Background: The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-Cas system is an acquired immune system of bacteria and archaea. Continued research has resulted in the identification of other Cas13 proteins.
Objective: This review briefly describes the discovery, classification, and application of the CRISPR-Cas13 system, including recent technological advances in addition to factors affecting system performance.
Methods: Cas13-based molecular therapy of human, animal, and plant transcriptomes was discussed, including regulation of gene expression to combat pathogenic RNA viruses. In addition, the latest progress, potential shortcomings, and challenges of the CRISPR-Cas system for treatment of animal and plant diseases are reviewed.
Results: The CRISPR-Cas system VI is characterized by two RNA-guided higher eukaryotes and prokaryotes nucleotide-binding domains. CRISPR RNA can cleave specific RNA through the interaction between the stem-loop rich chain of uracil residues and the Cas13a protein. The CRISPR-Cas13 system has been applied for gene editing in animal and plant cells, in addition to biological detection via accurate targeting of single-stranded RNA.
Conclusion: The CRISPR-Cas13 system offers a high-throughput and convenient technology for detection of viruses and potentially the development of anti-cancer drugs in the near future.
Keywords: CRISPR; Cas13; gene detection; genome edit.