In recent times, the field of genetic engineering has witnessed a significant breakthrough with the development of a new CRISPR-based gene-editing tool that holds promise for better treatment options for patients with genetic disorders. This innovation revolves around a novel enzyme known as AsCas12f which has been engineered to exhibit enhanced gene-editing capabilities, showcasing the potential to transform therapeutic approaches for a myriad of genetic ailments.
The new gene-editing tool, AsCas12f, was engineered to be more compact, thus addressing the limitations of modest gene-editing activity associated with previous CRISPR-Cas systems. Remarkably, the engineered version, dubbed enAsCas12f, demonstrated up to 11.3-fold higher potency than its predecessor, AsCas12f, and one-third of the size of the commonly used SpCas9 enzyme. This compactness is particularly advantageous as it facilitates easier transportation into living cells via carrier viruses, thereby improving efficiency in gene-editing processes125.
Researchers from the University of Tokyo played a pivotal role in this development, devising a modified version of AsCas12f which exhibited enhanced gene-editing activities while retaining its compact size. This new enzyme is seen as a “better scissors” for CRISPR-based gene editing, capable of potentially paving the way for more precise and efficient therapeutic interventions in genetic disorders34.
The engineering of AsCas12f didn’t stop at just enhancing its gene-editing efficacy; a further modification led to the creation of a structure-guided single guide RNA (sgRNA), named sgRNA-v2, which is 33% shorter than the full-length sgRNA but with comparable activity. This innovation underscores the remarkable strides being made in the realm of genetic engineering, aiming at robust and faithful gene editing in mammalian cells5.
The creation of AsCas12f and its improved version, enAsCas12f, showcases the rapid progress we’re making in the field of genetic engineering. These advancements are paving the way for more effective treatments for genetic disorders. With their increased efficiency, smaller size, and precise targeting with fewer side effects, we’re looking at a future where treating genetic conditions might be more accurate, streamlined, and within reach for more people.
References:
- RealClearScience. (2023). New CRISPR Enzyme Could Improve Gene Editing. Retrieved from https://www.realclearscience.com/2023/10/02/new_crispr_enzyme_could_improve_gene_editing_983150.html1.
- ISAAA. (2023, October 4). Smaller and More Efficient CRISPR-Based Tool. Retrieved from https://www.isaaa.org/kc/cropbiotechupdate/article/default.asp?ID=20451#:~:text=Researchers%20from%20Japan%20developed%20a,which%20makes%20it%20more%20efficient.2.
- Interesting Engineering. (2023). CRISPR-based gene editing gets smaller, better “scissors.” Retrieved from https://interestingengineering.com/science/smaller-mightier-gene-editing-tool3.
- BioTechniques. (2023, October 4). Engineered AsCas12f: A More Compact Gene-Editing Enzyme. Retrieved from https://www.biotechniques.com/crispr/more-compact-crispr-enzyme-engineered/4.
- Nature Chemical Biology. (2023). An engineered hypercompact CRISPR-Cas12f system with boosted gene-editing activity. Retrieved from https://www.nature.com/articles/s41589-023-01380-95.