Synthetic Minimal Hammerhead Nuclease Ribozymes With Greatly Enhanced And Efficient Specific Cleavage Activity
Tech ID: 32806 / UC Case 2015-380-0
Background
The hammerhead RNA sequence within satellite RNA genomes occurs at the
interface of two monomeric segments of a linear concatamer following rolling circle replication. Although it is, in that context, a single self-cleaving strand of RNA that is capable of catalyzing only a single, albeit highly specific, cleavage reaction, the hammerhead RNA can be artificially engineered to create a true multiple-turnover ribozyme simply by separating the molecule into discrete catalytic and target strands. The latter constructs have been studied in vitro and also correspond to hammerhead ribozyme sequences that have used in targeting other RNAs
Technology Description
Researchers at UC Santa Cruz discovered an RNA nuclease ribozyme design principle that enables targeting of pathogenic RNAs, such as those produced by HIV and other disease-causing organisms and conditions, with 50-fold greater activity than previously believed possible, and with over 90% cleavage efficiency.
The ribozyme is specifically designed to facilitate formation of an AU trans-Hoogsteen base pair that is both necessary and suffìcient for robust catalytic activity. Synthetic ribozymes designed according to these criteria are highly active and specific RNA nucleases, with signifìcant potential as in vitro or in vivo biochemical reagents and as antiviral and anti-RNA therapeutic agents.
Applications
Research reagents
RNA nuclease activity
RNA based therapeutics
Advantages
- The synthetic minimal hammerhead nuclease ribozyme is at least 50 times more catalytically active than the other minimal hammerhead ribozymes currently employed as RNA nuclease reagents.
- The ribozyme (unlike natural hammerhead sequences) cleaves target substrate RNAs with greater than 90% completeness.
- The ribozyme is small (requiring only about 33 nucleotides) and is therefore easily and cost-effectively synthesized. It is therefore amenable to in vivo applications, including potential therapeutic applications, without eliciting anti-viral RNA immune, interferon or RNAi responses.
Intellectual Property Information
| Country | Type | Number | Dated | Case |
| United States Of America | Issued Patent | 10,301,626 | 05/28/2019 | 2015-380 |
Related Materials
Contact
- Jeff M. Jackson
- jjackso6@ucsc.edu
- tel: View Phone Number.
Inventors
- O'Rourke, Sara M.
- Scott, William G.
Other Information
Keywords
Catalytic RNA, Ribozyme, Infectious Disease, Hammerhead Ribozyme, RNA enzymes
