What if We could Universally Edit Any Two Pieces of DNA? Meet ‘Bridge Editing’ and ‘Bridge RNA’: A Modular Approach to RNA-Guided Genetic Rearrangements in Bacteria
What is the function of the structured non-coding RNA in IS110 elements?
The structured non-coding RNA in IS110 elements, called bridge RNA, has two distinct binding loops that separately recognize the IS110 DNA donor and its genomic insertion target site2. By bridging the donor and target DNA molecules through direct base-pairing interactions, the bispecific bridge RNA facilitates DNA recombination by the IS110 recombinase, enabling sequence-specific insertion, excision, and inversion.
How do IS110 insertion sequences differ from other IS families?
IS110 insertion sequences differ from other IS families in that they utilize a distinct DEDD catalytic motif for a cut-and-paste mechanism and lack terminal inverted repeats. They target specific genomic sequences and often integrate into repetitive elements within genomes. Additionally, IS110 family members express a structured non-coding RNA (ncRNA) that interacts with their recombinase, which plays a crucial role in their recombination process.
How does bridge RNA facilitate DNA segment recombination?
Bridge RNA facilitates DNA segment recombination by binding to both the target DNA and the donor DNA of the IS110 element through two distinct loops. These loops can be independently reprogrammed to direct sequence-specific recombination, allowing for DNA segment insertion, excision, or inversion. This modular approach to DNA rearrangement offers a new method for precise genetic engineering.