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 NFκB Decoy Oligodeoxynucleotide
There are two major types of genetic medicine categorized according to preparation method. The first involves the utilization of the genes themselves as is the case with HGF genetic medicine; the other involves the utilization of genes synthesized with special nucleic-acid synthesizing equipment. The latter are known as "synthetic genes" as they utilize part of components to comprise a gene instead of the whole gene, or "nucleic-acid medicines" as they are made from nucleic acids.
Decoys belong to the nucleic-acid medicines. A gene will be automatically switched on when a genetic transcription factor lands on its genome. And a decoy is a synthesized short DNA compound which has the same sequence as that found on the portion of the genome where the transcription factor is landing. Once administered into the human body, a decoy prevents the landing of a genetic transcription factor on a genome, thus repressing the action of the gene.
NFκB is a genetic transcription gene that functions as a genetic switch to activate the immunological reaction. By preparing a decoy to work against NF κB, we are now seeking a new treatment for diseases caused by immunological overreactions such as atopic dermatitis or rheumatoid arthritis.
This new treatment method was invented by Ryuichi Morishita, professor at Osaka University, in 1995.
Mechanism of Action of NFκB Decoy
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