In nature, S. pyogenes Cas9 is programmed with two separate RNAs, the crRNA and tracrRNA. The crRNA, or CRISPR RNA sequence contains approximately 20 nucleotides of homology complementary to the strand of DNA opposite and upstream of a PAM (Protospacer Adjacent Motif) (NGG) sequence. The tracrRNA, or transactivating crRNA, contains partial complementary sequence to the crRNA as well as the sequence and secondary structure that is recognized by Cas9. These sequences have been adapted for use in the lab by combining the tracrRNA and crRNA into one long single guide RNA (sgRNA) (1) species capable of complexing with Cas9 to recognize and cleave the target DNA.

The EnGen sgRNA Synthesis Kit, S. pyogenes combines an S. pyogenes Cas9-specific Scaffold Oligo (included in the EnGen 2X sgRNA Reaction Mix) that is partially complementary to the target-specific oligos designed by the user. The two oligos anneal at the overlapping region and are filled in by the DNA polymerase, creating a double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) template for transcription. Synthesis of the dsDNA template and transcription of RNA occur in a single reaction, resulting in the generation of a functional sgRNA.