Combined application of epigenetic modifiers and TALEs
The patented method enables the reactivation of epigenetically-silenced genes. The scientists have discovered a method for removing methyl groups in certain areas of the DNA, which can be used to reactivate epigenetically-silenced genes. While known transcription factors (proteins that bind to the DNA and switch a gene on via a promoter) like TALEs or zinc fingers already dock at certain gene sections of the DNA, this has not been possible up to now in the case of epigenetically-silenced gene sequences. This problem has now been solved through the addition of valproic acid (VPA 10) and a HDAC inhibitor. This measure made it possible to “open” the packaging of the epigenetically-silenced gene sequences, which consists of HDAC (histone deacetylases), making them accessible to the transcription factors.
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