Last Updated on
November 29, 2023
By
Excedr
Gene editing has brought much promise for improving patient health and well-being. Much of this promise lies in its ability to correct disease-causing mutations through genome editing at the single base pair level.
To harness genome editing for gene therapy, researchers developed tools to edit genes at specific target sites precisely. Among these editing tools is the CRISPR-Cas9 editing tool, derived from the CRISPR-Cas system in bacteria. Its discovery has led researchers to harness the CRISPR-Cas system for base editing in many genomes.
Over time, researchers have also developed other programmable editing technologies by modifying at least one component of the CRISPR-Cas system. One such approach is called prime editing. It improves upon CRISPR-Cas9 editing by reducing the risk of off-target gene modifications. While such methods have yet to be regularly used in the clinic, David Liu, the pioneer of prime editing, expressed hope that these methods will enter clinical trials as soon as next year.
Even so, incorporating prime editing and other gene editing approaches into the clinic requires researchers to ensure that they can edit genes correctly and safely. To address these concerns, we will discuss how CRISPR-Cas9 works, how prime editing improves CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, and how prime editing can advance gene editing for diverse cell lines.
Then, we will illustrate how Excedr’s leasing program helps researchers obtain the equipment needed to conduct a prime editing assay.
Gene editing began in earnest when researchers first discovered DNA in the 1960s. These efforts began with restriction enzymes that cut and spliced DNA. While researchers have harnessed other gene editing methods such as zinc finger nucleases, they come with other weaknesses that tempered the dream of gene editing. Since CRISPR-Cas9 editing emerged, the dream of gene editing came back in earnest.
Expressed in most bacteria and archaea, the CRISPR-Cas9 system protects microorganisms from foreign DNA, whether from a plasmid or a virus. CRISPR-Cas9 comprises four components that coordinate the cutting of double-stranded DNA: CRISPRs, Cas endonucleases, CRISPR-associated RNA (crRNA), and Trans-activating CRISPR RNA (TracrRNA). (insert link to Excedr article on CRISPR-Cas9 gene delivery). When combined, a ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex forms. This complex recognizes the target sequence encoded in the crRNA-tracrRNA sequence, locally unwinds the DNA strand, and cuts the DNA at that site, forming a double-stranded break (DSB).
After discovering the CRISPR-Cas9 system in bacteria, researchers subsequently harnessed the system to fine-tune the editing of specific alleles through gene editing. This system comprises the following reagents:
Although CRISPR-Cas9 technologies have driven interest in gene editing tools, the DSBs they form encourage the generation of insertions and deletions (indels). Indels arise as spontaneous changes to individual nucleic acids, such as cytosine and adenine, and are called point mutations. One way indels arise is when cells use non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) to repair DSBs instead of homology-directed repair (HDR). The resulting mutations modify the gene sequence at the CRISPR/Cas site after gene editing and act as undesired genetic byproducts. These byproducts increase the risk of side effects and other deleterious patient outcomes.
Andrew Anzalone, Peyton Randolph, and other colleagues in David Liu’s lab at Harvard University recognized the problems that off-target effects had on implementing CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing. To minimize the risk of DSBs that CRISPR-Cas9 can incur during gene therapy, the research group developed an alternative gene-editing tool: prime editing. Published in Nat. Biotechnol. (Nature Biotechnology), prime editing introduces the desired base-to-base conversions and small indels without producing DSBs. Although the system is based on the CRISPR-Cas9 editing system, prime editing distinguishes itself from CRISPR-Cas9 in multiple ways:
When the two components join, they form the prime editing system and edit the genome as follows (see Figure 1 for a schematic):
Despite the potential for precise gene editing that PEs provide, prime editing is still in its infancy. Researchers must address several challenges to make PEs more commonplace for gene editing therapies:
While prime editing is a continually developing technology, researchers have begun implementing the editing technology for biotechnological applications. In fact, several industries have already started generating edited sequences for various practical applications:
In the clinic, researchers also see the potential of prime editors for treating genetic diseases with high specificity in vitro and in vivo. For instance, scientists have applied prime editing to correct mutations associated with liver and eye diseases in animal models. Preclinical trials for prime editing to treat human liver diseases are also underway for human gene therapy.
As gene editing emerges as a viable therapeutic option, the biotech industry seeks to minimize mismatches and maximize editing efficiency. To this end, scientists must consider multiple advances such as PEs and ensure that the best reagents are employed. Maximizing editing efficiency with PEs hence requires conducting robust quality-control experiments. These experiments ensure that the edits are done correctly on multiple cell lines to treat diverse diseases.
Aware of the growth in the gene editing sector, Excedr has established a leasing program to accelerate molecular genetics research. Although we do not hold an equipment inventory, we can acquire the instruments you need from your manufacturer of choice. Through our leasing program, we can also supply you with the equipment you need to ensure maximum editing efficiency:
Researchers inspired by CRISPR-Cas9 editing have pursued the development of new gene editing methods. Most recently, researchers have begun using PEs to fine-tune the editing process.
As the protocol continues to be refined, researchers must use many kinds of equipment to assess the quality of their nucleic acids and the efficacy of their gene edits. From PCR thermocyclers to DNA synthesizers, researchers must also find affordable ways to own and operate the equipment.
Excedr’s leasing program can help you acquire the lab equipment you need to employ prime editing and precisely edit genes. Speak with our team today to learn how we can support your lab’s needs for developing gene therapies.