Abstract: Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) have been recently identified in most archaea
and many bacteria. This system can effectively defend against invading foreign nucleic acids derived from bacteriophages
or exogenous plasmids, limiting horizontal gene transfer. Also, the function of participating in the regulation of bacterial
virulence has been found in the CRISPR system of foodborne pathogens. There are differences in the diversity of CRISPR
in foodborne pathogens among different strains, which provides a more reliable foundation for the genetic evolution and
molecular typing of foodborne pathogens. Therefore, the structures and functions of CRISPR in foodborne pathogens
have attracted great attentions. To investigate their mechanisms of action and application prospects, recent advances in the
development of the basic structures and functions of CRISPR in common foodborne pathogens are reviewed in this article.

Key words: foodborne pathogenic bacterium, clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR), structure, function