Cpf1 is a single RNA-guided endonuclease of a class 2 CRISPR-Cas system.
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Abstract | The microbial adaptive immune system CRISPR mediates defense against foreign genetic elements through two classes of RNA-guided nuclease effectors. Class 1 effectors utilize multi-protein complexes, whereas class 2 effectors rely on single-component effector proteins such as the well-characterized Cas9. Here, we report characterization of Cpf1, a putative class 2 CRISPR effector. We demonstrate that Cpf1 mediates robust DNA interference with features distinct from Cas9. Cpf1 is a single RNA-guided endonuclease lacking tracrRNA, and it utilizes a T-rich protospacer-adjacent motif. Moreover, Cpf1 cleaves DNA via a staggered DNA double-stranded break. Out of 16 Cpf1-family proteins, we identified two candidate enzymes from Acidaminococcus and Lachnospiraceae, with efficient genome-editing activity in human cells. Identifying this mechanism of interference broadens our understanding of CRISPR-Cas systems and advances their genome editing applications. |
Year of Publication | 2015
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Journal | Cell
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Volume | 163
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Issue | 3
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Pages | 759-71
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Date Published | 2015 Oct 22
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ISSN | 1097-4172
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URL | |
DOI | 10.1016/j.cell.2015.09.038
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PubMed ID | 26422227
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PubMed Central ID | PMC4638220
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Grant list | DP1 MH100706 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States
R01 MH110049 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States
5DP1-MH100706 / DP / NCCDPHP CDC HHS / United States
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