101
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Abstract
Exposure of genomic, single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) during transcription and replication creates opportunities for the formation of inappropriate secondary structures. Cells manage this exposure by using topoisomerases and helicases to reduce the inherent topological stress that arises from unwinding the double helix and by coating ssDNA with protective protein complexes. Interestingly, specific DNA-RNA hybrids, known as R-loops, form during transcription and exist in homeostasis throughout the genomes of prokaryotes and eukaryotes. These hybrids nucleate from guanine rich clusters in the template strand and extend across GC rich spans of transcribed genes. In vivo regulatory functions have evolved from R-loops, including regulation of gene expression and telomere lengthening. However, they also exist as a form of stress, particularly when replication forks collide with the transcription machinery. New methodologies and models are being developed to delineate the biology of R-loops, including those related to cell stress-based diseases like cancer. As accumulation of R-loops is associated with disease, targeting molecular pathways that regulate their formation or removal could provide new avenues for therapeutic intervention. This review covers recent understandings of the molecular basis for R-loop formation, removal, and biological outcomes in the context of cellular stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- David F Allison
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.,Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Gang Greg Wang
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.,Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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102
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Abstract
The maintenance of genome stability in eukaryotic cells relies on accurate and efficient replication along each chromosome following every cell division. The terminal position, repetitive sequence, and structural complexities of the telomeric DNA make the telomere an inherently difficult region to replicate within the genome. Thus, despite functioning to protect genome stability mammalian telomeres are also a source of replication stress and have been recognized as common fragile sites within the genome. Telomere fragility is exacerbated at telomeres that rely on the Alternative Lengthening of Telomeres (ALT) pathway. Like common fragile sites, ALT telomeres are prone to chromosome breaks and are frequent sites of recombination suggesting that ALT telomeres are subjected to chronic replication stress. Here, we will review the features of telomeric DNA that challenge the replication machinery and also how the cell overcomes these challenges to maintain telomere stability and ensure the faithful duplication of the human genome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Mason-Osann
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Cancer Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Himabindu Gali
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Cancer Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Rachel Litman Flynn
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Cancer Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
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103
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Numerous different types of variations can occur in DNA and have diverse effects and consequences. The Variation Ontology (VariO) was developed for systematic descriptions of variations and their effects at DNA, RNA and protein levels. RESULTS VariO use and terms for DNA variations are described in depth. VariO provides systematic names for variation types and detailed descriptions for changes in DNA function, structure and properties. The principles of VariO are presented along with examples from published articles or databases, most often in relation to human diseases. VariO terms describe local DNA changes, chromosome number and structure variants, chromatin alterations, as well as genomic changes, whether of genetic or non-genetic origin. CONCLUSIONS DNA variation systematics facilitates unambiguous descriptions of variations and their effects and further reuse and integration of data from different sources by both human and computers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mauno Vihinen
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, BMC B13, SE-22184, Lund, Sweden.
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104
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Zhang C, Fu H, Yang Y, Zhou E, Tan Z, You H, Zhang X. The Mechanical Properties of RNA-DNA Hybrid Duplex Stretched by Magnetic Tweezers. Biophys J 2018; 116:196-204. [PMID: 30635125 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2018.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2018] [Revised: 12/05/2018] [Accepted: 12/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA can anneal to its DNA template to generate an RNA-DNA hybrid (RDH) duplex and a displaced DNA strand, termed R-loop. RDH duplex occupies up to 5% of the mammalian genome and plays important roles in many biological processes. The functions of RDH duplex are affected by its mechanical properties, including the elasticity and the conformation transitions. The mechanical properties of RDH duplex, however, are still unclear. In this work, we studied the mechanical properties of RDH duplex using magnetic tweezers in comparison with those of DNA and RNA duplexes with the same sequences. We report that the contour length of RDH duplex is ∼0.30 nm/bp, and the stretching modulus of RDH duplex is ∼660 pN, neither of which is sensitive to NaCl concentration. The persistence length of RDH duplex depends on NaCl concentration, decreasing from ∼63 nm at 1 mM NaCl to ∼49 nm at 500 mM NaCl. Under high tension of ∼60 pN, the end-opened RDH duplex undergoes two distinct overstretching transitions; at high salt in which the basepairs are stable, it undergoes the nonhysteretic transition, leading to a basepaired elongated structure, whereas at low salt, it undergoes a hysteretic peeling transition, leading to the single-stranded DNA strand under force and the single-stranded RNA strand coils. The peeled RDH is difficult to reanneal back to the duplex conformation, which may be due to the secondary structures formed in the coiled single-stranded RNA strand. These results help us understand the full picture of the structures and mechanical properties of nucleic acid duplexes in solution and provide a baseline for studying the interaction of RDH with proteins at the single-molecule level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, the Institute for Advanced Studies, State Key Laboratory of Virology, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Hang Fu
- College of Life Sciences, the Institute for Advanced Studies, State Key Laboratory of Virology, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yajun Yang
- College of Life Sciences, the Institute for Advanced Studies, State Key Laboratory of Virology, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Erchi Zhou
- College of Life Sciences, the Institute for Advanced Studies, State Key Laboratory of Virology, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhijie Tan
- School of Physics and Technology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Huijuan You
- School of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xinghua Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, the Institute for Advanced Studies, State Key Laboratory of Virology, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
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105
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Makharashvili N, Arora S, Yin Y, Fu Q, Wen X, Lee JH, Kao CH, Leung JWC, Miller KM, Paull TT. Sae2/CtIP prevents R-loop accumulation in eukaryotic cells. eLife 2018; 7:e42733. [PMID: 30523780 PMCID: PMC6296784 DOI: 10.7554/elife.42733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2018] [Accepted: 11/30/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The Sae2/CtIP protein is required for efficient processing of DNA double-strand breaks that initiate homologous recombination in eukaryotic cells. Sae2/CtIP is also important for survival of single-stranded Top1-induced lesions and CtIP is known to associate directly with transcription-associated complexes in mammalian cells. Here we investigate the role of Sae2/CtIP at single-strand lesions in budding yeast and in human cells and find that depletion of Sae2/CtIP promotes the accumulation of stalled RNA polymerase and RNA-DNA hybrids at sites of highly expressed genes. Overexpression of the RNA-DNA helicase Senataxin suppresses DNA damage sensitivity and R-loop accumulation in Sae2/CtIP-deficient cells, and a catalytic mutant of CtIP fails to complement this sensitivity, indicating a role for CtIP nuclease activity in the repair process. Based on this evidence, we propose that R-loop processing by 5' flap endonucleases is a necessary step in the stabilization and removal of nascent R-loop initiating structures in eukaryotic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nodar Makharashvili
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The University of Texas at AustinAustinUnited states
- Department of Molecular BiosciencesThe University of Texas at AustinAustinUnited States
| | - Sucheta Arora
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The University of Texas at AustinAustinUnited states
- Department of Molecular BiosciencesThe University of Texas at AustinAustinUnited States
| | - Yizhi Yin
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The University of Texas at AustinAustinUnited states
- Department of Molecular BiosciencesThe University of Texas at AustinAustinUnited States
| | - Qiong Fu
- Gastrointestinal Malignancy Section, Thoracic and Gastrointestinal Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer ResearchNational Cancer Institute, National Institutes of HealthBethesdaUnited States
| | - Xuemei Wen
- Department of Molecular BiosciencesThe University of Texas at AustinAustinUnited States
| | - Ji-Hoon Lee
- Department of Molecular BiosciencesThe University of Texas at AustinAustinUnited States
| | - Chung-Hsuan Kao
- Department of Molecular BiosciencesThe University of Texas at AustinAustinUnited States
| | - Justin WC Leung
- Department of Radiation OncologyUniversity of Arkansas for Medical SciencesLittle RockUnited States
| | - Kyle M Miller
- Department of Molecular BiosciencesThe University of Texas at AustinAustinUnited States
| | - Tanya T Paull
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The University of Texas at AustinAustinUnited states
- Department of Molecular BiosciencesThe University of Texas at AustinAustinUnited States
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106
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Tam AS, Sihota TS, Milbury KL, Zhang A, Mathew V, Stirling PC. Selective defects in gene expression control genome instability in yeast splicing mutants. Mol Biol Cell 2018; 30:191-200. [PMID: 30462576 PMCID: PMC6589566 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e18-07-0439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA processing mutants have been broadly implicated in genome stability, but mechanistic links are often unclear. Two predominant models have emerged: one involving changes in gene expression that perturb other genome maintenance factors and another in which genotoxic DNA:RNA hybrids, called R-loops, impair DNA replication. Here we characterize genome instability phenotypes in yeast splicing factor mutants and find that mitotic defects, and in some cases R-loop accumulation, are causes of genome instability. In both cases, alterations in gene expression, rather than direct cis effects, are likely to contribute to instability. Genome instability in splicing mutants is exacerbated by loss of the spindle-assembly checkpoint protein Mad1. Moreover, removal of the intron from the α-tubulin gene TUB1 restores genome integrity. Thus, differing penetrance and selective effects on the transcriptome can lead to a range of phenotypes in conditional mutants of the spliceosome, including multiple routes to genome instability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annie S Tam
- Terry Fox Laboratory, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada.,Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Tianna S Sihota
- Terry Fox Laboratory, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
| | - Karissa L Milbury
- Terry Fox Laboratory, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
| | - Anni Zhang
- Terry Fox Laboratory, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
| | - Veena Mathew
- Terry Fox Laboratory, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
| | - Peter C Stirling
- Terry Fox Laboratory, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada.,Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
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107
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Konopka A, Atkin JD. The Emerging Role of DNA Damage in the Pathogenesis of the C9orf72 Repeat Expansion in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19103137. [PMID: 30322030 PMCID: PMC6213462 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19103137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2018] [Revised: 10/09/2018] [Accepted: 10/09/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal, rapidly progressing neurodegenerative disease affecting motor neurons, and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a behavioural disorder resulting in early-onset dementia. Hexanucleotide (G4C2) repeat expansions in the gene encoding chromosome 9 open reading frame 72 (C9orf72) are the major cause of familial forms of both ALS (~40%) and FTD (~20%) worldwide. The C9orf72 repeat expansion is known to form abnormal nuclei acid structures, such as hairpins, G-quadruplexes, and R-loops, which are increasingly associated with human diseases involving microsatellite repeats. These configurations form during normal cellular processes, but if they persist they also damage DNA, and hence are a serious threat to genome integrity. It is unclear how the repeat expansion in C9orf72 causes ALS, but recent evidence implicates DNA damage in neurodegeneration. This may arise from abnormal nucleic acid structures, the greatly expanded C9orf72 RNA, or by repeat-associated non-ATG (RAN) translation, which generates toxic dipeptide repeat proteins. In this review, we detail recent advances implicating DNA damage in C9orf72-ALS. Furthermore, we also discuss increasing evidence that targeting these aberrant C9orf72 confirmations may have therapeutic value for ALS, thus revealing new avenues for drug discovery for this disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Konopka
- Centre for MND Research, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia.
| | - Julie D Atkin
- Centre for MND Research, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia.
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia.
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108
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Richard P, Ogami K, Chen Y, Feng S, Moresco JJ, Yates JR, Manley JL. NRDE-2, the human homolog of fission yeast Nrl1, prevents DNA damage accumulation in human cells. RNA Biol 2018; 15:868-876. [PMID: 29902117 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2018.1467180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The RNA helicase Mtr4 is a versatile protein that is a crucial component of several distinct RNA surveillance complexes. Here we describe a novel complex that contains Mtr4, but has a role distinct from any of those previously described. We found that Mtr4 association with the human homolog of fission yeast Nrl1, NRDE-2, defines a novel function for Mtr4 in the DNA damage response pathway. We provide biochemical evidence that Mtr4 and NRDE-2 are part of the same complex and show that both proteins play a role in the DNA damage response by maintaining low DNA double-strand break levels. Importantly, the DNA damage response function of the Mtr4/NRDE-2 complex does not depend on the formation of R loops. We show however that NRDE-2 and Mtr4 can affect R-loop signals at a subset of distinct genes, possibly regulating their expression. Our work not only expands the wide range of Mtr4 functions, but also elucidates an important role of the less characterized human NRDE-2 protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Richard
- a Department of Biological Sciences , Columbia University , New York , NY , USA
| | - Koichi Ogami
- a Department of Biological Sciences , Columbia University , New York , NY , USA.,b Department of Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Nagoya City University , Nagoya , Japan
| | - Yaqiong Chen
- a Department of Biological Sciences , Columbia University , New York , NY , USA
| | - Shuang Feng
- a Department of Biological Sciences , Columbia University , New York , NY , USA
| | - James J Moresco
- c Department of Molecular Medicine , The Scripps Research Institute , La Jolla , CA , USA
| | - John R Yates
- c Department of Molecular Medicine , The Scripps Research Institute , La Jolla , CA , USA
| | - James L Manley
- a Department of Biological Sciences , Columbia University , New York , NY , USA
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109
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Abstract
R loops are transient three-stranded nucleic acid structures that form physiologically during transcription when a nascent RNA transcript hybridizes with the DNA template strand, leaving a single strand of displaced nontemplate DNA. However, aberrant persistence of R-loops can cause DNA damage by inducing genomic instability. Indeed, evidence has emerged that R-loops might represent a key element in the pathogenesis of human diseases, including cancer, neurodegeneration, and motor neuron disorders. Mutations in genes directly involved in R-loop biology, such as SETX (senataxin), or unstable DNA expansion eliciting R-loop generation, such as C9ORF72 HRE, can cause DNA damage and ultimately result in motor neuron cell death. In this review, we discuss current advancements in this field with a specific focus on motor neuron diseases associated with deregulation of R-loop structures. These mechanisms can represent novel therapeutic targets for these devastating, incurable diseases.
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110
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111
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Toubiana S, Selig S. DNA:RNA hybrids at telomeres - when it is better to be out of the (R) loop. FEBS J 2018; 285:2552-2566. [PMID: 29637701 DOI: 10.1111/febs.14464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2018] [Revised: 03/11/2018] [Accepted: 04/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
R-loops (RLs) are three-stranded nucleic acid structures that contain a DNA:RNA hybrid and a displaced DNA strand. Genomic regions with GC skew and a G-rich transcript are particularly prone to form RLs. RLs play important physiological roles in cells; however, when present at abnormally high levels, they may threaten genome stability. The perfect GC skew of telomeric repeats and the discovery of telomeric repeat-containing RNA (TERRA), a long noncoding transcript that consists of the G-rich telomeric sequence, make telomeric sequences the perfect candidates for generating RLs. Indeed, in the past 5 years, telomere R-loops (TRLs) have been demonstrated in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Trypanosoma brucei, and human cells. The presence of TRLs in normal human cells that transcribe low levels of TERRA, suggests a physiological role for these nucleic structures in telomere maintenance. Abnormally enhanced TERRA transcription, as found in several human pathological conditions, leads to high TRL levels and various cellular outcomes, depending on the recombinogenic capabilities of the cells. Study of TRLs in various organisms highlights the necessity for tight regulation of these structures, which can switch from beneficial to detrimental under different conditions. Here, we review the current state of knowledge on TRLs, describe several means by which TRLs are regulated, and discuss how findings from yeast are relevant to human pathological scenarios in which TRLs are deregulated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shir Toubiana
- Molecular Medicine Laboratory, Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Rambam Health Care Campus, Technion, Haifa, Israel
| | - Sara Selig
- Molecular Medicine Laboratory, Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Rambam Health Care Campus, Technion, Haifa, Israel
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112
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Raghunathan N, Kapshikar RM, Leela JK, Mallikarjun J, Bouloc P, Gowrishankar J. Genome-wide relationship between R-loop formation and antisense transcription in Escherichia coli. Nucleic Acids Res 2018; 46:3400-3411. [PMID: 29474582 PMCID: PMC5909445 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gky118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2017] [Revised: 01/30/2018] [Accepted: 02/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcription termination by Rho is essential for viability in various bacteria, including some major pathogens. Since Rho acts by targeting nascent RNAs that are not simultaneously translated, it also regulates antisense transcription. Here we show that RNase H-deficient mutants of Escherichia coli exhibit heightened sensitivity to the Rho inhibitor bicyclomycin, and that Rho deficiency provokes increased formation of RNA-DNA hybrids (R-loops) which is ameliorated by expression of the phage T4-derived R-loop helicase UvsW. We also provide evidence that in Rho-deficient cells, R-loop formation blocks subsequent rounds of antisense transcription at more than 500 chromosomal loci. Hence these antisense transcripts, which can extend beyond 10 kb in their length, are only detected when Rho function is absent or compromised and the UvsW helicase is concurrently expressed. Thus the potential for antisense transcription in bacteria is much greater than hitherto recognized; and the cells are able to retain viability even when nearly one-quarter of their total non-rRNA abundance is accounted for by antisense transcripts, provided that R-loop formation from them is curtailed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nalini Raghunathan
- Laboratory of Bacterial Genetics, Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics, Hyderabad, Telangana 500039, India
- Graduate Studies, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka 576104, India
| | - Rajvardhan M Kapshikar
- Laboratory of Bacterial Genetics, Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics, Hyderabad, Telangana 500039, India
- Graduate Studies, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka 576104, India
| | - Jakku K Leela
- Laboratory of Bacterial Genetics, Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics, Hyderabad, Telangana 500039, India
| | - Jillella Mallikarjun
- Laboratory of Bacterial Genetics, Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics, Hyderabad, Telangana 500039, India
- Graduate Studies, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka 576104, India
| | - Philippe Bouloc
- Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), CEA, CNRS, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, F-91198, Gif-sur-Yvette cedex, France
| | - Jayaraman Gowrishankar
- Laboratory of Bacterial Genetics, Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics, Hyderabad, Telangana 500039, India
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113
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Strengths and Weaknesses of the Current Strategies to Map and Characterize R-Loops. Noncoding RNA 2018; 4:ncrna4020009. [PMID: 29657305 PMCID: PMC6027298 DOI: 10.3390/ncrna4020009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2018] [Revised: 03/22/2018] [Accepted: 03/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
R-loops are evolutionarily conserved three-stranded structures that result from the formation of stable DNA:RNA hybrids in the genome. R-loops have attracted increasing interest in recent years as potent regulators of gene expression and genome stability. In particular, their strong association with severe replication stress makes them potential oncogenic structures. Despite their importance, the rules that govern their formation and their dynamics are still controversial and an in-depth description of their direct impact on chromatin organization and DNA transactions is still lacking. To better understand the diversity of R-loop functions, reliable, accurate, and quantitative mapping techniques, as well as functional assays are required. Here, I review the different approaches that are currently used to do so and to highlight their individual strengths and weaknesses. In particular, I review the advantages and disadvantages of using the S9.6 antibody to map R-loops in vivo in an attempt to propose guidelines for best practices.
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114
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Abstract
The nuclear RNA exosome is an essential and versatile machinery that regulates maturation and degradation of a huge plethora of RNA species. The past two decades have witnessed remarkable progress in understanding the whole picture of its RNA substrates and the structural basis of its functions. In addition to the exosome itself, recent studies focusing on associated co-factors have been elucidating how the exosome is directed towards specific substrates. Moreover, it has been gradually realized that loss-of-function of exosome subunits affect multiple biological processes such as the DNA damage response, R-loop resolution, maintenance of genome integrity, RNA export, translation and cell differentiation. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of the mechanisms of nuclear exosome-mediated RNA metabolism and discuss their physiological significance.
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115
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D'Souza AD, Belotserkovskii BP, Hanawalt PC. A novel mode for transcription inhibition mediated by PNA-induced R-loops with a model in vitro system. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2018; 1861:158-166. [PMID: 29357316 PMCID: PMC5820110 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2017.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2017] [Revised: 12/20/2017] [Accepted: 12/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The selective inhibition of transcription of a chosen gene by an artificial agent has numerous applications. Usually, these agents are designed to bind a specific nucleotide sequence in the promoter or within the transcribed region of the chosen gene. However, since optimal binding sites might not exist within the gene, it is of interest to explore the possibility of transcription inhibition when the agent is designed to bind at other locations. One of these possibilities arises when an additional transcription initiation site (e.g. secondary promoter) is present upstream from the primary promoter of the target gene. In this case, transcription inhibition might be achieved by inducing the formation of an RNA-DNA hybrid (R-loop) upon transcription from the secondary promoter. The R-loop could extend into the region of the primary promoter, to interfere with promoter recognition by RNA polymerase and thereby inhibit transcription. As a sequence-specific R-loop-inducing agent, a peptide nucleic acid (PNA) could be designed to facilitate R-loop formation by sequestering the non-template DNA strand. To investigate this mode for transcription inhibition, we have employed a model system in which a PNA binding site is localized between the T3 and T7 phage RNA polymerase promoters, which respectively assume the roles of primary and secondary promoters. In accord with our model, we have demonstrated that with PNA-bound DNA substrates, transcription from the T7 promoter reduces transcription from the T3 promoter by 30-fold, while in the absence of PNA binding there is no significant effect of T7 transcription upon T3 transcription.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia D D'Souza
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305-5020, United States
| | | | - Philip C Hanawalt
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305-5020, United States.
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116
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Hartono SR, Malapert A, Legros P, Bernard P, Chédin F, Vanoosthuyse V. The Affinity of the S9.6 Antibody for Double-Stranded RNAs Impacts the Accurate Mapping of R-Loops in Fission Yeast. J Mol Biol 2017; 430:272-284. [PMID: 29289567 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2017.12.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2017] [Revised: 12/20/2017] [Accepted: 12/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
R-loops, which result from the formation of stable DNA:RNA hybrids, can both threaten genome integrity and act as physiological regulators of gene expression and chromatin patterning. To characterize R-loops in fission yeast, we used the S9.6 antibody-based DRIPc-seq method to sequence the RNA strand of R-loops and obtain strand-specific R-loop maps at near nucleotide resolution. Surprisingly, preliminary DRIPc-seq experiments identified mostly RNase H-resistant but exosome-sensitive RNAs that mapped to both DNA strands and resembled RNA:RNA hybrids (dsRNAs), suggesting that dsRNAs form widely in fission yeast. We confirmed in vitro that S9.6 can immuno-precipitate dsRNAs and provide evidence that dsRNAs can interfere with its binding to R-loops. dsRNA elimination by RNase III treatment prior to DRIPc-seq allowed the genome-wide and strand-specific identification of genuine R-loops that responded in vivo to RNase H levels and displayed classical features associated with R-loop formation. We also found that most transcripts whose levels were altered by in vivo manipulation of RNase H levels did not form detectable R-loops, suggesting that prolonged manipulation of R-loop levels could indirectly alter the transcriptome. We discuss the implications of our work in the design of experimental strategies to probe R-loop functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stella R Hartono
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Genome Center, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, United States; Integrative Genetics and Genomics Graduate Group, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, United States
| | - Amélie Malapert
- UMR5239 CNRS/Université de Lyon/ENS-Lyon, 46 Allée d'Italie, 69007 Lyon, France
| | - Pénélope Legros
- UMR5239 CNRS/Université de Lyon/ENS-Lyon, 46 Allée d'Italie, 69007 Lyon, France
| | - Pascal Bernard
- UMR5239 CNRS/Université de Lyon/ENS-Lyon, 46 Allée d'Italie, 69007 Lyon, France
| | - Frédéric Chédin
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Genome Center, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, United States
| | - Vincent Vanoosthuyse
- UMR5239 CNRS/Université de Lyon/ENS-Lyon, 46 Allée d'Italie, 69007 Lyon, France.
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Sarkar K, Han SS, Wen KK, Ochs HD, Dupré L, Seidman MM, Vyas YM. R-loops cause genomic instability in T helper lymphocytes from patients with Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2017; 142:219-234. [PMID: 29248492 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2017.11.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2017] [Revised: 11/07/2017] [Accepted: 11/10/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS), X-linked thrombocytopenia (XLT), and X-linked neutropenia, which are caused by WAS mutations affecting Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (WASp) expression or activity, manifest in immunodeficiency, autoimmunity, genomic instability, and lymphoid and other cancers. WASp supports filamentous actin formation in the cytoplasm and gene transcription in the nucleus. Although the genetic basis for XLT/WAS has been clarified, the relationships between mutant forms of WASp and the diverse features of these disorders remain ill-defined. OBJECTIVE We sought to define how dysfunctional gene transcription is causally linked to the degree of TH cell deficiency and genomic instability in the XLT/WAS clinical spectrum. METHODS In human TH1- or TH2-skewing cell culture systems, cotranscriptional R-loops (RNA/DNA duplex and displaced single-stranded DNA) and DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) were monitored in multiple samples from patients with XLT and WAS and in normal T cells depleted of WASp. RESULTS WASp deficiency provokes increased R-loops and R-loop-mediated DSBs in TH1 cells relative to TH2 cells. Mechanistically, chromatin occupancy of serine 2-unphosphorylated RNA polymerase II is increased, and that of topoisomerase 1, an R-loop preventing factor, is decreased at R-loop-enriched regions of IFNG and TBX21 (TH1 genes) in TH1 cells. These aberrations accompany increased unspliced (intron-retained) and decreased spliced mRNA of IFNG and TBX21 but not IL13 (TH2 gene). Significantly, increased cellular load of R-loops and DSBs, which are normalized on RNaseH1-mediated suppression of ectopic R-loops, inversely correlates with disease severity scores. CONCLUSION Transcriptional R-loop imbalance is a novel molecular defect causative in TH1 immunodeficiency and genomic instability in patients with WAS. The study proposes that cellular R-loop load could be used as a potential biomarker for monitoring symptom severity and prognostic outcome in the XLT-WAS clinical spectrum and could be targeted therapeutically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koustav Sarkar
- Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Carver College of Medicine and the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital, Iowa City, Md
| | - Seong-Su Han
- Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Carver College of Medicine and the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital, Iowa City, Md
| | - Kuo-Kuang Wen
- Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Carver College of Medicine and the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital, Iowa City, Md
| | - Hans D Ochs
- Center for Immunity and Immunotherapies, Seattle Children's Research Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, Md
| | - Loïc Dupré
- INSERM, UMR1043, Centre de Physiopathologie de Toulouse Purpan, Toulouse, Md; Université Toulouse III Paul-Sabatier, Toulouse, Md; CNRS, UMR5282, Toulouse, Md; Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Rare and Undiagnosed Diseases, Vienna, Md; CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Md
| | - Michael M Seidman
- Laboratory of Molecular Gerontology, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health (NIH), NIH Biomedical Research Center, Baltimore, Md
| | - Yatin M Vyas
- Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Carver College of Medicine and the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital, Iowa City, Md.
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118
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Belotserkovskii BP, Soo Shin JH, Hanawalt PC. Strong transcription blockage mediated by R-loop formation within a G-rich homopurine-homopyrimidine sequence localized in the vicinity of the promoter. Nucleic Acids Res 2017; 45:6589-6599. [PMID: 28498974 PMCID: PMC5499740 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkx403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2017] [Accepted: 05/08/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Guanine-rich (G-rich) homopurine–homopyrimidine nucleotide sequences can block transcription with an efficiency that depends upon their orientation, composition and length, as well as the presence of negative supercoiling or breaks in the non-template DNA strand. We report that a G-rich sequence in the non-template strand reduces the yield of T7 RNA polymerase transcription by more than an order of magnitude when positioned close (9 bp) to the promoter, in comparison to that for a distal (∼250 bp) location of the same sequence. This transcription blockage is much less pronounced for a C-rich sequence, and is not significant for an A-rich sequence. Remarkably, the blockage is not pronounced if transcription is performed in the presence of RNase H, which specifically digests the RNA strands within RNA–DNA hybrids. The blockage also becomes less pronounced upon reduced RNA polymerase concentration. Based upon these observations and those from control experiments, we conclude that the blockage is primarily due to the formation of stable RNA–DNA hybrids (R-loops), which inhibit successive rounds of transcription. Our results could be relevant to transcription dynamics in vivo (e.g. transcription ‘bursting’) and may also have practical implications for the design of expression vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jane Hae Soo Shin
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305-5020, USA
| | - Philip C Hanawalt
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305-5020, USA
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119
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Physical proximity of chromatin to nuclear pores prevents harmful R loop accumulation contributing to maintain genome stability. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2017; 114:10942-10947. [PMID: 28973905 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1707845114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
During transcription, the mRNA may hybridize with DNA, forming an R loop, which can be physiological or pathological, constituting in this case a source of genomic instability. To understand the mechanism by which eukaryotic cells prevent harmful R loops, we used human activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID) to identify genes preventing R loops. A screening of 400 Saccharomyces cerevisiae selected strains deleted in nuclear genes revealed that cells lacking the Mlp1/2 nuclear basket proteins show AID-dependent genomic instability and replication defects that were suppressed by RNase H1 overexpression. Importantly, DNA-RNA hybrids accumulated at transcribed genes in mlp1/2 mutants, indicating that Mlp1/2 prevents R loops. Consistent with the Mlp1/2 role in gene gating to nuclear pores, artificial tethering to the nuclear periphery of a transcribed locus suppressed R loops in mlp1∆ cells. The same occurred in THO-deficient hpr1∆ cells. We conclude that proximity of transcribed chromatin to the nuclear pore helps restrain pathological R loops.
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120
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Rohilla KJ, Gagnon KT. RNA biology of disease-associated microsatellite repeat expansions. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2017; 5:63. [PMID: 28851463 PMCID: PMC5574247 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-017-0468-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2017] [Accepted: 08/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Microsatellites, or simple tandem repeat sequences, occur naturally in the human genome and have important roles in genome evolution and function. However, the expansion of microsatellites is associated with over two dozen neurological diseases. A common denominator among the majority of these disorders is the expression of expanded tandem repeat-containing RNA, referred to as xtrRNA in this review, which can mediate molecular disease pathology in multiple ways. This review focuses on the potential impact that simple tandem repeat expansions can have on the biology and metabolism of RNA that contain them and underscores important gaps in understanding. Merging the molecular biology of repeat expansion disorders with the current understanding of RNA biology, including splicing, transcription, transport, turnover and translation, will help clarify mechanisms of disease and improve therapeutic development.
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121
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Parajuli S, Teasley DC, Murali B, Jackson J, Vindigni A, Stewart SA. Human ribonuclease H1 resolves R-loops and thereby enables progression of the DNA replication fork. J Biol Chem 2017; 292:15216-15224. [PMID: 28717002 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m117.787473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2017] [Revised: 06/21/2017] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Faithful DNA replication is essential for genome stability. To ensure accurate replication, numerous complex and redundant replication and repair mechanisms function in tandem with the core replication proteins to ensure DNA replication continues even when replication challenges are present that could impede progression of the replication fork. A unique topological challenge to the replication machinery is posed by RNA-DNA hybrids, commonly referred to as R-loops. Although R-loops play important roles in gene expression and recombination at immunoglobulin sites, their persistence is thought to interfere with DNA replication by slowing or impeding replication fork progression. Therefore, it is of interest to identify DNA-associated enzymes that help resolve replication-impeding R-loops. Here, using DNA fiber analysis, we demonstrate that human ribonuclease H1 (RNH1) plays an important role in replication fork movement in the mammalian nucleus by resolving R-loops. We found that RNH1 depletion results in accumulation of RNA-DNA hybrids, slowing of replication forks, and increased DNA damage. Our data uncovered a role for RNH1 in global DNA replication in the mammalian nucleus. Because accumulation of RNA-DNA hybrids is linked to various human cancers and neurodegenerative disorders, our study raises the possibility that replication fork progression might be impeded, adding to increased genomic instability and contributing to disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Bhavna Murali
- From the Departments of Cell Biology and Physiology and
| | - Jessica Jackson
- the Edward A. Doisy Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63104
| | - Alessandro Vindigni
- the Edward A. Doisy Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63104 .,Siteman Cancer Center, and
| | - Sheila A Stewart
- From the Departments of Cell Biology and Physiology and .,Siteman Cancer Center, and.,Medicine.,Integrating Communications within the Cancer Environment (ICCE) Institute, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110 and
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122
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Nishida K, Kuwano Y, Nishikawa T, Masuda K, Rokutan K. RNA Binding Proteins and Genome Integrity. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:E1341. [PMID: 28644387 PMCID: PMC5535834 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18071341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2017] [Revised: 06/16/2017] [Accepted: 06/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Genome integrity can be threatened by various endogenous or exogenous events. To counteract these stressors, the DNA damage response network contributes to the prevention and/or repair of genomic DNA damage and serves an essential function in cellular survival. DNA binding proteins are involved in this network. Recently, several RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) that are recruited to DNA damage sites have been shown to be direct players in the prevention or repair of DNA damage. In addition, non-coding RNAs, themselves, are involved in the RNA-mediated DNA repair system. Furthermore, RNA modification such as m6A methylation might also contribute to the ultraviolet-responsive DNA damage response. Accumulating evidence suggests that RNA metabolism is more deeply involved in diverse cellular functions than previously expected, and is also intricately associated with the maintenance of genome integrity. In this review, we highlight the roles of RBPs in the maintenance of genome integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kensei Nishida
- Department of Pathophysiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan.
| | - Yuki Kuwano
- Department of Pathophysiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan.
| | - Tatsuya Nishikawa
- Department of Pathophysiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan.
| | - Kiyoshi Masuda
- Department of Human Genetics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan.
| | - Kazuhito Rokutan
- Department of Pathophysiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan.
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123
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König F, Schubert T, Längst G. The monoclonal S9.6 antibody exhibits highly variable binding affinities towards different R-loop sequences. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0178875. [PMID: 28594954 PMCID: PMC5464589 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0178875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2017] [Accepted: 05/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The monoclonal antibody S9.6 is a widely-used tool to purify, analyse and quantify R-loop structures in cells. A previous study using the surface plasmon resonance technology and a single-chain variable fragment (scFv) of S9.6 showed high affinity (0.6 nM) for DNA—RNA and also a high affinity (2.7 nM) for RNA—RNA hybrids. We used the microscale thermophoresis method allowing surface independent interaction studies and electromobility shift assays to evaluate additional RNA-DNA hybrid sequences and to quantify the binding affinities of the S9.6 antibody with respect to distinct sequences and their GC-content. Our results confirm high affinity binding to previously analysed sequences, but reveals that binding affinities are highly sequence specific. Our study presents R-loop sequences that independent of GC-content and in different sequence variations exhibit either no binding, binding affinities in the micromolar range and as well high affinity binding in the nanomolar range. Our study questions the usefulness of the S9.6 antibody in the quantitative analysis of R-loop sequences in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian König
- Biochemistry III; Biochemistry Centre Regensburg (BCR), University of Regensburg, Universitätsstr, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Schubert
- Biochemistry III; Biochemistry Centre Regensburg (BCR), University of Regensburg, Universitätsstr, Regensburg, Germany
- 2Bind GmbH, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Gernot Längst
- Biochemistry III; Biochemistry Centre Regensburg (BCR), University of Regensburg, Universitätsstr, Regensburg, Germany
- * E-mail:
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124
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Pavri R. R Loops in the Regulation of Antibody Gene Diversification. Genes (Basel) 2017; 8:E154. [PMID: 28574479 PMCID: PMC5485518 DOI: 10.3390/genes8060154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2017] [Revised: 05/24/2017] [Accepted: 05/31/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
For nearly three decades, R loops have been closely linked with class switch recombination (CSR), the process that generates antibody isotypes and that occurs via a complex cascade initiated by transcription-coupled mutagenesis in switch recombination sequences. R loops form during transcription of switch recombination sequences in vitro and in vivo, and there is solid evidence that R loops are required for efficient class switching. The classical model of R loops posits that they boost mutation rates by generating stable and long tracts of single-stranded DNA that serve as the substrate for activation induced deaminase (AID), the enzyme that initiates the CSR reaction cascade by co-transcriptionally mutating ssDNA in switch recombination sequences. Though logical and compelling, this model has not been supported by in vivo evidence. Indeed, several reports suggest that R loops may not be involved in recruiting AID activity to switch regions, meaning that R loops probably serve other unanticipated roles in CSR. Here, I review the key findings in this field to date and propose hypotheses that could help towards elucidating the precise function of R loops in CSR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rushad Pavri
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), Campus Vienna Biocenter-1, Vienna Biocenter, Vienna 1030, Austria.
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125
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Taneja N, Zofall M, Balachandran V, Thillainadesan G, Sugiyama T, Wheeler D, Zhou M, Grewal SIS. SNF2 Family Protein Fft3 Suppresses Nucleosome Turnover to Promote Epigenetic Inheritance and Proper Replication. Mol Cell 2017; 66:50-62.e6. [PMID: 28318821 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2017.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2016] [Revised: 01/13/2017] [Accepted: 02/08/2017] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Heterochromatin can be epigenetically inherited in cis, leading to stable gene silencing. However, the mechanisms underlying heterochromatin inheritance remain unclear. Here, we identify Fft3, a fission yeast homolog of the mammalian SMARCAD1 SNF2 chromatin remodeler, as a factor uniquely required for heterochromatin inheritance, rather than for de novo assembly. Importantly, we find that Fft3 suppresses turnover of histones at heterochromatic loci to facilitate epigenetic transmission of heterochromatin in cycling cells. Moreover, Fft3 also precludes nucleosome turnover at several euchromatic loci to prevent R-loop formation, ensuring proper replication progression. Our analyses show that overexpression of Clr4/Suv39h, which is also required for efficient replication through these loci, suppresses phenotypes associated with the loss of Fft3. This work uncovers a conserved factor critical for epigenetic inheritance of heterochromatin and describes a mechanism in which suppression of nucleosome turnover prevents formation of structural barriers that impede replication at fragile regions in the genome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nitika Taneja
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Martin Zofall
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Vanivilasini Balachandran
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Gobi Thillainadesan
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Tomoyasu Sugiyama
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - David Wheeler
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Ming Zhou
- Laboratory of Proteomics and Analytical Technologies, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Shiv I S Grewal
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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126
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Jenjaroenpun P, Wongsurawat T, Sutheeworapong S, Kuznetsov VA. R-loopDB: a database for R-loop forming sequences (RLFS) and R-loops. Nucleic Acids Res 2017; 45:D119-D127. [PMID: 27899586 PMCID: PMC5210542 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkw1054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2016] [Revised: 10/04/2016] [Accepted: 10/20/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
R-loopDB (http://rloop.bii.a-star.edu.sg) was originally constructed as a collection of computationally predicted R-loop forming sequences (RLFSs) in the human genic regions. The renewed R-loopDB provides updates, improvements and new options, including access to recent experimental data. It includes genome-scale prediction of RLFSs for humans, six other animals and yeast. Using the extended quantitative model of RLFSs (QmRLFS), we significantly increased the number of RLFSs predicted in the human genes and identified RLFSs in other organism genomes. R-loopDB allows searching of RLFSs in the genes and in the 2 kb upstream and downstream flanking sequences of any gene. R-loopDB exploits the Ensembl gene annotation system, providing users with chromosome coordinates, sequences, gene and genomic data of the 1 565 795 RLFSs distributed in 121 056 genic or proximal gene regions of the covered organisms. It provides a comprehensive annotation of Ensembl RLFS-positive genes including 93 454 protein coding genes, 12 480 long non-coding RNA and 7 568 small non-coding RNA genes and 7 554 pseudogenes. Using new interface and genome viewers of R-loopDB, users can search the gene(s) in multiple species with keywords in a single query. R-loopDB provides tools to carry out comparative evolution and genome-scale analyses in R-loop biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piroon Jenjaroenpun
- Department of Genome and Gene Expression Data Analysis, Bioinformatics Institute, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 30 Biopolis Street, #07-01, 138671, Singapore
| | - Thidathip Wongsurawat
- Department of Genome and Gene Expression Data Analysis, Bioinformatics Institute, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 30 Biopolis Street, #07-01, 138671, Singapore
| | - Sawannee Sutheeworapong
- Systems Biology and Bioinformatics Research, Pilot Plant Development and Training Institute, King Mongkut's University of Technology, Thonburi, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Vladimir A Kuznetsov
- Department of Genome and Gene Expression Data Analysis, Bioinformatics Institute, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 30 Biopolis Street, #07-01, 138671, Singapore
- School of Computer Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 639798, Singapore
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127
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Nascent Connections: R-Loops and Chromatin Patterning. Trends Genet 2016; 32:828-838. [PMID: 27793359 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2016.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 148] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2016] [Revised: 10/03/2016] [Accepted: 10/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
RNA molecules, such as long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), have critical roles in regulating gene expression, chromosome architecture, and the modification states of chromatin. Recent developments suggest that RNA also influences gene expression and chromatin patterns through the interaction of nascent transcripts with their DNA template via the formation of co-transcriptional R-loop structures. R-loop formation over specific, conserved, hotspots occurs at thousands of genes in mammalian genomes and represents an important and dynamic feature of mammalian chromatin. Here, focusing primarily on mammalian systems, I describe the accumulating connections and possible mechanisms linking R-loop formation and chromatin patterning. The possible contribution of aberrant R-loops to pathological conditions is also discussed.
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