CRISPR-Cas9技术发展史:25年的科学历程

CRISPR-Cas是一种重要的原核生物获得性免疫系统。CRISPR序列可转录并加工为非编码RNA——cr RNA,而Cas利用其DNA核酸外切酶完成RNA介导的靶DNA剪切,从而抵御噬菌体和质粒等DNA的入侵。在这一系统基础上改进并发明目前生命科学领域广泛应用的CRISPR-Cas9基因编辑技术。通过对CRISPR序列发现、结构命名、功能预测、实验证实、机制研究和系统改进等的描述,以期能对CRISPR-Cas9技术的诞生过程有一个全面的了解。

The invention of CRISPR-Cas9 technology: 25-years scientific journey

CRISPR-Cas (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat-CRISPR-associated) is an important acquired immune system for prokaryotes. CRISPR sequences can be transcribed and processed into non-coding RNA, crRNA (CRISPRRNA). These Cas proteins can complete the RNA mediated target DNA cut using their DNA exonuclease, which is important for bacteriophage and plasmid DNA invader defense in prokaryotes. The CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing was invented on the system, which is widely used in life science. In the article, the following knowledge was described including discovery of CRISPR sequence, nomenclature of CRISPR, prediction of biological role, confirmation of experiment, research on mechanism and improvement of system. It is important for the comprehensive understanding of CRISPR-Cas9 technology invention.