Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Cell Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, USA.
Nat Rev Genet. 2010 Mar;11(3):181-90. doi: 10.1038/nrg2749.
Sequence-directed genetic interference pathways control gene expression and preserve genome integrity in all kingdoms of life. The importance of such pathways is highlighted by the extensive study of RNA interference (RNAi) and related processes in eukaryotes. In many bacteria and most archaea, clustered, regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPRs) are involved in a more recently discovered interference pathway that protects cells from bacteriophages and conjugative plasmids. CRISPR sequences provide an adaptive, heritable record of past infections and express CRISPR RNAs - small RNAs that target invasive nucleic acids. Here, we review the mechanisms of CRISPR interference and its roles in microbial physiology and evolution. We also discuss potential applications of this novel interference pathway.
序列导向的遗传干扰途径控制着所有生命领域的基因表达和基因组完整性。这种途径的重要性在真核生物中对 RNA 干扰 (RNAi) 和相关过程的广泛研究中得到了强调。在许多细菌和大多数古菌中,成簇、规律间隔的短回文重复序列 (CRISPRs) 参与了一种最近发现的干扰途径,该途径保护细胞免受噬菌体和可转移质粒的侵害。CRISPR 序列提供了过去感染的适应性、可遗传记录,并表达 CRISPR RNA——靶向入侵核酸的小 RNA。在这里,我们回顾了 CRISPR 干扰的机制及其在微生物生理学和进化中的作用。我们还讨论了这种新型干扰途径的潜在应用。