R-loops highlight the nucleus in ALS

JS Salvi, K Mekhail - Nucleus, 2015 - Taylor & Francis
JS Salvi, K Mekhail
Nucleus, 2015Taylor & Francis
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a severely debilitating neurodegenerative disease
linked to mutations in various genes implicated in cytoplasmic RNA metabolism. Recent
studies from genetic models have also helped reveal connections between various ALS-
linked factors and RNA-DNA hybrid (R-loop) regulation. Here, we examine how such hybrid-
regulatory processes are pointing to a key role for the nucleus in ALS. We also present a
potential molecular mechanism in which hybrids may represent at least one of the long …
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a severely debilitating neurodegenerative disease linked to mutations in various genes implicated in cytoplasmic RNA metabolism. Recent studies from genetic models have also helped reveal connections between various ALS-linked factors and RNA-DNA hybrid (R-loop) regulation. Here, we examine how such hybrid-regulatory processes are pointing to a key role for the nucleus in ALS. We also present a potential molecular mechanism in which hybrids may represent at least one of the long sought after missing links between different ALS genes. Our opinion is that RNA-DNA hybrids will play a key role in deciphering ALS and other human diseases.
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