Reversible RNA Editing
The Broad Institute’s pioneering lab for gene editing has developed a version of CRISPR that permits reversible RNA editing. “The system, dubbed REPAIR (RNA Editing for Programmable A to I Replacement) can edit single nucleosides, or the “letters” that make up the RNA helix. Specifically, it can change the nucleoside adenosine (A) to inosine (I), which is read as guanosine (G) inside cells. This could become a treatment for diseases in which a G-to-A mutation plays a role, including Duchenne muscular dystrophy and Parkinson’s disease.” Key to this is a modified enzyme called Cas 13, which binds to a specific DNA sequence but doesn’t cut it, as Cas 9 does. In cases of Franconi anemia and nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, reversible editing restored normal genetic functions. MORE