Abstract: A composition is disclosed that comprises at least one protein component of an RNA-guided endonuclease (RGEN) and at least one cell-penetrating peptide (CPP), wherein the RGEN protein component and CPP are covalently or non-covalently linked to each other in an RGEN protein-CPP complex. The RGEN protein-CPP complex can traverse (i) a cell membrane, or (ii) a cell wall and cell membrane, of a cell. The RGEN protein component of an RGEN protein-CPP complex in certain embodiments can be associated with a suitable RNA component to provide an RGEN capable of specific DNA targeting. Further disclosed are compositions comprising at least one protein component of a guide polynucleotide/Cas endonuclease complex and at least one CPP, as well as methods of delivering RGEN proteins into microbial cells, as well as methods of targeting DNA with RGENs.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for editing nucleotides or altering target sites in the genome of a cell. The methods and compositions employ a guide RNA/Cas endonuclease system and at least one component selected from the group consisting of (i) an inhibitor of end joining (NHEJ), (ii) an activator of homology-directed repair (HDR) or (iii) any one combination of (i) and (ii), to provide an effective system for editing nucleotides or altering target sites within the genome of a cell. The present disclosure also describes methods for editing a nucleotide sequence in the genome of a microbial cell employing a guide RNA/Cas endonuclease system and at least one component selected from the group consisting of (i) an inhibitor of NHEJ, (ii) an activator of HDR, or (iii) any one combination of (i) and (ii), wherein said microbial cell has reduced or no off-target site effects.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for modifying a nucleotide sequence in the genome of a cell. The methods and compositions employ a guide polynucleotide, a protected polynucleotide modification template and a Cas endonuclease to modify a nucleotide sequence and/or to increase the frequency of homologous directed repair. The methods can further be used to decrease the frequency of off-site integration of any modification template. The present disclosure also describes methods for selecting a cell comprising a modified target site in its genome and methods for selecting a cell comprising a polynucleotide of interest inserted into a target site in its genome.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for genome modification of a target sequence in the genome of an Escherichia coli cell. The methods and compositions employ a guide RNA/Cas endonuclease system in combination with a circular polynucleotide modification template to provide an effective system for editing target sites within the genome of an Escherichia coli cell.

Abstract: A composition is disclosed that comprises at least one protein component of an RNA-guided endonuclease (RGEN) and at least one cell-penetrating peptide (CPP), wherein the RGEN protein component and CPP are covalently or non-covalently linked to each other in an RGEN protein-CPP complex. The RGEN protein-CPP complex can traverse (i) a cell membrane, or (ii) a cell wall and cell membrane, of a cell. The RGEN protein component of an RGEN protein-CPP complex in certain embodiments can be associated with a suitable RNA component to provide an RGEN capable of specific DNA targeting. Further disclosed are compositions comprising at least one protein component of a guide polynucleotide/Cas endonuclease complex and at least one CPP, as well as methods of delivering RGEN proteins into microbial cells, as well as methods of targeting DNA with RGENs.