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Allemailem KS, Almatroudi A, Rahmani AH, Alrumaihi F, Alradhi AE, Alsubaiyel AM, Algahtani M, Almousa RM, Mahzari A, Sindi AAA, Dobie G, Khan AA. Recent Updates of the CRISPR/Cas9 Genome Editing System: Novel Approaches to Regulate Its Spatiotemporal Control by Genetic and Physicochemical Strategies. Int J Nanomedicine 2024; 19:5335-5363. [PMID: 38859956 PMCID: PMC11164216 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s455574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The genome editing approach by clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/associated protein 9 (CRISPR/Cas9) is a revolutionary advancement in genetic engineering. Owing to its simple design and powerful genome-editing capability, it offers a promising strategy for the treatment of different infectious, metabolic, and genetic diseases. The crystal structure of Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9 (SpCas9) in complex with sgRNA and its target DNA at 2.5 Å resolution reveals a groove accommodating sgRNA:DNA heteroduplex within a bilobate architecture with target recognition (REC) and nuclease (NUC) domains. The presence of a PAM is significantly required for target recognition, R-loop formation, and strand scission. Recently, the spatiotemporal control of CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing has been considerably improved by genetic, chemical, and physical regulatory strategies. The use of genetic modifiers anti-CRISPR proteins, cell-specific promoters, and histone acetyl transferases has uplifted the application of CRISPR/Cas9 as a future-generation genome editing tool. In addition, interventions by chemical control, small-molecule activators, oligonucleotide conjugates and bioresponsive delivery carriers have improved its application in other areas of biological fields. Furthermore, the intermediation of physical control by using heat-, light-, magnetism-, and ultrasound-responsive elements attached to this molecular tool has revolutionized genome editing further. These strategies significantly reduce CRISPR/Cas9's undesirable off-target effects. However, other undesirable effects still offer some challenges for comprehensive clinical translation using this genome-editing approach. In this review, we summarize recent advances in CRISPR/Cas9 structure, mechanistic action, and the role of small-molecule activators, inhibitors, promoters, and physical approaches. Finally, off-target measurement approaches, challenges, future prospects, and clinical applications are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khaled S Allemailem
- Department of Medical Laboratories, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Buraydah 51452, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmad Almatroudi
- Department of Medical Laboratories, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Buraydah 51452, Saudi Arabia
| | - Arshad Husain Rahmani
- Department of Medical Laboratories, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Buraydah 51452, Saudi Arabia
| | - Faris Alrumaihi
- Department of Medical Laboratories, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Buraydah 51452, Saudi Arabia
| | - Arwa Essa Alradhi
- General Administration for Infectious Disease Control, Ministry of Health, Riyadh 12382, Saudi Arabia
| | - Amal M Alsubaiyel
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, Qassim University, Buraydah 51452, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammad Algahtani
- Department of Laboratory & Blood Bank, Security Forces Hospital, Mecca 21955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rand Mohammad Almousa
- Department of Education, General Directorate of Education, Qassim 52361, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ali Mahzari
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Al-Baha University, Al-Baha 65527, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulmajeed A A Sindi
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Al-Baha University, Al-Baha 65527, Saudi Arabia
| | - Gasim Dobie
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Jazan University, Gizan 82911, Saudi Arabia
| | - Amjad Ali Khan
- Department of Basic Health Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Buraydah 51452, Saudi Arabia
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2
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Lampe GD, King RT, Halpin-Healy TS, Klompe SE, Hogan MI, Vo PLH, Tang S, Chavez A, Sternberg SH. Targeted DNA integration in human cells without double-strand breaks using CRISPR-associated transposases. Nat Biotechnol 2024; 42:87-98. [PMID: 36991112 PMCID: PMC10620015 DOI: 10.1038/s41587-023-01748-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
Abstract
Conventional genome engineering with CRISPR-Cas9 creates double-strand breaks (DSBs) that lead to undesirable byproducts and reduce product purity. Here we report an approach for programmable integration of large DNA sequences in human cells that avoids the generation of DSBs by using Type I-F CRISPR-associated transposases (CASTs). We optimized DNA targeting by the QCascade complex through protein design and developed potent transcriptional activators by exploiting the multi-valent recruitment of the AAA+ ATPase TnsC to genomic sites targeted by QCascade. After initial detection of plasmid-based integration, we screened 15 additional CAST systems from a wide range of bacterial hosts, identified a homolog from Pseudoalteromonas that exhibits improved activity and further increased integration efficiencies. Finally, we discovered that bacterial ClpX enhances genomic integration by multiple orders of magnitude, likely by promoting active disassembly of the post-integration CAST complex, akin to its known role in Mu transposition. Our work highlights the ability to reconstitute complex, multi-component machineries in human cells and establishes a strong foundation to exploit CRISPR-associated transposases for eukaryotic genome engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- George D Lampe
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Rebeca T King
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Tyler S Halpin-Healy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Tarrytown, NY, USA
| | - Sanne E Klompe
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Genomes and Genetics, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Marcus I Hogan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Phuc Leo H Vo
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Boston, MA, USA
| | - Stephen Tang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Alejandro Chavez
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Samuel H Sternberg
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
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3
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Anand V, Prabhakaran HS, Prakash A, Hussain MS, Kumar M. Differential processing of CRISPR RNA by LinCas5c and LinCas6 of Leptospira. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2023; 1867:130469. [PMID: 37797871 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2023.130469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
Leptospira interrogans serovar Copenhageni's genome harbors two CRISPR-Cas systems belonging to subtypes I-B and I-C. However, in L. interrogans, the subtype I-C locus lacks an array component essential for assembling an interference complex. Thus, the reason for sustaining the expense of a cluster of cas genes (I-C) is obscure. Type I-C (previously Dvulg) is the only CRISPR subtype that engages Cas5c, a Cas5 variant, to process precursor CRISPR-RNA (pre-crRNA). In this study, thus, the recombinant Cas5c (rLinCas5c) of L.interrogans and its mutant variants were cloned, expressed, and purified. The purified rLinCas5c is illustrated as metal-independent, sequence, and size-specific cleavage on repeat RNA and pre-crRNA of subtype I-B or orphan CRISPR array. However, the Cas6-bound mature crRNA of subtype I-B fends off from the rLinCas5c activity. In addition, rLinCas5c holds metal and size-dependent DNase activity. The bioinformatics analysis of LinCas5c inferred that it belongs to the subgroup Cas5c-B. Substitution of Phe141 with a more conserved His residue and deletion of unique (β1'-β2') insertions usher a gain of rLinCas5c activity over nucleic acid. Overall, our results uncover the functional diversity of Cas5c ribonucleases and infer an incognito auxiliary role in the absence of a cognate CRISPR array.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vineet Anand
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati 781039, Assam, India
| | - Harshini Sheeja Prabhakaran
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati 781039, Assam, India
| | - Aman Prakash
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati 781039, Assam, India
| | - Md Saddam Hussain
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati 781039, Assam, India
| | - Manish Kumar
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati 781039, Assam, India.
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Broglia L, Le Rhun A, Charpentier E. Methodologies for bacterial ribonuclease characterization using RNA-seq. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2023; 47:fuad049. [PMID: 37656885 PMCID: PMC10503654 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuad049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 08/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteria adjust gene expression at the post-transcriptional level through an intricate network of small regulatory RNAs and RNA-binding proteins, including ribonucleases (RNases). RNases play an essential role in RNA metabolism, regulating RNA stability, decay, and activation. These enzymes exhibit species-specific effects on gene expression, bacterial physiology, and different strategies of target recognition. Recent advances in high-throughput RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) approaches have provided a better understanding of the roles and modes of action of bacterial RNases. Global studies aiming to identify direct targets of RNases have highlighted the diversity of RNase activity and RNA-based mechanisms of gene expression regulation. Here, we review recent RNA-seq approaches used to study bacterial RNases, with a focus on the methods for identifying direct RNase targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Broglia
- Max Planck Unit for the Science of Pathogens, D-10117 Berlin, Germany
- Center for Human Technologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16152 Genova, Italy
| | - Anaïs Le Rhun
- Max Planck Unit for the Science of Pathogens, D-10117 Berlin, Germany
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, INSERM, ARNA, UMR 5320, U1212, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Emmanuelle Charpentier
- Max Planck Unit for the Science of Pathogens, D-10117 Berlin, Germany
- Institute for Biology, Humboldt University, D-10115 Berlin, Germany
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5
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Lampe GD, King RT, Halpin-Healy TS, Klompe SE, Hogan MI, Vo PLH, Tang S, Chavez A, Sternberg SH. Targeted DNA integration in human cells without double-strand breaks using CRISPR RNA-guided transposases. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.17.533036. [PMID: 36993517 PMCID: PMC10055298 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.17.533036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Traditional genome-editing reagents such as CRISPR-Cas9 achieve targeted DNA modification by introducing double-strand breaks (DSBs), thereby stimulating localized DNA repair by endogenous cellular repair factors. While highly effective at generating heterogenous knockout mutations, this approach suffers from undesirable byproducts and an inability to control product purity. Here we develop a system in human cells for programmable, DSB-free DNA integration using Type I CRISPR-associated transposons (CASTs). To adapt our previously described CAST systems, we optimized DNA targeting by the QCascade complex through a comprehensive assessment of protein design, and we developed potent transcriptional activators by exploiting the multi-valent recruitment of the AAA+ ATPase, TnsC, to genomic sites targeted by QCascade. After initial detection of plasmid-based transposition, we screened 15 homologous CAST systems from a wide range of bacterial hosts, identified a CAST homolog from Pseudoalteromonas that exhibited improved activity, and increased integration efficiencies through parameter optimization. We further discovered that bacterial ClpX enhances genomic integration by multiple orders of magnitude, and we propose that this critical accessory factor functions to drive active disassembly of the post-transposition CAST complex, akin to its demonstrated role in Mu transposition. Our work highlights the ability to functionally reconstitute complex, multi-component machineries in human cells, and establishes a strong foundation to realize the full potential of CRISPR-associated transposons for human genome engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- George D Lampe
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Rebeca T King
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Tyler S Halpin-Healy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sanne E Klompe
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Marcus I Hogan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Phuc Leo H Vo
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Stephen Tang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Alejandro Chavez
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Samuel H Sternberg
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
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6
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Wang JY, Pausch P, Doudna JA. Structural biology of CRISPR-Cas immunity and genome editing enzymes. Nat Rev Microbiol 2022; 20:641-656. [PMID: 35562427 DOI: 10.1038/s41579-022-00739-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas systems provide resistance against foreign mobile genetic elements and have a wide range of genome editing and biotechnological applications. In this Review, we examine recent advances in understanding the molecular structures and mechanisms of enzymes comprising bacterial RNA-guided CRISPR-Cas immune systems and deployed for wide-ranging genome editing applications. We explore the adaptive and interference aspects of CRISPR-Cas function as well as open questions about the molecular mechanisms responsible for genome targeting. These structural insights reflect close evolutionary links between CRISPR-Cas systems and mobile genetic elements, including the origins and evolution of CRISPR-Cas systems from DNA transposons, retrotransposons and toxin-antitoxin modules. We discuss how the evolution and structural diversity of CRISPR-Cas systems explain their functional complexity and utility as genome editing tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joy Y Wang
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Innovative Genomics Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Patrick Pausch
- VU LSC-EMBL Partnership for Genome Editing Technologies, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania.
| | - Jennifer A Doudna
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA.
- Innovative Genomics Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA.
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA.
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA.
- California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences (QB3), University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA.
- MBIB Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA.
- Gladstone Institutes, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Gladstone-UCSF Institute of Genomic Immunology, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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7
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Shangguan Q, Graham S, Sundaramoorthy R, White M. Structure and mechanism of the type I-G CRISPR effector. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:11214-11228. [PMID: 36305833 PMCID: PMC9638904 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Type I CRISPR systems are the most common CRISPR type found in bacteria. They use a multisubunit effector, guided by crRNA, to detect and bind dsDNA targets, forming an R-loop and recruiting the Cas3 enzyme to facilitate target DNA destruction, thus providing immunity against mobile genetic elements. Subtypes have been classified into families A-G, with type I-G being the least well understood. Here, we report the composition, structure and function of the type I-G Cascade CRISPR effector from Thioalkalivibrio sulfidiphilus, revealing key new molecular details. The unique Csb2 subunit processes pre-crRNA, remaining bound to the 3' end of the mature crRNA, and seven Cas7 subunits form the backbone of the effector. Cas3 associates stably with the effector complex via the Cas8g subunit and is important for target DNA recognition. Structural analysis by cryo-Electron Microscopy reveals a strikingly curved backbone conformation with Cas8g spanning the belly of the structure. These biochemical and structural insights shed new light on the diversity of type I systems and open the way to applications in genome engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qilin Shangguan
- School of Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife KY16 9ST, UK
| | - Shirley Graham
- School of Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife KY16 9ST, UK
| | | | - Malcolm F White
- School of Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife KY16 9ST, UK
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8
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Liu P, Yue C, Liu L, Gao C, Lyu Y, Deng S, Tian H, Jia X. The function of small RNA in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. PeerJ 2022; 10:e13738. [PMID: 35891650 PMCID: PMC9308961 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.13738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the main conditional pathogen causing nosocomial infection, is a gram-negative bacterium with the largest genome among the known bacteria. The main reasons why Pseudomonas aeruginosa is prone to drug-resistant strains in clinic are: the drug-resistant genes in its genome and the drug resistance easily induced by single antibiotic treatment. With the development of high-throughput sequencing technology and bioinformatics, the functions of various small RNAs (sRNA) in Pseudomonas aeruginosa are being revealed. Different sRNAs regulate gene expression by binding to protein or mRNA to play an important role in the complex regulatory network. In this article, first, the importance and biological functions of different sRNAs in Pseudomonas aeruginosa are explored, and then the evidence and possibilities that sRNAs served as drug therapeutic targets are discussed, which may introduce new directions to develop novel disease treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei Liu
- Yan’an University, Key Laboratory of Microbial Drugs Innovation and Transformation, Yan’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Changwu Yue
- Yan’an University, Key Laboratory of Microbial Drugs Innovation and Transformation, Yan’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Lihua Liu
- Chengdu Medical College, Non-coding RNA and Drug Discovery Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Can Gao
- Yan’an University, Key Laboratory of Microbial Drugs Innovation and Transformation, Yan’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yuhong Lyu
- Yan’an University, Key Laboratory of Microbial Drugs Innovation and Transformation, Yan’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Shanshan Deng
- Chengdu Medical College, Non-coding RNA and Drug Discovery Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Hongying Tian
- Yan’an University, Key Laboratory of Microbial Drugs Innovation and Transformation, Yan’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xu Jia
- Chengdu Medical College, Non-coding RNA and Drug Discovery Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China,School of Basic Medical Science, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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9
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Huang CJ, Adler BA, Doudna JA. A naturally DNase-free CRISPR-Cas12c enzyme silences gene expression. Mol Cell 2022; 82:2148-2160.e4. [PMID: 35659325 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2022.04.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Used widely for genome editing, CRISPR-Cas enzymes provide RNA-guided immunity to microbes by targeting foreign nucleic acids for cleavage. We show here that the native activity of CRISPR-Cas12c protects bacteria from phage infection by binding to DNA targets without cleaving them, revealing that antiviral interference can be accomplished without chemical attack on the invader or general metabolic disruption in the host. Biochemical experiments demonstrate that Cas12c is a site-specific ribonuclease capable of generating mature CRISPR RNAs (crRNAs) from precursor transcripts. Furthermore, we find that crRNA maturation is essential for Cas12c-mediated DNA targeting. These crRNAs direct double-stranded DNA binding by Cas12c using a mechanism that precludes DNA cutting. Nevertheless, Cas12c represses transcription and can defend bacteria against lytic bacteriophage infection when targeting an essential phage gene. Together, these results show that Cas12c employs targeted DNA binding to provide antiviral immunity in bacteria, providing a native DNase-free pathway for transient antiviral immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolyn J Huang
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; Innovative Genomics Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Benjamin A Adler
- Innovative Genomics Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences (QB3), University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Jennifer A Doudna
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; Innovative Genomics Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences (QB3), University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; MBIB Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
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10
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Zhang S, Chen L, Zhang Y, Fang D. Alleviation of neurological disease by RNA editing. Methods 2021; 194:94-99. [PMID: 33933604 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2021.04.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of CRISPR/Cas genome editing tools has revolutionized the life sciences by providing transformative applications in many biological fields, including the field of neurological disorders. Compared with previous CRISPR-Cas systems targeting DNA, a new field of RNA editing using CRISPR-Cas13 systems is gaining immense popularity. CRISPR-Cas13 is a robust, precise, versatile and safe RNA guided RNA-targeting system, which uniquely targets single-strand RNA. Recently, RNA-targeted gene editing tools have been refined by the introduction of an AAV (adeno-associated virus)-based CRISPR-Cas13 system for in vivo therapeutic cell fate conversion, which has been used to treat animal models of Parkinson's disease. This flavor of gene editing showed promising effects on glia-to-neuron conversion in both intact and damaged mature retinas in a mouse model. Herein, we summarize the CRISPR-Cas13 system and its potential for applications in neurological diseases, focusing on the method of applying the AAV-mediated CRISPR-Cas13 system to the conversion of glia-to-neuron.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaochong Zhang
- Shenzhen Eye Hospital affiliated to Jinan University, Shenzhen, PR China
| | - Lu Chen
- Shenzhen Eye Hospital affiliated to Jinan University, Shenzhen, PR China
| | - Yining Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Dong Fang
- Shenzhen Eye Hospital affiliated to Jinan University, Shenzhen, PR China.
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11
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Lemak S, Serbanescu MA, Khusnutdinova AN, Ruszkowski M, Beloglazova N, Xu X, Brown G, Cui H, Tan K, Joachimiak A, Cvitkovitch DG, Savchenko A, Yakunin AF. Structural and biochemical insights into CRISPR RNA processing by the Cas5c ribonuclease SMU1763 from Streptococcus mutans. J Biol Chem 2021; 297:101251. [PMID: 34592310 PMCID: PMC8524198 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.101251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
The cariogenic pathogen Streptococcus mutans contains two CRISPR systems (type I-C and type II-A) with the Cas5c protein (SmuCas5c) involved in processing of long CRISPR RNA transcripts (pre-crRNA) containing repeats and spacers to mature crRNA guides. In this study, we determined the crystal structure of SmuCas5c at a resolution of 1.72 Å, which revealed the presence of an N-terminal modified RNA recognition motif and a C-terminal twisted β-sheet domain with four bound sulphate molecules. Analysis of surface charge and residue conservation of the SmuCas5c structure suggested the location of an RNA-binding site in a shallow groove formed by the RNA recognition motif domain with several conserved positively charged residues (Arg39, Lys52, Arg109, Arg127, and Arg134). Purified SmuCas5c exhibited metal-independent ribonuclease activity against single-stranded pre-CRISPR RNAs containing a stem-loop structure with a seven-nucleotide stem and a pentaloop. We found SmuCas5c cleaves substrate RNA within the repeat sequence at a single cleavage site located at the 3'-base of the stem but shows significant tolerance to substrate sequence variations downstream of the cleavage site. Structure-based mutational analysis revealed that the conserved residues Tyr50, Lys120, and His121 comprise the SmuCas5c catalytic residues. In addition, site-directed mutagenesis of positively charged residues Lys52, Arg109, and Arg134 located near the catalytic triad had strong negative effects on the RNase activity of this protein, suggesting that these residues are involved in RNA binding. Taken together, our results reveal functional diversity of Cas5c ribonucleases and provide further insight into the molecular mechanisms of substrate selectivity and activity of these enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Lemak
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - M Anca Serbanescu
- Faculty of Dentistry, Dental Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Anna N Khusnutdinova
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Milosz Ruszkowski
- Synchrotron Radiation Research Section of MCL, National Cancer Institute, Argonne, Illinois, USA
| | - Natalia Beloglazova
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Xiaohui Xu
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Greg Brown
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Hong Cui
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kemin Tan
- X-Ray Science Division, Midwest Center for Structural Genomics and Structural Biology Center, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois, USA
| | - Andrzej Joachimiak
- X-Ray Science Division, Midwest Center for Structural Genomics and Structural Biology Center, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois, USA
| | - Dennis G Cvitkovitch
- Faculty of Dentistry, Dental Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Alexei Savchenko
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Alexander F Yakunin
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Centre for Environmental Biotechnology, School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd, UK.
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Guzmán NM, Esquerra-Ruvira B, Mojica FJM. Digging into the lesser-known aspects of CRISPR biology. Int Microbiol 2021; 24:473-498. [PMID: 34487299 PMCID: PMC8616872 DOI: 10.1007/s10123-021-00208-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Revised: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
A long time has passed since regularly interspaced DNA repeats were discovered in prokaryotes. Today, those enigmatic repetitive elements termed clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) are acknowledged as an emblematic part of multicomponent CRISPR-Cas (CRISPR associated) systems. These systems are involved in a variety of roles in bacteria and archaea, notably, that of conferring protection against transmissible genetic elements through an adaptive immune-like response. This review summarises the present knowledge on the diversity, molecular mechanisms and biology of CRISPR-Cas. We pay special attention to the most recent findings related to the determinants and consequences of CRISPR-Cas activity. Research on the basic features of these systems illustrates how instrumental the study of prokaryotes is for understanding biology in general, ultimately providing valuable tools for diverse fields and fuelling research beyond the mainstream.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noemí M Guzmán
- Dpto. Fisiología, Genética y Microbiología, Universidad de Alicante, Alicante, Spain
| | - Belén Esquerra-Ruvira
- Dpto. Fisiología, Genética y Microbiología, Universidad de Alicante, Alicante, Spain
| | - Francisco J M Mojica
- Dpto. Fisiología, Genética y Microbiología, Universidad de Alicante, Alicante, Spain. .,Instituto Multidisciplinar para el Estudio del Medio, Universidad de Alicante, Alicante, Spain.
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Cruz-López EA, Rivera G, Cruz-Hernández MA, Martínez-Vázquez AV, Castro-Escarpulli G, Flores-Magallón R, Vázquez K, Cruz-Pulido WL, Bocanegra-García V. Identification and Characterization of the CRISPR/Cas System in Staphylococcus aureus Strains From Diverse Sources. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:656996. [PMID: 34149645 PMCID: PMC8206494 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.656996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The CRISPR-Cas [clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats and the CRISPR-associated genes (Cas)] system provides defense mechanisms in bacteria and archaea vs. mobile genetic elements (MGEs), such as plasmids and bacteriophages, which can either be harmful or add sequences that can provide virulence or antibiotic resistance. Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive bacterium that could be the etiological agent of important soft tissue infections that can lead to bacteremia and sepsis. The role of the CRISPR-Cas system in S. aureus is not completely understood since there is a lack of knowledge about it. We analyzed 716 genomes and 1 genomic island from GENOMES-NCBI and ENA-EMBL searching for the CRISPR-Cas systems and their spacer sequences (SSs). Our bioinformatic analysis shows that only 0.83% (6/716) of the analyzed genomes harbored the CRISPR-Cas system, all of them were subtype III-A, which is characterized by the presence of the cas10/csm1 gene. Analysis of SSs showed that 91% (40/44) had no match to annotated MGEs and 9% of SSs corresponded to plasmids and bacteriophages, indicating that those phages had infected those S. aureus strains. Some of those phages have been proposed as an alternative therapy in biofilm-forming or infection with S. aureus strains, but these findings indicate that such antibiotic phage strategy would be ineffective. More research about the CRISPR/Cas system is necessary for a bigger number of S. aureus strains from different sources, so additional features can be studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erick Adrian Cruz-López
- Laboratorio Interacción Ambiente-Microorganismo, Centro de Biotecnología Genómica, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Tamaulipas, Mexico
| | - Gildardo Rivera
- Laboratorio Interacción Ambiente-Microorganismo, Centro de Biotecnología Genómica, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Tamaulipas, Mexico
| | - María Antonia Cruz-Hernández
- Laboratorio Interacción Ambiente-Microorganismo, Centro de Biotecnología Genómica, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Tamaulipas, Mexico
| | - Ana Verónica Martínez-Vázquez
- Laboratorio Interacción Ambiente-Microorganismo, Centro de Biotecnología Genómica, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Tamaulipas, Mexico
| | - Graciela Castro-Escarpulli
- Laboratorio de Investigación Clínica y Ambiental, Departamento de Microbiología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Rebeca Flores-Magallón
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigación Para el Desarrollo Integral Regional, Unidad Michoacán, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Jiquilpan, Mexico
| | - Karina Vázquez
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, San Nicolás de los Garza, Mexico
| | | | - Virgilio Bocanegra-García
- Laboratorio Interacción Ambiente-Microorganismo, Centro de Biotecnología Genómica, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Tamaulipas, Mexico
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Prakash A, Kumar M. Characterizing the transcripts of Leptospira CRISPR I-B array and its processing with endoribonuclease LinCas6. Int J Biol Macromol 2021; 182:785-795. [PMID: 33862076 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.04.066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Revised: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
In Leptospira interrogans serovar Copenhageni, the CRISPR-Cas I-B locus possesses a CRISPR array between the two independent cas-operons. Using the reverse transcription-PCR and the in vitro endoribonuclease assay with Cas6 of Leptospira (LinCas6), we account that the CRISPR is transcriptionally active and is conventionally processed. The LinCas6 specifically excises at one site within the synthetic cognate repeat RNA or the repeats of precursor-CRISPR RNA (pre-crRNA) in the sense direction. In contrast, the antisense repeat RNA is cleaved at multiple sites. LinCas6 functions as a single turnover endoribonuclease on its repeat RNA substrate, where substitution of one of predicted active site residues (His38) resulted in reduced activity. This study highlights the comprehensive understanding of the Leptospira CRISPR array transcription and its processing by LinCas6 that is central to RNA-mediated CRISPR-Cas I-B adaptive immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aman Prakash
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati 781039, Assam, India
| | - Manish Kumar
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati 781039, Assam, India.
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Zink IA, Wimmer E, Schleper C. Heavily Armed Ancestors: CRISPR Immunity and Applications in Archaea with a Comparative Analysis of CRISPR Types in Sulfolobales. Biomolecules 2020; 10:E1523. [PMID: 33172134 PMCID: PMC7694759 DOI: 10.3390/biom10111523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Revised: 10/31/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Prokaryotes are constantly coping with attacks by viruses in their natural environments and therefore have evolved an impressive array of defense systems. Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) is an adaptive immune system found in the majority of archaea and about half of bacteria which stores pieces of infecting viral DNA as spacers in genomic CRISPR arrays to reuse them for specific virus destruction upon a second wave of infection. In detail, small CRISPR RNAs (crRNAs) are transcribed from CRISPR arrays and incorporated into type-specific CRISPR effector complexes which further degrade foreign nucleic acids complementary to the crRNA. This review gives an overview of CRISPR immunity to newcomers in the field and an update on CRISPR literature in archaea by comparing the functional mechanisms and abundances of the diverse CRISPR types. A bigger fraction is dedicated to the versatile and prevalent CRISPR type III systems, as tremendous progress has been made recently using archaeal models in discerning the controlled molecular mechanisms of their unique tripartite mode of action including RNA interference, DNA interference and the unique cyclic-oligoadenylate signaling that induces promiscuous RNA shredding by CARF-domain ribonucleases. The second half of the review spotlights CRISPR in archaea outlining seminal in vivo and in vitro studies in model organisms of the euryarchaeal and crenarchaeal phyla, including the application of CRISPR-Cas for genome editing and gene silencing. In the last section, a special focus is laid on members of the crenarchaeal hyperthermophilic order Sulfolobales by presenting a thorough comparative analysis about the distribution and abundance of CRISPR-Cas systems, including arrays and spacers as well as CRISPR-accessory proteins in all 53 genomes available to date. Interestingly, we find that CRISPR type III and the DNA-degrading CRISPR type I complexes co-exist in more than two thirds of these genomes. Furthermore, we identified ring nuclease candidates in all but two genomes and found that they generally co-exist with the above-mentioned CARF domain ribonucleases Csx1/Csm6. These observations, together with published literature allowed us to draft a working model of how CRISPR-Cas systems and accessory proteins cross talk to establish native CRISPR anti-virus immunity in a Sulfolobales cell.
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Reimann V, Ziemann M, Li H, Zhu T, Behler J, Lu X, Hess WR. Specificities and functional coordination between the two Cas6 maturation endonucleases in Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 assign orphan CRISPR arrays to three groups. RNA Biol 2020; 17:1442-1453. [PMID: 32453626 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2020.1774197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Many bacteria and archaea possess an RNA-guided adaptive and inheritable immune system that consists of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPRs) and CRISPR-associated (Cas) proteins. In most CRISPR-Cas systems, the maturation of CRISPR-derived small RNAs (crRNAs) is essential for functionality. Cas6 endonucleases function as the most frequent CRISPR RNA maturation enzymes. In the cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. PCC 7120, ten CRISPR loci are present, but only two cas gene cassettes plus a Tn7-associated eleventh array. In this study, we deleted the two cas6 genes alr1482 (Type III-D) or alr1566 (Type I-D) and tested the specificities of the two corresponding enzymes in the resulting mutant strains, as recombinant proteins and in a cell-free transcription-translation system. The results assign the direct repeats (DRs) to three different groups. While Alr1566 is specific for one group, Alr1482 has a higher preference for the DRs of the second group but can also cleave those of the first group. We found that this cross-recognition limits crRNA accumulation for the Type I-D system in vivo. We also show that the DR of the cas gene-free CRISPR array of cyanophage N-1 is processed by these enzymes, suggesting that it is fully competent in association with host-encoded Cas proteins. The data support the functionality of CRISPR arrays that frequently appear fragmented to multiple genomic loci in multicellular cyanobacteria and disfavour other possibilities, such as the nonfunctionality of these orphan repeat-spacer arrays. Our results show the functional coordination of Cas6 endonucleases with both neighbouring and remote repeat-spacer arrays in the CRISPR-Cas system of cyanobacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viktoria Reimann
- Faculty of Biology, Institute of Biology III, University of Freiburg , Germany
| | - Marcus Ziemann
- Faculty of Biology, Institute of Biology III, University of Freiburg , Germany
| | - Hui Li
- Key Laboratory of Biofuels, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology (QIBEBT), Chinese Academy of Sciences , Qingdao, China.,College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing, China
| | - Tao Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Biofuels, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology (QIBEBT), Chinese Academy of Sciences , Qingdao, China
| | - Juliane Behler
- Faculty of Biology, Institute of Biology III, University of Freiburg , Germany
| | - Xuefeng Lu
- Key Laboratory of Biofuels, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology (QIBEBT), Chinese Academy of Sciences , Qingdao, China
| | - Wolfgang R Hess
- Faculty of Biology, Institute of Biology III, University of Freiburg , Germany
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