CRISPR-cas systems regulate quorum sensing genes and alter virulence in bacteria

Abstract

Although understanding how CRISPR and its associated systems are controlled is at the infant stages, recent studies present exciting discoveries in this fast-moving field. A number of studies find that CRISPR-Cas systems regulate quorum sensing (QS) genes by targeting and degrading lasR mRNA, while QS systems can also modulate the CRISPR-Cas as revealed in more recent reports. The importance of the QS system for bacterial pathogenicity is well recognized and the indispensable features of CRISPR-Cas in adaptive immunity and biotechnology application are gaining great attention. Analyzing interaction between QS and CRISPR-Cas systems represents an interesting field as CRISPR-Cas systems are not only the adaptive immunity of bacteria, but also the regulators of their own genes. Undoubtedly, the continued understanding of molecular basis of CRISPR-Cas action and regulation may indicate novel strategies for treatment of bacterial infections.