A new study has made a significant breakthrough in the field of cell biology, with the discovery of a CRISPR system that can selectively kill cells based on their genetic makeup. The system, known as CRISPR–Cas12a2, uses a specific enzyme called Cas12a2 to shred DNA in a wide range of eukaryotic cells, including those infected with viruses or bearing genetic mutations.
How it works
The Cas12a2 enzyme is triggered by RNA, which allows it to target specific cells based on their gene expression. This means that scientists can use the system to selectively eliminate cells that are infected with a particular virus, or those that have a specific genetic mutation. The study found that the system is highly effective, with **85%** of targeted cells being killed in some experiments. The research team, led by **Dr. Jennifer Doudna**, used a technique called phylogenetic analysis to study the evolution of the Cas12a2 enzyme and its relationship to other similar enzymes.
Phylogenetic analysis
The team aligned the amino acid sequence of the GeCas12a2 enzyme with other Cas12a2 nuclease sequences using a software tool called Clustal Omega. They then trimmed the alignment using ClipKIT and used it to reconstruct the evolutionary history of the enzyme. This analysis revealed that the Cas12a2 enzyme is part of a larger family of enzymes that have evolved to play a crucial role in the defense systems of bacteria and other microorganisms. The study also found that the Cas12a2 enzyme is highly conserved across different species, suggesting that it has been preserved over millions of years of evolution due to its importance in the cell’s defense system.
Implications
The discovery of the CRISPR–Cas12a2 system has significant implications for the treatment of diseases caused by genetic mutations or viral infections. For example, it could be used to develop new therapies for cancer, which is often caused by genetic mutations. The system could also be used to develop new treatments for viral infections, such as HIV or influenza. **23,000** people die every year from viral infections, and the development of new treatments is urgently needed. The study’s findings are published in the latest issue of **Nature**, and provide new hope for the development of targeted therapies that can selectively kill diseased cells while leaving healthy cells intact.
