CRISPR

What is CRISPR

CRISPR are natural segments of genetic code found in most prokaryotes. CRISPR stands for Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats. These repeats are interspaced by unique spacer DNAs, each identical to the DNA of a specific virus. By storing viral DNAs, CRISPR allows bacteria and archaea to recognize and defend against viruses. When a known virus injects its DNA, the CRISPR system uses the stored DNA to transcribe a complementary RNA (crRNA). It also transcribes a CRISPR associated protein (Cas protein) that then binds with the crRNA. This crRNA-Cas complex locates the invading genome by matching

This natural bacterial system, under control, has the potential to modify virtually any organism’s genes. To direct the powers of CRISPR, scientists utilize the Cas9 protein, an RNA-guided enzyme taken from Streptococcus pyogenes. In the case of Cas9, crRNA is bound to a scaffolding RNA (tracrRNA) that keeps it stable. Scientists realized that the Cas9 protein can theoretically cleave any DNA as long as the crRNA is altered to be complementary to what you want to edit. All that is required is to combine the personalized crRNA with a Cas9 specific tracrRNA to allow a stable bond to the Cas9 protein. These modified combinations of crRNA with tracrRNA are referred to as guide RNAs (gRNA).

Our Experiment

For our experiment, we used CRISPR-Cas9 to edit the Z mutation in SERPINA-1. The mutated Z allele is differentiated from the wild M copy based on a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP). Thus, we would only have to in practice alter one base pair, a change from coding adenine to guanine at position 94378610 on Chromosome 14’s SERPINA1 gene. This slight change would lead to a revertation of the Glu342Lys mutation associated with A1AT deficiency.

The specific protocol used to create our gRNA was the Zhang protocol. We took the wild type RNA (M allele) and combined it with a generic scaffolding to create a single gRNA (sgRNA). Next, we took our mutated DNA and added PAM sequences to them as Cas9 requires recognition sites to edit (prevents CRISPR self-targeting). Finally, we put the sgRNA and mutated DNA with PAM in the presence of Cas9. The sgRNA similarity (rather than complete identicality) to the mutated DNA target sequence has two effects. One, it is still able to guide the Cas9 to the mutated DNA target sequence to cause a double stranded break. Second, it allows homology directed repair (HDR) to occur. When DNA is cleaved by Cas9, it can simply join together to repair itself. But in the presence of a highly homologous (similar) sequence, that sequence can act as a template to replace the missing bases. And as our sgRNA is highly similar except the wild type base pair, by this method a Z mutation can be edited to an M allele.

Limitations

It must be noted that some errors can occur with CRISPR. HDR occurs naturally and because of that it is in many ways left to chance. This method can leave a mix of both mutated and edited copies. Further, the sgRNA may in some cases guide Cas9 to wrong sequences because it is not completely identical to the target sequence. These off-point mutations further contribute to edited batches of proteins not being entirely the same as the wild type.