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Tang D, Jia T, Luo Y, Mou B, Cheng J, Qi S, Yao S, Su Z, Yu Y, Chen Q. DnaQ mediates directional spacer acquisition in the CRISPR-Cas system by a time-dependent mechanism. Innovation (N Y) 2023; 4:100495. [PMID: 37663930 PMCID: PMC10470216 DOI: 10.1016/j.xinn.2023.100495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
In the spacer acquisition stage of CRISPR-Cas immunity, spacer orientation and protospacer adjacent motif (PAM) removal are two prerequisites for functional spacer integration. Cas4 has been implicated in both processing the prespacer and determining the spacer orientation. In Cas4-lacking systems, host 3'-5' DnaQ family exonucleases were recently reported to play a Cas4-like role. However, the molecular details of DnaQ functions remain elusive. Here, we characterized the spacer acquisition of the adaptation module of the Streptococcus thermophilus type I-E system, in which a DnaQ domain naturally fuses with Cas2. We presented X-ray crystal structures and cryo-electron microscopy structures of this adaptation module. Our biochemical data showed that DnaQ trimmed PAM-containing and PAM-deficient overhangs with different efficiencies. Based on these results, we proposed a time-dependent model for DnaQ-mediated spacer acquisition to elucidate PAM removal and spacer orientation determination in Cas4-lacking CRISPR-Cas systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongmei Tang
- Department of Urology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Tingting Jia
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Yongbo Luo
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Biqin Mou
- Precision Medicine Center, Precision Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Jie Cheng
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Shiqian Qi
- Department of Urology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Shaohua Yao
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Zhaoming Su
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Yamei Yu
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Qiang Chen
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
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2
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Dhingra Y, Sashital DG. Cas4/1 dual nuclease activities enable prespacer maturation and directional integration in a type I-G CRISPR-Cas system. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:105178. [PMID: 37607619 PMCID: PMC10504553 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105178] [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: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 08/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023] Open
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas adaptive immune systems uptake short "spacer" sequences from foreign DNA and incorporate them into the host genome to serve as templates for CRISPR RNAs that guide interference against future infections. Adaptation in CRISPR systems is mediated by Cas1-Cas2 complexes that catalyze integration of prespacer substrates into the CRISPR array. Many DNA targeting systems also require Cas4 endonucleases for functional spacer acquisition. Cas4 selects prespacers containing a protospacer adjacent motif (PAM) and removes the PAM prior to integration, both of which are required to ensure host immunization. Cas1 has also been shown to function as a nuclease in some systems, but a role for this nuclease activity in adaptation has not been demonstrated. We identified a type I-G Cas4/1 fusion with a nucleolytically active Cas1 domain that can directly participate in prespacer processing. The Cas1 domain is both an integrase and a sequence-independent nuclease that cleaves the non-PAM end of a prespacer, generating optimal overhang lengths that enable integration at the leader side. The Cas4 domain sequence specifically cleaves the PAM end of the prespacer, ensuring integration of the PAM end at the spacer side. The two domains have varying metal ion requirements. While Cas4 activity is Mn2+ dependent, Cas1 preferentially uses Mg2+ over Mn2+. The dual nuclease activity of Cas4/1 eliminates the need for additional factors in prespacer processing making the adaptation module self-reliant for prespacer maturation and directional integration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yukti Dhingra
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics, & Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA
| | - Dipali G Sashital
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics, & Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA.
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3
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Dhingra Y, Sashital DG. Cas4/1 dual nuclease activities enable prespacer maturation and directional integration in a type I-G CRISPR-Cas system. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.06.05.543779. [PMID: 37333257 PMCID: PMC10274657 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.05.543779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas adaptive immune systems uptake short 'spacer' sequences from foreign DNA and incorporate them into the host genome to serve as templates for crRNAs that guide interference against future infections. Adaptation in CRISPR systems is mediated by Cas1-Cas2 complexes that catalyze integration of prespacer substrates into the CRISPR array. Many DNA targeting systems also require Cas4 endonucleases for functional spacer acquisition. Cas4 selects prespacers containing a protospacer adjacent motif (PAM) and removes the PAM prior to integration, both of which are required to ensure host immunization. Cas1 has also been shown to function as a nuclease in some systems, but a role for this nuclease activity in adaptation has not been demonstrated. We identified a type I-G Cas4/1 fusion with a nucleolytically active Cas1 domain that can directly participate in prespacer processing. The Cas1 domain is both an integrase and a sequence-independent nuclease that cleaves the non-PAM end of a prespacer, generating optimal overhang lengths that enable integration at the leader side. The Cas4 domain sequence-specifically cleaves the PAM end of the prespacer, ensuring integration of the PAM end at the spacer side. The two domains have varying metal ion requirements. While Cas4 activity is Mn 2+ dependent, Cas1 preferentially uses Mg 2+ over Mn 2+ . The dual nuclease activity of Cas4/1 eliminates the need for additional factors in prespacer processing, making the adaptation module self-reliant for prespacer maturation and directional integration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yukti Dhingra
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics, & Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Dipali G. Sashital
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics, & Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
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4
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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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5
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Wu WY, Jackson SA, Almendros C, Haagsma AC, Yilmaz S, Gort G, van der Oost J, Brouns SJJ, Staals RHJ. Adaptation by Type V-A and V-B CRISPR-Cas Systems Demonstrates Conserved Protospacer Selection Mechanisms Between Diverse CRISPR-Cas Types. CRISPR J 2022; 5:536-547. [PMID: 35833800 PMCID: PMC9419969 DOI: 10.1089/crispr.2021.0150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Adaptation of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) arrays is a crucial process responsible for the unique, adaptive nature of CRISPR-Cas immune systems. The acquisition of new CRISPR spacers from mobile genetic elements has previously been studied for several types of CRISPR-Cas systems. In this study, we used a high-throughput sequencing approach to characterize CRISPR adaptation of the type V-A system from Francisella novicida and the type V-B system from Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris. In contrast to other class 2 CRISPR-Cas systems, we found that for the type V-A and V-B systems, the Cas12 nucleases are dispensable for spacer acquisition, with only Cas1 and Cas2 (type V-A) or Cas4/1 and Cas2 (type V-B) being necessary and sufficient. Whereas the catalytic activity of Cas4 is not essential for adaptation, Cas4 activity is required for correct protospacer adjacent motif selection in both systems and for prespacer trimming in type V-A. In addition, we provide evidence for acquisition of RecBCD-produced DNA fragments by both systems, but with spacers derived from foreign DNA being incorporated preferentially over those derived from the host chromosome. Our work shows that several spacer acquisition mechanisms are conserved between diverse CRISPR-Cas systems, but also highlights unexpected nuances between similar systems that generally contribute to a bias of gaining immunity against invading genetic elements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Y Wu
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Simon A Jackson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Cristóbal Almendros
- Department of Bionanoscience, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands.,Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Anna C Haagsma
- Department of Bionanoscience, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands.,Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Suzan Yilmaz
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Gerrit Gort
- Biometris, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - John van der Oost
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Stan J J Brouns
- Department of Bionanoscience, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands.,Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Raymond H J Staals
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
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6
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Zhang X, Garrett S, Graveley BR, Terns MP. Unique properties of spacer acquisition by the type III-A CRISPR-Cas system. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 50:1562-1582. [PMID: 34893878 PMCID: PMC8860593 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab1193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2021] [Revised: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Type III CRISPR-Cas systems have a unique mode of interference, involving crRNA-guided recognition of nascent RNA and leading to DNA and RNA degradation. How type III systems acquire new CRISPR spacers is currently not well understood. Here, we characterize CRISPR spacer uptake by a type III-A system within its native host, Streptococcus thermophilus. Adaptation by the type II-A system in the same host provided a basis for comparison. Cas1 and Cas2 proteins were critical for type III adaptation but deletion of genes responsible for crRNA biogenesis or interference did not detectably change spacer uptake patterns, except those related to host counter-selection. Unlike the type II-A system, type III spacers are acquired in a PAM- and orientation-independent manner. Interestingly, certain regions of plasmids and the host genome were particularly well-sampled during type III-A, but not type II-A, spacer uptake. These regions included the single-stranded origins of rolling-circle replicating plasmids, rRNA and tRNA encoding gene clusters, promoter regions of expressed genes and 5′ UTR regions involved in transcription attenuation. These features share the potential to form DNA secondary structures, suggesting a preferred substrate for type III adaptation. Lastly, the type III-A system adapted to and protected host cells from lytic phage infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinfu Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Sandra Garrett
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Institute for Systems Genomics, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
| | - Brenton R Graveley
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Institute for Systems Genomics, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
| | - Michael P Terns
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.,Department of Microbiology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.,Department of Genetics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
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7
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Tang D, Li H, Wu C, Jia T, He H, Yao S, Yu Y, Chen Q. A distinct structure of Cas1-Cas2 complex provides insights into the mechanism for the longer spacer acquisition in Pyrococcus furiosus. Int J Biol Macromol 2021; 183:379-386. [PMID: 33864868 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.04.074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Revised: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
In the adaptation stage of CRISPR-Cas systems, the Cas1-Cas2 integrase captures and integrates new invader-derived spacers into the CRISPR locus, serving as a molecular memory of prior infection. As of yet, the structural information of Cas1-Cas2 complex is available only for two species. Here we present the crystal structure of Cas1-Cas2 complex of Pyrococcus furiosus, which showed a distinct architecture from the known Cas1-Cas2 complexes. The shorter C-terminal tail of Pfu Cas2 directs the Cas1 dimers go in the opposite direction, resulting in a different prespacer binding mode. Based on our structural and mutagenesis results, we modeled a prespacer with a shorter duplex and longer 3' overhangs to bind Pfu Cas1-Cas2 complex. The prespacer preference was confirmed by EMSA, fluorescence polarization, and in vitro integration assays. This model provides a potential explanation for the longer spacer acquisition observed in P. furiosus when deleting both cas4 genes. Our study highlights the diversity of the CRISPR adaptation module.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongmei Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Chengdu 610041, PR China
| | - Huijuan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Chengdu 610041, PR China
| | - Chengyong Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Chengdu 610041, PR China
| | - Tingting Jia
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Chengdu 610041, PR China
| | - Haihuai He
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Chengdu 610041, PR China
| | - Shaohua Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Chengdu 610041, PR China
| | - Yamei Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Chengdu 610041, PR China.
| | - Qiang Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Chengdu 610041, PR China.
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