TALE
Basic structure of TALEN: Transcription Activator-Like Effector (TALE) Nuclease
- A TALE protein comprises TALE repeat sequences (around 34–35 amino acid residues), each having two α helices. The 12th and 13th amino acid residues are called the Repeat Variable Diresidue (RVD).
- TALENs are artificial restriction enzymes that consist of a DNA-binding TALE repeat assembly and a non-specific FokⅠ endonuclease domain fused to its C-terminus. TALENs function in pairs with specificity for sites on opposite DNA strands. The FokⅠ catalytic domains dimerize to create a double-strand break (DSB). Non-RVD residues at the 4th and 32nd positions (highlighted in red) mediate DNA-binding affinity.
Adapted from: T. Yamamoto. Basic Principles and Application of Genome Editing (in Japanese). Tokyo, Japan: Shokabo; 2018.