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Crystal structure of FnCas12a in complex with a crRNA guide and ssDNA target
Structural highlights
FunctionCS12A_FRATN 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 sequences complementary to antecedent mobile elements and target invading nucleic acids. CRISPR clusters are transcribed and processed into CRISPR RNA (crRNA). Has endonuclease activity on pre-crRNA and dsDNA, using different active sites. A single-RNA guided endonuclease that is also capable of guiding crRNA processing; correct processing of pre-crRNA requires only this protein and the CRISPR locus (PubMed:26422227, PubMed:27096362). pre-crRNA processing proceeds by an intramolecular nucleophilic attack on the scissile phosphate by the 2'-OH of the upstream ribonucleotide, the divalent cation (which is bound by the crRNA) is probably required for ordering the crRNA pseudoknot and/or increasing RNA binding (PubMed:28431230). RNA mutagenesis studies show pre-crRNA cleavage is highly sequence- and structure-specific (PubMed:27096362). Forms a complex with crRNA and complementary dsDNA, where the crRNA displaces the non-target DNA strand and directs endonucleolytic cleavage of both strands of the DNA (PubMed:26422227, PubMed:27096362, PubMed:28431230). Cleavage results in staggered 5-base 5' overhangs 14-18 and 21-23 bases downstream of the PAM (protospacer adjacent motif) on the non-target and target strands respectively (PubMed:26422227, PubMed:28431230, PubMed:28562584). Both target and non-target strand DNA are probably independently cleaved in the same active site (PubMed:28431230, PubMed:28562584). When this protein is expressed in E.coli it prevents plasmids homologous to the first CRISPR spacer from transforming, formally showing it is responsible for plasmid immunity (PubMed:26422227).[1] [2] [3] [4] Publication Abstract from PubMedCRISPR-Cas12a (Cpf1) is an RNA-guided DNA-cutting nuclease that has been repurposed for genome editing. Upon target DNA binding, Cas12a cleaves both the target DNA in cis and non-target single-stranded DNAs (ssDNAs) in trans. To elucidate the molecular basis for both DNase cleavage modes, we performed structural and biochemical studies on Francisella novicida Cas12a. We show that guide RNA-target strand DNA hybridization conformationally activates Cas12a, triggering its trans-acting, non-specific, single-stranded DNase activity. In turn, cis cleavage of double-stranded DNA targets is a result of protospacer adjacent motif (PAM)-dependent DNA duplex unwinding, electrostatic stabilization of the displaced non-target DNA strand, and ordered sequential cleavage of the non-target and target DNA strands. Cas12a releases the PAM-distal DNA cleavage product and remains bound to the PAM-proximal DNA cleavage product in a catalytically competent, trans-active state. Together, these results provide a revised model for the molecular mechanisms of both the cis- and the trans-acting DNase activities of Cas12a enzymes, enabling their further exploitation as genome editing tools. Mechanistic Insights into the cis- and trans-Acting DNase Activities of Cas12a.,Swarts DC, Jinek M Mol Cell. 2019 Feb 7;73(3):589-600.e4. doi: 10.1016/j.molcel.2018.11.021. Epub, 2019 Jan 10. PMID:30639240[5] From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. See AlsoReferences
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