The Modification of AAV’s for Safer Gene Therapy Treatments

We are brought up believing that all viruses and bacteria are harmful. This is at least until we learn that various vaccines administered to us over our lifetimes are done so using viral vectors. The use of viruses as modes of delivery is mainly because of their genetic makeup. This feature is also what makes them useful for gene therapy.

A study carried out by James Wilson, a professor of medicine and April R Giles, who also happen to be the senior and first authors, respectively, on a paper on the same, has led to some exciting discoveries. It has been noted that during the harvesting and preparation of viral vectors, during the manufacturing processes, these organisms lose some of their activity.

Currently, the most common viral vector for gene therapy is the adeno-associated virus. This is made up of 60 interlocking proteins, which form a capsid around the gene being delivered.  These proteins will then allow for the attachment and entry into the targeted cells and the delivery of the gene. The current problem is the spontaneous mutation of these proteins, which can affect the delivery of the gene.

This study also uncovered that the outer AAV’s proteins, which were long assumed to be the same are different. To better understand this, the research team used traditional methods to determine the specific biochemical nature of these proteins and the virus as a whole. In addition to this, they are also working on developing capsid proteins that are not susceptible to spontaneous mutation.

The development of these capsid proteins is something many in the field of genetic will applaud. This is because apart from raising the chances of safe gene therapy treatments, it will also cut the financial costs of these therapies and minimize the adverse side effects.

Reference

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/10/181018141038.htm

 

 

 

 

 

 

Understanding Neuro Crest Cell Movement and How It Relates To Facial Defects

Our physical traits are typically a combination of genetic and environmental factors. That being said, the genes you inherit from your parents, whether dominant or recessive, affect your appearance. Take for example cleft lips.  While it has been known that the reason for this facial defect is genetic scientists have made steps in figuring out how this defect occurs and how it can be repaired before birth.

According to the results of a recent study, it has been discovered that the neuro crest cells (those responsible for forming facial muscles) migrate from the back of the head of an embryo to the front. This might not seem like something to celebrate, but understanding this movement is the basis for coming up with therapies to correct these defects. Defects like cleft palates and facial palsy account for up to 3.2 million of the recorded congenital disabilities and are a primary cause of infant mortality if not addressed in time.

Traditional treatments also targeted front cells when correcting these defects, inhibiting the growth of cancer cells and for proper healing. The results of this study prove that the cells at the back of the head should be the target. Primarily by understanding how the facial muscles form scientists can figure out what goes wrong leading to the defects and how this can be corrected.

During this study, the embryos of fish and frogs were studied. The choice to use these animals is because the neural crests in these embryos behave very similarly to those of humans. Additionally, these embryos can be studied without causing any adverse impacts on them.

The team of researchers involved used optogenetics. They noticed that when the neuro crest cells at the back of the embryo were illuminated, they protein cable surrounding them contracted, moving them to the front of the face.

References

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/10/181018151047.htm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Evolution through Gene Sharing Propagated By Viruses

Common beliefon evolution is that it took a linear direction. Most researchers and scientists believed that evolution began from their ape-like ancestors to modern Homo sapiens.

However, next –generation sequencing has brought about new discoveries that dispute this common belief. Viruses, were apparently a major role player in the shaping of evolution. The discovery of genetic material belonging to subspecies of the early humans has proven that evolution did not happen in a straight line.

The sequencing and discovery of new subspecies has led to scientists and researchers finding out that Neanderthals and modern humans interacted. Their interactions that occurred around 70,000 years ago led to interbreeding.

Viral infections on both sides were hence shared which enhanced evolution. Scientists believe that through interbreeding the Neanderthals and modern humans did not only pass on pathogens but also the genetic adaptations that enabled them to fight the pathogens.

Modern humans who lived in Africa had developed genetic adaptations that enabled them to fight most of the pathogens that resided in the area. The same applies for the Neanderthals that had lived in Eurasia for years. Therefore when the two groups interbred they shared their genetic adaptations and the pathogens enhancing the modern day Homo sapiens.

Scientists have confirmed that around a third of protein adaptations that occurred after humans split from the likes of apes was the body’s reaction to the viral infections acquired from the Neanderthals. Genes in modern humans have revealed that there are indeed traces of Neanderthal DNA. Also, the adaptive genes in the modern humans that protect the body against viruses are similar to those that existed in Neanderthals.

 

References

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/10/181004112547.htm

 

 

Could an Amino Acid Enhance Glucose Metabolism?

Type 2 Diabetes occurs when the body is incapable of regulating the amount of glucose that goes into the system. It could either be as a result of a body resisting insulin or lack of enough insulin to maintain normal glucose levels. An amino acid has however, been found to alter metabolism in a cell by lowering the glucose levels for short periods of time.

The scientists concentrated more on altering the metabolism of the cell which would in turn affect how the cell absorbs and releases glucose. They aimed at activating a protein enzyme called AMP Kinase or as it is commonly referred to AMPK. AMPK increases the production of energy in the cells which changes the structure of the cell in beneficial ways.

The goal was to therefore find a nutrient that would activate the AMPK. After a couple of trials Alanine which is an amino acid was discovered to constantly activate the AMPK enzymes in rats. An intake of Alanine through either injections or oral intake raised the levels of AMPK in the rats significantly. The Alanine also seemed to affect the glucose levels of the rats if they were given the amino acid prior to a glucose intake. The glucose levels were surprisingly low.

By use of Alanine, AMPK, was able to lower the glucose levels by increasing the uptake of glucose in the liver and reducing the release of glucose from it. The lowered glucose levels did not have anything to do with insulin release. Scientists are hopeful that Alanine or other amino acids could be the key to dealing with type 2 diabetes. Further research may develop a pre-meal pill that could help diabetics control their glucose levels.

 

 

Reference

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/10/181010144438.htm