Biophysics Colloquium - Ryan Jackson - Utah State

Hosted by: Ailong Ke

Title: Determining the structure and function of the elusive Type IV CRISPR system

Abstract: Type IV CRISPR adaptive immune systems are the least understood of all CRISPR types. Recently we demonstrated that the type IV-A system from Pseudomonas aeruginosa clears invasive plasmids. Although we determined that the multi-subunit RNA guided complex and the CasDinG helicase are essential for activity, their roles in type IV immunity remain unknown. To better understand the function of CasDinG we determined the crystal structure of the protein to 2.95 Å and performed helicase, ATP hydrolysis, and nucleic acid binding assays.  Collectively, these biochemical and structural data with complementary in vivo plasmid curing assays create a clearer picture of the type IV CRISPR system mechanism. 

Poster