Assembly and Translocation of a CRISPR-Cas Primed Acquisition Complex.

Kaylee E. Dillard*, Maxwell W. Brown*, Nicole V. Johnson, Yibei Xiao, Adam Dolan, Erik Hernandez, Samuel Dahlhauser, Yoori Kim, Logan R. Myler, Eric Anslyn, Ailong Ke, and Ilya J. Finkelstein (* co-first authors), Cell 175 (1) :1-13 (2018).
Full text
PDF
Supplement
Pubmed
DOI

Abstract

CRISPR-Cas systems confer an adaptive immunity against viruses. Following viral injection, Cas1-Cas2 integrates segments of the viral genome (spacers) into the CRISPR locus. In type I CRISPR-Cas systems, efficient “primed” spacer acquisition and viral degradation (interference) require both the Cascade complex and the Cas3 helicase/nuclease. Here, we present single-molecule characterization of the Thermobifida fusca (Tfu) primed acquisition complex (PAC). We show that TfuCascade rapidly samples non-specific DNA via facilitated one-dimensional diffusion. Cas3 loads at target-bound Cascade and the Cascade/Cas3 complex translocates via a looped DNA intermediate. Cascade/Cas3 complexes stall at diverse protein roadblocks, resulting in a double strand break at the stall site. In contrast, Cas1-Cas2 samples DNA transiently via 3D collisions. Moreover, Cas1-Cas2 associates with Cascade and translocates with Cascade/Cas3, forming the PAC. PACs can displace different protein roadblocks, suggesting a mechanism for long-range spacer acquisition. This work provides a molecular basis for the coordinated steps in CRISPR-based adaptive immunity.