Supercoiling not only brings DNA to life (and makes it dance) but also changes how key proteins such as #CRISPR interact with it. Thanks @qmsmith.bsky.social for the brilliant collaboration, Sylvia for developing an amazing new #imageanalysis pipeline & @eddierollins.bsky.social for beautiful #AFM.
Alice Pyne
1/11 In our story out today in @nature.com , we showcase the molecular mechanisms that enable Cas9 to bind and cleave negatively supercoiled ((-)SC) off-targets! 🧬🧵
🔗 www.nature.com/articles/s41...
#CRISPR #Cas9 #DNATopology #AFM #CryoEM #SingleMolecule #Biophysics
Cas9 structures explain topology sensing and off-target activation.