arrow
Return

Tailoring Cas12a functionality with a user-friendly and versatile crRNA variant toolbox

delete2025-10-08
delete0
delete
OA
AI
J
Jing Han
M
Min Yuan
L
Lan Hu
J
Jie‐Jie Chen
S
Shuxia Zhang
李小帆 (Xiaofan Li)
Z
Zhou‐Hua Cheng *
刘东风 (Dong‐Feng Liu) *
俞汉青 (Han‐Qing Yu) *
DOI:10.1038/s41467-025-64010-zdelete
deleteOriginal
deleteShare
deleteSave
View PDF
Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
Cas12a, with its unique targeting and cleavage activity towards DNA, has been widely applied in gene editing and molecular diagnostics. However, there currently lacks an activity regulation strategy that combines flexibility and simplicity to adapt Cas12a to different demands across various application scenarios. In this study, we present a simple yet effective strategy, wherein we systematically mutate the crRNA direct repeat (DR) sequence to uncover a range of distinct crRNA mutants, which are then compiled into a crRNA toolbox to enable flexible regulation of Cas12a activity. By harnessing the complementarity and synergy between these mutants, we successfully enhance Cas12a performance across various application scenarios. Our crRNA toolbox enables fine-tuned control over expression levels, improves base editing accuracy, enhances transformation and editing efficiency in prokaryote homologous recombination-mediated gene editing, and facilitates rapid, accurate, one-pot, semi-quantitative nucleic acid diagnostics. In summary, the DR sequence mutation strategy provides simple, flexible, and diverse options for Cas12a activity regulation and functional optimization. Flexible regulation of Cas12a activity enhances its performance across contexts. Here, authors achieve this with a simple crRNA direct repeat mutation strategy, improving Cas12a utility in gene editing and nucleic acid diagnostics.
Keywords:
Cas12a
crRNA
gene editing
molecular diagnostics
activity regulation
AI Summary

AI Summary

Key information extracted from the uploaded paper, including a brief overview, abstract, background, key highlights, visual analysis, and future outlook.

Journal

Nature Communications cover
Nature Communications
IF:
15.7
Papers:
9.2W
Citations:
91.2W

Organization

U
university of science and technology of china
Scholars:
1.0W
Papers: 3.9K
Citations: 3
F
fujian medical university union hospital
Scholars:
1.1K
Papers: 312
Citations: 1