Shooting the messenger: RNA-targetting CRISPR-Cas systems

Biosci Rep. 2018 Jun 21;38(3):BSR20170788. doi: 10.1042/BSR20170788. Print 2018 Jun 29.

Abstract

Since the discovery of CRISPR-Cas (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats, CRISPR-associated genes) immune systems, astonishing progress has been made on revealing their mechanistic foundations. Due to the immense potential as genome engineering tools, research has mainly focussed on a subset of Cas nucleases that target DNA. In addition, however, distinct types of RNA-targetting CRISPR-Cas systems have been identified. The focus of this review will be on the interference mechanisms of the RNA targetting type III and type VI CRISPR-Cas systems, their biological relevance and their potential for applications.

Keywords: CRISPR; RNA; RNA interference; bacteriophages.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Adaptive Immunity
  • Animals
  • Bacteria / genetics*
  • Bacteria / immunology
  • Bacteriophages / genetics
  • Bacteriophages / metabolism
  • CRISPR-Associated Protein 9 / genetics*
  • CRISPR-Associated Protein 9 / metabolism
  • CRISPR-Cas Systems*
  • Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats*
  • DNA / genetics*
  • DNA / metabolism
  • DNA Transposable Elements
  • Gene Editing / methods*
  • Genome*
  • Humans
  • Plasmids / chemistry
  • Plasmids / metabolism
  • RNA, Guide, CRISPR-Cas Systems / genetics
  • RNA, Guide, CRISPR-Cas Systems / metabolism

Substances

  • DNA Transposable Elements
  • RNA, Guide, CRISPR-Cas Systems
  • DNA
  • CRISPR-Associated Protein 9