Thomas Gaj, Charles A. Gersbach and Carlos F. Barbas III
Abstract :
Zinc-finger nucleases (ZFNs) and transcription activatorlike effector nucleases (TALENs) comprise a powerful class of tools that are redefining the boundaries of
biological research. These chimeric nucleases are composedofprogrammable, sequence-specificDNA-binding modules linked to a nonspecific DNA cleavage domain.
ZFNs and TALENs enable a broad range of genetic modifications by inducing DNA double-strand breaks that stimulate error-prone nonhomologous end joining or
homology-directed repair at specific genomic locations.Here, we review achievements made possible by sitespecific nuclease technologies and discuss applications
ofthese reagents for genetic analysis and manipulation.In addition, we highlight the therapeutic potential of ZFNs and TALENs and discuss future prospects for the
field, including the emergence of clustered regulatory interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/Casbased RNA-guided DNA endonucleases.
Keywords : zinc-finger nuclease; transcription activator-like effector nuclease; clustered regulatory interspaced short palindromic repeat;genome engineering.
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