RNAi: prokaryotes get in on the act.
The small CRISPR-derived RNAs of bacteria and archaea provide adaptive immunity by targeting the DNA of invading viruses and plasmids. Hale et al. (2009) now report on a new variant CRISPR/Cas complex in the archaeon Pyrococcus furiosus that uses guide RNAs to specifically target and cleave RNA not DNA.
van der Oost
John
J
Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University, 6703 HB Wageningen, Netherlands. john.vanderoost@wur.nl
Brouns
Stan J J
SJ
D020027:Pyrococcus furiosus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D034622:RNA Interference; D019642:RNA, Archaeal / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000276:immunology; D058727:RNA, Small Untranslated
D019642:RNA, Archaeal; D012367:RNA, Viral; D058727:RNA, Small Untranslated