6jdx

Structural highlights

Function

[CAS9_NEIM8] CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat) is an adaptive immune system that provides protection against mobile genetic elements (viruses, transposable elements and conjugative plasmids). CRISPR clusters contain spacers, sequences complementary to antecedent mobile elements, and target invading nucleic acids. CRISPR clusters are transcribed and processed into CRISPR RNA (crRNA). In type II CRISPR systems correct processing of pre-crRNA requires a trans-encoded small RNA (tracrRNA), endogenous ribonuclease 3 (rnc) and this protein, although RNase 3 is not required for 5'-processing of crRNA in this strain. Cas9/crRNA/tracrRNA endonucleolytically cleaves linear or circular dsDNA target complementary to the spacer; Cas9 is inactive in the absence of the 2 guide RNAs (gRNA, PubMed:23940360). Cas9 recognizes the protospacer adjacent motif (PAM) in the CRISPR repeat sequences to help distinguish self versus nonself, as targets within the bacterial CRISPR locus do not have PAMs. PAM recognition is also required for catalytic activity. Plasmids containing sequences homologous to endogenous spacer elements and that have flanking PAM consensus sequences cannot transform this strain unless the cas9 gene is disrupted or critical residues of Cas9 are mutated.^{[1] [2]}

References

1. ↑ Zhang Y, Heidrich N, Ampattu BJ, Gunderson CW, Seifert HS, Schoen C, Vogel J, Sontheimer EJ. Processing-independent CRISPR RNAs limit natural transformation in Neisseria meningitidis. Mol Cell. 2013 May 23;50(4):488-503. doi: 10.1016/j.molcel.2013.05.001. PMID:23706818 doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.molcel.2013.05.001
2. ↑ Hou Z, Zhang Y, Propson NE, Howden SE, Chu LF, Sontheimer EJ, Thomson JA. Efficient genome engineering in human pluripotent stem cells using Cas9 from Neisseria meningitidis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2013 Sep 24;110(39):15644-9. doi:, 10.1073/pnas.1313587110. Epub 2013 Aug 12. PMID:23940360 doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1313587110