Provided is a nucleoside derivative represented by the following formula (1):

##STR00001##

or a salt thereof, wherein R.sup.1 represents an alkoxy group, a hydrogen atom or a halogen atom; R.sup.2 and R.sup.4, which may be the same as or different from each other, each represents a hydrogen atom, a protective group for a hydroxyl group, a phosphate group, a protected phosphate group, or —P(═O).sub.nR.sup.5R.sup.6 in which n represents 0 or 1, R.sup.5 and R.sup.6, which may be the same as or different from each other, each represents a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a protected hydroxyl group, a mercapto group, a protected mercapto group, an alkoxy group, a cyanoalkoxy group, an amino group, or a substituted amino group, provided that when n is 1, both R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 cannot be the hydrogen atom at the same time; R.sup.3 represents —(CH.sub.2).sub.mNHR.sup.7 in which m represents an integer of 1 to 6, R.sup.7 represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group or a protective group for an amino group; and B represents a purin-9-yl group, a 2-oxo-pyrimidin-1-yl group, a substituted purin-9-yl group, or a substituted 2-oxo-pyrimidin-1-yl group.

The present invention relates to methods of inhibiting the expression of an AGT gene in a subject, as well as methods for treating subjects having an AGT-associated disorder, e.g., hypertension, using RNAi agents, e.g., double stranded RNAi agents, targeting the AGT gene. The invention also relates to methods of decreasing blood pressure levels in a subject using such RNAi agents to inhibit expression of an AGT gene.

The present disclosure relates to RNA molecules encoding a varicella zoster virus (VZV). The present disclosure further relates to compositions comprising the RNA molecules formulated in a lipid nanoparticle (RNA-LNP). The present disclosure further relates to the use of the RNA molecules, RNA-LNPs and compositions for the treatment or prevention of herpes zoster or shingles.

A very fast and efficient CRISPR/Cas9 system is provided. Compositions include light-sensitive caged nucleotides at the PAM distal region of guide RNAs (gRNA.sup.caged) to create artificial mismatches as a “roadblock”. Upon light stimulation, the caging group (“roadblock”) is removed and the gRNA fully hybridizes with the target DNA. Thus, the pre-bound inactive Cas9/gRNA.sup.caged is rapidly converted to active Cas9.

Provided is a thrombin binding circular aptamer, the nucleotide sequence thereof being at least one selected from a) to e): a) a nucleotide sequence in SEQ ID NO:1, wherein the 5′ end and 3′ end are connected to form a ring; b) a nucleotide sequence obtained by substitution in the nucleotide sequence in SEQ ID NO:1, the obtained nucleotide sequence being a circular DNA molecule capable of specific recognition of thrombin; c) a nucleotide sequence obtained by deletion in the nucleotide sequence in SEQ ID NO:1, the obtained nucleotide sequence being a circular DNA molecule capable of specific recognition of thrombin; d) a nucleotide sequence obtained by adding one or more nucleotides to the nucleotide sequence in SEQ ID NO:1; and e) a nucleotide sequence obtained by modification of the nucleotide sequence in SEQ ID NO:1 with a chemical group.

Disclosed are polynucleotides, compositions, and methods related to RNA interference (RNAi). The disclosed polynucleotides, compositions, and methods may be utilized for treating diseases and disorders through RNAi. Particular disclosed are toxic RNAi active seed sequences and methods of using toxic RNAi active sequences for killing cancer cells. The disclosed toxic RNAi active seed sequences preferentially target and inhibit the expression of multiple essential genes for cell survival and/or growth through a process called “death-induced by survival gene elimination” or “DISE.”

Disclosed herein are antisense compounds and methods for decreasing apo(a) to treat, prevent, or ameliorate diseases, disorders or conditions related to apo(a) or Lp(a). Certain diseases, disorders or conditions related to apo(a) or Lp(a) include inflammatory, cardiovascular and/or metabolic diseases, disorders or conditions. The antisense compounds disclosed herein can be used to treat such diseases, disorders or conditions in an individual in need thereof.

One aspect of the present invention relates to double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) agent capable of inhibiting the expression of a target gene. The sense strand of the dsRNA agent comprises at least one thermally destabilizing nucleotide, and at least one said thermally destabilizing nucleotide occurring at a site opposite to the seed region (positions 2-8) of the antisense strand; and the antisense strand of the dsRNA agent comprises at least two modified nucleotides that provide the nucleotide a steric bulk that is less than or equal to the steric bulk of a 2′-OMe modification, wherein said modified nucleotides are separated by 11 nucleotides in length. Other aspects of the invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these dsRNA agents suitable for therapeutic use, and methods of inhibiting the expression of a target gene by administering these dsRNA agents, e.g., for the treatment of various disease conditions.

This invention relates to compounds, compositions, and methods useful for reducing KRAS target RNA and protein levels via use of Dicer substrate siRNA (DsiRNA) agents possessing asymmetric end structures.

A hybrid DNA/RNA molecule, or a complex thereof with at least one nanoparticle, may be used for the prevention or treatment of a disease, in particular a disease of the digestive system.