CRISPR-Cas Delta Endonuclease for Compact Gene Editing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current CRISPR/Cas systems face limitations such as requiring multiple RNAs, complex PAM sequences, and varying sizes, which affect their efficiency and specificity in gene editing.

Innovation Solution

Development of a new CRISPR/Cas system with a novel RNA-guided endonuclease protein having specific amino acid sequences (SEQ ID NOs: 1, 2, and 3) and truncated variants, along with fusion proteins and nucleic acid molecules, enabling precise gene editing with improved efficiency and reduced off-target effects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If CRISPR/Cas9 system is used for gene editing, then site-directed gene editing capability is achieved, but the system requires two guide RNAs and has complex PAM sequence requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegene editing capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and utilizes only the essential catalytic domain of Cas proteins (Casδ-1, Casδ-2, and their variants) while removing unnecessary components. This truncated Casδ system maintains gene editing functionality with simplified structure, reducing the need for multiple guide RNAs and complex PAM requirements while preserving the core nucleic acid editing capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies key parameters of the CRISPR system by using Casδ proteins with altered PAM recognition specificities and different nuclease activities compared to conventional Cas9. These parameter changes enable the system to function with simplified RNA guidance requirements and reduced off-target effects

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If C2c1 is used for gene editing, then target site prediction is easier and off-target effects are reduced, but the system recognizes only rigorous 5'-TTN PAM motifs limiting target availability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveediting precisionVSAvoidtarget site availability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal Casδ system that can recognize multiple PAM sequence variants (including 5'-TTN and other motifs) while maintaining the high precision editing capability of C2c1. This multi-functional PAM recognition expands target site availability without sacrificing editing precision, allowing the system to adapt to diverse genomic locations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If Cas9, C2c1, or CasX is used for gene editing, then editing functionality is achieved, but the protein size is large (980-1300 amino acids) affecting delivery efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveediting efficiencyVSAvoidprotein size
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential catalytic core of Cas proteins, creating truncated Casδ-1 and Casδ-2 variants with reduced amino acid sequences. These truncated proteins retain full gene editing functionality while significantly reducing protein size compared to full-length Cas9 (1300 aa), C2c1 (1300 aa), or CasX (980 aa), thereby improving delivery efficiency to target cells

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs smaller, more transient Casδ protein constructs that can be efficiently delivered and function temporarily to perform the editing task. These reduced-size proteins are easier to package in viral vectors or deliver as mRNA, and their temporary presence in cells minimizes immune response and off-target effects while maintaining productive editing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Productivity

If conventional CRISPR/Cas systems are used, then gene cutting capability is achieved, but off-target effects occur due to complex and diverse PAM sequences

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting efficiencyVSAvoidoff-target effects
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enhances the specificity of PAM recognition by the Casδ system, creating localized high-fidelity binding at the intended target site. The truncated Casδ proteins exhibit stricter PAM matching requirements at the cutting site while maintaining efficient on-target activity, thereby reducing off-target effects through improved local recognition quality rather than relying on complex global PAM diversity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The new CRISPR/Cas system provides enhanced gene editing capabilities with improved specificity and efficiency, allowing for targeted DNA or RNA sequence modifications without significant off-target effects.

Implementation Method 1

specifically binding to target sequences on the genome through RNA guidance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRNA guidance:

Implementation Method 2

the activity of endonuclease, and the activity of binding to and cutting a specific site of a target sequence

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEndonuclease activity: Enzyme

Data Source

PatentEP4632065A1Novel crispr-cas delta enzyme and system
Publication Date: 2025.10.15 CHINA AGRI UNIV
  • EP4632065A1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP4632065A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4632065A1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4B

AI summary

The present invention relates to the field of nucleic acid editing, in particular to the field of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR) technology. Specifically, the present invention relates to Cas effector proteins, fusion proteins comprising such proteins, and nucleic acid molecules encoding them. The present invention also relates to complexes and compositions for nucleic acid editing (e.g., gene or genome editing), which comprise the proteins or fusion proteins of the present invention, or nucleic acid molecules encoding them. The present invention also relates to a method for nucleic acid editing (e.g., gene or genome editing), which uses the proteins or fusion proteins comprising the present invention.