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CRISPR-Cas system and coevolution of bacteria and phages

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  • College of Life Science, Liaoning University, Shenyang 110036, China

Received date: 2010-05-18

  Revised date: 2010-07-28

  Online published: 2011-02-23

Abstract

In response to the challenge from phages, bacteria evolve a number of defense systems against phage invasion. Meanwhile, the phages evolve multiple counter-defense mechanism as well under the selection pressure from bacteria. The evolution relationship between bacteria and phages, as well as the functional mechanism, still remains to be uncovered. A novel immune system, CRISPR-Cas system, has been found in bacteria and archaea recently. With deeply research of the function and mechanism of CRISPR-Cas system, the coevolution relationship between bacteria and phages is becoming clear. In this review, the mechanism of CRISPR-Cas system-mediated immunity in prokaryotes is introduced. In particular, the progress on the role of CRISPR in the coevolution of bacteria and phage is reviewed.

Cite this article

LI Tie-Min, DU Bei . CRISPR-Cas system and coevolution of bacteria and phages[J]. Hereditas(Beijing), 2011 , 33(3) : 213 -218 . DOI: 10.3724/SP.J.1005.2011.00213

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