Disclosed herein are improved nanozymes for targeting RNA. The disclosed nanozymes are synthesized using recombinant RNase A with site-specific cysteine-substituted mutations that can be covalently functionalized with a length-tunable multi-thiol tether and then loaded onto gold particles through multiple gold-sulfur bonds. This new RNase A loading mechanism is site specific, and it allows high-density loading of alkylthiol modified DNA oligonucleotides. The disclosed nanozymes can also include additional capturer strands and/or involve DNA-recombinant-RNase-A unibodies to further increase the nanozyme's enzymatic activity and target selectivity. Also disclosed are functional on-off switchable nanozymes to control nanozyme activity. In some embodiments, the disclosed nanozyme are core-free hollow forms. The removal of the inorganic nanoparticle cores from nanozymes can effectively eliminate the potential long-term toxicity induced by the core, and also creates a cavity for loading and delivery of small molecule drugs.

The present disclosure provides engineered polynucleotide sequences that form scaffolds and nucleoprotein complexes comprising such engineered polynucleotide sequences that form scaffolds and nucleic acid binding proteins. Nucleic acid sequences encoding the engineered polynucleotide sequences that form scaffolds, as well as expression cassettes, vectors and cells comprising such polynucleotide sequences, are described. A variety of methods for making and using the engineered polynucleotide sequences that form scaffolds are also disclosed.

The present disclosure provides engineered polynucleotide sequences that form scaffolds and nucleoprotein complexes comprising such engineered polynucleotide sequences that form scaffolds and nucleic acid binding proteins. Nucleic acid sequences encoding the engineered polynucleotide sequences that form scaffolds, as well as expression cassettes, vectors and cells comprising such polynucleotide sequences, are described. A variety of methods for making and using the engineered polynucleotide sequences that form scaffolds are also disclosed.

The present invention includes bivalent or multivalent nucleic acid molecules or complexes of nucleic acid molecules having two or more target-specific regions, in which the target-specific regions are complementary to a single target gene at more than one distinct nucleotide site, and/or in which the target regions are complementary to more than one target gene or target sequence. Also included are compositions comprising such nucleic acid molecules and methods of using the same for multivalent RNA interference and the treatment of a variety of diseases and infections.

The presently-disclosed subject matter relates to an artificial RNA nanostructure and method of use thereof. In particular, the presently-disclosed subject matter relates to RNA nanoparticles and RNA dendrimers, and methods of disease diagnosis and treatments using the RNA nanostructure and RNA dendrimers.

This disclosure relates to novel huntingtin targets. Novel oligonucleotides for the treatment of Huntington's disease are also provided.

The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition for preventing or treating atopic dermatitis, the pharmaceutical composition including, as an active ingredient, X-shaped DNA (X.sub.L-DNA) formed by complementary binding of oligonucleotides having nucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 1 to SEQ ID NO: 4. When the pharmaceutical composition is subcutaneously injected into an animal model of atopic dermatitis, effects of easing skin lesions, such as erythema, bleeding and edema, and the like, and ear edema, and reducing expression of immunoglobulin E (IgE) are exhibited. In this regard, the composition can be used as a pharmaceutical composition, a health food, or a cosmetic for atopic dermatitis.

The disclosure provides multimeric oligonucleotide compounds, comprising two or more target-specific oligonucleotides (e.g., antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs)), each being resistant to cleavage, and linked together by a cleavable linker. In particular, two or more linked target-specific oligonucleotides, each to a different target, allows concomitant inhibition of multiple genes' expression levels, while exhibiting favorable pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties. Methods of making and uses of the described compounds are also provided.

The invention provides novel immune regulatory oligonucleotides (IRO) as antagonist of TLRs and methods of use thereof. These IROs have unique sequences that inhibit or suppress TLR-mediated signaling in response to a TLR ligand or TLR agonist. The methods may have use in the prevention and treatment of cancer, an autoimmune disorder, airway inflammation, inflammatory disorders, infectious disease, skin disorders, allergy, asthma or a disease caused by a pathogen.

A hyperbranched polymer includes a hyperbranched, hydrophobic molecular core, respective low molecular weight polyethyleneimine chains attached to at least three branches of the hyperbranched, hydrophobic molecular core, and respective polyethylene glycol chains attached to at least two other branches of the hyperbranched, hydrophobic molecular core. Examples of the hyperbranched polymer may be used to form hyperbranched polyplexes, and may be included in DNA or RNA delivery systems.