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Related Concept Videos

Fixing Double-strand Breaks02:04

Fixing Double-strand Breaks

The double-stranded structure of DNA has two major advantages. First, it serves as a safe repository of genetic information where one strand serves as the back-up in case the other strand is damaged. Second, the double-helical structure can be wrapped around proteins called histones to form nucleosomes, which can then be tightly wound to form chromosomes. This way, DNA chains up to 2 inches long can be contained within microscopic structures in a cell. A double-stranded break not only damages...
Fixing Double-strand Breaks02:04

Fixing Double-strand Breaks

The double-stranded structure of DNA has two major advantages. First, it serves as a safe repository of genetic information where one strand serves as the back-up in case the other strand is damaged. Second, the double-helical structure can be wrapped around proteins called histones to form nucleosomes, which can then be tightly wound to form chromosomes. This way, DNA chains up to 2 inches long can be contained within microscopic structures in a cell. A double-stranded break not only damages...
Restarting Stalled Replication Forks02:37

Restarting Stalled Replication Forks

DNA replication is initiated at sites containing predefined DNA sequences known as origins of replication. DNA is unwound at these sites by the minichromosome maintenance (MCM) helicase and other factors such as Cdc45 and the associated GINS complex.The unwound single strands are protected by replication protein A (RPA) until DNA polymerase starts synthesizing DNA at the 5’ end of the strand in the same direction as the replication fork. To prevent the replication fork from falling apart, a...
Homologous Recombination02:31

Homologous Recombination

The basic reaction of homologous recombination (HR) involves two chromatids that contain DNA sequences sharing a significant stretch of identity. One of these sequences uses a strand from another as a template to synthesize DNA in an enzyme-catalyzed reaction. The final product is a novel amalgamation of the two substrates. To ensure an accurate recombination of sequences, HR is restricted to the S and G2 phases of the cell cycle. At these stages, the DNA has been replicated already and the...
Homologous Recombination02:31

Homologous Recombination

The basic reaction of homologous recombination (HR) involves two chromatids that contain DNA sequences sharing a significant stretch of identity. One of these sequences uses a strand from another as a template to synthesize DNA in an enzyme-catalyzed reaction. The final product is a novel amalgamation of the two substrates. To ensure an accurate recombination of sequences, HR is restricted to the S and G2 phases of the cell cycle. At these stages, the DNA has been replicated already and the...
The DNA Replication Fork01:02

The DNA Replication Fork

An organism’s genome needs to be duplicated in an efficient and error-free manner for its growth and survival. The replication fork is a Y-shaped active region where two strands of DNA are separated and replicated continuously. The coupling of DNA unzipping and complementary strand synthesis is a characteristic feature of a replication fork.   Organisms with small circular DNA, such as E. coli, often have a single origin of replication; therefore, they have only two replication forks, one in...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 5, 2026

Detection of Homologous Recombination Intermediates via Proximity Ligation and Quantitative PCR in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
07:55

Detection of Homologous Recombination Intermediates via Proximity Ligation and Quantitative PCR in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Published on: September 11, 2022

R-loops and D-loops: a delicate balance in genomic stability and instability.

Zhendong Qin1, Mingjun Lu1, Jiaqi Zhao1

  • 1Cancer Research Center, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing, 101149, China.

Cell Communication and Signaling : CCS
|July 3, 2026
PubMed
Summary

R-loops and D-loops are crucial three-stranded nucleic acid structures regulating genome stability and gene expression. Dysregulation of these DNA:RNA and DNA:DNA hybrids is linked to diseases, highlighting their therapeutic potential.

Keywords:
D-loopDNA replicationGenome stabilityHomologous recombinationR-loopTranscription

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 5, 2026

Detection of Homologous Recombination Intermediates via Proximity Ligation and Quantitative PCR in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
07:55

Detection of Homologous Recombination Intermediates via Proximity Ligation and Quantitative PCR in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Published on: September 11, 2022

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Structural Biology

Background:

  • R-loops and D-loops are three-stranded nucleic acid structures critical for genome stability, gene expression, and DNA metabolism.
  • R-loops form RNA:DNA hybrids during transcription, while D-loops involve DNA strand invasion during recombination and replication.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically compare the structural features, formation mechanisms, regulatory networks, and biological functions of R-loops and D-loops.
  • To emphasize their convergent roles in safeguarding genome integrity.
  • To discuss detection technologies and therapeutic strategies targeting these structures.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative analysis of structural features and formation mechanisms.
  • Review of biological functions and regulatory networks.
  • Discussion of recent cryo-electron microscopy studies on D-loop biogenesis.

Main Results:

  • Both R-loops and D-loops remodel Watson-Crick base pairing and are implicated in replication fork stalling, transcription-replication conflicts, and aberrant recombination when dysregulated.
  • Recent structural studies have advanced understanding of D-loop formation mechanisms.

Conclusions:

  • R-loops and D-loops, despite compositional differences, share convergent roles in maintaining genome integrity.
  • Emerging detection technologies and therapeutic strategies targeting these structures show promise for treating cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.