CRISPR Craze Conquers the RNA World: Precise Manipulation of DNA and RNA Based on a Bacterial Defense System†
A R. acknowledges financial support by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft within the Emmy Noether-Programme (RE 2796/2-1) and within the Cells in Motion-Cluster of Excellence (DFG EXC 1003).
Graphical Abstract
It cuts both ways: The CRISPR/Cas9 genome engineering system has been extended from DNA to RNA. The sequence-specific targeting and cleavage of RNA can be achieved with S. pyogenes Cas9–gRNA if an appropriate short single-stranded oligonucleotide, the “PAMmer”, is added. This technique could lead to a general approach for sequence-specific RNA manipulation.