New Enzyme Family Offers Potential for Single-Stranded DNA Applications

Researchers at the Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS), led by Frédéric Veyrier, have identified a new family of enzymes, called Ssn endonucleases, capable of targeting and cutting single-stranded DNA (ssDNA). Their findings, published in Nature Communications, represent a significant step forward in genetic research and biotechnology.

While CRISPR technology has been widely used to edit double-stranded DNA, no enzyme had previously been described that exclusively targets ssDNA. Single-stranded DNA, though less common than its double-stranded counterpart, plays a critical role in biological processes like cell replication and repair and is utilized in technologies such as sequencing and molecular diagnostics. The discovery of Ssn enzymes addresses a longstanding limitation in ssDNA-based applications.

The INRS team focused on a specific Ssn enzyme from the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis. This enzyme recognizes a unique sequence in its genome, influencing genetic transformation and bacterial evolution. “This interaction directly influences the dynamics of the bacterial genome,” explained Professor Veyrier. The team also identified thousands of similar enzymes with distinct specificities for ssDNA sequences.

These enzymes offer promising applications in biology and medicine. They could improve gene editing techniques, enhance DNA detection methods, and advance molecular diagnostics. Additionally, they may aid in controlling bacteria like Neisseria meningitidis and associated infections.

Co-first author Alex Rivera-Millot emphasized the broad potential:  “We demonstrated that they are able to recognize and specifically cut their own single-stranded DNA sequence. Thousands of enzymes therefore have this property with their own specificity.” This discovery opens opportunities for medical and industrial uses, including pathogen detection and therapeutic genetic manipulation.

By providing a new tool for precise DNA recognition and manipulation, the Ssn enzyme family could contribute to advancements in health research and biotechnology.