RNA:DNA triplexes: a mechanism for epigenetic communication between hosts and microbes?

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Epigenetics
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Host-microbe molecular communication involves macromolecule transfer.
• RNA interference (RNAi) mediated by RNA transfer is a known gene expression regulator.
• RNA:DNA triplexes are established regulators of gene expression in humans.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a novel epigenetic control mechanism involving interkingdom nucleic acid triplexes.
• To investigate the potential role of interkingdom triplexes in host-pathogen interactions.
• To explore triplex formation between host and microbial nucleic acids.

Main Methods:

• Hypothesizing the formation of RNA:DNA and potentially other nucleic acid triplexes between host and microbial molecules.
• Considering the impact of these triplexes on chromatin conformation and gene expression.
• Reviewing existing knowledge on RNA trafficking and triplex structures.

Main Results:

• Extracellular RNAs from microbes and hosts may form triplexes with the genome of the opposing species.
• These interkingdom triplexes could influence chromatin structure and gene expression.
• The formation and function of such triplexes remain largely unexplored.

Conclusions:

• Interkingdom triplexes represent a novel, hypothetical mechanism for epigenetic regulation.
• These structures could play a role in the evolutionary 'arms race' between hosts and microbes.
• Further research is needed to validate the existence and function of interkingdom triplexes.