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EntityQ18392863· pop 5· linked from 34 articles

Also known as R-Loop Structures, R-Loop Structure

thumb|500px|Schematic representation of factors promoting R-loop formation and stabilization An R-loop is a three-stranded nucleic acid structure, composed of a DNA:RNA hybrid and the associated non-template single-stranded DNA. R-loops may be formed in a variety of circumstances and may be tolerated or cleared by cellular components. The term "R-loop" was given to reflect the similarity of these structures to D-loops; the "R" in this case represents the involvement of an RNA moiety.

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9 sections
Contents
  • History
  • R-loop mapping
  • R-loops ''in vivo''
  • Regulation of R-loop formation and resolution
  • Roles of R-loops in genetic regulation
  • R-loops as genetic damage
  • R-loops, introns and DNA damage
  • See also
  • References

thumb|500px|Schematic representation of factors promoting R-loop formation and stabilization An R-loop is a three-stranded nucleic acid structure, composed of a DNA:RNA hybrid and the associated non-template single-stranded DNA. R-loops may be formed in a variety of circumstances and may be tolerated or cleared by cellular components. The term "R-loop" was given to reflect the similarity of these structures to D-loops; the "R" in this case represents the involvement of an RNA moiety.

In the laboratory, R-loops can be created by transcription of DNA sequences (for example those that have a high GC content) that favor annealing of the RNA behind the progressing RNA polymerase. At least 100bp of DNA:RNA hybrid is required to form a stable R-loop structure. R-loops may also be created by the hybridization of mature mRNA with double-stranded DNA under conditions favoring the formation of a DNA-RNA hybrid; in this case, the intron regions (which have been spliced out of the mRNA) form single-stranded DNA loops, as they cannot hybridize with complementary sequence in the mRNA.

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