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Review
. 2021 May 12;29(5):715-725.
doi: 10.1016/j.chom.2021.03.018.

Coevolution between bacterial CRISPR-Cas systems and their bacteriophages

Bridget N J Watson  1 , Jurre A Steens  2 , Raymond H J Staals  2 , Edze R Westra  3 , Stineke van Houte  4
Affiliations
Free article
Review

Coevolution between bacterial CRISPR-Cas systems and their bacteriophages

Bridget N J Watson et al. Cell Host Microbe. .
Free article

Abstract

CRISPR-Cas systems provide bacteria and archaea with adaptive, heritable immunity against their viruses (bacteriophages and phages) and other parasitic genetic elements. CRISPR-Cas systems are highly diverse, and we are only beginning to understand their relative importance in phage defense. In this review, we will discuss when and why CRISPR-Cas immunity against phages evolves, and how this, in turn, selects for the evolution of immune evasion by phages. Finally, we will discuss our current understanding of if, and when, we observe coevolution between CRISPR-Cas systems and phages, and how this may be influenced by the mechanism of CRISPR-Cas immunity.

Keywords: CRISPR-Cas; bacteriophages; coevolution; ecology; evolution.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of interests J.A.S and R.H.J.S. are shareholders of Scope Biosciences and are inventors on type III CRISPR-Cas-related patents. R.H.J.S. is a member of the scientific advisory board of Scope Biosciences.

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