6533b821fe1ef96bd127c408
RESEARCH PRODUCT
Cooperation between CRISPR-Cas types enables adaptation in an RNA-targeting system
César Díez-villaseñorVille HoikkalaMark J. McbrideLotta-riina SundbergJanne J. RavanttiRachel A. ConradMarja Tiirolasubject
0303 health sciences030306 microbiologyLocus (genetics)Computational biologyBiologybiology.organism_classificationGenome03 medical and health sciencesLytic cycleFlavobacterium columnareNucleic acidCRISPRTrans-actingGene030304 developmental biologydescription
AbstractCRISPR-Cas immune systems adapt to new threats by acquiring spacers from invading nucleic acids such as phage genomes. However, some CRISPR-Cas loci lack genes necessary for spacer acquisition, despite apparent variation in spacer content between strains. It has been suggested that such loci may use acquisition machinery from co-occurring CRISPR-Cas systems. Here, using a lytic dsDNA phage, we observe spacer acquisition in the native host Flavobacterium columnare that carries an acquisition-deficient subtype VI-B locus and a complete subtype II-C locus. We characterize acquisition events in both loci and show that the RNA-targeting VI-B locus acquires spacers in trans using acquisition machinery from the DNA-targeting II-C locus. Our observations reinforce the concept of modularity in CRISPR-Cas systems and raise further questions regarding plasticity of adaptation modules.
| year | journal | country | edition | language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-02-20 |