Vol. 12, Issue 6 (2023)

Author(s):
Syedah Asma Andrabi, Vaishali Sharma, Abrar Ul Haq, Dawoud Aamir, Nawab Nashiruddullah and Jafrin Ara Ahmed

Abstract:
CRISPR/ Cas (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats– CRISPR associated system) is an adaptive immune system that offers immunity to most prokaryotic organisms by targeting foreign DNA from invading viruses and plasmids. Because of its simplicity, the Cas9 protein from Streptococcus pyogenes was first employed, most popular and widely acknowledged genome-editing tool till date. Cas9 single-protein nucleases can be reprogrammed to target other DNA locations by altering a portion of their guide RNA (gRNA). It entails designing a Cas9/sgRNA complex to target the DNA of interest and delivering it to the cell. Once a genomic target that is sufficiently complementary is identified, the complex splits the DNA into its two strands, causing DSBs (Double Stranded Breaks) which can be repaired by non-homologous end joining, introducing indels (sequence specific deletion/insertion), and leading to frame shift mutations. CRISPR-based technologies increase the speed and accuracy of viral and bacterial nucleic acid detection. Using recombinase polymerase amplification, viral or bacterial sequences can be amplified from clinical samples in the first stage (RPA). CRISPR/Cas9 could help accelerate vaccine development in response to rising infectious diseases. The human angiotensin-converting enzyme II (hACE2) was utilized to study the transmission and pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 and it was a useful tool for evaluating COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutic chemicals. The researchers used the Cas9 knock-in technique to produce mice models expressing hACE2.