Fluorescence-based methods for measuring target interference by CRISPR-Cas systems

Type I, II, and V CRISPR-Cas systems are RNA-guided dsDNA targeting defense mechanisms found in bacteria and archaea. During CRISPR interference, Cas effectors use CRISPR-derived RNAs (crRNAs) as guides to bind complementary sequences in foreign dsDNA, leading to the cleavage and destruction of the DNA target. Mutations within the target or in the protospacer adjacent motif can reduce the level of CRISPR interference, although the level of defect is dependent on the type and position of the mutation, as well as the guide sequence of the crRNA. Given the importance of Cas effectors in host defense and for biotechnology tools, there has been considerable interest in developing sensitive methods for detecting Cas effector activity through CRISPR interference. In this chapter, we describe an in vivo fluorescence-based method for monitoring plasmid interference in Escherichia coli. This approach uses a green fluorescent protein reporter to monitor varying plasmid levels within bacterial colonies, or to measure the rate of plasmid-loss in bacterial populations over time. We demonstrate the use of this simple plasmid-loss assay for both chromosomally integrated and plasmid-borne CRISPR-Cas systems.