Promising new 'antigene' therapy Uses light energy to silence gene activity

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Promising new 'antigene' therapy

Uses light energy to silence gene activity

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2010-10/mali-pn102110.php

New Rochelle, NY, October 21, 2010—Antigene therapy is a promising new treatment

strategy that uses a DNA-based drug to pinpoint light energy to a target gene

shutting down its activity. A review article published online ahead of print in

Oligonucleotides, a peer-reviewed journal published by Ann Liebert, Inc.

(www.liebertpub.com), details the possibilities and challenges for the clinical

application of this novel photo-activated DNA modulating approach. The article

is available free online at www.liebertpub.com/oli

Netanel Kolevzon and Eylon Yavin, from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem

(Israel), describe the mechanism behind antigene therapy in the article

" Site-Specific DNA Photocleavage and Photomodulation by Oligonucleotide

Conjugates. " They review the development of triplex-forming DNA-based drugs

capable of up-regulating or inhibiting gene expression in a highly targeted and

selective manner.

Unlike existing antisense therapies that target RNA, an antigene drug is a

triplex-forming oligonucleotide that recognizes and attaches directly to a

specific DNA sequence. By attaching a photoreactive agent to the antigene and

delivering light energy to the attachment site, the light-sensitive drug complex

becomes activated, triggering a cleavage or cross-linking reaction. This

photo-induced, site-specific DNA damage effectively silences the gene target.

" Many obstacles lay ahead before this approach may reach the clinic, " caution

the authors. However, if antigene therapy proves successful at blocking gene

activity, " many diseases that are currently incurable or otherwise treatable

with limited success could be potentially relevant targets for such an

approach, " they conclude.

" This is a clever and potentially powerful approach to targeted regulation of

gene expression, " says Rossi, PhD, Co-Editor-in-Chief of Oligonucleotides

and Professor in the Department of Molecular Biology, Beckman Research Institute

of the City of Hope (Duarte, CA).

Ann Liebert, Inc. 140 Hugue