Advances in the Integration of Nucleic Acid Nanotechnology into CRISPR-Cas System

Abstract

The microbial adaptive immune systems composed of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) and CRISPR-associated protein (Cas), have been repurposed as revolutionary tool kits in many fields, including gene editing, transcriptional regulation, bioimaging and biosensing. Owing to the unprecedented programmability of base paring in nucleic acids, the progress in nucleic acid nanotechnology has brought new inspiration to CRISPR-Cas system. In this mini review, we summarized the research progress of the integration of nucleic acid nanotechnology into CRISPR-Cas system, including delivery of Cas proteins by DNA nanovehicles, conditional CRISPR-Cas system based on dynamic RNA nanotechnology, coupling of CRISPR-Cas and DNA origami. We also discussed the development prospects of the potential combinations of CRISPR-Cas system and nucleic acid nanotechnology.

CRISPR/dCas9-Mediated Specific Molecular Assembly Facilitates Genotyping of Mutant Circulating Tumor DNA

“…Taking these advantages, multiple recognition units could be designed in an array to achieve simultaneous genotyping of different ctDNA targets. , The signal output system can also be integrated with other signal amplification methods, such as DNA assembly, strand displacement, and metal–organic framework caging, ,− to realize ultrasensitive ctDNA detection. We conceive that our E-dCas9 design could be further combined with microfluidics and functional nanostructures, − especially PAM-free Cas9, for sensitive, specific, and multiplexed detection of ctDNA on a fully integrated diagnostic platform to better meet practical needs in clinical settings.…”

Integrating CRISPR/Cas systems with programmable DNA nanostructures for delivery and beyond

“…One of the obvious challenges is the translation of the in vitro applications to physiological environments. Although CRISPR/Cas systems have been harnessed to achieve ultrasensitive detection of nucleic acids, which are described in a recent review article by Wang et al. (2021) , nucleic acid nanostructures need to display several qualities to realize their full potential in in vivo applications.…”

Nanomaterials in plant management: functions, mechanisms and prospects

“…Nucleic acid nanotechnology refers to the formation of specific nanostructures and nanodevices by using the unique characteristics of nucleic acids, including double helix structure, Watson-Crick base pairing interaction and precise programming ability between complementary strands, based on its the unique biocompatibility, programmability and transmembrane properties, the functionalization of nucleic acid nanostructures can act as an appropriate material to delivery Cas proteins, including delivery of Cas proteins by DNA nanovehicles, conditional CRISPR-Cas system based on dynamic RNA nanotechnology, coupling of CRISPR-Cas and DNA origami. 55 Thus, NMs could address some of the most critical challenges of CRISPR genome editing in plants through improvements in cargo delivery, species independence, germline transformation and gene editing efficiency. 56,57 Notably, we need to better understand the lifecycle of NMs after cargo delivery and pay attention to their effects on the growth and development of edited plants.…”