Increase or Inhibit Protein Production for selected Genes
Our cutting-edge technology revolutionizes gene regulation by precisely controlling the translation of specific target genes. By modulating the nuclear export of corresponding mRNA, we can either enhance or inhibit gene expression with remarkable specificity. This innovation stems from breakthrough research revealing how defined anti-sense RNAs bind to cognate mRNA in a sequence-specific manner, facilitating its export from the nucleus and driving efficient translation in the cytoplasm. Empower your research with this advanced solution, designed to unlock new possibilities in therapeutic gene therapies.
Challenge
While RNA silencing and similar approaches have been used for some time, they only act downstream in the cytoplasm and cannot increase protein translation. Our technology overcomes this limitation, offering a powerful solution for situations where boosting protein production is crucial. Whether it’s addressing low gene expression caused by hereditary defects or enhancing gene expression e. g. in fibrotic or oncogenic tissues, our approach enables a target specific increase or reduction of protein output where it’s needed most. This opens up new possibilities for therapeutic interventions and targeted treatments.
Our Solution
Our technology introduces an entirely new mode of action by modulating protein production early on in the nucleus, bypassing the challenges associated with single-stranded RNA in the cytoplasm. Groundbreaking research from Georg-August University in Göttingen demonstrated that asRNA, over-expressed by a vector in the nucleus, binds to mRNA in a target-specific manner. Depending on its design, this can either promote or block the export of mRNA into the cytoplasm, directly impacting its expression. In cells of baker’s yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as well as in human somatic cells we successfully applied our technology to boost or inhibit mRNA export, resulting in higher or lower protein production. However, this novel strategy to boost gene expression can be applied to any gene of interest by expressing a specifically designed asRNA pairing with your mRNA sequence of interest. This innovative mechanism opens up exciting new possibilities for gene expression control and therapeutic development.
Fig 1. Example of highly increased protein synthesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae upon targeted expression of an asRNA. Protein production was increased more than 7-fold within one hour.
Applications and Advantages
- Significant increase in recombinant protein production: Enhance the yield of recombinant therapeutic or biotechnological proteins expressed in yeast or other eukaryotic cells.
- Restoration of normal protein levels in disease settings: Efficient cellular increase of expression of tumor suppressor genes or other disease-relevant genes in situations of diminished cellular protein levels.
- Increase antigen presentation upon mRNA vaccination.
- Broad Applicability: Versatile technology suitable for application to your gene of interest. Applicable in yeast and other eukaryotic cells.
- High Specificity: Achieve precision targeting, as the approach is directly based on the specific sequence of the target gene, ensuring maximum accuracy and efficiency.
- Inhibit protein production if desired: Through specific manipulation we can also offer to inhibit gene expression of specific genes with this asRNA technology.
Development Status
Successful in vivo proof of concept of baker’s yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and in human somatic cells achieved.
Patent Status
PCT patent apllication (WO2025011876A2) has been filed in the name of the Georg-August University. Partners for licensing and/or cooperation are sought.
References
Coban, I. et al. dsRNA formation leads to preferential nuclear export and gene expression. Nature 2024. doi.org/10.1038/s41586-024-07576-w
Contact
- Christiane Bolli
- Patent Manager Life Sciences
- vjensen@sciencebridge.de
- +49 551 30724 149
- BioV-2447-SUG
