C2c2 is a single-component programmable RNA-guided RNA-targeting CRISPR effector

INTRODUCTION Almost all archaea and about half of bacteria possess clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)–CRISPR-associated genes (Cas) adaptive immune systems, which protect microbes against viruses and other foreign DNA. All functionally characterized CRISPR systems have been reported to target DNA, with some multicomponent type III systems also targeting RNA. The putative class 2 type VI system, which has not been functionally characterized, encompasses the single-effector protein C2c2, which contains two Higher Eukaryotes and Prokaryotes Nucleotide-binding (HEPN) domains commonly associated with ribonucleases (RNases), suggesting RNA-guided RNA-targeting function. RATIONALE…

• NS
  National Science Foundation
• UD
  U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
• SF
  Simons Foundation
• PG
  Paul G. Allen Family Foundation
• NY
  New York Stem Cell Foundation
• VF
  Vallee Foundation
• RS
  Russian Science Foundation

  Award: 14-14-00988
• SI
  Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology
• NI
  National Institutes of Health

  Award: GM10407
• NI
  National Institute of Mental Health

  Awards: 1R01-MH110049, 5DP1-MH100706
• NI
  National Institute of General Medical Sciences

  Award: T32GM007753