• BMB Reports
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• 제56권2호
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• pp.102-107
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• 2023

Genome editing using CRISPR-associated technology is widely used to modify the genomes rapidly and efficiently on specific DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) induced by Cas9 endonuclease. However, despite swift advance in Cas9 engineering, structural basis of Cas9-recognition and cleavage complex remains unclear. Proper assembly of this complex correlates to effective Cas9 activity, leading to high efficacy of genome editing events. Here, we develop a CRISPR/Cas9-RAD51 plasmid constitutively expressing RAD51, which can bind to single-stranded DNA for DSB repair. We show that the efficiency of CRISPR-mediated genome editing can be significantly improved by expressing RAD51, responsible for DSB repair via homologous recombination (HR), in both gene knock-out and knock-in processes. In cells with CRISPR/Cas9-RAD51 plasmid, expression of the target genes (cohesin SMC3 and GAPDH) was reduced by more than 1.9-fold compared to the CRISPR/Cas9 plasmid for knock-out of genes. Furthermore, CRISPR/Cas9-RAD51 enhanced the knock-in efficiency of DsRed donor DNA. Thus, the CRISPR/Cas9-RAD51 system is useful for applications requiring precise and efficient genome edits not accessible to HR-deficient cell genome editing and for developing CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout technology.

• BMB Reports
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• 제57권1호
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• pp.40-49
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• 2024

Prokaryotes encode clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR) arrays and CRISPR-associated (Cas) genes as an adaptive immune machinery. CRISPR-Cas systems effectively protect hosts from the invasion of foreign enemies, such as bacteriophages and plasmids. During a process called 'adaptation', non-self-nucleic acid fragments are acquired as spacers between repeats in the host CRISPR array, to establish immunological memory. The highly conserved Cas1-Cas2 complexes function as molecular recorders to integrate spacers in a time course manner, which can subsequently be expressed as crRNAs complexed with Cas effector proteins for the RNA-guided interference pathways. In some of the RNA-targeting type III systems, Cas1 proteins are fused with reverse transcriptase (RT), indicating that RT-Cas1-Cas2 complexes can acquire RNA transcripts for spacer acquisition. In this review, we summarize current studies that focus on the molecular structure and function of the RT-fused Cas1-Cas2 integrase, and its potential applications as a directional RNA-recording tool in cells. Furthermore, we highlight outstanding questions for RT-Cas1-Cas2 studies and future directions for RNA-recording CRISPR technologies.

• 농업과학연구
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• 제47권4호
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• pp.903-920
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• 2020

Since its first demonstration as a practical genome editing tool in the early 2010s, the use of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR) along with the endonuclease Cas9 (CRISPR/Cas9) has become an essential choice for generating targeted mutations. Due to its relative simplicity and cost-effectiveness compared to other molecular scissors, i.e., zinc finger nuclease (ZFN) and transcription activator-like effector nuclease (TALEN), the CRISPR/Cas9 system has been shown to have a massive influence on genetic studies regardless of the biological kingdom. Although the system is in the process of being established, numerous protocols have already been released for the system and there have been various topics of CRISPR related papers published each year in ever-increasing manner. Here, we will briefly introduce CRISPR/Cas9 system and discuss the variants of the CRISPR system. Also, their applications to crop improvement will be dealt with mainly ornamental crops among horticultural crops other than Arabidopsis as a model plant. Finally, some issues on the barriers restraining the use of CRISPR system on floricultural crops, the prospect of CRISPR system as a DNA-free genome editing tool with efficient facilitators and finally, the future perspectives on the CRISPR system will be described.

• 한국자기공명학회논문지
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• 제25권3호
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• pp.39-44
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• 2021

The CRISPR-Cas system provides adaptive immunity for bacteria and archaea against invading phages and foreign plasmids. In the Class 1 CRISPR-Cas system, multi-subunit Cas proteins assemble with crRNA to bind to DNA targets. To disarm the bacterial defense system, bacteriophages evolved anti-CRISPR (Acr) proteins that actively inhibit the host CRISPR-Cas function. Here we report the backbone resonance assignments of AcrIF7 protein that inhibits the type I-F CRISPR-Cas system of Pseudomonas aeruginosa using triple-resonance nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. We employed various computational methods to predict the structure and binding interface of AcrIF7, and assessed the model with experimental data. AcrIF7 binds to Cas8f protein via flexible loop regions to inhibit target DNA binding, suggesting that conformational heterogeneity is important for the Cas-Acr interaction.

• 대한의용생체공학회:의공학회지
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• 제42권3호
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• pp.125-142
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• 2021

The POCT (point-of-care test) sensing that has been a fast-developing field is expected to be a next generation technology in health care. The POCT sensors for the detection of proteins, small molecules and especially nucleic acids have lately attracted considerable attention. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the POCT methods are required to follow the ASSURED guidelines (Affordable, Sensitive, Specific, User- friendly, Robust and rapid, Equipment-free, Deliverable to all people who need the test). Recently, several CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) based diagnostic techniques using the sensitive gene recognition function of CRISPR have been reported. CRISPR/Cas (Cas, CRISPR associated protein) systems based detection technology is the most innovative gene analysis technology that is following the ASSURED guidelines. It is being re-emerged as a powerful diagnostic tool that can detect nucleic acids due to its characteristics that enable rapid, sensitive and specific analyses of nucleic acid. The first CRISPR-based diagnosis begins with the discovery of the additional function of Cas13a. The enzymatic cleavage occurs when the conjugate of Cas protein and CRISPR RNA (crRNA) detect a specific complementary sequence of the target sequence. Enzymatic cleavage occurs on not only the target sequence, but also all surrounding non-target single-stranded RNAs. This discovery was immediately utilized as a biosensor, and numerous sensor studies using CRISPR have been reported since then. In this review, the concept of CRISPR, the characteristics of the Cas protein required for CRISPR diagnosis, the current research trends of CRISPR diagnostic technology, and some aspects to be improved in the future are covered.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제27권2호
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• pp.207-218
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• 2017

Clustered regulatory interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) in association with CRISPR-associated protein (Cas) is an adaptive immune system, playing a pivotal role in the defense of bacteria and archaea. Ease of handling and cost effectiveness make the CRISPR-Cas system an ideal programmable nuclease tool. Recent advances in understanding the CRISPR-Cas system have tremendously improved its efficiency. For instance, it is possible to recapitulate the chronicle CRISPR-Cas from its infancy and inaugurate a developed version by generating novel variants of Cas proteins, subduing off-target effects, and optimizing of innovative strategies. In summary, the CRISPR-Cas system could be employed in a number of applications, including providing model systems, rectification of detrimental mutations, and antiviral therapies.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제30권3호
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• pp.313-319
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• 2020

최근, 국내에서 발생하는 대가축의 질병은 바이러스 혹은 세균 등과 같은 병원체가 사료 섭취, 가축 간의 신체접촉, 호흡 등 다양한 경로를 통해 전파되어 발병되는 전염성 질병이다. 전염성 질병은 가축의 건강을 위협하고 생산성을 감소시키기 때문에 현장에서 조기 진단하여 개체 격리와 같은 통제 관리가 필수적이다. 기존 사용되고 있는 진단 키트들은 현장에서 사용하기에 용이하지 않으며 극소량의 감도에서 진단이 제한적인 단점을 가지고 있다. 그러므로, 현장에서 극소량의 감도와 진단의 편이성을 고려하여 DNA와 RNA 수준에서 진단할 수 있는 CRISPR/Cas 시스템은 최적의 시스템이라 할 수 있다. 본 연구논문에서는 대가축의 전염성 질병들을 현장에서 조기 진단함에 있어 CRISPR/Cas 시스템의 활용전략에 대해 소개하고자 한다. 최근 발견된 CRISPR/Cas 효소들은 2개의 클래스와 6가지 하위유형으로 분류되었다. 이 중에서 클래스 2에 포함되는 Cas 효소들은 대표적으로 제 2형에 Cas9, 제 5형에 Cas12a와 Cas12b, 제 6형에 Cas13a와 Cas13b가 있다. 현재까지 개발된 CRISPR/Cas 시스템들은 간단한 시각 신호를 통해 표적에 대한 정량 및 다중 감지가 가능하고 특히, 극소량 수준의 초고감도에서도 표적만을 진단할 수 있으며 단시간 이내에 진단 결과를 얻을 수 있다. 하지만 초고감도 DNA 혹은 RNA를 진단하기 위해 최적의 신호 증폭 방법과 결합되어야 하고 표적 DNA 혹은 RNA를 진단에 적합하도록 DNA를 RNA로, RNA를 DNA로 전변해야 하는 단점이 있다. 따라서, 현장에서 대가축의 전염성 질병을 조기에 진단할 수 있는 CRISPR/Cas 바이오센서를 개발하는데 있어 가축의 전염 매개체로부터 추출되는 병원체 유형(DNA 혹은 RNA)을 고려하여 최적의 Cas 효소를 선정하여야 하고 이에 따른 적절한 신호 증폭 방법이 결합되어야 한다. 따라서, CRISPR/Cas 시스템은 유전자 편집 방법을 사용하는 빠르고 효율적인 진단 도구이며 이 시스템은 소의 전염병을 조기에 진단하고 감염 확산방지에 도움될 수 있을 것으로 판단 되어진다.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제64권6호
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• pp.269-279
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• 2021

Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats and CRISPR-associated protein 9 (CRISPR-Cas9) is an ancient prokaryotic defense system that precisely cuts foreign genomic DNA under the control of a small number of guide RNAs. The CRISPR-Cas9 system facilitates efficient double-stranded DNA cleavage that has been recently adopted for genome editing to create or correct inherited genetic mutations causing disease. Congenital heart disease (CHD) is generally caused by genetic mutations such as base substitutions, deletions, and insertions, which result in diverse developmental defects and remains a leading cause of birth defects. Pediatric CHD patients exhibit a spectrum of cardiac abnormalities such as septal defects, valvular defects, and abnormal chamber development. CHD onset occurs during the prenatal period and often results in early lethality during childhood. Because CRISPR-Cas9-based genome editing technology has gained considerable attention for its potential to prevent and treat diseases, we will review the CRISPR-Cas9 system as a genome editing tool and focus on its therapeutic application for CHD.

• 한국자기공명학회논문지
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• 제24권3호
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• pp.70-76
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• 2020

The CRISPR-Cas system provides an adaptive immunity for bacteria and archaea against invading phages or foreign plasmids. In the type II CRISPR-Cas system, a single effector protein Cas9 and a guide RNA form an RNA-guided endonuclease complex that can degrade DNA targets of foreign origin. To avoid the Cas9-mediated destruction, phages evolved anti-CRISPR (Acr) proteins that neutralize the host bacterial immunity by inactivating the CRISPR-Cas system. Here we report the backbone ¹H, ¹⁵N, and ¹³C resonance assignments of AcrIIA5 that inhibits the endonuclease activity of type II-A Streptococcus thermophilus Cas9 and also Streptococcus pyogenesis Cas9 using triple resonance nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The backbone chemical shifts of AcrIIA5 predict a disordered region at the N-terminus, followed by an αββββαβββ fold.

• 한국자기공명학회논문지
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• 제22권3호
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• pp.71-75
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• 2018

The CRISPR-Cas system is the adaptive immune system in bacteria and archaea against invading phages or foreign plasmids. In the type II CRISPR-Cas system, an endonuclease Cas9 cleaves DNA targets of phages as directed by guide RNA comprising crRNA and tracrRNA. To avoid targeting and destruction by Cas9, phages employ anti-CRISPR (Acr) proteins that act against host bacterial immunity by inactivating the CRISPR-Cas system. Here we report the backbone $^1H$, $^{15}N$, and $^{13}C$ resonance assignments of AcrIIA4 that inhibits endonuclease activity of type II-A Listeria monocytogenes Cas9 and also Streptococcus pyogenesis Cas9 using triple resonance nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The secondary structures of AcrIIA4 predicted by the backbone chemical shifts show an ${\alpha}{\beta}{\beta}{\beta}{\alpha}{\alpha}$ fold, which is used to determine the solution structure.