Abstract
RNA-mediated adaptive immune systems in bacteria and archaea rely on Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeat (CRISPR) genomic loci and CRISPR-associated (Cas) proteins that function together to provide protection from invading viruses and plasmids. In Type II CRISPR-Cas systems, the Cas9 protein functions as an RNA-guided endonuclease that uses a dual-guide RNA consisting of crRNA and trans-activating crRNA (tracrRNA) for target recognition and cleavage by a mechanism involving two active nuclease sites that together generate double-stranded DNA breaks (DSBs). Thus, the Cas9 system provides a facile means of modifying genomic information.
UC Berkeley researchers have developed modified site-directed polypeptides and ribonucleoproteins comprising the modified polypeptides. As the modified site-directed modifying polypeptides are modified for passive entry into target cells, the polypeptides are helpful in a variety of methods for target nucleic acid modification.
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Advantages
- Crosses the plasma membrane of a eukaryotic cell without the need for any additional agent (e.g., small molecule agents, lipids, etc.)
Potential Applications
- Genome editing
- Gene therapy
Contact Information
Name: Terri Sale
Email: terri.sale@berkeley.edu
Phone: 510-643-4219