Gene-editing technologies have revolutionized biotechnology, but current gene editors suffer from several limitations. Here, we harnessed the power of gamma-modified peptide nucleic acids (γPNAs) to facilitate targeted, specific DNA invasion and used T7 endonuclease I (T7EI) to recognize and cleave the γPNA-invaded DNA. Our data show that T7EI can specifically target PNA-invaded linear and circular DNA to introduce double-strand breaks (DSBs).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFProgrammable site-specific nucleases (SSNs) hold extraordinary promise to unlock myriad gene editing applications in medicine and agriculture. However, developing small and specific SSNs is needed to overcome the delivery and specificity translational challenges of current genome engineering technologies. Structure-guided nucleases have been harnessed to generate double-strand DNA breaks but with limited success and translational potential.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFLichens are symbiotic organisms made up of alga/cyanobacterium and fungus. We investigated antioxidant, antibacterial and anticancer properties of two lichen compounds, atranorin and salazinic acid, and five lichen species: Heterodermia boryi, Heterodermia diademata, Heterodermia hypocaesia, Parmotrema reticulatum, and Stereocaulon foliolosum. Free radical scavenging, Ferric reducing potential, Nitric oxide scavenging, and Trolox equivalent capacity were used to measure antioxidant activity.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSpectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc
April 2021
Based on the green chemistry approach, highly fluorescent and novel carbon dots (C. dots) were synthesized from naturally available and cost effective sunflower seeds. The obtained C.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSickle cell disease (SCD) is a major medical problem in which mono-therapeutic interventions have so far shown only limited effectiveness. We studied the repurpose of genistein, which could prevent sickle hemoglobin from polymerizing under hypoxic conditions in this disease. Genistein an important nutraceutical molecule found in soybean.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSickle cell disease is an inherited disease caused by point mutation in hemoglobin (β-globin gene). Under oxygen saturation, sickle hemoglobin form polymers, leading to rigid erythrocytes. The transition of the blood vessels is altered and initiated by the adhesion of erythrocytes, neutrophils and endothelial cells.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPolymerization of hemoglobin S is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in sickle cell disease, which leads to sickling and destruction of red blood cell. Alizarin, a bioactive compound from , is reported to be blood purifier. This study investigates the potential of alizarin as an anti-sickling agent, showing a significant decrease in the rate of polymerization, therefore inhibiting the rate of sickling with increasing concentration.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF