Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 30, 2026

Genome Editing with CompoZr Custom Zinc Finger Nucleases (ZFNs)
Published on: June 14, 2012
Zinc-finger protein-targeted gene regulation: genomewide single-gene specificity
Siyuan Tan1, Dmitry Guschin, Albert Davalos
1Sangamo BioSciences, Inc., Point Richmond Tech Center II, 501 Canal Boulevard, Richmond, CA 94804, USA.
Abstract:
Zinc-finger protein transcription factors (ZFP TFs) can be designed to control the expression of any desired target gene, and thus provide potential therapeutic tools for the study and treatment of disease. Here we report that a ZFP TF can repress target gene expression with single-gene specificity within the human genome. A ZFP TF repressor that binds an 18-bp recognition sequence within the promoter of the endogenous CHK2 gene gives a >10-fold reduction in CHK2 mRNA and protein. This level of repression was sufficient to generate a functional phenotype, as demonstrated by the loss of DNA damage-induced CHK2-dependent p53 phosphorylation. We determined the specificity of repression by using DNA microarrays and found that the ZFP TF repressed a single gene (CHK2) within the monitored genome in two different cell types. These data demonstrate the utility of ZFP TFs as precise tools for target validation, and highlight their potential as clinical therapeutics.
Related Concept Videos
Combinatorial Gene Control
The expression of more than 30,000 genes is controlled by approximately 2000-3000 transcription factors. This is possible because a single transcription factor can recognize more than one regulatory sequence. The specificity in gene...
Genetic Screens
Forward genetic screens
Forward or “classical” genetic screens involve creating random mutations in an organism’s DNA using radiation, mutagens, or insertion of additional bases, which result in visible changes...
Pharmacogenomics: Identification of New Drug Targets
Genomic Imprinting and Inheritance
The expression of some genes depends on which parent passed the gene to the offspring, through a phenomenon known as...
General Transcription Factors

