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RNA Stability

RNA Stability

Intact DNA strands can be found in fossils, while scientists sometimes struggle to keep RNA intact under laboratory conditions. The structural variations between RNA and DNA underlie the differences in their stability and longevity. Because DNA is double-stranded, it is inherently more stable. The single-stranded structure of RNA is less stable but also more flexible and can form weak internal bonds. Additionally, most RNAs in the cell are relatively short, while DNA can be up to 250 million...

Overview of DNA Repair

Overview of DNA Repair

In order to be passed through generations, genomic DNA must be undamaged and error-free. However, every day, DNA in a cell undergoes several thousand to a million damaging events by natural causes and external factors. Ionizing radiation such as UV rays, free radicals produced during cellular respiration, and hydrolytic damage from metabolic reactions can alter the structure of DNA. Damages caused include single-base alteration, base dimerization, chain breaks, and cross-linkage.
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Nucleotide Excision Repair

Nucleotide Excision Repair

DNA Distortion and Damage
Cells are regularly exposed to mutagens—factors in the environment that can damage DNA and generate mutations. UV radiation is one of the most common mutagens and is estimated to introduce a significant number of changes in DNA. These include bends or kinks in the structure, which can block DNA replication or transcription. If these errors are not fixed, the damage can cause mutations, which in turn can result in cancer or disease depending on which sequences are...

DNA Damage can Stall the Cell Cycle

DNA Damage can Stall the Cell Cycle

In response to DNA damage, cells can pause the cell cycle to assess and repair the breaks. However, the cell must check the DNA at certain critical stages during the cell cycle. If the cell cycle pauses before DNA replication, the cells will contain twice the amount of DNA. On the other hand, if cells arrest after DNA replication but before mitosis, they will contain four times the normal amount of DNA. With a host of specialized proteins at their disposal,cells must use the right protein at...

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic changes alter the physical structure of the DNA without changing the genetic sequence and often regulate whether genes are turned on or off. This regulation ensures that each cell produces only proteins necessary for its function. For example, proteins that promote bone growth are not produced in muscle cells. Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
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Chromatin Structure Regulates pre-mRNA Processing

Chromatin Structure Regulates pre-mRNA Processing

In eukaryotic cells, nascent mRNA transcripts need to undergo many post-transcriptional modifications to reach the cell cytoplasm and translate into functional proteins. For a long time, transcription and pre-mRNA processing were considered two independent events that occur sequentially in the cell. However, it has now been well established that transcription and pre-mRNA processing are two simultaneous processes that are precisely regulated inside the cell.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 11, 2025

Exploring m6A and m5C Epitranscriptomes upon Viral Infection: an Example with HIV

Exploring m6A and m5C Epitranscriptomes upon Viral Infection: an Example with HIV

Published on: March 5, 2022

Epitranscriptome in action: RNA modifications in the DNA damage response.

Blerta Xhemalçe¹, Kyle M Miller¹, Natalia Gromak²

¹Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA.

|October 4, 2024

Summary

RNA modifications are crucial regulators of the DNA damage response (DDR), impacting genome stability and disease. Understanding these modifications offers new therapeutic strategies for cancer and neurodegeneration.

Keywords:

DNA damage response DNA repair R-loops RNA alkylation RNA editing RNA modifications RNA oxidation RNA-protein crosslink RNA/DNA hybrids UV-induced RNA damage hm(5)C m(5)C m(6)A

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Last Updated: Jun 11, 2025

Exploring m6A and m5C Epitranscriptomes upon Viral Infection: an Example with HIV

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Published on: March 5, 2022

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Published on: January 31, 2018

Live-Cell Imaging of Transcriptional Activity at DNA Double-Strand Breaks

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Published on: September 20, 2021

Area of Science:

Molecular Biology
Genetics
Biochemistry

Background:

The DNA damage response (DDR) maintains genome stability against various damaging agents.
Dysregulation of DDR is linked to aging, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases.
Emerging evidence implicates RNA species, including short RNAs and R-loops, in DNA repair processes.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the role of RNA modifications in orchestrating the DDR.
To highlight specific modifications like m6A, m5C, and RNA editing.
To discuss stress-induced RNA damage and its implications.

Main Methods:

Literature review and synthesis of recent studies on RNA modifications and DDR.
Focus on enzyme- and non-enzyme-induced modifications.
Discussion of RNA damage mechanisms.

Main Results:

RNA modifications, including m6A, m5C, and RNA editing, are key regulators of the DDR.
Various RNA modifications influence DNA repair efficiency and genome stability.
Stress conditions induce RNA damage, affecting DDR pathways.

Conclusions:

RNA modifications play a critical role in DDR and maintaining genome integrity.
Further elucidation of these mechanisms can lead to novel therapeutic interventions for diseases associated with DDR dysfunction.
Targeting RNA modifications presents a promising avenue for disease treatment.