Submitted via IRC for SoyCow1984
Unmuting large silent genes lets bacteria produce new molecules, potential drug candidates
By enticing away the repressors dampening unexpressed, silent genes in Streptomyces bacteria, researchers at the University of Illinois have unlocked several large gene clusters for new natural products, according to a study [DOI: 10.1038/s41589-018-0187-0] [DX] published in the journal Nature Chemical Biology.
[...] The researchers previously demonstrated a technique to activate small silent gene clusters using CRISPR technology. However, large silent gene clusters have remained difficult to unmute. Those larger genes are of great interest to [study leader Huimin] Zhao's group, since a number of them have sequences similar to regions that code for existing classes of antibiotics, such as tetracycline.
To unlock the large gene clusters of greatest interest, Zhao's group created clones of the DNA fragments they wanted to express and injected them into the bacteria in hopes of luring away the repressor molecules that were preventing gene expression. They called these clones transcription factor decoys.
[...] Of the eight new molecules produced, the researchers purified and determined the structure of two molecules, and described one in detail in the study – a novel type of oxazole, a class of molecules often used in drugs.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday January 04 2019, @12:30PM (4 children)
What could possibly go wrong?
(Score: 2) by takyon on Friday January 04 2019, @12:33PM (1 child)
We get a new antibiotic drug that stops working after a year.
[SIG] 10/28/2017: Soylent Upgrade v14 [soylentnews.org]
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday January 04 2019, @04:54PM
Or reactivating these gene clusters in a virus can result in viral infections that we are not prepared for.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday January 04 2019, @01:27PM
You could waste $187 dollars.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday January 04 2019, @03:26PM
It's safe as play russian roulette.