葡萄球菌CRISPR/Cas系统

成簇的规律间隔的短回文重复序列及其相关蛋白〔clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat(CRISPR)/ CRISPR-associated protein, CRISPR/Cas〕是原核生物在进化过程中形成的获得性免疫系统，能抵抗噬菌体、质粒及可移动遗传因子等外源性DNA或RNA的入侵。目前，在多种葡萄球菌基因组中均发现CRISPR序列存在，其间隔序列通常与葡萄球菌的噬菌体或接合性质粒具有同源性，可能对葡萄球菌的毒力、耐药性传递和生物膜形成等生理学特性有影响。本文在简单介绍细菌CRISPR/Cas系统的基础上，对葡萄球菌CRISPR/Cas系统的构成、防御机制等进行综述。

CRISPR/Cas systems of Staphylococcus

Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein (CRISPR/Cas) is an acquired immune system developed in evolution of prokaryotes.It provides an immune protection to resist invasion of foreign DNAs or RNAs, such as phages, plasmids and the other mobile genetic elements.CRISPR loci have been identified in genomes of Staphylococcus species.The spacers of the CRISPR arrays usually match with the genes on phages or plasmids derived from the other species or strains of Staphylococcus, and may provide a function to interfere the transmission of exogenous elements related with bacterial virulence, drug resistance and biofilm formation.This review focuses on the unique structure and function of staphylococcal CRISPR/Cas systems.