CRISPR-Cas

Adapting to change

Journal article (2017)

Authors

Simon A. Jackson University of Otago
R. McKenzie Kavli institute of nanoscience Delft, BN/Stan Brouns Lab - AS
Robert D. Fagerlund University of Otago
S.N. Kieper BN/Stan Brouns Lab - AS , Kavli institute of nanoscience Delft
Peter C. Fineran University of Otago
S.J.J. Brouns Wageningen University & Research, Kavli institute of nanoscience Delft, BN/Stan Brouns Lab - AS
Research Group
BN/Stan Brouns Lab (AS) (TU Delft)
Copyright: © 2017 Simon A. Jackson, R. McKenzie, Robert D. Fagerlund, S.N. Kieper, Peter C. Fineran, S.J.J. Brouns
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aal5056
More Info
expand_more

Published Date

07-04-2017

Language

English

Reuse Rights

Other than for strictly personal use, it is not permitted to download, forward or distribute the text or part of it, without the consent of the author(s) and/or copyright holder(s), unless the work is under an open content license such as Creative Commons.

Faculty

Applied Sciences

Department

BN/Bionanoscience

Research Group

BN/Stan Brouns Lab

Abstract

Bacteria and archaea are engaged in a constant arms race to defend against the ever-present threats of viruses and invasion by mobile genetic elements. The most flexible weapons in the prokaryotic defense arsenal are the CRISPR-Cas adaptive immune systems. These systems are capable of selective identification and neutralization of foreign DNA and/or RNA. CRISPR-Cas systems rely on stored genetic memories to facilitate target recognition. Thus, to keep pace with a changing pool of hostile invaders, the CRISPR memory banks must be regularly updated with new information through a process termed CRISPR adaptation. In this Review, we outline the recent advances in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms governing CRISPR adaptation. Specifically, the conserved protein machinery Cas1-Cas2 is the cornerstone of adaptive immunity in a range of diverse CRISPR-Cas systems.