Targeted RNA degradation remains a challenge using existing methods owing to off-target effects and toxicity. We adapted the CRISPR-Csm complex, a multi-protein effector from type III CRISPR systems, for precise knockdown of nuclear or cytoplasmic transcripts in eukaryotic cells with minimal side effects.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to Nature+
Get immediate online access to Nature and 55 other Nature journal
$29.99
monthly
Subscribe to Journal
Get full journal access for 1 year
$99.00
only $8.25 per issue
All prices are NET prices.
VAT will be added later in the checkout.
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.
Buy article
Get time limited or full article access on ReadCube.
$32.00
All prices are NET prices.
References
Lennox, K. A. & Behlke, M. A. Mini-review on current strategies to knockdown long non-coding RNAs. J. Rare Dis. Res. Treat. 1, 66–70 (2016). A review article that describes the limitations of RNAi, especially for knockdown of long non-coding RNAs.
Ai, Y., Liang, D. & Wilusz, J. E. CRISPR/Cas13 effectors have differing extents of off-target effects that limit their utility in eukaryotic cells. Nucleic Acids Res. 50, e65 (2022). This paper reports the toxic side effects of Cas13’s trans-cleavage when used for RNA knockdown in eukaryotic cells.
Kolesnik, M. V. et al. Deciphering the most complex prokaryotic immune system. Biochemistry (Moscow) 86, 1301–1314 (2021). This review article summarizes the type III CRISPR immune system.
Staals, R. H. J. et al. RNA Targeting by the Type III-A CRISPR-Cas Csm Complex of Thermus thermophilus. Mol. Cell 56, 518–530 (2014). This paper characterizes the RNA targeting and cleavage activity of the Csm complex.
Additional information
Publisher’s note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
This is a summary of: Colognori, D., Trinidad, M. & Doudna, J. A. Precise transcript targeting by CRISPR-Csm complexes. Nat. Biotechnol. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41587-022-01649-9 (2023).
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
CRISPR-Csm for eukaryotic RNA knockdown and imaging without toxicity. Nat Biotechnol (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41587-023-01665-3
Published:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41587-023-01665-3
