Intervening sequences of regularly spaced prokaryotic repeats derive from foreign genetic elements

Prokaryotes contain short DN repeats known as CRISPR, recognizable by the regular spacing existing between the recurring units. They represent the most widely distributed family of repeats among prokaryotic genomes suggesting a biological function. The origin of the intervening sequences, at present...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of molecular evolution 2005-02, Vol.60 (2), p.174-182
Main Authors: Mojica, Francisco J M, Díez-Villaseñor, César, García-Martínez, Jesús, Soria, Elena
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Base Sequence
Deoxyribonucleic acid
DNA
DNA, Archaeal - genetics
DNA, Bacterial - genetics
DNA, Intergenic - genetics
Escherichia coli - genetics
Evolution, Molecular
Genetics
Introns
Methanobacteriaceae - genetics
Molecular Sequence Data
Pathogens
Plasmids
Population control
Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid
Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid
Streptococcus pyogenes - genetics
Sulfolobus - genetics
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Summary:Prokaryotes contain short DN repeats known as CRISPR, recognizable by the regular spacing existing between the recurring units. They represent the most widely distributed family of repeats among prokaryotic genomes suggesting a biological function. The origin of the intervening sequences, at present unknown, could provide clues about their biological activities. Here we show that CRISPR spacers derive from preexisting sequences, either chromosomal or within transmissible genetic elements such as bacteriophages and conjugative plasmids. Remarkably, these extrachromosomal elements fail to infect the specific spacer-carrier strain, implying a relationship between CRISPR and immunity against targeted DNA. Bacteriophages and conjugative plasmids are involved in prokaryotic population control, evolution, and pathogenicity. All these biological traits could be influenced by the presence of specific spacers. CRISPR loci can be visualized as mosaics of a repeated unit, separated by sequences at some time present elsewhere in the cell.
ISSN:0022-2844
1432-1432
DOI:10.1007/s00239-004-0046-3