Hosoda, A. | bioRxiv Science

bioRxiv2023

TALE-based C-to-T base editor for multiple homologous genes with flexible precision

Recently a cytidine deaminase-based method for highly efficient C-to-T targeted base editing was developed and has been used with CRISPR-mediated systems. It is a powerful method for genome engineering, although it is prone to off-target effects and has limited targeting scope. Transcription activator-like effector (TALE) -based tools which allow longer recognition sequences than do CRISPR/Cas9 systems, can also be used for targeted C-to-T base editing. Here, we describe a method that efficiently achieved targeted C-to-T substitutions in Arabidopsis nuclear genes using cytidine deaminase fused to a TALE DNA-binding domain (TALECD). We used a single pair of TALEs with a novel TALE-repeat unit that can recognize all four DNA bases, especially to allow for variations in the third base of codons in homologous genes. This targeting strategy makes it possible to simultaneously base edit almost identical sites in multiple isoforms of a gene while suppressing off-target substitutions.

synthetic biology↗

bioRxiv2019

The association between dietary habits and periodontal disease in young adult women

BackgroundAmong middle-aged and elderly individuals, dietary habits have previously been reported to differ between patients with and without periodontal disease. However, in young adults, there are only a few reports that show a correlation between nutrient/food intake and periodontal disease. Moreover, no report has assessed the correlation between dietary habits measured by a self-administered diet history questionnaire (DHQ) and periodontal disease. Therefore, we assessed the correlation between dietary habits, determined using a DHQ, and periodontal disease in young adult women who are likely to develop a periodontal disease.\n\nMethodsThe participants were 120 healthy, non-smoking, female college students (mean age, 20.4 {+/-} 1.1 years) from two universities who did not have any systemic disease. The participants were assessed for periodontal disease according to community periodontal index (CPI) and were divided into two groups. Subjects with a CPI code of 0, 1, or 2 were assigned to non-periodontal disease group (non-PD), and subjects with a CPI code of 3 or 4 were assigned to periodontal disease group (PD). Dietary habits were assessed using a DHQ. In addition, physical status, level of difficulty in chewing food (dietary hardness), masticatory performance, and quality of life (QoL) were assessed.\n\nResultsThe PD group had a significantly lower nutrient intake of minerals, fat, water-soluble vitamins, and dietary fiber than the non-PD group. In terms of food groups, the PD group consumed significantly lesser amounts of green and yellow vegetables than the non-PD group. In addition, the PD group consumed significantly lesser amounts of hard foods than the non-PD group.\n\nConclusionYoung adult women with a periodontal disease had a significantly lower nutrient/food intake than young adult women without a periodontal disease.

pathology↗