A Split CRISPR/Cas13b System for Conditional RNA Regulation and Editing

The CRISPR/Cas13b system has been demonstrated as a robust tool for versatile RNA studies and relevant applications. New strategies enabling precise control of Cas13b/dCas13b activities and minimal interference with native RNA activities will further facilitate the understanding and regulation of RNA functions. Here, we engineered a split Cas13b system that can be conditionally activated and deactivated under the induction of abscisic acid (ABA), which achieved the downregulation of endogenous RNAs in dosage- and time-dependent manners. Furthermore, an ABA inducible split dCas13b system was generated to achieve temporally controlled deposition of m6A at specific sites on cellular RNAs through conditional assembly and disassembly of split dCas13b fusion proteins. We also showed that the activities of split Cas13b/dCas13b systems can be modulated by light via using a photoactivatable ABA derivative. Overall, these split Cas13b/dCas13b platforms expand the existing repertoire of the CRISPR and RNA regulation toolkit to achieve targeted manipulation of RNAs in native cellular environments with minimal functional disruption to these endogenous RNAs.