Multiple-turnover cleavage of double-stranded DNA by sandwiched zinc-finger nuclease.

To refine zinc-finger nuclease (ZFN) technology, we constructed a sandwiched ZFN, in which a DNA cleavage enzyme was sandwiched with two artificial zinc-finger proteins (AZPs). Because the sandwiched ZFN is designed to cleave the DNA between the two AZP-binding sites, the sandwiched ZFN is expected to bind preferentially to a DNA substrate rather than to cleavage products and thereby cleave it with multiple turnovers. To prove the concept, we sandwiched a staphylococcal nuclease (SNase), which cleaves DNA as a monomer, between two 3-finger AZPs.

Enhanced cleavage of double-stranded DNA by artificial zinc-finger nuclease sandwiched between two zinc-finger proteins.

To enhance DNA cleavage by zinc-finger nucleases (ZFNs), we sandwiched a DNA cleavage enzyme with two artificial zinc-finger proteins (AZPs). Because the DNA between the two AZP-binding sites is cleaved, the AZP-sandwiched nuclease is expected to bind preferentially to a DNA substrate rather than to cleavage products and thereby cleave it with multiple turnovers. To demonstrate the concept, we sandwiched a staphylococcal nuclease (SNase), which cleaves DNA as a monomer, between two three-finger AZPs.

Efficient secretion of the herpes simplex virus tegument protein VP22 from living mammalian cells.

Many studies show that a tegument protein, VP22, of herpes simplex virus possesses an unusual capacity for intercellular trafficking, while several studies have reported that the intercellular trafficking was observed only in cells after fixation. Therefore, the trafficking ability in living cells remains controversial. To settle the question, we first examined secretion of VP22 in living cells.

Application of artificial zinc-finger proteins to inhibition of DNA replication of human papillomavirus.

Recently, we have demonstrated that plant DNA virus replication could be inhibited in Arabidopsis thaliana by using an artificial zinc-finger protein (AZP) and created AZP-based transgenic A. thaliana resistant to DNA virus infection. Here we apply the AZP technology to inhibition of replication of a mammalian DNA virus, human papillomavirus (HPV) type 18.

Inhibition of DNA replication of human papillomavirus by artificial zinc finger proteins.

Recently, we demonstrated that plant DNA virus replication was inhibited in planta by using an artificial zinc finger protein (AZP) and created AZP-based transgenic plants resistant to DNA virus infection. Here we apply the AZP technology to the inhibition of replication of a mammalian DNA virus, human papillomavirus type 18 (HPV-18). Two AZPs, designated AZP(HPV)-1 and AZP(HPV)-2, were designed by using our nondegenerate recognition code table and were constructed to block binding of the HPV-18 E2 replication protein to the replication origin.