Zinc finger nuclease targeting albumin locus (ZFN–albumin)

Zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs) are engineered enzymes consisting of a DNA-binding zinc finger protein domain fused to the nuclease domain of the FokI restriction enzyme, allowing targeted double-strand cuts at specific genomic loci such as the albumin gene site[1][3][7]. Delivering ZFNs alongside a donor DNA template permits site-specific gene integration or correction, relying on cell-intrinsic DNA repair pathways (NHEJ for knockouts, HDR for precise insertion)[2][3][5]. The albumin locus is a favored 'safe harbor' in gene therapy for transgene insertion because of robust hepatic expression and minimal impact on organismal function[6][4]. ZFNs are a gene-editing technology, not a natural molecule or receptor. Therefore, "genome editing via zinc finger nuclease targeting albumin locus" is a description of an engineered process, not a single therapeutic molecular target, and is not considered a canonical biological target like an enzyme, receptor, or transporter[4][8].

Other names

ZFN-mediated genome editing (albumin locus)Zinc finger nuclease gene targeting (albumin)ZFN-albumin site editing

Double-strand DNA cleavage at a predetermined locus (albumin), followed by DNA repair via non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) or homology-directed repair (HDR)[2][3][4][7].