Development and application of CRISPR/Cas genome editing system in the construction of prokaryotic microbial cell factories

Abstract:

As the energy crisis and environmental problems are ongoing and getting worse, traditional chemical synthesis industry is being replaced by bacteria-based bio-industries for production of chemicals and fuels, in which, the most critical issue is developing proper genetic engineering tools to establish platform organisms for bioproduction. Derived from archaeal and prokaryotic immune systems to defend viral and plasmid invasions, clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated proteins (Cas) are developed into a fast, easy, and robust genome editing tool in recent years and have potential to cater to the demands. Here, we briefly review the principle and advanced classification of CRISPR/Cas systems. The establishment, optimization and applications of CRISPR-based genome editing tools in the construction of prokaryotic microbial cell factories are introduced with the examples. Besides, some feasible solutions are proposed based on the discussion about the problems existed in CRISPR/Cas systems.

Key words:CRISPR, CRISPR/Cas system, Gene editing, Biotechnology, Metabolism, Molecular biology