Crystal structure of HpaCas9-sgRNA surveillance complex bound to double-stranded DNACrystal structure of HpaCas9-sgRNA surveillance complex bound to double-stranded DNA

Structural highlights

8hnw is a 4 chain structure with sequence from Haemophilus parainfluenzae and Synthetic construct. Full crystallographic information is available from OCA. For a guided tour on the structure components use FirstGlance.
Method:X-ray diffraction, Resolution 3.41Å
Resources:FirstGlance, OCA, PDBe, RCSB, PDBsum, ProSAT

Function

F0ET08_HAEPA CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat) is an adaptive immune system that provides protection against mobile genetic elements (viruses, transposable elements and conjugative plasmids). CRISPR clusters contain spacers, sequences complementary to antecedent mobile elements, and target invading nucleic acids. CRISPR clusters are transcribed and processed into CRISPR RNA (crRNA). In type II CRISPR systems correct processing of pre-crRNA requires a trans-encoded small RNA (tracrRNA), endogenous ribonuclease 3 (rnc) and this protein. The tracrRNA serves as a guide for ribonuclease 3-aided processing of pre-crRNA. Subsequently Cas9/crRNA/tracrRNA endonucleolytically cleaves linear or circular dsDNA target complementary to the spacer; Cas9 is inactive in the absence of the 2 guide RNAs (gRNA). Cas9 recognizes the protospacer adjacent motif (PAM) in the CRISPR repeat sequences to help distinguish self versus nonself, as targets within the bacterial CRISPR locus do not have PAMs. PAM recognition is also required for catalytic activity.[HAMAP-Rule:MF_01480]

Publication Abstract from PubMed

Anti-CRISPR (Acr) proteins are encoded by phages and other mobile genetic elements and inhibit host CRISPR-Cas immunity using versatile strategies. AcrIIC4 is a broad-spectrum Acr that inhibits the type II-C CRISPR-Cas9 system in several species by an unknown mechanism. Here, we determined a series of structures of Haemophilus parainfluenzae Cas9 (HpaCas9)-sgRNA in complex with AcrIIC4 and/or target DNA, as well as the crystal structure of AcrIIC4 alone. We found that AcrIIC4 resides in the crevice between the REC1 and REC2 domains of HpaCas9, where its extensive interactions restrict the mobility of the REC2 domain and prevent the unwinding of target double-stranded (ds) DNA at the PAM-distal end. Therefore, the full-length guide RNA:target DNA heteroduplex fails to form in the presence of AcrIIC4, preventing Cas9 nuclease activation. Altogether, our structural and biochemical studies illuminate a unique Acr mechanism that allows DNA binding to the Cas9 effector complex but blocks its cleavage by preventing R-loop formation, a key step supporting DNA cleavage by Cas9.

AcrIIC4 inhibits type II-C Cas9 by preventing R-loop formation.,Sun W, Cheng Z, Wang J, Yang J, Li X, Wang J, Chen M, Yang X, Sheng G, Lou J, Wang Y Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2023 Aug;120(31):e2303675120. doi: , 10.1073/pnas.2303675120. Epub 2023 Jul 26. PMID:37494395[1]

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

References

  1. Sun W, Cheng Z, Wang J, Yang J, Li X, Wang J, Chen M, Yang X, Sheng G, Lou J, Wang Y. AcrIIC4 inhibits type II-C Cas9 by preventing R-loop formation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2023 Aug;120(31):e2303675120. PMID:37494395 doi:10.1073/pnas.2303675120

8hnw, resolution 3.41Å

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