Abstract: The present invention features methods and compositions for treatment of heart failure. The compositions can include an isolated nucleic acid encoding a BAG3 polypeptide or fragment thereof.

Abstract: Compositions for specifically cleaving target sequences in retroviruses include nucleic acids encoding a Clustered Regularly Interspace Short Palindromic Repeat (CRISPR) associated endonuclease and a guide RNA sequence complementary to one or more target nucleic acid sequences in a retrovirus genome.

Abstract: A personalized method of inactivating a proviral DNA integrated into the genome of a host cell latently infected with a retrovirus, by determining a nucleic acid sequence of the proviral DNA harbored by a subject, designing two or more different guide RNAs (gRNAs) complementary to the proviral DNA sequences in the subject, treating the subject's host cells with a composition comprising a Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeat (CRISPR)-associated endonuclease, and two or more different guide RNAs (gRNAs), wherein each of the at least two gRNAs is complementary to a different target nucleic acid sequence in a long terminal repeat (LTR) of the proviral DNA, and inactivating the proviral DNA.

Abstract: A method of treating a subject having or at risk for having a virus infection, by administering a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising a vector encoding a CRISPR-associated endonuclease and at least two guide RNAs that are complementary to two target sequences spanning from the 5?- to 3?-LTRs of the sequence in the virus, and completely excising a fragment of greater than 9000-bp of integrated proviral DNA that spanned from its 5?- to 3?-LTRs. A method of treating a subject having or at risk for having a genetic caused disease, by administering a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising a vector encoding a CRISPR-associated endonuclease and at least two guide RNAs that are complementary to two target sequences spanning from the sequence of the subjects DNA greater than 9000-bp that is chromosomally integrated and causes the genetic caused disease, and excising the chromosomally integrated sequence.

Abstract: A method of preventing transmission of a retrovirus from a mother to her offspring, by treating the mother's host cells with a composition comprising a Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeat (CRISPR)-associated endonuclease, and two or more different guide RNAs (gRNAs), wherein each of the at least two gRNAs is complementary to a different target nucleic acid sequence in a long terminal repeat (LTR) of the proviral DNA, and preventing transmission of the proviral DNA to the offspring.

Abstract: A method of treating a subject at risk for having a virus infection, by administering to the subject a prophylactically effective amount of a composition comprising a vector encoding a CRISPR-associated endonuclease and at least two guide RNAs, wherein the guide RNAs are complementary to two target sequences spanning from the 5?- to 3?-LTRs of the sequence in the virus, and preventing a retroviral infection.

Abstract: A composition for use in inactivating a proviral DNA integrated into the genome of a host cell latently infected with a retrovirus including an isolated nucleic acid encoding a Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeat (CRISPR)-associated endonuclease, an isolated nucleic acid sequence encoding a first guide RNA (gRNA) having a first spacer sequence that is complementary to a first target protospacer sequence in a proviral DNA, and an isolated nucleic acid sequence encoding a second gRNA having a second spacer sequence that is complementary to a second target protospacer sequence in the proviral DNA, wherein said first target protospacer sequence and said second target protospacer sequence are situated in a long terminal repeat (LTR) of the proviral DNA. A pharmaceutical composition for use in inactivating a proviral DNA integrated into the genome of a host cell latently infected with a retrovirus.

Abstract: A method of treating a subject having or at risk for having a virus infection, by administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising a vector encoding a CRISPR-associated endonuclease and at least two guide RNAs, wherein the guide RNAs are complementary to two target sequences spanning from the 5?- to 3?-LTRs of the sequence in the virus. A method of treating a subject having or at risk for having a virus infection, by administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising a vector encoding a CRISPR-associated endonuclease and at least two guide RNAs, wherein the guide RNAs are complementary to two target sequences spanning from the 5?- to 3?-LTRs of the sequence in the virus, and causing neither genotoxicity nor off-target editing to the host.

Abstract: Compositions include nucleic acid sequences encoding the C-terminal fragment of fragment (Seg3) of Nuclear factor-erythroid 2 related factor 2 (Nrf2). These compositions provide a target for identification of novel therapeutics having the ability to modulate the translation of Nrf2. Methods of treating subjects are also provided.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition for use in inactivating an HIV-1 proviral DNA integrated into the genome of a host cell latently infected with a retrovirus including a Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeat (CRISPR)-associated endonuclease, and two or more different multiplex guide RNAs (gRNAs), wherein each of the at least two gRNAs is complementary to a different target nucleic acid sequence in a long terminal repeat (LTR) of the HIV-1 proviral DNA, whereby treating the host cell with the composition cleaves a double strand of the HIV-1 proviral DNA at a first target protospacer sequence with the CRISPR-associated endonuclease and cleaves a double strand of the HIV-1 proviral DNA at a second target protospacer sequence with the CRISPR-associated endonuclease and thereby excises an entire HIV-1 proviral genome and eradicates the HIV-1 proviral DNA from the host cell, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: A method of preventing transmission of a retrovirus from a mother to her offspring, by administering to the mother a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising a Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeat (CRISPR)-associated endonuclease, and the two or more different multiplex gRNAs, wherein each of the at least two gRNAs is complementary to a different target nucleic acid sequence in a long terminal repeat (LTR) of proviral DNA of the virus that is unique from the genome of the host cell, cleaving a double strand of the proviral DNA at a first target protospacer sequence with the CRISPR-associated endonuclease, cleaving a double strand of the proviral DNA at a second target protospacer sequence with the CRISPR-associated endonuclease, excising an entire HIV-1 proviral genome, eradicating the HIV-1 proviral DNA from the host cell, and preventing transmission of the proviral DNA to the offspring.

Abstract: A personalized method of inactivating a proviral DNA integrated into the genome of a host cell latently infected with a retrovirus, by determining a nucleic acid sequence of the HIV-1 proviral DNA harbored by a subject, designing two or more different multiplex guide RNAs (gRNAs) complementary to the HIV-1 proviral DNA sequences in the subject, administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising a CRISPR-associated endonuclease, and the two or more different multiplex gRNAs, cleaving a double strand of the proviral DNA at a first target protospacer sequence with the CRISPR-associated endonuclease, cleaving a double strand of the proviral DNA at a second target protospacer sequence with the CRISPR-associated endonuclease, excising an entire HIV-1 proviral genome, and eradicating the HIV-1 proviral DNA from the host cell.

Abstract: A method of treating a subject having or at risk for having an HIV-1 virus infection, by administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising a CRISPR-associated endonuclease, and two or more different multiplex guide RNAs (gRNAs), wherein each of the at least two gRNAs is complementary to a different target nucleic acid sequence in a long terminal repeat (LTR) of proviral DNA of the virus that is unique from the genome of the host cell, cleaving a double strand of the proviral DNA at a first target protospacer sequence with the CRISPR-associated endonuclease, cleaving a double strand of the proviral DNA at a second target protospacer sequence with the CRISPR-associated endonuclease, excising an entire HIV-1 proviral genome, eradicating the HIV-1 proviral DNA from the host cell, and completely resolving the symptoms of HIV-1, decreasing the severity of the symptoms of HIV-1, or slowing HIV-1's progression.

Abstract: A method of immunizing a subject at risk of HIV-1 virus infection, by administering to the subject a prophylactically effective amount of a composition comprising a Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeat (CRISPR)-associated endonuclease, and two or more different multiplex guide RNAs (gRNAs), wherein each of the at least two gRNAs is complementary to a different target nucleic acid sequence in a long terminal repeat (LTR) of proviral DNA of the virus that is unique from the genome of the host cell, cleaving a double strand of the proviral DNA at a first target protospacer sequence with the CRISPR-associated endonuclease, cleaving a double strand of the proviral DNA at a second target protospacer sequence with the CRISPR-associated endonuclease, excising an entire HIV-1 proviral genome, eradicating the HIV-1 proviral DNA from the host cell, and preventing HIV-1 virus infection in the subject.

Abstract: A method of treating a subject having or at risk for having an HIV-1 virus infection, by administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising a Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeat (CRISPR)-associated endonuclease, and two or more different multiplex guide RNAs (gRNAs), wherein each of the at least two gRNAs is complementary to a different target nucleic acid sequence in a long terminal repeat (LTR) of proviral DNA of the virus that is unique from the genome of the host cell, cleaving a double strand of the proviral DNA at a first target protospacer sequence with the CRISPR-associated endonuclease, cleaving a double strand of the proviral DNA at a second target protospacer sequence with the CRISPR-associated endonuclease, excising an entire HIV-1 proviral genome, eradicating the HIV-1 proviral DNA from the host cell, and causing neither genotoxicity nor off-target editing to the host.

Abstract: A method of treating a subject having or at risk for having a virus infection, by administering a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising a vector encoding a CRISPR-associated endonuclease and at least two guide RNAs that are complementary to two target sequences spanning from the 5?- to 3?-LTRs of the sequence in the virus, and completely excising a fragment of greater than 9000-bp of integrated proviral DNA that spanned from its 5?- to 3?-LTRs. A method of treating a subject having or at risk for having a genetic caused disease, by administering a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising a vector encoding a CRISPR-associated endonuclease and at least two guide RNAs that are complementary to two target sequences spanning from the sequence of the subjects DNA greater than 9000-bp that is chromosomally integrated and causes the genetic caused disease, and excising the chromosomally integrated sequence.

Abstract: A method of treating a subject having or at risk for having a virus infection, by administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising a vector encoding a CRISPR-associated endonuclease and at least two guide RNAs, wherein the guide RNAs are complementary to two target sequences spanning from the 5?- to 3?-LTRs of the sequence in the virus, and completely resolving the symptoms of a disease, decreasing the severity of the symptoms of the disease, or slowing the disease's progression.

Abstract: A method of treating a subject having a retroviral infection, by administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising a vector encoding a CRISPR-associated endonuclease and at least two guide RNAs, wherein the guide RNAs are complementary to two target sequences spanning from the 5?- to 3?-LTRs of the sequence in the retrovirus, and eradicating the retroviral infection. A method of immunizing a subject at risk of retroviral infection, by administering a prophylactically effective amount of a composition comprising a Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeat (CRISPR)-associated endonuclease, and two or more different guide RNAs (gRNAs), wherein each of the at least two gRNAs is complementary to a different target nucleic acid sequence in a long terminal repeat (LTR) of proviral DNA of a retrovirus to the subject, and preventing retroviral infection in the subject.

Abstract: Methods of inactivating a proviral DNA genome or a DNA genome integrated into the genome of a host cell latently infected with a retrovirus, by treating the host cell with a composition comprising a Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeat (CRISPR)-associated endonuclease, and two or more different multiplex guide RNAs (gRNAs), wherein each of the at least two gRNAs is complementary to a different target nucleic acid sequence in a long terminal repeat (LTR) of the proviral DNA that is unique from the genome of the host cell, cleaving a double strand of the proviral DNA at a first target protospacer sequence with the CRISPR-associated endonuclease, cleaving a double strand of the proviral DNA at a second target protospacer sequence with the CRISPR-associated endonuclease, excising an entire proviral genome of the proviral DNA, and eradicating the proviral DNA from the host cell.

Abstract: A method of inactivating a proviral DNA integrated into the genome of a host cell latently infected with a retrovirus by treating the host cell with a composition comprising a Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeat (CRISPR)-associated endonuclease, and two or more different guide RNAs (gRNAs), wherein each of the at least two gRNAs is complementary to a different target nucleic acid sequence in a long terminal repeat (LTR) in the proviral DNA, and inactivating the proviral DNA. A composition for use in inactivating a proviral DNA integrated into the genome of a host cell latently infected with a retrovirus including isolated nucleic acid sequences comprising a CRISPR-associated endonuclease and a guide RNA, wherein the guide RNA is complementary to a target sequence in a human immunodeficiency virus.