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Researchers found a protein capable of inhibiting genome editing from CRISPR-Cas9

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Researchers have found a protein that is capable of inhibiting genome editing from CRISPR-Cas9.

A recent article published by CellPress has given possible insight on a possible inhibitor of CRISPR-Cas9. CRISPR-Cas9 is a protein that has been famous for its potential to be used to edit genome sequences in organisms, including humans. The aforementioned article suggests that CRISPR-Cas9 can be, after all, inhibited from binding to the genome.

Known as anti-CRISPR proteins (Acrs), the inhibitors prevent CRISPR from binding to the genome. It does so through binding to CRISPR directly in a specific region. The two sub proteins of the Acr family– AcrIIC1 and AcrIIC3, each have a slightly different mechanism of action. AcrIIC3 is the most effective out of the two, being able to prevent function of the CRISPR protein.

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The data available could possibly help as a “safety net” against unintended consequences of the revolutionary biotechnology. CRISPR has been thought to be one of the four horsemen to the end of humanity as we know it, among other scientific advancements. The discovery of this protein is able to open multiple doors towards better understanding of treatments as well as the protein itself.

Photo Credit: MIKI Yoshihito

Sean Yazdani

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