Researchers at the largest of the CRISPR system in the positioning mechanism

the University of Copenhagen researchers in a new study in the visualization of the largest, most complex of the CRISPR system. Researchers believe that the system may be in the biomedical and biotechnology has potential applications.

the CRISPR technology was first introduced, can be used to edit genes and revolutionize the scientific community. CRISPR-Cas9 is probably the most famous of the CRISPR system, and is commonly referred to as“gene scissors”to.

that just the presence of many CRISPR systems in one. Now, from the University of Copenhagen(UCPH)researchers has been drawn and analysed so far identified out of the most complex of the CRISPR system, one of the atoms structure.

“we have solved by far the largest and most complex of the CRISPR-Cas complexes. We now know how the system at the molecular level play a role,”co-author, The Novo Nordisk Foundation for Protein Research Center Professor Guillermo Montoya said. NNF CPR), THE UCPH IS. The researchers studied a named Cmr-β complexes, the complexes belong to the so-called III-B CRISPR-Cas complex. New results have been published in the scientific journal Molecular Cell on.

against phage

CRISPR in bacteria and other organisms found in the system, it is involved in bacterial immune system. Here, it is constantly against the invasion of bacteriophages(an attack the bacteria of the virus)plays a major role.

in this new study, the researchers studied the Cmr in the immune system role, and in-depth study of the Cmr of the phage immune response the mechanisms behind its regulation mode.

“our findings with the scientific College of the She group collaboration, highlighting the type III composite of a variety of Defense Strategies. We also identified a unique called the Cmr7 subunit, it seems possible to control complex activities, we further believe that may be against the intended virus anti-CRISPR proteins.” One of the authors, NNF CPR postdoc Nicholas Heelund Sofos. p>

potential applications

in this new study, the researchers draw the Cmr system can remove single-stranded RNA and DNA, but because it is too large and too complex, difficult to like CRISPR-Cas9, as used for gene editing. But in the future, for the understanding of bacterial immune response still may be critical, it might in the fight against antibiotic resistance in certain applications.

“such complexes in bacteria and phage struggle between plays an important role. Antibiotic resistance stems from this struggle. Therefore, our results may constitute the fight against antibiotic resistance of important knowledge. The composite may also have therapeutic potential. In the future, we may be able to use it for diagnosis, even is we have yet to discover the health problems. Now, our goal is to find the system app.” Guillermo Montoya said.

the researchers used the advanced cryo-electron microscopy technique(also known as CryoEM)to overview the system. All research and data collection are at the University of Copenhagen carried out.