Characteristics of subtype III-A CRISPR-Cas system in Mycobacterium tuberculosis: An overview

Infect Genet Evol. 2023 Aug:112:105445. doi: 10.1016/j.meegid.2023.105445. Epub 2023 May 20.

Abstract

CRISPR-Cas systems are the only RNA- guided adaptive immunity pathways that trigger the detection and destruction of invasive phages and plasmids in bacteria and archaea. Due to its prevalence and mystery, the Class 1 CRISPR-Cas system has lately been the subject of several studies. This review highlights the specificity of CRISPR-Cas system III-A in Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the tuberculosis-causing pathogen, for over twenty years. We discuss the difference between the several subtypes of Type III and their defence mechanisms. The anti-CRISPRs (Acrs) recently described, the critical role of Reverse transcriptase (RT) and housekeeping nuclease for type III CRISPR-Cas systems, and the use of this cutting-edge technology, its impact on the search for novel anti-tuberculosis drugs.

Keywords: CRISPR-Cas III-A; CRISPRi; Housekeeping nuclease-anti-CRISPR; Mycobacterium tuberculosis; Reverse transcriptase (RT).

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antitubercular Agents / metabolism
  • Bacteriophages* / genetics
  • CRISPR-Cas Systems
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis* / genetics
  • Plasmids / genetics

Substances

  • Antitubercular Agents