Table 2.
CRISPR-Cas systems against bacterial antimicrobial resistance, detailing targeted genes, mechanisms, and advantages in combating resistant infections.
| Bacterial Species | CRISPR-Cas System | Target Resistance Gene(s) | Mechanism of Action | Application Area | Key Advantages | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Streptococcus pyogenes | Cas9 | mecA, blaZ | Cleavage of resistance genes in target bacteria | Treatment of MRSA infections | High specificity, reduced off-target effects | [49] |
| Francisella novicida | Cas9 | FPI genes | Inhibition of intracellular growth and virulence | Attenuation of pathogen virulence | Potential vaccine development, improved understanding of virulence | [50] |
| Campylobacter jejuni | Cas9 | blaOXA-61 | Cleavage of resistance gene, reduction in β-lactam resistance | Treatment of Campylobacter infections | Improved antibiotic susceptibility, potential for reduced resistance development | [51] |
| Streptococcus thermophilus | Cas9 | ermB, | Targeting and destruction of antibiotic-resistant plasmids | Treatment of Streptococcus infections | Prevention of horizontal gene transfer, reduced resistance | [52] |
| Klebsiella pneumoniae | Cas3 | blaKPC | Selective elimination of carbapenem-resistant strains | Treatment of carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae infections | High specificity, reduced off-target effects, potential for combinatorial therapy | [21] |
| Escherichia coli | Cas3 | blaNDM-1 | Disruption of resistance genes, selective elimination of target bacteria | Treatment of multidrug-resistant E. coli infections | High specificity, efficient removal of resistant bacteria | [53] |
| Pseudomonas aeruginosa | Cas12a | mexZ | Targeting and cleavage of multidrug efflux pump genes | Treatment of P. aeruginosa infections | Improved antibiotic susceptibility, reduced resistance | [54] |
| Enterococcus faecalis | Cas9 | vanA, vanB | Targeting and destruction of vancomycin resistance genes | Treatment of VRE infections | High specificity, restoration of vancomycin sensitivity | [55] |
| Neisseria meningitidis | Cas9 | penA | Disruption of penicillin resistance gene, restoration of susceptibility | Treatment of N. meningitidis infections | Enhanced antibiotic efficacy, potential for combinatorial therapy | [56] |
| Acinetobacter baumannii | Cas12a | blaOXA-23 | Targeting and cleavage of carbapenem resistance gene | Treatment of carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii infections | High specificity, potential for combinatorial therapy | [54] |
| Mycobacterium tuberculosis | Cas9 | rpoB, katG | Disruption of rifampicin and isoniazid resistance genes | Treatment of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis | Enhanced treatment efficacy, potential for personalized therapy | [57] |
| Lactobacillus plantarum | Cas9 | Various | Use of bacteriocin-producing probiotic bacteria armed with CRISPR-Cas9 | Probiotic therapy for gut infections | Enhanced antimicrobial activity, improved gut health | [58] |
Footnote: MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus), FPI (Francisella Pathogenicity Island), blaZ (β-lactamase gene), ermB (erythromycin resistance gene), blaKPC (Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase), blaNDM-1 (New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase 1), mexZ (multidrug efflux pump repressor gene), vanA and vanB (vancomycin resistance genes), penA (penicillin-binding protein gene), blaOXA-23 (oxacillinase gene), rpoB (RNA polymerase beta subunit gene), katG (catalase-peroxidase gene).