Makarova Kira S, Wolf Yuri I, Koonin Eugene V
National Center for Biotechnology Information , National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, Maryland.
CRISPR J. 2018 Oct;1(5):325-336. doi: 10.1089/crispr.2018.0033.
As befits an immune mechanism, CRISPR-Cas systems are highly variable with respect to Cas protein sequences, gene composition, and organization of the genomic loci. Optimal classification of CRISPR-Cas systems and rational nomenclature for CRISPR-associated genes are essential for further progress of CRISPR research. These are highly challenging tasks because of the complexity of CRISPR-Cas and their fast evolution, including frequent module shuffling, as well as the lack of universal markers for a consistent evolutionary classification. The complexity and variability of CRISPR-Cas systems necessitate a multipronged approach to classification and nomenclature. We present a brief summary of the current state of the art and discuss further directions in this area.
作为一种免疫机制,CRISPR-Cas系统在Cas蛋白序列、基因组成和基因组位点组织方面具有高度变异性。CRISPR-Cas系统的最佳分类以及CRISPR相关基因的合理命名对于CRISPR研究的进一步进展至关重要。由于CRISPR-Cas的复杂性及其快速进化,包括频繁的模块改组,以及缺乏用于一致进化分类的通用标记,这些都是极具挑战性的任务。CRISPR-Cas系统的复杂性和变异性需要采用多管齐下的方法进行分类和命名。我们简要概述了当前的技术水平,并讨论了该领域的进一步发展方向。