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R-LOOPS

SWI/SNF complexes as determinants of R-loop metabolism

Nature Genetics volume 53, pages 940–941 (2021)Cite this article

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R-loops—nucleic acid structures composed of an RNA:DNA hybrid and displaced single-stranded DNA—are abundant in the genome and may impair progression of the replication fork, thus leading to accumulation of DNA damage and genome instability. A new study demonstrates that SWI/SNF chromatin-remodeling complexes are instrumental in resolving such R-loop-mediated transcription–replication conflicts, highlighting the importance of these chromatin remodelers in R-loop homeostasis and the maintenance of genome integrity.

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Fig. 1: Potential modes of SWI/SNF involvement in R-loop resolution.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Epigenetic Programme, Babraham Institute, Cambridge, UK

    Abdulkadir Abakir

  2. School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK

    Alexey Ruzov

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  1. Abdulkadir Abakir
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  2. Alexey Ruzov
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Correspondence to Alexey Ruzov.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Abakir, A., Ruzov, A. SWI/SNF complexes as determinants of R-loop metabolism. Nat Genet 53, 940–941 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41588-021-00884-1

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