REVIEW
Molecular biology applications of the red king crab duplex-specific nuclease
1 Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Russia
2 Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Moscow, Russia
Correspondence should be addressed: Denis V. Rebrikov
Oparina, 4, Moscow, 117997, Russia; moc.liamg@4pigacn
Funding: the study was supported by the grant no. 075-15-2019-1789, Center for High Precision Genomic Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine.
Author contribution: DA Shagin — preparation of the manuscript; DV Rebrikov — editing of the manuscript.
Duplex-specific nuclease (DSN) from hepatopancreas of the craboid Paralithodes camtschaticus (red king crab) has a unique combination of properties. Along with thermal stability and a high optimal temperature of catalysis, this enzyme exhibits high substrate selectivity, cleaving only DNA in duplexes (DNA-DNA or DNA-RNA). Accordingly, it digests neither single strands (nor single-stranded regions) of DNA, nor RNA strands with any secondary structure. Such properties make it possible to create unique protocols based on DSN, which is also an important object of fundamental research in the field of nuclease evolution. The review considers diverse applications of the red king crab DSN in modern methods of molecular biology.
Keywords: duplex-specific nuclease, DSN, crab hepatopancreas, Paralithodes camtschaticus, red king crab