Directed Evolution of CRISPR/Cas Systems for Precise Gene Editing

Abstract

CRISPR technology is a universal tool for genome engineering that has revolutionized biotechnology. Recently identified unique CRISPR/Cas systems, as well as re-engineered Cas proteins, have rapidly expanded the functions and applications of CRISPR/Cas systems. The structures of Cas proteins are complex, containing multiple functional domains. These protein domains are evolutionarily conserved polypeptide units that generally show independent structural or functional properties. In this review, we propose using protein domains as a new way to classify protein engineering strategies for these proteins and discuss common ways to engineer key domains to modify the functions of CRISPR/Cas systems.

Keywords: CRISPR; Cas protein engineering; Cas12a; Cas9; gene editing.