Title
RNA-targeting CRISPR–Cas systems
Author
van Beljouw, S.P.B. (TU Delft BN/Stan Brouns Lab; Kavli institute of nanoscience Delft)
Sanders, J.A. (TU Delft Science Centre & Programmering; Kavli institute of nanoscience Delft)
Rodríguez Molina, A. (TU Delft BN/Stan Brouns Lab; Kavli institute of nanoscience Delft)
Brouns, S.J.J. (TU Delft BN/Stan Brouns Lab; Kavli institute of nanoscience Delft) 
Date
2022
Abstract
CRISPR–Cas is a widespread adaptive immune system in bacteria and archaea that protects against viral infection by targeting specific invading nucleic acid sequences. Whereas some CRISPR–Cas systems sense and cleave viral DNA, type III and type VI CRISPR–Cas systems sense RNA that results from viral transcription and perhaps invasion by RNA viruses. The sequence-specific detection of viral RNA evokes a cell-wide response that typically involves global damage to halt the infection. How can one make sense of an immune strategy that encompasses broad, collateral effects rather than specific, targeted destruction? In this Review, we summarize the current understanding of RNA-targeting CRISPR–Cas systems. We detail the composition and properties of type III and type VI systems, outline the cellular defence processes that are instigated upon viral RNA sensing and describe the biological rationale behind the broad RNA-activated immune responses as an effective strategy to combat viral infection.
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DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41579-022-00793-y
Embargo date
2023-07-01
ISSN
1740-1526
Source
Nature Reviews. Microbiology, 21 (1), 21-34
Bibliographical note
Green Open Access added to TU Delft Institutional Repository ‘You share, we take care!’ – Taverne project https://www.openaccess.nl/en/you-share-we-take-care Otherwise as indicated in the copyright section: the publisher is the copyright holder of this work and the author uses the Dutch legislation to make this work public.
Part of collection
Institutional Repository
Document type
review
Rights
© 2022 S.P.B. van Beljouw, J.A. Sanders, A. Rodríguez Molina, S.J.J. Brouns