Mind the nick

Cell Cycle. 2019 Jan;18(1):115-117. doi: 10.1080/15384101.2018.1558861. Epub 2018 Dec 28.

Abstract

Genomic DNA can be prone to endogenous nicks. The contribution of DNA nicks to genome instability includes the breakage of double-stranded DNA due to single-stranded DNA nicking. A recent study mapped the genome-wide distribution of endogenous DNA nicks suggesting that transcription contributes to the formation and distribution of DNA nicks. R-loops are a byproduct of transcription, and nicked DNA seems to contribute to R-loop formation and vice versa. Here, I want discuss the possibility that the 3'OH of nicked DNA at R-loops could trigger unscheduled replication events.

Keywords: DNA nick; DNA replication; R-loop.

Publication types

  • Comment

MeSH terms

  • DNA Breaks, Single-Stranded
  • DNA Repair
  • DNA, Single-Stranded*
  • RNA Polymerase II*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Substances

  • DNA, Single-Stranded
  • RNA Polymerase II

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness [BFU2015-69183-P] and the European Union (FEDER).