Molecular Locks are protein assemblies that home to target nucleic acids and cooperatively lock. Each Molecular Lock protein component has a part that binds to a portion of the target nucleic acid and a part that sets up the cooperative assembly and geometry of the Molecular Lock. A strong binding complex, specific for the target nucleic acid, is formed when weakly binding Molecular Lock components are assembled side-by-side.
Molecular Lock reagents are provided as expressible mini-gene cDNAs that code for Molecular Lock protein components.
If the targeted nucleic acid is spooled
by the expressed Molecular Lock protein assembly, the gene(s) associated
with the targeted nucleic acid may be turned OFF.
If the targeted nucleic acid is hairpinned
by the expressed Molecular Lock protein assembly, the gene(s) associated
with the targeted nucleic acid may be turned ON.
If one of the Molecular Lock components has a nuclease as its binding domain,
then the targeted nucleic acid may be CUT.