A new family of CRISPR-type V nucleases with C-rich PAM recognition

Most CRISPR-type V nucleases are stimulated to cleave double-stranded (ds) DNA targets by a T-rich PAM which restricts their targeting range. Here, we identify and characterize a new family of type V RNA-guided nuclease, Cas12l, that exclusively recognizes a C-rich PAM. The organization of genes within its CRISPR locus is similar to type II-B CRISPR-Cas9 systems but both sequence analysis and functional studies establish it as a new family of type V effector. Biochemical experiments show that Cas12l nucleases function optimally between 37-52C, depending on the ortholog, and preferentially cut supercoiled DNA. Like other type V nucleases, it exhibits collateral non-specific ssDNA and ssRNA cleavage activity that is triggered by ssDNA or dsDNA target recognition. Finally, we show that one family member, Asp2Cas12l, functions in a heterologous cellular environment, altogether, suggesting that this new group of CRISPR associated nucleases may be harnessed as genome editing reagents.