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The structure of the CRISPR-associated protein, Csa3, from Sulfolobus solfataricus at 1.8 angstrom resolution.
Structural highlights
FunctionCSA3_SACS2 CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat) is an adaptive immune system that provides protection against mobile genetic elements (viruses, transposable elements and conjugative plasmids). CRISPR clusters contain spacers, sequences complementary to antecedent mobile elements, and target invading nucleic acids. CRISPR clusters are transcribed and processed into CRISPR RNA (crRNA) (By similarity). Evolutionary Conservation Check, as determined by ConSurfDB. You may read the explanation of the method and the full data available from ConSurf. Publication Abstract from PubMedAdaptive immune systems have recently been recognized in prokaryotic organisms where, in response to viral infection, they incorporate short fragments of invader-derived DNA into loci called clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPRs). In subsequent infections, the CRISPR loci are transcribed and processed into guide sequences for the neutralization of the invading RNA or DNA. The CRISPR-associated protein machinery (Cas) lies at the heart of this process, yet many of the molecular details of the CRISPR/Cas system remain to be elucidated. Here, we report the first structure of Csa3, a CRISPR-associated protein from Sulfolobus solfataricus (Sso1445), which reveals a dimeric two-domain protein. The N-terminal domain is a unique variation on the dinucleotide binding domain that orchestrates dimer formation. In addition, it utilizes two conserved sequence motifs [Thr-h-Gly-Phe-(Asn/Asp)-Glu-X(4)-Arg and Leu-X(2)-Gly-h-Arg] to construct a 2-fold symmetric pocket on the dimer axis. This pocket is likely to represent a regulatory ligand-binding site. The N-terminal domain is fused to a C-terminal MarR-like winged helix-turn-helix domain that is expected to be involved in DNA recognition. Overall, the unique domain architecture of Csa3 suggests a transcriptional regulator under allosteric control of the N-terminal domain. Alternatively, Csa3 may function in a larger complex, with the conserved cleft participating in protein-protein or protein-nucleic acid interactions. A similar N-terminal domain is also identified in Csx1, a second CRISPR-associated protein family of unknown function. The structure of the CRISPR-associated protein Csa3 provides insight into the regulation of the CRISPR/Cas system.,Lintner NG, Frankel KA, Tsutakawa SE, Alsbury DL, Copie V, Young MJ, Tainer JA, Lawrence CM J Mol Biol. 2011 Jan 28;405(4):939-55. Epub 2010 Nov 18. PMID:21093452[1] From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. References
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