Bacterial Toxins as Innovative Tools for Genome Editing: Mechanisms, Technologies, and Therapeutic Applications

Abstract

Bacterial toxins, once regarded solely as pathogenic agents, have emerged as powerful tools in genome editing and cellular biology. Their intrinsic properties—including receptor-specific binding, membrane permeabilization, and precise enzymatic activity—enable highly targeted intracellular delivery and modulation of genetic material. This review examines the biological mechanisms of bacterial toxins and their integration into modern genome editing platforms, including Zinc Finger Nucleases (ZFNs), Transcription Activator-Like Effector Nucleases (TALENs), and CRISPR-Cas systems. Toxin-assisted delivery strategies, such as pore-forming toxins and receptor-mediated endocytosis, have significantly improved cellular uptake and cytoplasmic release of genome-editing components, opening new therapeutic avenues for correcting genetic disorders and developing disease models. Although challenges such as immunogenicity and cytotoxicity remain, advances in protein engineering and delivery technologies continue to enhance the safety and efficacy of toxin-based systems. The review also explores emerging applications in regenerative medicine and synthetic biology, highlighting the potential of engineered bacterial toxins to provide programmable control over cellular processes. Collectively, these developments underscore the dual role of bacterial toxins as both biological threats and repurposed tools for innovative biomedical research and therapeutic intervention