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A Reverse Transcriptase-Cas1 Fusion Protein Contains a Cas6 Domain Required for Both CRISPR RNA Biogenesis and RNA Spacer Acquisition.

Molecular cell | 2018

Prokaryotic CRISPR-Cas systems provide adaptive immunity by integrating portions of foreign nucleic acids (spacers) into genomic CRISPR arrays. Cas6 proteins then process CRISPR array transcripts into spacer-derived RNAs (CRISPR RNAs; crRNAs) that target Cas nucleases to matching invaders. We find that a Marinomonas mediterranea fusion protein combines three enzymatic domains (Cas6, reverse transcriptase [RT], and Cas1), which function in both crRNA biogenesis and spacer acquisition from RNA and DNA. We report a crystal structure of this divergent Cas6, identify amino acids required for Cas6 activity, show that the Cas6 domain is required for RT activity and RNA spacer acquisition, and demonstrate that CRISPR-repeat binding to Cas6 regulates RT activity. Co-evolution of putative interacting surfaces suggests a specific structural interaction between the Cas6 and RT domains, and phylogenetic analysis reveals repeated, stable association of free-standing Cas6s with CRISPR RTs in multiple microbial lineages, indicating that a functional interaction between these proteins preceded evolution of the fusion.

Pubmed ID: 30344094 RIS Download

Research resources used in this publication

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Associated grants

  • Agency: NIGMS NIH HHS, United States
    Id: R01 GM037706
  • Agency: NIGMS NIH HHS, United States
    Id: R01 GM037949
  • Agency: Intramural NIH HHS, United States
    Id: ZIA LM000073-22
  • Agency: Howard Hughes Medical Institute, United States

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