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Small RNA Regulators for Controlling Gene Expression

Detailed Technology Description

This invention provides compositionsand methods to regulate gene expression invivo by placing trans-actingsmall RNAs, called Small TranscriptionActivating/Attenuating RNAs (STARs),at upstream of a gene of interest.

Others

• Filed in the U.S. under the publication number 20170183664 
• Chappell J., Takahashi M. K., & Lu cks J. B. CreatingSmall Transcription Activating RNAs. NatureChemical Biology (2015). doi:10.1038/nchembio.1737

*Abstract

The syntheticmaterials, called Small Transcriptions Activating/Attenuating RNAs (STARs), areplaced upstream of a target gene in bacteria, e.g. Escherichiacoli, to target the disruption of RNA transcriptional terminator hairpins. Inthe absence of the sRNAs, STARs, these hairpins cause RNA polymerase to aborttranscription at the beginning of the messenger RNA. When expressed in trans, STARs act as transcriptionanti-terminators that ultimately allow RNA polymerase to translate themessengers.

 

The inventors have assessedthe function of more than ten activator sRNA and activatable targetsRNA sequence groups for gene expression in bacteria.

 

Potential Applications

• Biomolecular tool for regulatinggene expression
  •  Ideally suited as a tool for strainengineering and reprogramming of cellular phenotypes
• For engineering artificial gene networks (Synthetic Biology).

 

Advantages

• RNA-only transcriptional regulation
• Able to regulate up to 100-fold activation of transcription
• Independent regulation since the sRNA transcriptional activatorsare orthogonal to each other and to existing sRNA transcriptional attenuator/repressorlibraries
• Creation of STAR library

*Licensing

PhillipOwh607-254-4508po62@cornell.edu

Country/Region

USA