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How can gene editing change the protein produced by a gene?

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DNA extraction and recombinant DNA technology — recombinant DNA The process of DNA extraction is necessary to isolate molecules of DNA from cells or tissues. A series of steps, including the use of protease enzymes to strip proteins from the DNA, are required for isolating pure DNA that is suitable for use in later procedures, such as cloning or sequencing.

Gene editing changes the protein produced by a gene by precisely altering the underlying DNA sequence, which serves as the blueprint for protein synthesis. Because the sequence of nucleotides in a gene determines the amino acid sequence of the resulting protein, modifying this code can directly impact the protein's structure and function.12

Researchers achieve these changes using tools like CRISPR-Cas9 or site-directed mutagenesis to introduce, remove, or replace specific segments of genetic material. These modifications can have several effects on the protein:123

Functional Alteration: By changing specific amino acids, scientists can modify how a protein functions, such as improving the properties of industrial enzymes or studying protein-receptor interactions.12
Loss of Function: Mutations can lead to the production of a functionless protein or the complete absence of a protein, which is often the target when correcting disease-causing genetic errors.142
Regulatory Changes: Editing the regulatory regions of a gene can alter when or how much of a protein is produced, rather than changing the protein's structure itself.4

These precise interventions allow scientists to dissect structure-function relationships and develop potential gene therapies to restore normal protein production in cases of genetic disease.12