Genome integrity relies on the accuracy of DNA metabolism, but as appreciated for more than four decades, transcription enhances mutation and recombination frequencies. More recent research provided evidence for a previously unforeseen link between RNA and DNA metabolism, which is often related to the accumulation of DNA-RNA hybrids and R-loops. In addition to physiological roles, R-loops interfere with DNA replication and repair, providing a molecular scenario for the origin of genome instability. Here, we review current knowledge on the multiple RNA factors that prevent or resolve R-loops and consequent transcription-replication conflicts and thus act as modulators of genome dynamics.
Keywords: DNA–RNA hybrids; R-loops; RNA biogenesis; RNA metabolism; genome instability; helicases.
© 2024 Luna et al.; Published by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press.