title: R loops: new modulators of genome dynamics and function.
abstract: R loops are nucleic acid structures composed of an RNA-DNA hybrid and a displaced single-stranded DNA. Recently, evidence has emerged that R loops occur more often in the genome and have greater physiological relevance, including roles in transcription and chromatin structure, than was previously predicted. Importantly, however, R loops are also a major threat to genome stability. For this reason, several DNA and RNA metabolism factors prevent R-loop formation in cells. Dysfunction of these factors causes R-loop accumulation, which leads to replication stress, genome instability, chromatin alterations or gene silencing, phenomena that are frequently associated with cancer and a number of genetic diseases. We review the current knowledge of the mechanisms controlling R loops and their putative relationship with disease.
authors.affiliation: Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa CABIMER, Universidad de Sevilla, Av. Américo Vespucio s/n, Seville 41092, Spain.
authors.forename: José M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Santos-Pereira
authors.affiliation: Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa CABIMER, Universidad de Sevilla, Av. Américo Vespucio s/n, Seville 41092, Spain.
authors.forename: Andrés
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aguilera
mesh_terms: D002843:Chromatin / Q000378:metabolism; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004277:DNA, Single-Stranded / Q000378:metabolism; D042822:Genomic Instability; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000235:genetics; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D012313:RNA / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012319:RNA Polymerase II / Q000378:metabolism; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D002843:Chromatin; D004277:DNA, Single-Stranded; D012313:RNA; D004247:DNA; D012319:RNA Polymerase II