Molecular organization of the type II-A CRISPR adaptation module and its interaction with Cas9 via Csn2

Nucleic Acids Res. 2018 Oct 12;46(18):9805-9815. doi: 10.1093/nar/gky702.

Abstract

Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPRs) and CRISPR-associated (Cas) proteins provide microbial adaptive immunity against invading foreign nucleic acids. In type II-A CRISPR-Cas systems, the Cas1-Cas2 integrase complex and the subtype-specific Csn2 comprise the CRISPR adaptation module, which cooperates with the Cas9 nuclease effector for spacer selection. Here, we report the molecular organization of the Streptococcus pyogenes type II-A CRISPR adaptation module and its interaction with Cas9 via Csn2. We determined the crystal structure of S. pyogenes type II-A Cas2. Chromatographic and calorimetric analyses revealed the stoichiometry and topology of the type II-A adaptation module composed of Cas1, Cas2 and Csn2. We also demonstrated that Cas9 interacts with Csn2 in a direct and stoichiometric manner. Our results reveal a network of molecular interactions among type II-A Cas proteins and highlight the role of Csn2 in coordinating Cas components involved in the adaptation and interference stages of CRISPR-mediated immunity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Physiological / genetics
  • Adaptive Immunity / genetics*
  • CRISPR-Associated Proteins / chemistry*
  • CRISPR-Associated Proteins / genetics
  • CRISPR-Cas Systems / genetics*
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • Integrases / chemistry*
  • Integrases / genetics
  • Nucleic Acids / chemistry
  • Nucleic Acids / genetics
  • Nucleic Acids / immunology
  • Streptococcus pyogenes / enzymology
  • Streptococcus pyogenes / genetics

Substances

  • CRISPR-Associated Proteins
  • Nucleic Acids
  • Integrases