Structural highlights
Publication Abstract from PubMed
RNA-guided CRISPR-Cas nucleases are widely used as versatile genome-engineering tools. Recent studies identified functionally divergent type V Cas12 family enzymes. Among them, Cas12c2 binds a CRISPR RNA (crRNA) and a trans-activating crRNA (tracrRNA) and recognizes double-stranded DNA targets with a short TN PAM. Here, we report the cryo-electron microscopy structures of the Cas12c2-guide RNA binary complex and the Cas12c2-guide RNA-target DNA ternary complex. The structures revealed that the crRNA and tracrRNA form an unexpected X-junction architecture, and that Cas12c2 recognizes a single T nucleotide in the PAM through specific hydrogen-bonding interactions with two arginine residues. Furthermore, our biochemical analyses indicated that Cas12c2 processes its precursor crRNA to a mature crRNA using the RuvC catalytic site through a unique mechanism. Collectively, our findings improve the mechanistic understanding of diverse type V CRISPR-Cas effectors.
Structure of the type V-C CRISPR-Cas effector enzyme.,Kurihara N, Nakagawa R, Hirano H, Okazaki S, Tomita A, Kobayashi K, Kusakizako T, Nishizawa T, Yamashita K, Scott DA, Nishimasu H, Nureki O Mol Cell. 2022 May 19;82(10):1865-1877.e4. doi: 10.1016/j.molcel.2022.03.006. , Epub 2022 Apr 1. PMID:35366394[1]
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
References
- ↑ Kurihara N, Nakagawa R, Hirano H, Okazaki S, Tomita A, Kobayashi K, Kusakizako T, Nishizawa T, Yamashita K, Scott DA, Nishimasu H, Nureki O. Structure of the type V-C CRISPR-Cas effector enzyme. Mol Cell. 2022 May 19;82(10):1865-1877.e4. PMID:35366394 doi:10.1016/j.molcel.2022.03.006
