Journal: bioRxiv
Article Title: TOP-SECRETS enables Cas9 nucleases to discriminate SNVs outside of PAMs
doi: 10.1101/2025.05.06.652491
Figure Lengend Snippet: A) While SpRY Cas9 was used to discover SNV-discriminating x-gRNAs for KRAS G12D with TOP-SECRETS and the identified x-gRNA (Kx2-gRNA) targets a sequence with a PAM (NGAG, underlined) that is not recognized by the standard SpyCas9, that PAM is instead recognized by Cas9 variants Cas9 EQR and Cas9 VQR . Below, the respective sgRNA for Kx2-gRNA that does not have the 5’-extension sequence. B) By performing a Cas9 activity/specificity survival assay, where bacterial cells can only survive if they have a Cas9 (or Cas9 variant) RNP that exhibits strong activity at the pathogenic KRAS target sequence and minimized / no activity at the healthy variation of the KRAS sequence, we find: not only is the extension sequence of the x-gRNA necessary for in vitro SNV-discrimination, but that Cas9 variants with more stringent PAMs (Cas9 EQR and Cas9 VQR ) are even more effective in their SNV-discriminating specificity and activity than “near PAM-less” SpRY Cas9. cfu = colony forming units. n = 3 independent trials, error bars are 95% confidence.
Article Snippet: Cas9 enzyme (Sigma Aldrich, #CAS9PROT-250UG), eCas9 enzyme (Sigma Aldrich #ESPCAS9PRO-50UG), or SpRY Cas9 enzyme (NEB, #M0669T) and (x-)gRNA were combined in equimolar amounts in dilution buffer (supplied with the (e)Cas9 proteins from Sigma) and incubated at room temperature for 10 minutes.
Techniques: Sequencing, Activity Assay, Clonogenic Cell Survival Assay, Variant Assay, In Vitro