NYU Researchers Create Synthetic Versions of Hox Genes
A team of researchers at New York University (NYU) has successfully created synthetic versions of the Hox genes that control biological development in humans, according to an article published in Science.
Many of the biotech advancements as of late are building upon genome editing tools to correct a genetic component of a patient’s affliction. Esteban Mazzoni, study co-author and an associate professor of biology at NYU collaborated with Jef Boeke at NYU’s Institute of System Genetics, within the Grossman School of Medicine to find out how to study Hox genes without relying on genome editing tools. The downsides of these tools include the possibility of altering or interfering with the function of neighboring Hox genes- something that could be a fatal mistake.
"We are very good at reading the genome, or sequencing DNA. And thanks to CRISPR, we can make small edits in the genome. But we're still not good at writing from scratch," Mazzoni told ScienceDaily. "Writing or building new pieces of the genome could help us to test for sufficiency -- in this case, find out what the smallest unit of the genome is necessary for a cell to know where it is in the body."
To engineer Hox genes in a laboratory setting, the team used homologous recombination machinery that copied rat Hox genes into long segments of DNA. This synthetic DNA represented HoxA variants which were then inserted into a key component of the mouse embryonic stem cells. By crossing rat genetic material with mouse stem cells, the two components remained easily distinguishable, allowing for research into how synthetic DNA affects the subject.
Historically, a hypothesis existed in the scientific community regarding Hox gene clusters. This hypothesis questioned whether the gene clusters, each of which is tightly bound and difficult to study by nature, can act alone as they orchestrate biological development. This study confirmed that the clusters can indeed act alone.
Hox genes are a star topic of any biology lesson because the genes begin the groundwork for the complex human body. These genes determine what other genes are switched on or off, which can influence the development of cells, tissues and organs.
The human genome has 39 Hox genes that direct cells on where and how to perform their roles, such as how liver tissue cells aid in metabolic function or how brain cells communicate with chemical and electrical signals. With this level of importance, it is easy to see why the correct functionality of these genes is critical.
Mutated Hox genes can lead to disfigurements, such as an arm or leg in the incorrect place, or an unexpected or diminished functionality of a limb. Alternative scenarios of failing Hox genes can cause issues during embryonic development or lead to cancer.
Research opportunities are now unlocked for those who want to study pathologies or genetic anomalies from a fresh perspective, starting from the origin point.