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Updated: Jun 27, 2025

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An Integrated Approach for Microprotein Identification and Sequence Analysis
Published on: July 12, 2022
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DDX21: The link between m6A and R-loops.
Guillaume Lavergne1, Jean-Yves Roignant2
1Center for Integrative Genomics, Génopode Building, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
Molecular Cell
|May 3, 2024
Summary
The RNA helicase DDX21 guides the m6A methyltransferase complex to R-loops. This recruitment is crucial for correct transcription termination and maintaining genome stability.
Area of Science:
- Molecular biology
- Genetics
- Epigenetics
Background:
- R-loops are nucleic acid structures formed during transcription.
- Transcription termination is essential for preventing genomic instability.
- The role of RNA helicases in regulating R-loops is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the function of RNA helicase DDX21 in R-loop metabolism.
- To elucidate the mechanism by which DDX21 influences transcription termination.
- To determine the impact of DDX21 on genome stability.
Main Methods:
- Biochemical assays to study protein-R-loop interactions.
- RNA sequencing to analyze transcription termination efficiency.
- Genome stability assays in DDX21-depleted cells.
Main Results:
- DDX21 directly binds to R-loops.
- DDX21 recruits the m6A methyltransferase complex to R-loops.
- Depletion of DDX21 leads to impaired transcription termination and increased genomic instability.
Conclusions:
- DDX21 acts as a key regulator of transcription termination by recruiting the m6A methyltransferase complex to R-loops.
- DDX21-mediated R-loop resolution is critical for maintaining genome stability.
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