A research team has found a new approach to shut down CRISPR-Cas9

A recent research team has found a new approach to shut down CRISPR-Cas9 that addresses potential problems with CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing methods. The team used phage proteins, allowing more precise gene editing and giving the researchers the ability to disable the entire system. Details have been published in the December 29 issue of the Journal of Cell, which also publishes some other studies on recombinant dog proteins. Prior to this, in another study published by Cell, scientists discovered the first known "off switch" for CRISPR - Cas9 activity.

CRISPR-Cas9 is a method used by scientists to edit the genome. Cas9 is an enzyme that cleaves DNA fragments so that they can be replaced. The CRISPR-Cas9 system is naturally occurring in bacteria and is a method for combating phage and targeting bacteria only. It is able to cut and store viral DNA slices to allow bacteria to recognize phages in the future. Researchers use this system to modify the genome and repair genetic diseases. However, CRISPR-Cas9 occasionally goes wrong. In the past, scientists had no way to disable the system, leading to security issues of future human trials.

Researchers from the University of California, San Francisco have explored possible ways to inactivate the CRISPR-Cas9 system. CRISPR-Cas9 is mainly a method of fighting bacteria and viruses, but the team observed the infected bacteria. If the bacterium infects the bacterium and inserts its DNA, Cas9 tries to cut it off even if it will target the bacteria's own genome. Because the virus needs to have a live host, this will not help the virus. The team hypothesized that some phages had an anti-CRISPR protein for inactivation of Cas9. In screening the bacteria infected in this way, the team found two anti-CRISPR proteins, known as AcrIIA2 and AcrIIA4. Both proteins were able to inhibit the Cas9 enzyme. AcrIIA2 and AcrIIA4 can be used to inactivate Cas9, shutting down the entire CRISPR-Cas9 system.

The team's findings will allow scientists to better control gene editing. If the CRISPR-Cas9 system starts making mistakes, the researcher can disable it. The system can be temporarily or permanently shut down, which make the technology will more secure for final human trials. Flarebio provides good-quality recombinant proteins such as recombinant ECEL1 at competitive prices.