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Updated: Dec 26, 2025

Gene Digital Circuits Based on CRISPR-Cas Systems and Anti-CRISPR Proteins
Published on: October 18, 2022
Anti-CRISPRs: Protein Inhibitors of CRISPR-Cas Systems
Alan R Davidson1,2, Wang-Ting Lu2, Sabrina Y Stanley1
1Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1M1, Canada; email: alan.davidson@utoronto.ca, sabrina.stanley@mail.utoronto.ca, priscilla.wang@utoronto.ca, chantel.trost@utoronto.ca.
Abstract:
Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) together with their accompanying cas (CRISPR-associated) genes are found frequently in bacteria and archaea, serving to defend against invading foreign DNA, such as viral genomes. CRISPR-Cas systems provide a uniquely powerful defense because they can adapt to newly encountered genomes. The adaptive ability of these systems has been exploited, leading to their development as highly effective tools for genome editing. The widespread use of CRISPR-Cas systems has driven a need for methods to control their activity. This review focuses on anti-CRISPRs (Acrs), proteins produced by viruses and other mobile genetic elements that can potently inhibit CRISPR-Cas systems. Discovered in 2013, there are now 54 distinct families of these proteins described, and the functional mechanisms of more than a dozen have been characterized in molecular detail. The investigation of Acrs is leading to a variety of practical applications and is providing exciting new insight into the biology of CRISPR-Cas systems.
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