Archaea and CRISPR biology

TY - JOUR

T1 - Archaea and CRISPR biology

AU - She, Qunxin

AU - Han, Wenyuan

PY - 2017/8/17

Y1 - 2017/8/17

N2 - The CRISPR-Cas system is an adaptive immune system encoded in prokaryotes to defend against invasion of foreign genetic elements. Current research data indicate that these immune systems are prevalent in Archaea, the third domain of life. Nevertheless, the prevalence probably reflects the fact that many of the current archaeal model organisms co-exist with a wide variety of viruses and are therefore enriched for the antiviral immunity. Furthermore, an additional layer of complexity of CRISPR mechanisms has recently been discovered, such that CRISPR functionality is further modulated by a widespread class of proteins named Cas accessory proteins. For this reason, these archaeal organisms provide unique resources for investigations to uncover the diversity and complexity of the immune system.

AB - The CRISPR-Cas system is an adaptive immune system encoded in prokaryotes to defend against invasion of foreign genetic elements. Current research data indicate that these immune systems are prevalent in Archaea, the third domain of life. Nevertheless, the prevalence probably reflects the fact that many of the current archaeal model organisms co-exist with a wide variety of viruses and are therefore enriched for the antiviral immunity. Furthermore, an additional layer of complexity of CRISPR mechanisms has recently been discovered, such that CRISPR functionality is further modulated by a widespread class of proteins named Cas accessory proteins. For this reason, these archaeal organisms provide unique resources for investigations to uncover the diversity and complexity of the immune system.

M3 - Journal article

SN - 1464-0570

VL - 44

SP - 122

EP - 125

JO - Microbiology Today

JF - Microbiology Today

IS - 3

ER -