Impact of alternative DNA structures on DNA damage, DNA repair, and genetic instability

DNA Repair (Amst). 2014 Jul:19:143-51. doi: 10.1016/j.dnarep.2014.03.017. Epub 2014 Apr 21.

Abstract

Repetitive genomic sequences can adopt a number of alternative DNA structures that differ from the canonical B-form duplex (i.e. non-B DNA). These non-B DNA-forming sequences have been shown to have many important biological functions related to DNA metabolic processes; for example, they may have regulatory roles in DNA transcription and replication. In addition to these regulatory functions, non-B DNA can stimulate genetic instability in the presence or absence of DNA damage, via replication-dependent and/or replication-independent pathways. This review focuses on the interactions of non-B DNA conformations with DNA repair proteins and how these interactions impact genetic instability.

Keywords: DNA repair; DNA replication; DNA structure; Genetic instability; Transcription.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • DNA Damage / genetics*
  • DNA Repair / genetics*
  • DNA Replication / genetics
  • DNA, B-Form / chemistry
  • DNA, B-Form / genetics
  • Genomic Instability*
  • Nucleic Acid Conformation*
  • Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid / genetics
  • Transcription, Genetic*

Substances

  • DNA, B-Form