Overview
- Researchers report in Nature that Cas12a3 cleaves the conserved 3′ tails of tRNAs, a previously unrecognized CRISPR immune strategy that blocks translation.
- Cryo-EM structures reveal a distinct tRNA loading domain that positions the tRNA 3′ tail for precise cleavage.
- A proof-of-concept assay combined Cas12a3 with two other nucleases to simultaneously detect RNAs from SARS-CoV-2, influenza, and RSV.
- The enzyme’s targeted tRNA cleavage contrasts with Cas12a2, which triggers broad nucleic-acid degradation that can kill host cells.
- The team, spanning Utah State University and Helmholtz institutes, disclosed related patent filings, and describes the work as basic-to-proof-of-concept rather than a deployable product.