According to SciTechDaily, scientists at Georgia State University have used CRISPR gene editing to restore an ancient enzyme humans lost 20 to 29 million years ago. The research team led by biology professor Eric Gaucher and postdoctoral researcher Lais de Lima Balico successfully inserted a reconstructed uricase gene into human liver cells using CRISPR-Cas9 technology. In both simple liver cells and complex 3D liver spheroids, the revived enzyme dramatically lowered uric acid levels and prevented fructose-driven fat buildup. The enzyme even found its way to peroxisomes where it normally functions, suggesting potential safety in living systems. About a quarter to half of patients with high blood pressure have elevated uric acid, jumping to 90% in new hypertension cases. The study published in Scientific Reports suggests this approach could transform treatment for gout and related metabolic diseases.
An evolutionary quirk comes back to haunt us
Here’s the fascinating thing about this research – we’re basically fixing a 20-million-year-old mistake. Humans and other apes lost the uricase gene during a period when higher uric acid levels might have helped our ancestors convert fruit sugar into fat during food scarcity. What was once a survival advantage has become a modern health liability. Now we’re using cutting-edge technology to undo what evolution did to us. It’s like we’re finally getting the software update we should have received millions of years ago.
This goes way beyond gout
While gout affects about 4% of American adults, the implications here are much broader. High uric acid is linked to hypertension, cardiovascular disease, kidney stones, and fatty liver disease. The researchers compared the risks of hyperuricemia to high cholesterol in terms of overall health impact. Current treatments like lab-made uricase therapies don’t work for everyone and can cause bad reactions. A CRISPR-based approach that restores the body’s own ability to produce uricase could potentially prevent multiple diseases at once. That’s the real prize here – not just treating painful joints but addressing a fundamental metabolic issue.
The delivery challenge ahead
So how would this actually get into people? The researchers are considering several options, including direct injections, returning lab-modified liver cells to patients, or using lipid nanoparticles – the same technology that made COVID-19 mRNA vaccines possible. But let’s be real – we’re talking about permanent genetic modifications here. The safety concerns are substantial, and as Gaucher himself acknowledged, society will face contentious ethical discussions about who should have access to this kind of treatment. This isn’t just about science – it’s about how we handle the power to rewrite our own biology.
What comes next
The research team is moving to animal studies next, and if those go well, human trials could follow. But here’s the thing – we’re still years away from this becoming an actual treatment. Genome editing therapies need to prove they’re safe, effective, and worth the risks. Still, the potential is enormous. Imagine a future where a single treatment could prevent gout, reduce cardiovascular risks, and protect kidney function. That’s the promise here. It’s not just about fixing what evolution broke – it’s about using our understanding of the past to build a healthier future.
