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ISSN (Print): 2210-2981
ISSN (Online): 2210-2914

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Letter Article Section: Genetics

In vitro Assay Revealed Mismatches between Guide RNA and Target DNA can Enhance Cas9 Nuclease Activity

Author(s): Ji Luan, Zhen Li, Hailong Wang*, Jun Fu and Youming Zhang

Volume 1, Issue 1, 2021

Published on: 07 September, 2020

Page: [69 - 72] Pages: 4

DOI: 10.2174/2210298101999200907161320

Abstract

Background: CRISPR-Cas9 is a powerful technology that allows us to modify DNA sequences in a specific manner across a variety of organisms. Due to its high efficiency and specificity, and ease of use, it becomes a commonly used method for gene editing. Although many structural and biochemical studies have been carried out to understand the fundamental mechanism of CRISPR/Cas9, our understanding of CRISPR/Cas9 caused off-target effects is still lacking.

Methods: The enhanced in vitro cleavage activity of Cas9 protein from Streptococcus pyogenes (SpCas9) was evaluated by both synthetic crRNA-tracrRNA duplexes and in vitro transcribed single guide RNAs.

Results: Here, we report an unexpected finding that mismatches between the guide RNA and target DNA significantly enhanced the in vitro cleavage activity of SpCas9 by more than 2 folds.

Conclusion: Our observation that mismatches between the guide RNA and target DNA can dramatically increase the in vitro cleavage of Cas9 suggests the potential sequence preference for the CRSIPR/Cas9 system.

Keywords: CRISPR, Cas9, guide RNA, mismatch, off target, endonuclease.

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Graphical Abstract

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