Cas13d, the type VI-D CRISPR-Cas effector, is an RNA-guided ribonuclease that has been repurposed to edit RNA in a programmable manner. Here we report the detailed structural and functional analysis of the uncultured Ruminococcus sp . Cas13d (UrCas13d)-crRNA complex. Two hydrated Mg 2+ ions aid in stabilizing the conformation of the crRNA repeat region. Sequestration of divalent metal ions does not alter pre-crRNA processing, but abolishes target cleavage by UrCas13d. Notably, the pre-crRNA processing is executed by the HEPN-2 domain. Furthermore, both the structure and sequence of the nucleotides U(-8)-C(-1) within the repeat region are indispensable for target cleavage, and are specifically recognized by UrCas13d. Moreover, correct base pairings within two separate spacer regions (an internal and a 3′-end region) are essential for target cleavage. These findings provide a framework for the development of Cas13d into a tool for a wide range of applications.

Dear Editor, CRISPR-Cas (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats and CRISPR-associated proteins) systems are RNA-guided adaptive immune systems in prokaryotes. 1,2 Class 2 CRISPR-Cas systems (including type II, V, and VI) involve large single effector proteins in complex with crRNA for interference. 3,4 The type II and V effectors, such as Cas9 and Cas12a, have been engineered into powerful tools for genome editing. The type VI system encompasses RNA-guided RNases. Its effectors Cas13a, Cas13b and Cas13d are capable of both precursor CRISPR RNA (pre-crRNA) processing and target RNA cleavage, which protect the host from phage attacks. 5-7 Once bound to a target RNA, they are activated, switching on a non-specific RNase activity. Moreover, they have been utilized to target and edit RNA as programmable RNAbinding modules. 6,[8][9][10][11][12] Although related to Cas13a and Cas13d, Cas13b possesses many distinctive features. These include the lack of significant sequence similarity with Cas13a and Cas13d, disparate crRNA repeat region, double-sided protospacer flanking sequence (PFS)-dependent target RNA cleavage. [5][6][7][8]13 To investigate how Cas13b processes pre-crRNA, recognizes crRNA and settles the spacer nucleotides for target recognition, we solved the crystal structure of Bergeyella zoohelcum Cas13b (BzCas13b) in complex with its crRNA at 2.79 Å resolution (Supplementary information, Table S1). The binary complex was obtained by the SeMet-derived BzCas13b R1177A mutant co-expressed with CRISPR template in vivo. The architecture of BzCas13b assumes a triangular domain distribution around the central L-shaped crRNA ( Fig. 1a-e; Supplementary information, Movie S1). In the binary complex, Helical-1, HEPN-1 and HEPN-2 domains together form one side of the triangular structure. Helical-1 domain comprises six α-helices connected with random loops (Supplementary information, Fig. S1). The second side of the triangle is formed by RRI-1 (the repeat region interacting domain-1), RRI-2 domains and the linker region. RRI-1 domain can be subdivided into two separate motifs (RRI-1 I and II) that stack onto each other. Both motifs contain a short twostranded, antiparallel β-sheet flanked by five α-helices. RRI-2 domain includes a long central two-stranded, antiparallel β-sheet flanked by two α-helices, and a short central two-stranded, antiparallel β-sheet flanked by three α-helices. The linker region consists of random loops that connect two short α-helices, which shows multiple interactions with RRI-2 domain. Helical-2 domain is composed of nine α-helices and its rather long helix-23 extends in parallel with crRNA, thereby forming the third side of the triangle. Helix-8 of Helical-1 domain and helix-23 of Helical-2 domain protrude out of the complex in a crab claw-like manner to clamp the spacer region of crRNA (Supplementary information, Fig. S1). In addition, HEPN-1 domain bridges Helical-1 and Helical-2 domains.A mature 52-nt crRNA, originated from a co-expressed CRISPR encoding sequence and bein...

Cas12i is a newly identified member of the functionally diverse type V CRISPR-Cas effectors. Although Cas12i has the potential to serve as genome-editing tool, its structural and functional characteristics need to be investigated in more detail before effective application. Here we report the crystal structures of the Cas12i1 R-loop complexes before and after target DNA cleavage to elucidate the mechanisms underlying target DNA duplex unwinding, R-loop formation and cis cleavage. The structure of the R-loop complex after target DNA cleavage also provides information regarding trans cleavage. Besides, we report a crystal structure of the Cas12i1 binary complex interacting with a pseudo target oligonucleotide, which mimics target interrogation. Upon target DNA duplex binding, the Cas12i1 PAM-interacting cleft undergoes a remarkable open-to-closed adjustment. Notably, a zipper motif in the Helical-I domain facilitates unzipping of the target DNA duplex. Formation of the 19-bp crRNA-target DNA strand heteroduplex in the R-loop complexes triggers a conformational rearrangement and unleashes the DNase activity. This study provides valuable insights for developing Cas12i1 into a reliable genome-editing tool.