ZFNs

Targeted genomic cleavage is performed by engineered, sequence-specific zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs), and then gene modification is performed in the subsequent repair process. This "genome editing" has been established in human cells and many model organisms and will unlock a new dimension in animal breeding. BioVenic's professional knowledge in animal genetics and breeding and rich practical experience in the field of gene editing enables it to provide global customers gene editing services based on zinc finger nucleases for animal gene improvement to better meet research needs.

Overview of Zinc Finger Nucleases (ZFNs) Technology

ZFN is a chimeric protein, which is formed by fusing the non-specific endonuclease domain of Fokl with the DNA binding domain composed of the engineered zinc finger motif. Among these chimeric proteins, the DNA binding specificity of zinc finger protein determines the site of nuclease action. Once the engineered ZFN is identified and combined with its specific locus, it will lead to the dimerization of the two nuclease domains on the ZFN, thus triggering double strand breaks (DSB) in the target DNA. Then, the cells use the natural DNA repair process of non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) or homologous directed repair (HDR) to repair targeted breaks. Due to the imperfect fidelity of NHEJ, a part of DSBs in the cell population treated by ZFN will be wrongly repaired, resulting in the insertion or deletion of variable heterogeneous genes in cells at target sites. Alternatively, the HDR repair pathway can precisely insert transgenic or other defined changes into the target region. In this way, transgenic donor templates containing sequences homologous to the flanking and flanking regions of the cutting site are co delivered to the cells together with ZFN. By creating specific DSBs, these cell repair mechanisms are used to generate precise targeted gene editing, thus producing cells and animals with targeted gene deletion, integration, or modification.

Fig. 1 Types of genome editing made possible using zinc finger nucleases. (Urnov, 2010)

Application of ZFNs in Animal Breeding

As a synthetic restriction endonuclease, ZFNs have the advantages of high stability and operability. Most importantly, the strong affinity between zinc finger structure and DNA makes the specific role of zinc finger nuclease more prominent to some extent. The currently established engineering zinc finger nuclease technology can precisely modify different animal genomes in a simple and clear way, indicating that it has potential application prospects in improving livestock breeding programs. For example, using ZFN to knock out the biallelic gene of pigs has opened up a unique way to create gene KO pigs. In addition, ZFNs mediated gene knockout technology was used to design and synthesize integrins that can specifically recognize and cut β A pair of ZFNs of subunit 6 gene and successfully obtained integrin β the transgenic cloned cattle with the double allelic knockout of subunit 6 can prevent and resist foot and mouth disease virus (FMDV).

Our Services

• BioVenic combines its professional knowledge and rich experience in animal breeding, genetics and modern biotechnology provides global customers with animal gene editing services based on zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs) technology, which can specifically identify and knock out specific genes in DNA fragments and generate new phenotypes through targeted modification and integration of specific genes on DNA fragments.
• Compared with traditional genetic engineering technology, zinc finger nuclease technology at BioVenic has the advantages of simple operation procedure, short operation time, and high success rate.
• Moreover, ZFNs technology at BioVenic is widely applicable and can be used for gene editing of multiple species (pigs, cattle, sheep, etc.).

Want to Learn More?

BioVenic is dedicated to providing top-notch services for animal breeding and genetic research and has years of expertise in these fields. We are committed to ethical and regulatory compliance. Further ZFNs services in animal breeding include but are not limited to gene editing design, gene transfection, production of genomic modified animals, and gene editing validation. Our team of experienced scientists and biologists are committed to helping you achieve your research goals through cutting-edge genetic editing techniques. If you are interested in our services, please contact us and tell us more about your project.

Reference

1. Urnov, F. D.; et al. (2010). Genome editing with engineered zinc finger nucleases. Nature reviews. Genetics.2010, 11(9), 636–646.