Gene editing in the context of an increasingly complex genome.

The reporting of the first draft of the human genome in 2000 brought with it much hope for the future in what was felt as a paradigm shift toward improved health outcomes. Indeed, we have now mapped the majority of variation across human populations with landmark projects such as 1000 Genomes; in cancer, we have catalogued mutations across the primary carcinomas; whilst, for other diseases, we have identified the genetic variants with strongest association. Despite this, we are still awaiting the genetic revolution in healthcare to materialise and translate itself into the health benefits for which we had hoped. A major problem we face relates to our underestimation of the complexity of the genome, and that of biological mechanisms, generally. Fixation on DNA sequence alone and a 'rigid' mode of thinking about the genome has meant that the folding and structure of the DNA molecule -and how these relate to regulation- have been underappreciated. Projects like ENCODE have additionally taught us that regulation at the level of RNA is just as important as that at the spatiotemporal level of chromatin.In this review, we chart the course of the major advances in the biomedical sciences in the era pre- and post the release of the first draft sequence of the human genome, taking a focus on technology and how its development has influenced these. We additionally focus on gene editing via CRISPR/Cas9 as a key technique, in particular its use in the context of complex biological mechanisms. Our aim is to shift the mode of thinking about the genome to that which encompasses a greater appreciation of the folding of the DNA molecule, DNA- RNA/protein interactions, and how these regulate expression and elaborate disease mechanisms.Through the composition of our work, we recognise that technological improvement is conducive to a greater understanding of biological processes and life within the cell. We believe we now have the technology at our disposal that permits a better understanding of disease mechanisms, achievable through integrative data analyses. Finally, only with greater understanding of disease mechanisms can techniques such as gene editing be faithfully conducted.

Post-LASIK exacerbation of granular corneal dystrophy type 2 in members of a chinese family.

PurposeThe post-LASIK exacerbation of corneal dystrophy, otherwise asymptomatic, is almost exclusively associated with the TGFBI gene mutations at codon 124 in exon 4 and codon 555 in exon 12. It is our intention to demonstrate that the pre-operative genetic screening for TGFBI mutations should be mandatory for refractive surgery candidates.Patients and MethodsIn this study, we reviewed the proband's post-LASIK slit-lamp and in vivo confocal microscopy images and genetic testing results, and performed genetic testing on eleven additional members of the family to investigate the penetrance of corneal dystrophy in asymptomatic members who carry the mutation.ResultsThe proband demonstrated a post-LASIK exacerbation of Granular Corneal Dystrophy type 2 (GCD2), identified as a TGFBI R124H mutation. Three of the 11 family members tested positive for the same R124H mutation as the proband.ConclusionThe lesson learned from this case is that the genetic screening of TGFBI mutations must be incorporated into the pre-operative screening procedures to prevent exacerbation and recurrence, which eventually could lead to the need for a corneal transplant.

Binding, uptake, and intracellular trafficking of phosphorothioate-modified oligodeoxynucleotides.

An enhanced appreciation of uptake mechanisms and intracellular trafficking of phosphorothioate modified oligodeoxynucleotides (P-ODN) might facilitate the use of these compounds for experimental and therapeutic purposes. We addressed these issues by identifying cell surface proteins with which P-ODN specifically interact, studying P-ODN internalization mechanisms, and by tracking internalized P-ODN through the cell using immunochemical and ultrastructural techniques. Chemical cross-linking studies with a biotin-labeled P-ODN (bP-ODN), revealed the existence of five major cell surface P-ODN binding protein groups ranging in size from approximately 20-143 kD. Binding to these proteins was competitively inhibited with unlabeled P-ODN, but not free biotin, suggesting specificity of the interactions. Additional experiments suggested that binding proteins likely exist as single chain structures, and that carbohydrate moieties may play a role in P-ODN binding. Uptake studies with 35S-labeled P-ODN revealed that endocytosis, mediated by a receptor-like mechanism, predominated at P-ODN concentrations < 1 microM, whereas fluid-phase endocytosis prevailed at higher concentrations. Cell fractionation and ultrastructural analysis demonstrated the presence of ODN in clathrin coated pits, and in vesicular structures consistent with endosomes and lysosomes. Labeled ODN were also found in significant amounts in the nucleus, while none was associated with ribosomes, or ribosomes associated with rough endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Since nuclear uptake was not blocked by wheat germ agglutinin or concanavalin A, a nucleoporin independent, perhaps diffusion driven, import process is suggested. These data imply that antisense DNA may exert their effect in the nucleus. They also suggest rational ways to design ODN which might increase their efficiency.

Capillary gel electrophoresis and antisense therapeutics. Analysis of DNA analogs.

Capillary gel electrophoresis (CGE) has become an effective tool for the analysis of antisense oligonucleotides. As these compounds begin to show promise in the pharmaceutical field, CGE is often used to determine the quality of chemically synthesized DNA analogs, which are presently being studied as potential antisense therapeutics. The demand for gel capillaries to process high resolving power and provide statistically meaningful data has indirectly provided a better understanding of what is required to denature single-stranded oligonucleotides. For CGE to be useful for the analysis of oligonucleotides in general, an internal standard is often employed; however, apart from being a strictly quantitative tool, CGE has the capability to be useful in a wide range of applications within the field of antisense therapeutics. CGE can be used in conjunction with HPLC to determine an effective method for the purification of crude oligonucleotide solutions. It has also proven useful in determining whether or not a DNA analog can promote the ribonuclease H-mediated hydrolysis of RNA. An understanding of the interactions between antisense oligonucleotides and nucleases in general is critical for determining how antisense oligonucleotides function within a biological system.

Analysis of a ribonuclease H digestion of N3'-->P5' phosphoramidate-RNA duplexes by capillary gel electrophoresis.

Phosphodiester oligonucleotides (ODNs) and their analogs are presently being investigated as potential antisense therapeutics in the treatment of viral infections and various forms of cancer. here, we would like to report results from an investigation of activity for a ribonuclease H (RNase H) mediated RNA digestion assay in the duplexes formed by an ODN or the ODN analog, N3'-->P5' phosphoramidate (3'-phosphoramidate), and complimentary RNA strands. Capillary gel electrophoresis (CGE) proved to be an effective method for determining RNA hydrolysis in the presence of RNase H. RNA and an ODN or RNA and a 3'-phosphoramidate were hybridized in a Tris-HCl, MgCl2 buffer at room temperature (RT) and incubated with RNase H. Digestions were carried out at RT or at 37 degrees C. Control samples were unhybridized RNA with RNase H, RNA without RNase H, and duplexes (RNA-ODN or 3'-phosphoramidate) without RNase H. All controls were incubated in Tris-HCl, MgCl2 buffer, and sample aliquots were analyzed at various time intervals. A homodecamer, (dT)10, was used as an internal standard to determine the relative migration time of the RNA strand. The final digestion products for the duplexes and the various controls were monitored by CGE. In addition, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) was used in conjunction with Stains-All (staining) and a densitometric analysis to verify CGE results.

Analysis of an oligonucleotide N3'-->P5' phosphoramidate/phosphorothioate chimera with capillary gel electrophoresis.

N3'-->P5' phosphoramidate/phosphorothioate chimeric oligonucleotides (ODNs) are presently under investigation as potential antisense drugs. Within the field of antisense research, "second generation" chimeric ODNs have exhibited improved characteristics relative to oligonucleotides with uniformly modified backbones. The ODN of interest for this study consisted of a chemically synthesized 18-mer of mixed nucleotide base sequence with a backbone consisting of eight central phosphorothioate linkages flanked by four N3'-->P5' phosphoramidate (amidate) linkages on the 5'-end and five amidate linkages ont he 3'-end. This chimera presents analytical challenges due to the central phosphorothioate region. Here, we present a capillary gel electrophoresis (CGE) method for the analysis of the above N3'-->P5' phosphoramidate/phosphorothioate chimera. CGE was used to analyze the product prior to its purification by reversed phase - high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC), and each fraction collected from the purification was similarly analyzed. An internal standard was utilized to determine the relative mobility of our product, and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) analysis was used to verify CGE results.

The detection of oligonucleotide N3'-->P5' phosphoramidate/RNA duplexes with capillary gel electrophoresis.

Oligonucleotide N3'-->P5' phosphoramidates (3'-phosphoramidates) are DNA analogs that are presently under investigation as potential therapeutic agents. These compounds may also hold promise as a diagnostic tool. Here, we describe a rapid method for the analysis of single-stranded RNA fragments utilizing 3'-phosphoramidate oligonucleotides as probes in conjunction with capillary gel electrophoresis (CGE). 3'-Phosphoramidate 9-mers were mixed with complimentary RNA, and CGE was used to monitor duplex formation. Complimentary strands of RNA and 3'-phosphoramidate formed duplexes that gave unique relative mobilities based on an internal standard. The ability of CGE to discriminate between perfect duplexes and duplexes that contain a base mismatch was also investigated. However, the primary focus of this work was to determine CGE's ability to detect the presence of the 3'-phosphoramidates/RNA duplex under routine electrophoretic running conditions. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis was utilized to verify duplex formation.

Oligonucleotide N3'-->P5' phosphoramidates.

Synthetic oligonucleotides and their analogs have attracted considerable interest recently. These compounds may lead to highly specific therapeutic agents, as well as to powerful diagnostic tools. Here, we present the synthesis of uniformly modified oligodeoxyribonucleotide N3'-->P5' phosphoramidates containing 3'-NHP(O)(O-)O-5' internucleoside linkages and the study of their hybridization properties. Thermal dissociation experiments show that these compounds form very stable duplexes with single-stranded DNA, RNA, and with themselves following Watson-Crick base pairing. The duplex thermal stability was enhanced by 2.2-2.6 degrees C per modified linkage compared with phosphodiesters. The structure of complexes formed by phosphoramidates closely resembles that of RNA oligomers and corresponds to an A form, as judged by CD spectroscopy. N3'-->P5' phosphoramidates also form stable triplexes with double-stranded DNA under near-physiological conditions when natural phosphodiesters fail to do so. Physicochemical characteristics of the amidates are similar to those of RNA oligomers, even though they are composed of 2'-deoxyfuranose-based nucleosides.

Effect of phosphorothioate modification of oligodeoxynucleotides on specific protein binding.

Phosphorothioate modification of internucleoside linkages is widely used to prevent degradation of oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) therapeutic agents in serum and cells. This modification generally increases ODN potency, but in many instances it is associated with an increase of poorly understood nonspecific effects. In this study, we have found that both cellular retention and nonspecific protein binding are dependent upon the extent of the oligonucleotide's modification. Flow cytometry of cells treated with fluorescein-labeled single-stranded (ss) or double-stranded (ds) ODNs demonstrated that fully phosphorothioate-modified ODNs exhibit much greater cellular association than 3'-terminally modified ODNs (with three 3'-terminal phosphorothioate linkages). Additionally, gel shift assays with either ss- or ds-probes showed that fully phosphorothioate-modified ODNs also exhibit much greater cytoplasmic and nuclear protein binding than either 3'-terminally modified or unmodified ODNs. However, gel shift competition assays showed that transcription factor binding by fully phosphorothioate-modified ds-ODNs was completely nonspecific relative to 3'-terminally modified and unmodified ds-ODNs. These results suggest that the benefits derived from full phosphorothioate modification of ODNs may be negated by increases of nonspecific protein binding and associated sequence-independent effects.

An improved synthesis of oligodeoxynucleotide N3'-->P5' phosphoramidates and their chimera using hindered phosphoramidite monomers and a novel handle for reverse phase purification.

Oligodeoxynucleotide N3'-->P5' phosphoramidates are promising candidates for antisense therapeutics, as well as for diagnostic applications. We recently reported a new method for the synthesis of these oligonucleotide analogs which makes use of a phosphoramidite amine-exchange reaction in the key coupling step. We report herein an improved set of monomers that utilize a more reactive, hindered phosphoramidite to produce optimal yields in a single coupling step followed by oxidation, thereby eliminating the need for the previously reported couple-oxidize-couple-oxidize approach. On the 10 micromol scale, the synthesis is performed using only 3.6 equivalents (equiv.) of monomer. An improved oxidation reagent consisting of hydrogen peroxide, water, pyridine and THF is also introduced. Reported here for the first time is the use of a reverse-phase purification methodology employing a ribonucleotide purification handle that is removed under non-acidic conditions, in contrast to the conventional dimethoxytrityl group. The synthesis and purification of uniformly modified N3'-->P5' phosphoramidate oligodeoxy-nucleotides, as well as their chimera containing phosphodiester and/or phosphorothioate linkages at predefined positions, using these new methodologies are included herein. The results of31P NMR studies that led to this improved amine-exchange methodology are also described.