Described herein are compositions and methods for enhancing erythropoiesis in an individual in need thereof. Specifically agents that decrease the expression of Exosc10, such as inhibitory nucleic acid molecules, produce an increase in red blood cell production in the individual.

Peptide nucleic acid (PNA) oligomers having one or more hydroxymethyl γ-substitutions, also referred to herein as “.sup.serγPNA”, are provided. The hydroxymethyl γ-substitution preserves and amplifies the helical preorganization that is valuable for DNA duplex invasion by the oligomer. .sup.serγPNA-containing triplex-forming molecules can be used in combination with a donor DNA fragment to facilitate genome modification in vitro and in vivo.

Programmable guide RNAs (gRNAs) play a central role in the CRISPR revolution sweeping biology and medicine by directing the function of a Cas protein effector to a target gene of choice. To achieve programmable control over regulatory scope, the activity of a conditional guide RNA (cgRNA) depends on the presence or absence of an RNA trigger, allowing for cell-selective regulation of CRISPR/Cas function. Unlike a standard gRNA, a cgRNA is programmable at multiple levels, with the target-binding sequence controlling the target of Cas activity (edit, silence, induce, or bind a gene of choice) and the trigger binding sequence controlling the scope of Cas activity. cgRNA mechanisms that are allosteric allow for independent design of the target and trigger sequences, providing the flexibility to select the regulatory target and scope independently. Disclosed herein are allosteric cgRNA mechanisms for both ON.fwdarw.OFF logic (conditional inactivation by an RNA trigger) and OFF.fwdarw.ON logic (conditional activation by an RNA trigger). Allosteric cgRNAs enable restriction of CRISPR/Cas function to a desired cell type, tissue, organ, or disease state. Allosteric cgRNAs provide a versatile platform for cell-selective and tissue-selective research tools, biotechnologies, diagnostics, and therapeutics.

The invention relates to a method of treating a cardiovascular disease, such as heart failure, in a subject in need comprising the step of administering an inhibitor of bZIP repressor or an activator of p38 or a combination thereof to a subject in need thereby treating the cardiovascular disease. The inhibitor to bZIP repressor is: an inhibitor of ATF3; an inhibitor of JDP2; a co-inhibitor to both ATF3 and JDP2; or a combination of an inhibitor of ATF3 and an inhibitor of JDP2.

Methods and compositions for modulation of the activity of alpha thalassemia/mental retardation syndrome X-linked (ATRX), e.g., modulation of DNA-ATRX or RNA-ATRX interactions, and methods for identifying and using compounds that modulate DNA-ATRX or RNA-ATRX interactions, as well as the compounds themselves.

Compositions and methods for enhancing targeted gene editing and methods of use thereof are disclosed. In the most preferred embodiments, gene editing is carried out utilizing a gene editing composition such as triplex-forming oligonucleotides, CRISPR, zinc finger nucleases, TALENS, or others, in combination with a gene modification potentiating agent such as stem cell factor (SCF), a CHK1 or ATR inhibitor, or a combination thereof. A particular preferred gene editing composition is triplex-forming peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) substituted at the γ position for increased DNA binding affinity. Nanoparticle compositions for intracellular delivery of the gene editing composition are also provided and particular advantageous for use with in vivo applications.

The invention relates in aspects to hybrid RNAs lacking a poly-A tail and nucleic acid vectors for expressing the RNA. The hybrid RNAs in some instances have a 3′ terminal stabilizing triple helical structure. Related methods for expressing said RNAs in vivo and in vitro are also disclosed.

The present invention relates to the fields of medicine and immunology. In particular, it relates to novel antisense oligonucleotides that may be used in the treatment, prevention and/or delay of Leber congenital amaurosis.

A method of reducing the level of a transcription product in a cell comprising contacting with the cell a composition comprising a double-stranded nucleic acid complex comprising a first nucleic acid strand annealed to a second nucleic acid strand, wherein: (i) the first nucleic acid strand hybridizes to the transcription product and comprises (a) a region consisting of at least 4 consecutive nucleotides that are recognized by RNase H when the strand is hybridized to the transcription product, (b) one or more nucleotide analogs located on 5′ terminal side of the region, (c) one or more nucleotide analogs located on 3′ terminal side of the region and (d) a total number of nucleotides and nucleotide analogs ranging from 8 to 35 nucleotides and (ii) the second nucleic acid strand comprises (a) nucleotides and optionally nucleotide analogs and (b) at least 4 consecutive RNA nucleotides.

Provided are a complex that comprises a nucleic acid-containing nanoparticle and a hollow particle of a non-enveloped virus, a method for producing the complex, and a pharmaceutical composition comprising the complex.