Coevolution between bacterial CRISPR-Cas systems and their bacteriophages

Bridget N J Watson; Jurre A Steens; Raymond H J Staals; Edze R Westra; Stineke van Houte

doi:10.1016/j.chom.2021.03.018

Coevolution between bacterial CRISPR-Cas systems and their bacteriophages

Cell Host Microbe. 2021 May 12;29(5):715-725. doi: 10.1016/j.chom.2021.03.018.

Authors

Bridget N J Watson¹, Jurre A Steens², Raymond H J Staals², Edze R Westra³, Stineke van Houte⁴

Affiliations

¹ ESI, Biosciences, University of Exeter, Cornwall Campus, Penryn TR10 9FE, UK. Electronic address: b.watson3@exeter.ac.uk.
² Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University and Research, 6708 WE Wageningen, the Netherlands.
³ ESI, Biosciences, University of Exeter, Cornwall Campus, Penryn TR10 9FE, UK. Electronic address: e.r.westra@exeter.ac.uk.
⁴ ESI, Biosciences, University of Exeter, Cornwall Campus, Penryn TR10 9FE, UK. Electronic address: c.van-houte@exeter.ac.uk.

PMID: 33984274
DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2021.03.018

Abstract

CRISPR-Cas systems provide bacteria and archaea with adaptive, heritable immunity against their viruses (bacteriophages and phages) and other parasitic genetic elements. CRISPR-Cas systems are highly diverse, and we are only beginning to understand their relative importance in phage defense. In this review, we will discuss when and why CRISPR-Cas immunity against phages evolves, and how this, in turn, selects for the evolution of immune evasion by phages. Finally, we will discuss our current understanding of if, and when, we observe coevolution between CRISPR-Cas systems and phages, and how this may be influenced by the mechanism of CRISPR-Cas immunity.

Keywords: CRISPR-Cas; bacteriophages; coevolution; ecology; evolution.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Bacteria / genetics*
Bacteria / immunology
Bacteria / virology*
Bacteriophages / genetics
Bacteriophages / immunology
Bacteriophages / physiology*
Biological Evolution*
CRISPR-Cas Systems*
Host-Pathogen Interactions