to a first 3′ or 5′ protecting group to a nucleic acid immobilized on a surface produces an intermediate-length immobilized nucleic acid. The first protecting group is dissociated from the first nucleic acid molecule. A second nucleic acid molecule that is attached to a second associated a 3′ or 5′ associated protecting group is added to the intermediate-length nucleic acid. The second associated protecting group is dissociated from the second nucleic acid molecule. A sequentially-extended elongated immobilized nucleic acid molecule having a desired sequence and length is produced by sequentially extending the intermediate-length immobilized nucleic acid by adding additional nucleic acid molecules with associated protecting groups to the intermediate-length nucleic acid and dissociating the associated protecting group after each addition.
Abstract:
Applications of a Streptococcus Cas9 ortholog from Streptococcus macacae (Smac Cas9), possessing minimal adenine-rich PAM specificity, include an isolated Streptococcus macacae Cas9 protein or transgene expression thereof, a CRISPR-associated DNA endonuclease with PAM interacting domain amino acid sequences that are at least 80% identical to that of the isolated Streptococcus macacae Cas9 protein, and an isolated, engineered Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9 (Spy Cas9) protein with a PID as either the PID amino acid composition of the isolated Streptococcus macacae Cas9 (Smac Cas9) protein or of a CRISPR-associated DNA endonuclease with PID amino acid sequences that are at least 80% identical to that of the isolated Streptococcus macacae Cas9 protein. A method for altering expression of at least one gene product employs Streptococcus macacae Cas9 endonucleases in complex with guide RNA, for specific recognition and activity on a DNA target immediately upstream of either an “NAA” or “NA” or “NAAN” PAM sequence.
Abstract:
Engineered Streptococcus canis Cas9 (ScCas9) variants include an ScCas9 protein with its PID being the PID amino acid composition of Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9 (SpCas9)-NG, an ScCas9 protein having a threonine-to-lysine substitution mutation at position 1227 in its amino acid sequence (Sc+), and an ScCas9 protein having a threonine-to-lysine substitution mutation at position 1227 and a substitution of residues ADKKLRKRSGKLATE [SEQ ID No. 4] in position 365-379 in the ScCas9 open reading frame (Sc++). Also included are CRISPR-associated DNA endonucleases with a PAM specificity of 5′-NG-3′ or 5′-NNG-3′ and a method of altering expression of a gene product by utilizing the engineered ScCas9 variants.