title: Regulation of CRISPR-Cas adaptive immune systems.
abstract: CRISPR-Cas systems are prokaryotic immune systems that allow defense against invasion by foreign genetic elements. Through the acquisition of genetic memory representing prior exposure, the CRISPR-Cas machinery identifies complementary nucleic acids and mediates their destruction. Since their discovery, CRISPR-Cas research has exploded, with major progress into their mechanism and biotechnological application. In contrast, we are only beginning to understand how CRISPR-Cas activity is regulated. Recent studies have uncovered both conserved regulatory pathways, in addition to more specific mechanisms. Identifying the stimuli linking invasion with CRISPR-Cas activation will be essential in unraveling their ecological roles, evolutionary success and might offer strategies to control immunity for particular applications. We highlight factors impinging on CRISPR-Cas regulation across diverse bacterial and archaeal species.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Adrian G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Patterson
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Mariya S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Yevstigneyeva
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand; Bio-Protection Research Centre, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand. Electronic address: peter.fineran@otago.ac.nz.
authors.forename: Peter C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Fineran
mesh_terms: D001105:Archaea / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics*; D064113:CRISPR-Cas Systems; D019848:Gene Expression Regulation, Archaeal; D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial