DNA-RNA hybrids: the risks of DNA breakage during transcription

Although R loops can occur at different genomic locations, the factors that determine their formation and frequency remain unclear. Emerging evidence indicates that DNA breaks stimulate DNA-RNA hybrid formation. Here, we discuss the possibility that formation of hybrids may be an inevitable risk of DNA breaks that occur within actively transcribed regions. While such hybrids must be removed to permit repair, their potential role as repair intermediates remains to be established.
Research in A.A.'s lab is funded by the European Research Council, Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, Junta de Andalucía and Worldwide Cancer Research. B.G.-G. is a postdoctoral fellow of the Scientific Foundation of the Spanish Association Against Cancer (AECC).