Accelerated RNA detection using tandem CRISPR nucleases.
Nat Chem Biol
; 17(9): 982-988, 2021 09.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-34354262
Direct, amplification-free detection of RNA has the potential to transform molecular diagnostics by enabling simple on-site analysis of human or environmental samples. CRISPR-Cas nucleases offer programmable RNA-guided RNA recognition that triggers cleavage and release of a fluorescent reporter molecule, but long reaction times hamper their detection sensitivity and speed. Here, we show that unrelated CRISPR nucleases can be deployed in tandem to provide both direct RNA sensing and rapid signal generation, thus enabling robust detection of ~30 molecules per µl of RNA in 20 min. Combining RNA-guided Cas13 and Csm6 with a chemically stabilized activator creates a one-step assay that can detect severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA extracted from respiratory swab samples with quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR (qRT-PCR)-derived cycle threshold (Ct) values up to 33, using a compact detector. This Fast Integrated Nuclease Detection In Tandem (FIND-IT) approach enables sensitive, direct RNA detection in a format that is amenable to point-of-care infection diagnosis as well as to a wide range of other diagnostic or research applications.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
RNA, Viral
/
CRISPR-Cas Systems
/
SARS-CoV-2
/
COVID-19
Type of study:
Diagnostic_studies
Limits:
Humans
Language:
En
Journal:
Nat Chem Biol
Journal subject:
BIOLOGIA
/
QUIMICA
Year:
2021
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
United States
Country of publication:
United States