CRISPR-like tools that finally can edit mitochondria DNA could be revolutionary
a day ago
- #gene editing
- #mitochondrial DNA
- #CRISPR
- Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) editing remains challenging due to its inaccessibility to CRISPR-Cas9 techniques.
- Mitochondria power cells and contain DNA with over 300 mutations linked to incurable genetic disorders affecting 1 in 5,000 people.
- Recent advancements in mtDNA editing tools, such as zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs) and transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs), show promise for creating accurate animal models of mitochondrial diseases.
- Mitochondrial DNA originates from a bacterial ancestor, retaining only 37 genes involved in energy production, and is more error-prone than nuclear DNA.
- A breakthrough in mtDNA editing came with the discovery of the enzyme DddA, enabling base editing without guide RNA, offering potential treatments for mitochondrial diseases.