Review Article

NanoScript: A Novel Tool for Gene Regulation Based on Nanoparticles with Benefits and Drawbacks

Volume: 3 Number: 1 July 23, 2024
EN

NanoScript: A Novel Tool for Gene Regulation Based on Nanoparticles with Benefits and Drawbacks

Abstract

Transcription factors (TFs) are proteins that act as key regulators of gene expression by binding to specific DNA sequences to activate or repress gene expression by interacting with specific regulatory elements in the genome. TFs typically have multiple functional domains that contribute to their regulatory functions. These basically consist of three domains: the Nuclear Localization Signal (NLS) Domain, the DNA Binding Domain (DBD), and the Activation Domain (AD). Through the coordinated interaction of these domains, TFs can fine-tune gene expression in response to various internal and external signals within the cell. The ability to modulate gene expression is essential for controlling fundamental cellular processes, regulating development, and responding to environmental stimuli. A defect in the complex mechanism of TFs has been associated with an increasing number of human diseases. Therefore, TF-based gene regulation studies are considered a promising approach for many biological applications. In this context, researchers aimed to copy the structural and functional properties of TFs using a nanoparticle-based platform known as NanoScript. By mimicking the behavior of natural TFs, NanoScript is designed to enable precise gene regulation and cellular reprogramming and offer new possibilities for controlled and targeted manipulation of gene expression. The primary goal of NanoScript is to regulate gene expression at the transcriptional level in a non-viral manner. NanoScript can activate specific genes by interacting with endogenous DNA and initiating transcriptional activity, serving as an alternative synthetic structure to proteins for gene manipulation and cellular reprogramming. The platform has potential for a variety of applications in the fields of stem cell biology, cancer therapy, and cellular reprogramming thanks to its tunable components (nanoparticles and surface components) and the ability to effectively regulate gene expression. However, NanoScript also has some limitations, such as the possibility of interacting with off-target genes. In this study, current studies and techniques of a nanoparticle-based TF mimic called NanoScript in the field of gene regulation are discussed, and the advantages and challenges of this technique are discussed.

Keywords

Gene regulation , nanoparticles , NanoScript , transcription factor , stem cell

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APA
Firat, C., Öztürk, A., Dağcı, İ., Ünver, Y., & Solak, K. (2024). NanoScript: A Novel Tool for Gene Regulation Based on Nanoparticles with Benefits and Drawbacks. Eurasian Journal of Molecular and Biochemical Sciences, 3(1), 30-36. https://izlik.org/JA84XW63HS