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The age-related decline of helicase function-how G-quadruplex structures promote genome instability.

Joana FrobelRobert Hänsel-Hertsch
Published in: FEBS letters (2024)
The intricate mechanisms underlying transcription-dependent genome instability involve G-quadruplexes (G4) and R-loops. This perspective elucidates the potential link between these structures and genome instability in aging. The co-occurrence of G4 DNA and RNA-DNA hybrid structures (G-loop) underscores a complex interplay in genome regulation and instability. Here, we hypothesize that the age-related decline of sirtuin function leads to an increase in acetylated helicases that bind to G4 DNA and RNA-DNA hybrid structures, but are less efficient in resolving them. We propose that acetylated, less active, helicases induce persistent G-loop structures, promoting transcription-dependent genome instability in aging.
Keyphrases
  • circulating tumor
  • cell free
  • high resolution
  • nucleic acid
  • single molecule
  • genome wide
  • transcription factor
  • dna methylation
  • gene expression
  • circulating tumor cells
  • risk assessment
  • mass spectrometry
  • climate change