Intertwining roles of R-loops and G-quadruplexes in DNA repair, transcription and genome organization

Abstract

R-loops are three-stranded nucleic acid structures that are abundant and widespread across the genome and that have important physiological roles in many nuclear processes. Their accumulation is observed in cancers and neurodegenerative disorders. Recent studies have implicated a function for R-loops and G-quadruplex (G4) structures, which can form on the displaced single strand of R-loops, in three-dimensional genome organization in both physiological and pathological contexts. Here we discuss the interconnected functions of DNA:RNA hybrids and G4s within R-loops, their impact on DNA repair and gene regulatory networks, and their emerging roles in genome organization during development and disease. R-loops and G-quadruplexes are non-canonical nucleic acid structures with known roles in genome organization. Here, Wulfridge and Sarma highlight emerging roles in DNA repair and transcriptional and epigenetic gene regulation.