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Researchers edit gene to reduce blood cholesterol levels

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Using the cutting-edge CRISPR/Cas9 genetic engineering technique, researchers, including one of Indian-origin, have successfully turned off a gene that regulates cholesterol levels in adult mice. The silencing of the gene led to reduced blood cholesterol levels and gene repression lasting for six months after a single treatment, said the study published online in the journal Nature Communications. The CRISPR/Cas9 system is based on an antiviral defence mechanism in bacteria in which the Cas9 enzyme recognises the viral DNA sequences of previous infections and cuts up invading DNA during re-infection.


Researchers have engineered the CRISPR/Cas9 system to not only locate and cut specific sequences of DNA, but to also turn on or off the expression of targeted genes without making permanent changes to the DNA coding sequence. In the current study, the researchers tested their delivery system by silencing Pcsk9, a gene that regulates cholesterol levels. While several drugs have been developed to treat high cholesterol and cardiovascular disease by blocking the activity of Pcsk9, this new approach could prevent Pcsk9 from being made.


“We previously used these same types of tools to turn genes on and off in cultured cells, and we wanted to see if we could also deliver them to animal models with an approach that is relevant for gene therapy,” said Charles Gersbach, Associate professor at Duke University in North Carolina.


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