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Updated: Aug 1, 2025

Using RNA-sequencing to Detect Novel Splice Variants Related to Drug Resistance in In Vitro Cancer Models
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R-Loops and R-Loop-Binding Proteins in Cancer Progression and Drug Resistance

Noha Elsakrmy1, Haissi Cui1

  • 1Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3H6, Canada.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|April 28, 2023
PubMed

Insights

R-loops, DNA/RNA hybrids, play a dual role in cancer. While essential for normal cell function, their imbalance fuels cancer growth and drug resistance, offering new therapeutic targets.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • R-loops are three-stranded DNA/RNA structures crucial for gene regulation.
  • Imbalances in R-loop formation are linked to genomic instability and cancer progression.
  • Perturbed R-loop homeostasis is a hallmark of various malignancies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the dual role of R-loops in cancer, focusing on their interplay with tumor suppressors and oncogenes.
  • To investigate how R-loop imbalances contribute to cancer propagation and chemotherapy resistance.
  • To discuss the potential of targeting R-loop formation for novel cancer therapeutics.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on R-loops, cancer biology, and therapeutic strategies.
  • Analysis of the roles of BRCA1/2 and ATR in R-loop regulation within cancer contexts.
  • Discussion of R-loop-mediated mechanisms in cancer cell death and drug resistance.

Main Results:

  • R-loop formation is a double-edged sword in cancer, influencing tumor suppressor and oncogene activity.
  • R-loop imbalances are implicated in cancer cell proliferation and resistance to chemotherapeutic agents.
  • Targeting R-loop formation presents a promising strategy for overcoming drug resistance and inducing cancer cell death.

Conclusions:

  • R-loop homeostasis is critical for preventing cancer development and progression.
  • Understanding R-loop dynamics offers opportunities for developing innovative cancer treatments.
  • Exploiting the unavoidable formation of R-loops in cancer cells can lead to effective therapeutic interventions.
Keywords:
ATRBRCADNA damageDNA repairR-loopsRNA-DNA hybridscancerchemotherapydrug resistance

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