Drosha drives the formation of DNA:RNA hybrids around DNA break sites to facilitate DNA repair

Wei-Ting Lu, Ben R. Hawley, George L. Skalka, Robert A. Baldock, Ewan M. Smith, Aldo S. Bader, Michal Malewicz, Felicity Z. Watts, Ania Wilczynska, Martin Bushell

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    51 Downloads (Pure)

    Abstract

    The error-free and efficient repair of DNA double-stranded breaks (DSBs) is extremely important for cell survival. RNA has been implicated in the resolution of DNA damage but the mechanism remains poorly understood. Here, we show that miRNA biogenesis enzymes, Drosha and Dicer, control the recruitment of repair factors from multiple pathways to sites of damage. Depletion of Drosha significantly reduces DNA repair by both homologous recombination (HR) and non-homologous end joining (NHEJ). Drosha is required within minutes of break induction, suggesting a central and early role for RNA processing in DNA repair. Sequencing of DNA:RNA hybrids reveals RNA invasion around DNA break sites in a Drosha-dependent manner. Removal of the RNA component of these structures results in impaired repair. These results show how RNA can be a direct and critical mediator of DNA damage repair in human cells.

    Original languageEnglish
    Article number532
    Number of pages13
    JournalNature Communications
    Volume9
    Issue number1
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 7 Feb 2018

    Keywords

    • A549 Cells
    • Cell Line, Tumor
    • DEAD-box RNA Helicases/genetics
    • DNA/genetics
    • DNA Breaks, Double-Stranded
    • DNA Damage
    • DNA End-Joining Repair
    • DNA Repair
    • Gene Expression Profiling
    • Homologous Recombination
    • Humans
    • RNA/genetics
    • RNA Interference
    • Ribonuclease III/genetics
    • UKRI
    • MRC
    • BBSRC

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Drosha drives the formation of DNA:RNA hybrids around DNA break sites to facilitate DNA repair'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this