[Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats: structure, function and application--a review]

Wei Sheng Wu Xue Bao. 2008 Nov;48(11):1549-55.
[Article in Chinese]

Abstract

CRISPRs (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats), the basis of spoligotyping technology, can provide prokaryotes with heritable adaptive immunity against phages' invasion. Studies on CRISPR loci and their associated elements, including various CAS (CRISPR-associated) proteins and leader sequences, are still in its infant period. We introduce the brief history', structure, function, bioinformatics research and application of this amazing immunity system in prokaryotic organism for inspiring more scientists to find their interest in this developing topic.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Proteins / chemistry
  • Bacterial Typing Techniques / methods*
  • Bacteriophages / immunology
  • Bacteriophages / pathogenicity*
  • Computational Biology / methods*
  • Databases, Genetic
  • Evolution, Molecular
  • Immunity, Active
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Prokaryotic Cells / immunology*
  • Prokaryotic Cells / virology
  • Protein Sorting Signals / physiology*

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Protein Sorting Signals