A natural single-guide RNA repurposes Cas9 to autoregulate CRISPR-Cas expression.
Cell
; 184(3): 675-688.e19, 2021 02 04.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-33421369
ABSTRACT
CRISPR-Cas systems provide prokaryotes with acquired immunity against viruses and plasmids, but how these systems are regulated to prevent autoimmunity is poorly understood. Here, we show that in the S. pyogenes CRISPR-Cas system, a long-form transactivating CRISPR RNA (tracr-L) folds into a natural single guide that directs Cas9 to transcriptionally repress its own promoter (Pcas). Further, we demonstrate that Pcas serves as a critical regulatory node. De-repression causes a dramatic 3,000-fold increase in immunization rates against viruses; however, heightened immunity comes at the cost of increased autoimmune toxicity. Using bioinformatic analyses, we provide evidence that tracrRNA-mediated autoregulation is widespread in type II-A CRISPR-Cas systems. Collectively, we unveil a new paradigm for the intrinsic regulation of CRISPR-Cas systems by natural single guides, which may facilitate the frequent horizontal transfer of these systems into new hosts that have not yet evolved their own regulatory strategies.
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Bases de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Expresión Génica
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ARN Guía de Kinetoplastida
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Sistemas CRISPR-Cas
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Proteína 9 Asociada a CRISPR
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Homeostasis
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Cell
Año:
2021
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Estados Unidos