title: Zinc-finger nucleases: a panoramic view.
abstract: Zinc-finger nucleases (ZFNs) are emerging as very powerful tools for directed genome modifications. Their key features are: a DNA-binding domain comprised of zinc fingers that can be designed to favor very specific targets; a nonspecific cleavage domain that must dimerize to cut DNA--this requirement enhances specificity and minimizes random cleavage. ZFNs have been shown to be effective in a wide range of organisms and cell types. This article reviews discoveries that led to the development of ZFNs, cites examples of successes in genome engineering, and projects how ZFNs may be used in the future, particularly in applications to humans.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, University of Utah School of Medicine, 15 N. Medical Drive East, Salt Lake City, UT 84112-5650, USA. dana@biochem.utah.edu
authors.forename: Dana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Carroll
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015252:Deoxyribonucleases, Type II Site-Specific / Q000235:genetics; D004706:Endodeoxyribonucleases / Q000737:chemistry; D018390:Gene Targeting / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008958:Models, Molecular; D015202:Protein Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000737:chemistry; D016335:Zinc Fingers / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D004706:Endodeoxyribonucleases; C035042:endodeoxyribonuclease FokI; D015252:Deoxyribonucleases, Type II Site-Specific