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Publication

Molecular barcoding of viral vectors enables mapping and optimization of mRNA trans-splicing.

RNA (New York, N.Y.) | 2018

Genome editing has proven to be highly potent in the generation of functional gene knockouts in dividing cells. In the CNS however, efficient technologies to repair sequences are yet to materialize. Reprogramming on the mRNA level is an attractive alternative as it provides means to perform in situ editing of coding sequences without nuclease dependency. Furthermore, de novo sequences can be inserted without the requirement of homologous recombination. Such reprogramming would enable efficient editing in quiescent cells (e.g., neurons) with an attractive safety profile for translational therapies. In this study, we applied a novel molecular-barcoded screening assay to investigate RNA trans-splicing in mammalian neurons. Through three alternative screening systems in cell culture and in vivo, we demonstrate that factors determining trans-splicing are reproducible regardless of the screening system. With this screening, we have located the most permissive trans-splicing sequences targeting an intron in the Synapsin I gene. Using viral vectors, we were able to splice full-length fluorophores into the mRNA while retaining very low off-target expression. Furthermore, this approach also showed evidence of functionality in the mouse striatum. However, in its current form, the trans-splicing events are stochastic and the overall activity lower than would be required for therapies targeting loss-of-function mutations. Nevertheless, the herein described barcode-based screening assay provides a unique possibility to screen and map large libraries in single animals or cell assays with very high precision.

Pubmed ID: 29386333 RIS Download

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NCBI Sequence Read Archive (SRA) (tool)

RRID:SCR_004891

Repository of raw sequencing data from next generation of sequencing platforms including including Roche 454 GS System, Illumina Genome Analyzer, Applied Biosystems SOLiD System, Helicos Heliscope, Complete Genomics, and Pacific Biosciences SMRT. In addition to raw sequence data, SRA now stores alignment information in form of read placements on reference sequence. Data submissions are welcome. Archive of high throughput sequencing data,part of international partnership of archives (INSDC) at NCBI, European Bioinformatics Institute and DNA Database of Japan. Data submitted to any of this three organizations are shared among them.

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