1
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Brenner E, Sreevatsan S. Cold Cas: reevaluating the occurrence of CRISPR/Cas systems in Mycobacteriaceae. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1204838. [PMID: 37440893 PMCID: PMC10333696 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1204838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacterial CRISPR/Cas systems target foreign genetic elements such as phages and regulate gene expression by some pathogens, even in the host. The system is a marker for evolutionary history and has been used for inferences in Mycobacterium tuberculosis for 30 years. However, knowledge about mycobacterial CRISPR/Cas systems remains limited. It is believed that Type III-A Cas systems are exclusive to Mycobacterium canettii and the M. tuberculosis complex (MTBC) of organisms and that very few of the >200 diverse species of non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) possess any CRISPR/Cas system. This study sought unreported CRISPR/Cas loci across NTM to better understand mycobacterial evolution, particularly in species phylogenetically near the MTBC. An analysis of available mycobacterial genomes revealed that Cas systems are widespread across Mycobacteriaceae and that some species contain multiple types. The phylogeny of Cas loci shows scattered presence in many NTM, with variation even within species, suggesting gains/losses of these loci occur frequently. Cas Type III-A systems were identified in pathogenic Mycobacterium heckeshornense and the geological environmental isolate Mycobacterium SM1. In summary, mycobacterial CRISPR/Cas systems are numerous, Type III-A systems are unreliable as markers for MTBC evolution, and mycobacterial horizontal gene transfer appears to be a frequent source of genetic variation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Srinand Sreevatsan
- Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
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2
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Smith EM, Ferrell S, Tokars VL, Mondragón A. Structures of an active type III-A CRISPR effector complex. Structure 2022; 30:1109-1128.e6. [PMID: 35714601 PMCID: PMC9357104 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2022.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) and their CRISPR-associated proteins (Cas) provide many prokaryotes with an adaptive immune system against invading genetic material. Type III CRISPR systems are unique in that they can degrade both RNA and DNA. In response to invading nucleic acids, they produce cyclic oligoadenylates that act as secondary messengers, activating cellular nucleases that aid in the immune response. Here, we present seven single-particle cryo-EM structures of the type III-A Staphylococcus epidermidis CRISPR effector complex. The structures reveal the intact S. epidermidis effector complex in an apo, ATP-bound, cognate target RNA-bound, and non-cognate target RNA-bound states and illustrate how the effector complex binds and presents crRNA. The complexes bound to target RNA capture the type III-A effector complex in a post-RNA cleavage state. The ATP-bound structures give details about how ATP binds to Cas10 to facilitate cyclic oligoadenylate production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric M Smith
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Sé Ferrell
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Valerie L Tokars
- Department of Pharmacology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Alfonso Mondragón
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA.
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3
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Hussain MS, Kumar M. Assembly of Cas7 subunits of Leptospira on the mature crRNA of CRISPR-Cas I-B is modulated by divalent ions. Gene X 2022; 818:146244. [PMID: 35074418 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2022.146244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The spirochete Leptospira interrogans serovar Copenhageni harbors the genetic elements of the CRISPR-Cas type I-B system in its genome. CRISPR-Cas is a CRISPR RNA (crRNA) mediated adaptive immune system in most prokaryotes against mobile genetic elements (MGEs). To eliminate the intruding MGEs, CRISPR-Cas type I systems utilize a Cascade (CRISPR-associated complex for antiviral defense) complex composed of Cas5, Cas6, Cas7, and Cas8 bound with a crRNA. The Cas7 is essentially known to constitute the major component of the Cascade complex. The present study reports the biochemical characterization of the Cas7 (LinCas7) from the CRISPR-Cas type I-B system of L. interrogans serovar Copenhageni. The pure recombinant LinCas7 (rLinCas7) exists as a monomer in the solution by size exclusion chromatography. The rLinCas7 demonstrates an endoDNase activity dependent upon divalent Mg2+ ions, monovalent ions, pH, temperature, and substrate size. Analysis of ribonucleoprotein composite (rLinCas7-crRNA) by electron microscopy and native-PAGE demonstrated that rLinCas7 could oligomerize on the mature CRISPR RNA (crRNA) framework in the presence of Mg2+ ions. The ribonucleoprotein composite attains a helical shape similar to the backbone of the Cascade complex. However, in the absence of Mg2+ ions, rLinCas7 acts as an RNase. The fluorescence spectroscopy disclosed a weak interaction (Kd = 26.81 mM) between rLinCas7 and Mg2+ ions, leading to an overall conformational change in rLinCas7 that modulates the rLinCas7's activity on DNA and RNA substrates. The nuclease activity of LinCas7 characterized in this study aids to the functional divergences among proteins of the Cas7 family from different CRISPR-Cas systems in various organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Saddam Hussain
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati 7810 39, Assam, India
| | - Manish Kumar
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati 7810 39, Assam, India.
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4
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Thompson MK, Sobol RW, Prakash A. Exploiting DNA Endonucleases to Advance Mechanisms of DNA Repair. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:530. [PMID: 34198612 PMCID: PMC8232306 DOI: 10.3390/biology10060530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The earliest methods of genome editing, such as zinc-finger nucleases (ZFN) and transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs), utilize customizable DNA-binding motifs to target the genome at specific loci. While these approaches provided sequence-specific gene-editing capacity, the laborious process of designing and synthesizing recombinant nucleases to recognize a specific target sequence, combined with limited target choices and poor editing efficiency, ultimately minimized the broad utility of these systems. The discovery of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat sequences (CRISPR) in Escherichia coli dates to 1987, yet it was another 20 years before CRISPR and the CRISPR-associated (Cas) proteins were identified as part of the microbial adaptive immune system, by targeting phage DNA, to fight bacteriophage reinfection. By 2013, CRISPR/Cas9 systems had been engineered to allow gene editing in mammalian cells. The ease of design, low cytotoxicity, and increased efficiency have made CRISPR/Cas9 and its related systems the designer nucleases of choice for many. In this review, we discuss the various CRISPR systems and their broad utility in genome manipulation. We will explore how CRISPR-controlled modifications have advanced our understanding of the mechanisms of genome stability, using the modulation of DNA repair genes as examples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlo K. Thompson
- Mitchell Cancer Institute, University of South Alabama Health, Mobile, AL 36604, USA; (M.K.T.); (R.W.S.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36688, USA
| | - Robert W. Sobol
- Mitchell Cancer Institute, University of South Alabama Health, Mobile, AL 36604, USA; (M.K.T.); (R.W.S.)
- Department of Pharmacology, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36688, USA
| | - Aishwarya Prakash
- Mitchell Cancer Institute, University of South Alabama Health, Mobile, AL 36604, USA; (M.K.T.); (R.W.S.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36688, USA
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5
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Batool A, Malik F, Andrabi KI. Expansion of the CRISPR/Cas Genome-Sculpting Toolbox: Innovations, Applications and Challenges. Mol Diagn Ther 2020; 25:41-57. [PMID: 33185860 DOI: 10.1007/s40291-020-00500-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The emergence of the versatile gene-editing technology using programmable sequence-specific endonuclease system (CRISPR-Cas9) has instigated a major upheaval in biomedical research. In a brief span of time, CRISPR/Cas has been adopted by research labs around the globe because of its potential for significant progress and applicability in terms of efficiency, versatility and simplicity. It is a breakthrough technique for systematic genetic engineering, genome labelling, epigenetic and transcriptional modulation, and multiplexed gene editing, amongst others. This review provides an illustrative overview of the current research trends using CRISPR/Cas technology. We highlight the latest developments in CRISPR/Cas technique including CRISPR imaging, discovery of novel CRISPR systems, and applications in altering the genome, epigenome or RNA in different organisms. Finally, we address the potential challenges of this technique for its future use. Development of new CRISPR/Cas systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asiya Batool
- Division of Cancer Pharmacology, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Branch Srinagar, Jammu, J&K, 190005, India. .,Department of Biotechnology, Science Block, University of Kashmir, Hazratbal, Srinagar, J&K, 190006, India.
| | - Fayaz Malik
- Division of Cancer Pharmacology, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Branch Srinagar, Jammu, J&K, 190005, India
| | - Khurshid Iqbal Andrabi
- Department of Biotechnology, Science Block, University of Kashmir, Hazratbal, Srinagar, J&K, 190006, India
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6
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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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7
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Roberts A, Barrangou R. Applications of CRISPR-Cas systems in lactic acid bacteria. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2020; 44:523-537. [DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuaa016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT
As a phenotypically and phylogenetically diverse group, lactic acid bacteria are found in a variety of natural environments and occupy important roles in medicine, biotechnology, food and agriculture. The widespread use of lactic acid bacteria across these industries fuels the need for new and functionally diverse strains that may be utilized as starter cultures or probiotics. Originally characterized in lactic acid bacteria, CRISPR-Cas systems and derived molecular machines can be used natively or exogenously to engineer new strains with enhanced functional attributes. Research on CRISPR-Cas biology and its applications has exploded over the past decade with studies spanning from the initial characterization of CRISPR-Cas immunity in Streptococcus thermophilus to the use of CRISPR-Cas for clinical gene therapies. Here, we discuss CRISPR-Cas classification, overview CRISPR biology and mechanism of action, and discuss current and future applications in lactic acid bacteria, opening new avenues for their industrial exploitation and manipulation of microbiomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avery Roberts
- Department of Food, Bioprocessing and Nutrition Sciences, North Carolina State University, Campus Box 7624, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
- Genomic Sciences Graduate Program, North Carolina State University, Campus Box 7566, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Rodolphe Barrangou
- Department of Food, Bioprocessing and Nutrition Sciences, North Carolina State University, Campus Box 7624, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
- Genomic Sciences Graduate Program, North Carolina State University, Campus Box 7566, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
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8
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Novel molecular aspects of the CRISPR backbone protein ‘Cas7’ from cyanobacteria. Biochem J 2020; 477:971-983. [DOI: 10.1042/bcj20200026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Revised: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
The cyanobacterium Anabaena PCC 7120 shows the presence of Type I-D CRISPR system that can potentially confer adaptive immunity. The Cas7 protein (Alr1562), which forms the backbone of the type I-D surveillance complex, was characterized from Anabaena. Alr1562, showed the presence of the non-canonical RNA recognition motif and two intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs). When overexpressed in E. coli, the Alr1562 protein was soluble and could be purified by affinity chromatography, however, deletion of IDRs rendered Alr1562 completely insoluble. The purified Alr1562 was present in the dimeric or a RNA-associated higher oligomeric form, which appeared as spiral structures under electron microscope. With RNaseA and NaCl treatment, the higher oligomeric form converted to the lower oligomeric form, indicating that oligomerization occurred due to the association of Alr1562 with RNA. The secondary structure of both these forms was largely similar, resembling that of a partially folded protein. The dimeric Alr1562 was more prone to temperature-dependent aggregation than the higher oligomeric form. In vitro, the Alr1562 bound more specifically to a minimal CRISPR unit than to the non-specific RNA. Residues required for binding of Alr1562 to RNA, identified by protein modeling-based approaches, were mutated for functional validation. Interestingly, these mutant proteins, showing reduced ability to bind RNA were predominantly present in dimeric form. Alr1562 was detected with specific antiserum in Anabaena, suggesting that the type I-D system is expressed and may be functional in vivo. This is the first report that describes the characterization of a Cas protein from any photosynthetic organism.
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9
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An Y, Park KH, Lee M, Kim TJ, Woo EJ. Crystal structure of the Csm5 subunit of the type III-A CRISPR-Cas system. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2020; 523:112-116. [PMID: 31836139 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2019.12.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 12/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The Csm complex eliminates foreign RNA and DNA in the microbial defense CRISPR-Cas system. Csm5, one of the five subunits in the complex, facilitates crRNA maturation and target RNA binding in the type III system. However, the exact functional mechanism of Csm5 has remained elusive. Here, we report the crystal structure of the apo form of the Csm5 subunit at a resolution of 2.6 Å. Structural comparison of amino acids in the complex bound to RNA exhibits notable conformational changes in the crRNA and the target RNA binding sites. Shifts in the β-hairpin motif (β5-β6), α13 helix (resides 352-383), and G-rich loop (residues 335-337) in the C-terminal domain indicate an induced movement by crRNA binding. The positively charged residues (Lys 92, Arg 95 and Lys 96) located in the β-α4 loop of the target RNA interface show high conformational flexibility, while three-helix bundles (α1-α3) of the N-domain involved in Csm2 binding exhibit a rotational shift. The altered architecture of the Csm5 subunit demonstrates remarkable versatility of the ferredoxin-like fold in the RNA binding protein and provides a structural basis for the mechanism for crRNA and target RNA binding in the type III-A Crispr-Cas system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan An
- Disease Target Structure Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, 305-333, South Korea; Division of Animal, Horticultural and Food Sciences, Graduate School of Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, 28644, South Korea
| | - Kwang-Hyun Park
- Disease Target Structure Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, 305-333, South Korea
| | - Minho Lee
- Disease Target Structure Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, 305-333, South Korea
| | - Tae-Jip Kim
- Division of Animal, Horticultural and Food Sciences, Graduate School of Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, 28644, South Korea
| | - Eui-Jeon Woo
- Disease Target Structure Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, 305-333, South Korea; Department of Analytical Bioscience, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, 305-333, South Korea.
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10
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Dorsey BW, Huang L, Mondragón A. Structural organization of a Type III-A CRISPR effector subcomplex determined by X-ray crystallography and cryo-EM. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 47:3765-3783. [PMID: 30759237 PMCID: PMC6468305 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkz079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2018] [Revised: 01/28/2019] [Accepted: 01/30/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) and their associated Cas proteins provide an immune-like response in many prokaryotes against extraneous nucleic acids. CRISPR-Cas systems are classified into different classes and types. Class 1 CRISPR-Cas systems form multi-protein effector complexes that includes a guide RNA (crRNA) used to identify the target for destruction. Here we present crystal structures of Staphylococcus epidermidis Type III-A CRISPR subunits Csm2 and Csm3 and a 5.2 Å resolution single-particle cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) reconstruction of an in vivo assembled effector subcomplex including the crRNA. The structures help to clarify the quaternary architecture of Type III-A effector complexes, and provide details on crRNA binding, target RNA binding and cleavage, and intermolecular interactions essential for effector complex assembly. The structures allow a better understanding of the organization of Type III-A CRISPR effector complexes as well as highlighting the overall similarities and differences with other Class 1 effector complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryan W Dorsey
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Lei Huang
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Alfonso Mondragón
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
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11
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Crystal Structures of Csm2 and Csm3 in the Type III-A CRISPR–Cas Effector Complex. J Mol Biol 2019; 431:748-763. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2019.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2018] [Revised: 12/22/2018] [Accepted: 01/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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12
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Walker FC, Chou-Zheng L, Dunkle JA, Hatoum-Aslan A. Molecular determinants for CRISPR RNA maturation in the Cas10-Csm complex and roles for non-Cas nucleases. Nucleic Acids Res 2018; 45:2112-2123. [PMID: 28204542 PMCID: PMC5389561 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkw891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2016] [Revised: 09/01/2016] [Accepted: 09/27/2016] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
CRISPR–Cas (Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-CRISPR-associated proteins) is a prokaryotic immune system that destroys foreign nucleic acids in a sequence-specific manner using Cas nucleases guided by short RNAs (crRNAs). Staphylococcus epidermidis harbours a Type III-A CRISPR–Cas system that encodes the Cas10–Csm interference complex and crRNAs that are subjected to multiple processing steps. The final step, called maturation, involves a concerted effort between Csm3, a ruler protein in Cas10–Csm that measures six-nucleotide increments, and the activity of a nuclease(s) that remains unknown. Here, we elucidate the contributions of the Cas10–Csm complex toward maturation and explore roles of non-Cas nucleases in this process. Using genetic and biochemical approaches, we show that charged residues in Csm3 facilitate its self-assembly and dictate the extent of maturation cleavage. Additionally, acidic residues in Csm5 are required for efficient maturation, but recombinant Csm5 fails to cleave crRNAs in vitro. However, we detected cellular nucleases that co-purify with Cas10–Csm, and show that Csm5 regulates their activities through distinct mechanisms. Altogether, our results support roles for non-Cas nuclease(s) during crRNA maturation and establish a link between Type III-A CRISPR–Cas immunity and central nucleic acid metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Forrest C Walker
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA
| | - Lucy Chou-Zheng
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA
| | - Jack A Dunkle
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, 35487, USA
| | - Asma Hatoum-Aslan
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA
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13
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Structural insights into the CRISPR-Cas-associated ribonuclease activity of Staphylococcus epidermidis Csm3 and Csm6: a step for the development of novel genome editing tool. Sci Bull (Beijing) 2018; 63:672-674. [PMID: 36658815 DOI: 10.1016/j.scib.2018.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
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14
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Zhao Y, Wang J, Sun Q, Dou C, Gu Y, Nie C, Zhu X, Wei Y, Cheng W. Structural insights into the CRISPR-Cas-associated ribonuclease activity of Staphylococcus epidermidis Csm3 and Csm6. Sci Bull (Beijing) 2018; 63:691-699. [PMID: 36658818 DOI: 10.1016/j.scib.2018.03.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2018] [Revised: 03/27/2018] [Accepted: 03/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
The Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)-CRISPR-associated (Cas) system is an adaptive immune system in bacteria and archaea that resists exogenous invasion through nucleic acid-mediated cleavage. In the type III-A system, the Csm complex contains five effectors and a CRISPR RNA, which edits both single stranded RNA and double stranded DNA. It has recently been demonstrated that cyclic oligoadenylates (cOAs), which are synthesized by the Csm complex, act as second messengers that bind and activate Csm6. Here, we report the crystal structures of Staphylococcus epidermidis Csm3 (SeCsm3) and an N-terminally truncated Csm6 (SeCsm6ΔN) at 2.26 and 2.0 Å, respectively. The structure of SeCsm3 highly resembled previously reported Csm3 structures from other species; however, it provided novel observations allowing further enzyme characterization. The homodimeric SeCsm6ΔN folds into a compact structure. The dimerization of the HEPN domain leads to the formation of the ribonuclease active site, which is consistent with the reported Csm6 structures. Altogether, our studies provide a structural view of the ribonuclease activity mediated by Csm3 and Csm6 of the type III-A CRISPR-Cas system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanqun Zhao
- Division of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital of Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Jinjing Wang
- Division of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital of Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Qiu Sun
- Division of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital of Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Chao Dou
- Division of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital of Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Yijun Gu
- Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Zhangjiang Laboratory, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Chunlai Nie
- Division of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital of Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Xiaofeng Zhu
- Division of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital of Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Yuquan Wei
- Division of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital of Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Wei Cheng
- Division of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital of Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Chengdu 610041, China.
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15
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Anton T, Karg E, Bultmann S. Applications of the CRISPR/Cas system beyond gene editing. Biol Methods Protoc 2018; 3:bpy002. [PMID: 32161796 PMCID: PMC6994046 DOI: 10.1093/biomethods/bpy002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2017] [Revised: 02/28/2018] [Accepted: 04/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the discovery of the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated system (Cas) as a tool for gene editing a plethora of locus-specific as well as genome-wide approaches have been developed that allow efficient and reproducible manipulation of genomic sequences. However, the seemingly unbound potential of CRISPR/Cas does not stop with its utilization as a site-directed nuclease. Mutations in its catalytic centers render Cas9 (dCas9) a universal recruitment platform that can be utilized to control transcription, visualize DNA sequences, investigate in situ proteome compositions and manipulate epigenetic modifications at user-defined genomic loci. In this review, we give a comprehensive introduction and overview of the development, improvement and application of recent dCas9-based approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Anton
- Department of Biology II and Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich (CIPSM), LMU Munich, 82152 Martinsried, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Karg
- Department of Biology II and Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich (CIPSM), LMU Munich, 82152 Martinsried, Germany
| | - Sebastian Bultmann
- Department of Biology II and Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich (CIPSM), LMU Munich, 82152 Martinsried, Germany
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16
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Abstract
Prokaryotes use diverse strategies to improve fitness in the face of different environmental threats and stresses, including those posed by mobile genetic elements (e.g., bacteriophages and plasmids). To defend against these elements, many bacteria and archaea use elegant, RNA-directed, nucleic acid-targeting adaptive restriction machineries called CRISPR -: Cas (CRISPR-associated) systems. While providing an effective defense against foreign genetic elements, these systems have also been observed to play critical roles in regulating bacterial physiology during environmental stress. Increasingly, CRISPR-Cas systems, in particular the Type II systems containing the Cas9 endonuclease, have been exploited for their ability to bind desired nucleic acid sequences, as well as direct sequence-specific cleavage of their targets. Cas9-mediated genome engineering is transcending biological research as a versatile and portable platform for manipulating genetic content in myriad systems. Here, we present a systematic overview of CRISPR-Cas history and biology, highlighting the revolutionary tools derived from these systems, which greatly expand the molecular biologists' toolkit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah K Ratner
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics Program, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30329
- Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30329
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30329
| | - Timothy R Sampson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics Program, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30329
- Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30329
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30329
| | - David S Weiss
- Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30329
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30329
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30329
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17
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Abstract
The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-Cas (CRISPR-associated proteins) is a prokaryotic adaptive immune system that is represented in most archaea and many bacteria. Among the currently known prokaryotic defense systems, the CRISPR-Cas genomic loci show unprecedented complexity and diversity. Classification of CRISPR-Cas variants that would capture their evolutionary relationships to the maximum possible extent is essential for comparative genomic and functional characterization of this theoretically and practically important system of adaptive immunity. To this end, a multipronged approach has been developed that combines phylogenetic analysis of the conserved Cas proteins with comparison of gene repertoires and arrangements in CRISPR-Cas loci. This approach led to the current classification of CRISPR-Cas systems into three distinct types and ten subtypes for each of which signature genes have been identified. Comparative genomic analysis of the CRISPR-Cas systems in new archaeal and bacterial genomes performed over the 3 years elapsed since the development of this classification makes it clear that new types and subtypes of CRISPR-Cas need to be introduced. Moreover, this classification system captures only part of the complexity of CRISPR-Cas organization and evolution, due to the intrinsic modularity and evolutionary mobility of these immunity systems, resulting in numerous recombinant variants. Moreover, most of the cas genes evolve rapidly, complicating the family assignment for many Cas proteins and the use of family profiles for the recognition of CRISPR-Cas subtype signatures. Further progress in the comparative analysis of CRISPR-Cas systems requires integration of the most sensitive sequence comparison tools, protein structure comparison, and refined approaches for comparison of gene neighborhoods.
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18
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Hrle A, Maier LK, Sharma K, Ebert J, Basquin C, Urlaub H, Marchfelder A, Conti E. Structural analyses of the CRISPR protein Csc2 reveal the RNA-binding interface of the type I-D Cas7 family. RNA Biol 2015; 11:1072-82. [PMID: 25483036 PMCID: PMC4615900 DOI: 10.4161/rna.29893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Upon pathogen invasion, bacteria and archaea activate an RNA-interference-like mechanism termed CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats). A large family of Cas (CRISPR-associated) proteins mediates the different stages of this sophisticated immune response. Bioinformatic studies have classified the Cas proteins into families, according to their sequences and respective functions. These range from the insertion of the foreign genetic elements into the host genome to the activation of the interference machinery as well as target degradation upon attack. Cas7 family proteins are central to the type I and type III interference machineries as they constitute the backbone of the large interference complexes. Here we report the crystal structure of Thermofilum pendens Csc2, a Cas7 family protein of type I-D. We found that Csc2 forms a core RRM-like domain, flanked by three peripheral insertion domains: a lid domain, a Zinc-binding domain and a helical domain. Comparison with other Cas7 family proteins reveals a set of similar structural features both in the core and in the peripheral domains, despite the absence of significant sequence similarity. T. pendens Csc2 binds single-stranded RNA in vitro in a sequence-independent manner. Using a crosslinking - mass-spectrometry approach, we mapped the RNA-binding surface to a positively charged surface patch on T. pendens Csc2. Thus our analysis of the key structural and functional features of T. pendens Csc2 highlights recurring themes and evolutionary relationships in type I and type III Cas proteins.
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Key Words
- CRISPR
- CRISPR, Clustered regulatory short interspaced palindromic repeats
- Cas, CRISPR-associated
- Cas7
- H1 and H2 and H1-2, β-hairpins of insertion domain 1 (or lid domain)
- Mk, Methanopyrus kandleri
- RAMP, Repeat associated mysterious protein
- RNA binding
- RNAi, RNA interference
- RRM domain
- RRM, RNA recognition motif
- Rmsd, Root mean square deviation
- SAD, Single-wavelength anomalous dispersion
- Ss, Sulfolobus solfataricus
- Tp, Thermofilum pendens
- crRNA, CRISPR RNA
- dCASCADE, interference complex subtype I-D
- eCASCADE, interference complex subtype I-E
- prokaryotic immune system
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajla Hrle
- a Structural Cell Biology Department; Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry ; Martinsried , Germany
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19
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Sharma K, Hrle A, Kramer K, Sachsenberg T, Staals RHJ, Randau L, Marchfelder A, van der Oost J, Kohlbacher O, Conti E, Urlaub H. Analysis of protein-RNA interactions in CRISPR proteins and effector complexes by UV-induced cross-linking and mass spectrometry. Methods 2015; 89:138-48. [PMID: 26071038 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2015.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2015] [Revised: 05/19/2015] [Accepted: 06/04/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes play important roles in the cell by mediating basic cellular processes, including gene expression and its regulation. Understanding the molecular details of these processes requires the identification and characterization of protein-RNA interactions. Over the years various approaches have been used to investigate these interactions, including computational analyses to look for RNA binding domains, gel-shift mobility assays on recombinant and mutant proteins as well as co-crystallization and NMR studies for structure elucidation. Here we report a more specialized and direct approach using UV-induced cross-linking coupled with mass spectrometry. This approach permits the identification of cross-linked peptides and RNA moieties and can also pin-point exact RNA contact sites within the protein. The power of this method is illustrated by the application to different single- and multi-subunit RNP complexes belonging to the prokaryotic adaptive immune system, CRISPR-Cas (CRISPR: clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats; Cas: CRISPR associated). In particular, we identified the RNA-binding sites within three Cas7 protein homologs and mapped the cross-linking results to reveal structurally conserved Cas7 - RNA binding interfaces. These results demonstrate the strong potential of UV-induced cross-linking coupled with mass spectrometry analysis to identify RNA interaction sites on the RNA binding proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kundan Sharma
- Bioanalytical Mass Spectrometry, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Ajla Hrle
- Structural Cell Biology Department, Max Planck Institute for Biochemistry, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Katharina Kramer
- Bioanalytical Mass Spectrometry, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany; Plant Proteomics Group, Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research, Cologne, Germany
| | - Timo Sachsenberg
- Center for Bioinformatics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany; Department of Computer Science, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Raymond H J Staals
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Agrotechnology and Food Sciences, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Lennart Randau
- Prokaryotic Small RNA Biology, Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Marburg, Germany
| | | | - John van der Oost
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Agrotechnology and Food Sciences, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Oliver Kohlbacher
- Center for Bioinformatics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany; Department of Computer Science, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany; Quantitative Biology Center, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany; Faculty of Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Elena Conti
- Structural Cell Biology Department, Max Planck Institute for Biochemistry, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Henning Urlaub
- Bioanalytical Mass Spectrometry, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany; Bioanalytics Research Group, Department of Clinical Chemistry, University Medical Center, Göttingen, Germany
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20
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Jackson RN, Wiedenheft B. A Conserved Structural Chassis for Mounting Versatile CRISPR RNA-Guided Immune Responses. Mol Cell 2015; 58:722-8. [PMID: 26028539 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2015.05.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Bacteria and archaea rely on CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats) RNA-guided adaptive immune systems for targeted elimination of foreign nucleic acids. These immune systems have been divided into three main types, and the first atomic-resolution structure of a type III RNA-guided immune complex provides new insights into the mechanisms of nucleic acid degradation. Here we compare the crystal structure of a type III complex to recently determined structures of DNA-targeting type I CRISPR complexes. Structural comparisons support previous assertions that type I and type III systems share a common ancestor and reveal how a conserved structural chassis is used to support RNA-, DNA-, or both RNA- and DNA-targeting mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan N Jackson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA
| | - Blake Wiedenheft
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA.
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21
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Plagens A, Richter H, Charpentier E, Randau L. DNA and RNA interference mechanisms by CRISPR-Cas surveillance complexes. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2015; 39:442-63. [PMID: 25934119 PMCID: PMC5965380 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuv019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats)-Cas (CRISPR-associated) adaptive immune systems use small guide RNAs, the CRISPR RNAs (crRNAs), to mark foreign genetic material, e.g. viral nucleic acids, for degradation. Archaea and bacteria encode a large variety of Cas proteins that bind crRNA molecules and build active ribonucleoprotein surveillance complexes. The evolution of CRISPR-Cas systems has resulted in a diversification of cas genes and a classification of the systems into three types and additional subtypes characterized by distinct surveillance and interfering complexes. Recent crystallographic and biochemical advances have revealed detailed insights into the assembly and DNA/RNA targeting mechanisms of the various complexes. Here, we review our knowledge on the molecular mechanism involved in the DNA and RNA interference stages of type I (Cascade: CRISPR-associated complex for antiviral defense), type II (Cas9) and type III (Csm, Cmr) CRISPR-Cas systems. We further highlight recently reported structural and mechanistic themes shared among these systems. This review details and compares the assembly and the DNA/RNA targeting mechanisms of the various surveillance complexes of prokaryotic CRISPR-Cas immune systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Plagens
- Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Karl-von-Frisch Strasse 10, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Hagen Richter
- Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Department of Regulation in Infection Biology, Braunschweig 38124, Germany
| | - Emmanuelle Charpentier
- Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Department of Regulation in Infection Biology, Braunschweig 38124, Germany The Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS), Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR), Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå University, Umeå 90187, Sweden Hannover Medical School, Hannover 30625, Germany
| | - Lennart Randau
- Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Karl-von-Frisch Strasse 10, 35043 Marburg, Germany
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22
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Osawa T, Inanaga H, Sato C, Numata T. Crystal structure of the CRISPR-Cas RNA silencing Cmr complex bound to a target analog. Mol Cell 2015; 58:418-30. [PMID: 25921071 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2015.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2015] [Revised: 02/18/2015] [Accepted: 03/11/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
In prokaryotes, Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)-derived RNAs (crRNAs), together with CRISPR-associated (Cas) proteins, capture and degrade invading genetic materials. In the type III-B CRISPR-Cas system, six Cas proteins (Cmr1-Cmr6) and a crRNA form an RNA silencing Cmr complex. Here we report the 2.1 Å crystal structure of the Cmr1-deficient, functional Cmr complex bound to single-stranded DNA, a substrate analog complementary to the crRNA guide. Cmr3 recognizes the crRNA 5' tag and defines the start position of the guide-target duplex, using its idiosyncratic loops. The β-hairpins of three Cmr4 subunits intercalate within the duplex, causing nucleotide displacements with 6 nt intervals, and thus periodically placing the scissile bonds near the crucial aspartate of Cmr4. The structure reveals the mechanism for specifying the periodic target cleavage sites from the crRNA 5' tag and provides insights into the assembly of the type III interference machineries and the evolution of the Cmr and Cascade complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takuo Osawa
- Biomedical Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki 305-8566, Japan
| | - Hideko Inanaga
- Biomedical Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki 305-8566, Japan
| | - Chikara Sato
- Biomedical Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki 305-8566, Japan
| | - Tomoyuki Numata
- Biomedical Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki 305-8566, Japan.
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23
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Hayes RP, Ke A. One more piece down to solve the III-A CRISPR puzzle. J Mol Biol 2015; 427:228-30. [PMID: 25451600 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2014.10.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Robert P Hayes
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
| | - Ailong Ke
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA.
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24
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Numata T, Inanaga H, Sato C, Osawa T. Crystal Structure of the Csm3–Csm4 Subcomplex in the Type III-A CRISPR–Cas Interference Complex. J Mol Biol 2015; 427:259-73. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2014.09.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2014] [Revised: 09/24/2014] [Accepted: 09/29/2014] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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25
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Benda C, Ebert J, Scheltema RA, Schiller HB, Baumgärtner M, Bonneau F, Mann M, Conti E. Structural model of a CRISPR RNA-silencing complex reveals the RNA-target cleavage activity in Cmr4. Mol Cell 2014; 56:43-54. [PMID: 25280103 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2014.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2014] [Revised: 08/29/2014] [Accepted: 08/29/2014] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The Cmr complex is an RNA-guided endonuclease that cleaves foreign RNA targets as part of the CRISPR prokaryotic defense system. We investigated the molecular architecture of the P. furiosus Cmr complex using an integrative structural biology approach. We determined crystal structures of P. furiosus Cmr1, Cmr2, Cmr4, and Cmr6 and combined them with known structural information to interpret the cryo-EM map of the complex. To support structure determination, we obtained residue-specific interaction data using protein crosslinking and mass spectrometry. The resulting pseudoatomic model reveals how the superhelical backbone of the complex is defined by the polymerizing principles of Cmr4 and Cmr5 and how it is capped at the extremities by proteins of similar folds. The inner surface of the superhelix exposes conserved residues of Cmr4 that we show are required for target-cleavage activity. The structural and biochemical data thus identify Cmr4 as the conserved endoribonuclease of the Cmr complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Benda
- Department of Structural Cell Biology, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, 82152 Martinsried, Germany
| | - Judith Ebert
- Department of Structural Cell Biology, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, 82152 Martinsried, Germany
| | - Richard A Scheltema
- Department of Proteomics and Signal Transduction, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, 82152 Martinsried, Germany
| | - Herbert B Schiller
- Department of Proteomics and Signal Transduction, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, 82152 Martinsried, Germany
| | - Marc Baumgärtner
- Department of Structural Cell Biology, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, 82152 Martinsried, Germany
| | - Fabien Bonneau
- Department of Structural Cell Biology, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, 82152 Martinsried, Germany
| | - Matthias Mann
- Department of Proteomics and Signal Transduction, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, 82152 Martinsried, Germany
| | - Elena Conti
- Department of Structural Cell Biology, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, 82152 Martinsried, Germany.
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26
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Ramia NF, Spilman M, Tang L, Shao Y, Elmore J, Hale C, Cocozaki A, Bhattacharya N, Terns RM, Terns MP, Li H, Stagg SM. Essential structural and functional roles of the Cmr4 subunit in RNA cleavage by the Cmr CRISPR-Cas complex. Cell Rep 2014; 9:1610-1617. [PMID: 25482566 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2014.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2014] [Revised: 10/14/2014] [Accepted: 11/05/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The Cmr complex is the multisubunit effector complex of the type III-B clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-Cas immune system. The Cmr complex recognizes a target RNA through base pairing with the integral CRISPR RNA (crRNA) and cleaves the target at multiple regularly spaced locations within the complementary region. To understand the molecular basis of the function of this complex, we have assembled information from electron microscopic and X-ray crystallographic structural studies and mutagenesis of a complete Pyrococcus furiosus Cmr complex. Our findings reveal that four helically packed Cmr4 subunits, which make up the backbone of the Cmr complex, act as a platform to support crRNA binding and target RNA cleavage. Interestingly, we found a hook-like structural feature associated with Cmr4 that is likely the site of target RNA binding and cleavage. Our results also elucidate analogies in the mechanisms of crRNA and target molecule binding by the distinct Cmr type III-A and Cascade type I-E complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy F Ramia
- Institute of Molecular Biophysics, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
| | - Michael Spilman
- Institute of Molecular Biophysics, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
| | - Li Tang
- Institute of Molecular Biophysics, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
| | - Yaming Shao
- Institute of Molecular Biophysics, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
| | - Joshua Elmore
- Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Genetics, and Microbiology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Caryn Hale
- Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Genetics, and Microbiology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Alexis Cocozaki
- Institute of Molecular Biophysics, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
| | | | - Rebecca M Terns
- Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Genetics, and Microbiology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Michael P Terns
- Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Genetics, and Microbiology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
| | - Hong Li
- Institute of Molecular Biophysics, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA.
| | - Scott M Stagg
- Institute of Molecular Biophysics, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA.
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27
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Staals RHJ, Zhu Y, Taylor DW, Kornfeld JE, Sharma K, Barendregt A, Koehorst JJ, Vlot M, Neupane N, Varossieau K, Sakamoto K, Suzuki T, Dohmae N, Yokoyama S, Schaap PJ, Urlaub H, Heck AJR, Nogales E, Doudna JA, Shinkai A, van der Oost J. RNA targeting by the type III-A CRISPR-Cas Csm complex of Thermus thermophilus. Mol Cell 2014; 56:518-30. [PMID: 25457165 PMCID: PMC4342149 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2014.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 222] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2014] [Revised: 09/27/2014] [Accepted: 10/02/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas is a prokaryotic adaptive immune system that provides sequence-specific defense against foreign nucleic acids. Here we report the structure and function of the effector complex of the Type III-A CRISPR-Cas system of Thermus thermophilus: the Csm complex (TtCsm). TtCsm is composed of five different protein subunits (Csm1-Csm5) with an uneven stoichiometry and a single crRNA of variable size (35-53 nt). The TtCsm crRNA content is similar to the Type III-B Cmr complex, indicating that crRNAs are shared among different subtypes. A negative stain EM structure of the TtCsm complex exhibits the characteristic architecture of Type I and Type III CRISPR-associated ribonucleoprotein complexes. crRNA-protein crosslinking studies show extensive contacts between the Csm3 backbone and the bound crRNA. We show that, like TtCmr, TtCsm cleaves complementary target RNAs at multiple sites. Unlike Type I complexes, interference by TtCsm does not proceed via initial base pairing by a seed sequence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raymond H J Staals
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Agrotechnology and Food Sciences, Wageningen University, 6703 HB Wageningen, the Netherlands.
| | - Yifan Zhu
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Agrotechnology and Food Sciences, Wageningen University, 6703 HB Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - David W Taylor
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720-3200, USA
| | - Jack E Kornfeld
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720-3200, USA
| | - Kundan Sharma
- Bioanalytical Mass Spectrometry, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Arjan Barendregt
- Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research and Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Utrecht, 3584 CH Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Jasper J Koehorst
- Laboratory of Systems and Synthetic Biology, Wageningen University, 6703 HB Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Marnix Vlot
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Agrotechnology and Food Sciences, Wageningen University, 6703 HB Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Nirajan Neupane
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Agrotechnology and Food Sciences, Wageningen University, 6703 HB Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Koen Varossieau
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Agrotechnology and Food Sciences, Wageningen University, 6703 HB Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | | | | | - Naoshi Dohmae
- Global Research Cluster, RIKEN, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | | | - Peter J Schaap
- Laboratory of Systems and Synthetic Biology, Wageningen University, 6703 HB Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Henning Urlaub
- Bioanalytical Mass Spectrometry, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, 37077 Göttingen, Germany; Bioanalytics Research Group, Department of Clinical Chemistry, University Medical Center, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Albert J R Heck
- Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research and Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Utrecht, 3584 CH Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Eva Nogales
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720-3200, USA; Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720-3200, USA; Life Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, Berkeley, CA 94720-3200, USA
| | - Jennifer A Doudna
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720-3200, USA; Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720-3200, USA; Physical Biosciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, Berkeley, CA 94720-3200, USA
| | - Akeo Shinkai
- RIKEN SPring-8 Center, Hyogo 679-5148, Japan; Structural Biology Laboratory, RIKEN, Kanagawa 230-0045, Japan
| | - John van der Oost
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Agrotechnology and Food Sciences, Wageningen University, 6703 HB Wageningen, the Netherlands.
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28
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Tamulaitis G, Kazlauskiene M, Manakova E, Venclovas Č, Nwokeoji AO, Dickman MJ, Horvath P, Siksnys V. Programmable RNA shredding by the type III-A CRISPR-Cas system of Streptococcus thermophilus. Mol Cell 2014; 56:506-17. [PMID: 25458845 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2014.09.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 219] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2014] [Revised: 07/30/2014] [Accepted: 09/25/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Immunity against viruses and plasmids provided by CRISPR-Cas systems relies on a ribonucleoprotein effector complex that triggers the degradation of invasive nucleic acids (NA). Effector complexes of type I (Cascade) and II (Cas9-dual RNA) target foreign DNA. Intriguingly, the genetic evidence suggests that the type III-A Csm complex targets DNA, whereas biochemical data show that the type III-B Cmr complex cleaves RNA. Here we aimed to investigate NA specificity and mechanism of CRISPR interference for the Streptococcus thermophilus Csm (III-A) complex (StCsm). When expressed in Escherichia coli, two complexes of different stoichiometry copurified with 40 and 72 nt crRNA species, respectively. Both complexes targeted RNA and generated multiple cuts at 6 nt intervals. The Csm3 protein, present in multiple copies in both Csm complexes, acts as endoribonuclease. In the heterologous E. coli host, StCsm restricts MS2 RNA phage in a Csm3 nuclease-dependent manner. Thus, our results demonstrate that the type III-A StCsm complex guided by crRNA targets RNA and not DNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gintautas Tamulaitis
- Department of Protein-DNA Interactions, Institute of Biotechnology, Vilnius University, Graiciuno 8, Vilnius 02241, Lithuania
| | - Migle Kazlauskiene
- Department of Protein-DNA Interactions, Institute of Biotechnology, Vilnius University, Graiciuno 8, Vilnius 02241, Lithuania
| | - Elena Manakova
- Department of Protein-DNA Interactions, Institute of Biotechnology, Vilnius University, Graiciuno 8, Vilnius 02241, Lithuania
| | - Česlovas Venclovas
- Department of Bioinformatics, Institute of Biotechnology, Vilnius University, Graiciuno 8, Vilnius 02241, Lithuania
| | - Alison O Nwokeoji
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, ChELSI Institute, University of Sheffield, Mappin Street, Sheffield S1 3JD, UK
| | - Mark J Dickman
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, ChELSI Institute, University of Sheffield, Mappin Street, Sheffield S1 3JD, UK
| | - Philippe Horvath
- DuPont Nutrition and Health, BP10, Dangé-Saint-Romain 86220, France
| | - Virginijus Siksnys
- Department of Protein-DNA Interactions, Institute of Biotechnology, Vilnius University, Graiciuno 8, Vilnius 02241, Lithuania.
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Jackson RN, Golden SM, van Erp PBG, Carter J, Westra ER, Brouns SJJ, van der Oost J, Terwilliger TC, Read RJ, Wiedenheft B. Structural biology. Crystal structure of the CRISPR RNA-guided surveillance complex from Escherichia coli. Science 2014; 345:1473-9. [PMID: 25103409 PMCID: PMC4188430 DOI: 10.1126/science.1256328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 190] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPRs) are essential components of RNA-guided adaptive immune systems that protect bacteria and archaea from viruses and plasmids. In Escherichia coli, short CRISPR-derived RNAs (crRNAs) assemble into a 405-kilodalton multisubunit surveillance complex called Cascade (CRISPR-associated complex for antiviral defense). Here we present the 3.24 angstrom resolution x-ray crystal structure of Cascade. Eleven proteins and a 61-nucleotide crRNA assemble into a seahorse-shaped architecture that binds double-stranded DNA targets complementary to the crRNA-guide sequence. Conserved sequences on the 3' and 5' ends of the crRNA are anchored by proteins at opposite ends of the complex, whereas the guide sequence is displayed along a helical assembly of six interwoven subunits that present five-nucleotide segments of the crRNA in pseudo-A-form configuration. The structure of Cascade suggests a mechanism for assembly and provides insights into the mechanisms of target recognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan N Jackson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA
| | - Sarah M Golden
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA
| | - Paul B G van Erp
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA
| | - Joshua Carter
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA
| | - Edze R Westra
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Agrotechnology and Food Sciences, Wageningen University, Dreijenplein 10, 6703 HB Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Stan J J Brouns
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Agrotechnology and Food Sciences, Wageningen University, Dreijenplein 10, 6703 HB Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - John van der Oost
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Agrotechnology and Food Sciences, Wageningen University, Dreijenplein 10, 6703 HB Wageningen, Netherlands
| | | | - Randy J Read
- Department of Haematology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Cambridge CB2 0XY, UK
| | - Blake Wiedenheft
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA.
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30
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Mulepati S, Héroux A, Bailey S. Structural biology. Crystal structure of a CRISPR RNA-guided surveillance complex bound to a ssDNA target. Science 2014; 345:1479-84. [PMID: 25123481 DOI: 10.1126/science.1256996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 171] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
In prokaryotes, RNA derived from type I and type III CRISPR loci direct large ribonucleoprotein complexes to destroy invading bacteriophage and plasmids. In Escherichia coli, this 405-kilodalton complex is called Cascade. We report the crystal structure of Cascade bound to a single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) target at a resolution of 3.03 angstroms. The structure reveals that the CRISPR RNA and target strands do not form a double helix but instead adopt an underwound ribbon-like structure. This noncanonical structure is facilitated by rotation of every sixth nucleotide out of the RNA-DNA hybrid and is stabilized by the highly interlocked organization of protein subunits. These studies provide insight into both the assembly and the activity of this complex and suggest a mechanism to enforce fidelity of target binding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabin Mulepati
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Annie Héroux
- Photon Sciences Directorate, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY 11973, USA
| | - Scott Bailey
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
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31
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Zhao H, Sheng G, Wang J, Wang M, Bunkoczi G, Gong W, Wei Z, Wang Y. Crystal structure of the RNA-guided immune surveillance Cascade complex in Escherichia coli. Nature 2014; 515:147-50. [DOI: 10.1038/nature13733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 137] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2014] [Accepted: 08/05/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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32
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van der Oost J, Westra ER, Jackson RN, Wiedenheft B. Unravelling the structural and mechanistic basis of CRISPR-Cas systems. Nat Rev Microbiol 2014; 12:479-92. [PMID: 24909109 PMCID: PMC4225775 DOI: 10.1038/nrmicro3279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 507] [Impact Index Per Article: 50.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Bacteria and archaea have evolved sophisticated adaptive immune systems, known as CRISPR-Cas (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-CRISPR-associated proteins) systems, which target and inactivate invading viruses and plasmids. Immunity is acquired by integrating short fragments of foreign DNA into CRISPR loci, and following transcription and processing of these loci, the CRISPR RNAs (crRNAs) guide the Cas proteins to complementary invading nucleic acid, which results in target interference. In this Review, we summarize the recent structural and biochemical insights that have been gained for the three major types of CRISPR-Cas systems, which together provide a detailed molecular understanding of the unique and conserved mechanisms of RNA-guided adaptive immunity in bacteria and archaea.
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Affiliation(s)
- John van der Oost
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University, Dreijenplein 10, 6703 HB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Edze R Westra
- 1] Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University, Dreijenplein 10, 6703 HB Wageningen, The Netherlands. [2] Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall, TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Ryan N Jackson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Montana State University, PO Box 173520, Bozeman, Montana 59717, USA
| | - Blake Wiedenheft
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Montana State University, PO Box 173520, Bozeman, Montana 59717, USA
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