Described herein are compositions and techniques related to generation and therapeutic application of artificial synapses. Artificial synapses are engineered extracellular vesicles, including exosomes, which incorporate sticky binders on their surface to anchor signaling domains against biological targets, such as receptors. These engineered additives can be organized in genetic vector constructs, expressed in mammalian cells, wherein the sticky binders attach to extracellular vesicles such as exosomes, thereby presenting their joined signaling domains which are rapidly taken up by recipient cells. Artificial synapses adopt the hallmark biophysical and biochemical features of extracellular vesicles, allowing for rapid deployment and scale-up. Importantly, this strategy can allow for kinetically favorable signal generation and signal propagation. This includes, for example, increasing density of agonist presentation to support receptor clustering—an onerous barrier for traditional receptor targeting strategies.

In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a system and method for the identification and characterization of a transglutaminase. Further, the present disclosure provides transglutaminase enzymes for forming isopeptide bonds, methods of forming isopeptide bonds in the presence of transglutaminases, and substrate tags for use with transglutaminases. In another aspect, the present disclosure provides glutamine-containing substrates (or Q-tag substrates) that are more resistant to proteases/clipping and therefore, more stable, than other Q-tag substrates, and their uses in substrate tags for cross-linking to an amine-donor tag via an isopeptide bond mediated by a microbial transglutaminase.

In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a system and method for the identification and characterization of a transglutaminase. Further, the present disclosure provides transglutaminase enzymes for forming isopeptide bonds, methods of forming isopeptide bonds in the presence of transglutaminases, and substrate tags for use with transglutaminases. In another aspect, the present disclosure provides glutamine-containing substrates (or Q-tag substrates) that are more resistant to proteases/clipping and therefore, more stable, than other Q-tag substrates, and their uses in substrate tags for cross-linking to an amine-donor tag via an isopeptide bond mediated by a microbial transglutaminase.

The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for acetylating histones at targeted chromosomal locations in a cell. In particular, the disclosure provides a fusion protein comprising a DNA binding domain and at least one histone acetyltransferase (HAT) domain, such that the DNA binding domain targets the fusion protein to a targeted chromosomal location and the HAT domain acetylates histones at the targeted location.

Non-FRET-based fusion protein reporter molecules are provided that can be used to monitor histone modifications in living cells. Transgenic animals, particularly non-human mammals, whose genomes comprise an expression cassette encoding a non-FRET-based fusion protein reporter, are also provided. Methods of using the fusion reporter molecules for diagnosing histone-modification-associated disorders and to identify candidate pharmaceutical agents that effect histone modification in cells and tissues are also provided.

Described herein are compositions and techniques related to generation and therapeutic application of artificial synapses. Artificial synapses are engineered extracellular vesicles, including exosomes, which incorporate sticky binders on their surface to anchor signaling domains against biological targets, such as receptors. These engineered additives can be organized in genetic vector constructs, expressed in mammalian cells, wherein the sticky binders attach to extracellular vesicles such as exosomes, thereby presenting their joined signaling domains which are rapidly taken up by recipient cells. Artificial synapses adopt the hallmark biophysical and biochemical features of extracellular vesicles, allowing for rapid deployment and scale-up. Importantly, this strategy can allow for kinetically favorable signal generation and signal propagation. This includes, for example, increasing density of agonist presentation to support receptor clusteringan onerous barrier for traditional receptor targeting strategies.

The present disclosure provides materials and methods for CUB domain-containing protein 1 (CDCP1)-targeted therapy.

Described herein are compositions and techniques related to generation and therapeutic application of artificial synapses. Artificial synapses are engineered extracellular vesicles, including exosomes, which incorporate sticky binders on their surface to anchor signaling domains against biological targets, such as receptors. These engineered additives can be organized in genetic vector constructs, expressed in mammalian cells, wherein the sticky binders attach to extracellular vesicles such as exosomes, thereby presenting their joined signaling domains which are rapidly taken up by recipient cells. Artificial synapses adopt the hallmark biophysical and biochemical features of extracellular vesicles, allowing for rapid deployment and scale-up. Importantly, this strategy can allow for kinetically favorable signal generation and signal propagation. This includes, for example, increasing density of agonist presentation to support receptor clusteringan onerous barrier for traditional receptor targeting strategies.

The present invention relates to modified fusion proteins and nucleic acid constructs suitable for use for protein degradation in cells. The fusion proteins comprise a RING domain; and an adaptor domain that is capable of localising the RING domain with a substrate. The fusion proteins are unable to undergo N-terminal autoubiquitination and have increased cellular half-life. The present invention also relates to compositions comprising these fusion proteins and nucleic acids, and the use of the fusion proteins and nucleic acid constructs in therapy.