At the end of 2011, while genetic engineering still crawled, a group of scientists took a bold step: created cats that shone in the dark as part of a mission to stop Feline AIDS. Researchers sought new ways to combat immunodeficiency viruses in both felines and humans when they reached this luminous result.
The compound that made cats shine is a version of Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP)usually found in the jellyfish-criminal-real (Aequorea victoria), resident of the shallow waters of Pacific North. This substance transforms ordinary cells into biological headlights that can shine in the dark.
According to Smithsonian MagazineGFP is a perfect marker for genetic edition, because researchers can easily see if the process has been successful. Since its discovery, scientists have made several bright animals, such as pigs, rats, dogs and even pet fish. Until, in this bold experiment, it had come for the cats.
Published in Nature Methods In September of that year, the study revealed the insertion of genes as a strategy to combat the Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)which causes AIDS in cats, as well as the HIV in humans. Both exhaust T cells, weakening the immune system and leaving the body exposed to infections.
“One of the best aspects of this biomedical research is that it aims to benefit human and feline health. It can help both cats and people,” said Eric Poeschla, doctor, molecular biologist and leader of international study, in a communication of the time.
Puppies also shone
During the experiment, the team of researchers at Mayo Clinic, an organization responsible for the study, inserted in the non-fertilized eggs of a two-gene feline: the GFP fluorescent marker and a monkey-rhesus gene (Macaca Mulatta) capable of blocking the IVF.
The experiment produced feline puppies that emitted a green glowliving proof of the successful incorporation of the anti-fiv gene. This fascinating feature has also remained in later offspring, with a new litter displaying both the brightness and the protective gene.
The genetic compound extracted from the monkeys acts as a molecular sabotager: neutralizes the IVF by disabled its protective layer at the time the virus tries to invade a cell. Laboratory tests had already proven their effectiveness in cellular cultures, and from this scientists decided to determine if it was also efficient in living beings.
Poeschla and her team not only intended to create a technique to protect the domestic cat against FIV. More than that, they sought a way to defend any kind, including humans, against their own AIDS virus, according to Livescianand.
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The legacy of a brilliant experiment
After its publication, the study had worldwide repercussion. The image of the kittens shining in green ran the newspapers, websites and social networks, mixing fascination, surprise and even some unbelief.
But the brightness was just the beginning. What Mayo Clinic researchers were doing was demonstrating that it is possible to manipulate mammal genome accurately, efficiently and with real therapeutic objectives. Instead of just “turning or off” genes, the technique allowed to insert defense mechanisms directly into DNA – something that is today on the basis of experimental genetic therapies against human HIV.
Even with the brilliant result, the technique did not become official treatment – and that was not the plan. But as a first step, the experiment was brilliant in every way. He has shown that it is possible to “hack” the genetic code to understand and perhaps heal diseases that have challenged humanity for decades.
