DNA cytosine deaminase

DNA cytosine deaminases (CDAs) are critical for detecting epigenetic modifications and enabling genome base-editing. Recently, researchers at NEB have identified a novel set of CDAs through comprehensive bioinformatics analysis. These newly discovered enzymes exhibit a wide range of sequence and modification specificities, making them highly versatile tools for genome research.

The Chen Lab, in collaboration with Zhiyi Sun’s Lab at NEB, is leading the effort to transform these cytotoxic CDAs into viable enzymes for NEB applications. Our efforts encompass:

• Optimizing Expression and Purification: We are refining the expression and purification processes of these cytotoxic CDAs in E. coli to achieve high yield and purity.
• Biochemical and Structural Characterizations: Detailed biochemical and structural analyses are being conducted to understand the functional properties and mechanisms of these CDAs. This includes studying their interactions with different substrates and identifying factors that influence their stability, activity, and specificity.
• Protein Engineering: We aim to further enhance the specificity and selectivity of these CDAs, tailoring them for specific applications in epigenetic studies and genome editing.