Poster abstracts
Poster number 93 submitted by Youssef Hegazy
Characterization of R-loop structures in budding yeast
Youssef A. Hegazy (Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA), Chrishan Fernando (Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, ), Sara C. Cloutier (Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA), Elizabeth J. Tran (Purdue University Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA)
Abstract:
R-loops are nucleic-acid structures composed of an RNA:DNA hybrid and a displaced single-stranded DNA. R-loops occur more frequently in the genome and have greater physiological importance than was previously predicted. They play vital roles in regulating gene expression, DNA replication, and DNA and histone modifications. Paradoxically, while they do play essential positive functions, they also contribute to DNA damage and genome instability. Recent evidence shows that R-loops are involved in a number of human diseases, including neurological disorders and cancer. Despite the growing interest in R-loop regulation, there are currently few techniques available to identify and characterize R-loop structures in vivo. We are developing new strategies for mapping R-loops genome wide. We will present progress on establishing these techniques to map R-loops in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We are also using reporter assay and the budding yeast genetic system to identify factors that may promote formation of R-loops formed by lncRNAs, an abundant class of non-coding RNAs that have been implicated in gene regulation. Taken together, we hope to provide a detailed understanding of molecular interactions that promote formation of biologically beneficial R-loops.
Keywords: R-loop, LncRNAs, R-loop mapping