Dead Cas Systems: Types, Principles, and Applications

Int J Mol Sci. 2019 Nov 30;20(23):6041. doi: 10.3390/ijms20236041.

Abstract

The gene editing tool CRISPR-Cas has become the foundation for developing numerous molecular systems used in research and, increasingly, in medical practice. In particular, Cas proteins devoid of nucleolytic activity (dead Cas proteins; dCas) can be used to deliver functional cargo to programmed sites in the genome. In this review, we describe current CRISPR systems used for developing different dCas-based molecular approaches and summarize their most significant applications. We conclude with comments on the state-of-art in the CRISPR field and future directions.

Keywords: Cas9; cancer; chromatin; dCas; editing; epigenetics; hereditary diseases; infectious diseases; inflammatory diseases; transcription.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • CRISPR-Associated Protein 9 / genetics*
  • CRISPR-Associated Protein 9 / metabolism
  • CRISPR-Cas Systems*
  • Chromatin / chemistry
  • Chromatin / metabolism
  • Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats
  • Communicable Diseases / genetics
  • Communicable Diseases / metabolism
  • Communicable Diseases / pathology
  • Communicable Diseases / therapy*
  • DNA Methylation
  • Epigenesis, Genetic
  • Gene Editing / methods*
  • Genetic Diseases, Inborn / genetics
  • Genetic Diseases, Inborn / metabolism
  • Genetic Diseases, Inborn / pathology
  • Genetic Diseases, Inborn / therapy*
  • Genome, Human
  • Histones / genetics
  • Histones / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / genetics
  • Inflammation / metabolism
  • Inflammation / pathology
  • Inflammation / therapy*
  • Neoplasms / genetics
  • Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Neoplasms / therapy*
  • RNA, Guide, CRISPR-Cas Systems / genetics
  • RNA, Guide, CRISPR-Cas Systems / metabolism

Substances

  • Chromatin
  • Histones
  • RNA, Guide, CRISPR-Cas Systems
  • CRISPR-Associated Protein 9