Essential features and rational design of CRISPR RNAs that function with the Cas RAMP module complex to cleave RNAs.
Small RNAs target invaders for silencing in the CRISPR-Cas pathways that protect bacteria and archaea from viruses and plasmids. The CRISPR RNAs (crRNAs) contain sequence elements acquired from invaders that guide CRISPR-associated (Cas) proteins back to the complementary invading DNA or RNA. Here, we have analyzed essential features of the crRNAs associated with the Cas RAMP module (Cmr) effector complex, which cleaves targeted RNAs. We show that Cmr crRNAs contain an 8 nucleotide 5' sequence tag (also found on crRNAs associated with other CRISPR-Cas pathways) that is critical for crRNA function and can be used to engineer crRNAs that direct cleavage of novel targets. We also present data that indicate that the Cmr complex cleaves an endogenous complementary RNA in Pyrococcus furiosus, providing direct in vivo evidence of RNA targeting by the CRISPR-Cas system. Our findings indicate that the CRISPR RNA-Cmr protein pathway may be exploited to cleave RNAs of interest.
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
Caryn R
CR
Hale
Sonali
S
Majumdar
Joshua
J
Elmore
Neil
N
Pfister
Mark
M
Compton
Sara
S
Olson
Alissa M
AM
Resch
Claiborne V C
CV
Glover
Brenton R
BR
Graveley
Rebecca M
RM
Terns
Michael P
MP
Terns
D019843:Archaeal Proteins / Q000302:isolation & purification; D001483:Base Sequence; D005818:Genetic Engineering; D056426:Genetic Loci; D047468:Immunoprecipitation; D055029:Inverted Repeat Sequences; D046911:Macromolecular Substances / Q000302:isolation & purification; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D020027:Pyrococcus furiosus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D059367:RNA Cleavage; D016372:RNA, Antisense; D019642:RNA, Archaeal / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D017423:Sequence Analysis, RNA
D019843:Archaeal Proteins; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D016372:RNA, Antisense; D019642:RNA, Archaeal