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Updated: Aug 14, 2026
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Direct Protein Delivery to Mammalian Cells Using Cell-permeable Cys2-His2 Zinc-finger Domains
Published on: March 25, 2015
Designer zinc-finger proteins and their applications
Monika Papworth1, Paulina Kolasinska, Michal Minczuk
1MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Hills Road, CB2 2QH, UK. map@mrc-lmb.cam.ac.uk
Gene
|November 22, 2005
Summary
Engineered zinc finger proteins offer novel therapeutic potential by targeting specific DNA sequences. These designer proteins are being explored for treating diseases like peripheral arterial obstructive disease.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Cys(2)His(2) zinc finger domains are common DNA-binding motifs in eukaryotes.
- Their simple DNA recognition mechanism is a scaffold for designing proteins with new sequence specificities.
Purpose of the Study:
- Review the evolution and design of natural and engineered Cys(2)His(2) zinc finger proteins.
- Discuss applications of engineered zinc finger proteins, including therapeutic uses.
Main Methods:
- Review of natural Cys(2)His(2) zinc finger evolution.
- Principles of engineering novel zinc finger proteins.
- Analysis of applications and mechanisms of engineered zinc finger proteins.
Main Results:
- Engineered zinc finger proteins can be designed to bind specific DNA sequences.
- These proteins can be fused with effector domains to create chimeric DNA-modifying enzymes and transcription factors.
- A designer zinc finger transcription activator is in clinical trials for peripheral arterial obstructive disease.
Conclusions:
- Engineered zinc finger proteins represent a promising platform for developing novel therapeutics.
- Understanding their design, mechanisms, and regulation is crucial for future applications.
- Future applications of designer zinc finger proteins are extensive.
