The emergence of CRISPR/Cas technology has enabled scientists to precisely edit genomic DNA sequences. This approach can be used to modulate gene expression for the treatment of genetic disorders and incurable diseases such as cancer. This potent genome-editing tool is based on a single guide RNA (sgRNA) strand that recognizes the targeted DNA, plus a Cas nuclease protein for binding and processing the target. CRISPR/Cas has great potential for editing many genes in different types of cells and organisms both in vitro and in vivo. Despite these remarkable advances, the risk of off-target effects has hindered the translation of CRISPR/Cas technology into clinical applications. To overcome this hurdle, researchers have devised gene regulatory systems that can be controlled in a spatiotemporal manner, by designing special sgRNA, Cas, and CRISPR/Cas delivery vehicles that are responsive to different stimuli, such as temperature, light, magnetic fields, ultrasound (US), pH, redox, and enzymatic activity. These systems can even respond to dual or multiple stimuli simultaneously, thereby providing superior spatial and temporal control over CRISPR/Cas gene editing. Herein, we summarize the latest advances on smart sgRNA, Cas, and CRISPR/Cas nanocarriers, categorized according to their stimulus type (physical, chemical, or biological).
Keywords: CRISPR/Cas; genome editing; off-target effects; smart sgRNA; stimulus-responsive delivery vehicles; targeting specificity.