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A model for a dual function of N6-methyladenosine in R-loop regulation

Nature Genetics volume 56, pages 1995–1998 (2024)Cite this article

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R-loops contain DNA:RNA hybrids and an unpaired single-stranded DNA. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) has been reported to modulate R-loop levels, but with varying outcomes (R-loop resolution versus stabilization). We propose that in different contexts, m6A may either directly prevent R-loop accumulation or stabilize R-loops via the formation of RNA abasic sites.

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Fig. 1: Potential dual role of N6-methyladenosine in R-loop regulation.

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Acknowledgements

A.R.’s laboratory is funded by the Russian Science Foundation (grant no. 22-65-00022 to A.R.). A.A. wishes to thank W. Reik for support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Altos Labs, Cambridge, UK

    Abdulkadir Abakir

  2. Institute of Bioengineering, Research Center of Biotechnology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia

    Alexey Ruzov

Authors
  1. Abdulkadir Abakir
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  2. Alexey Ruzov
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Contributions

A.R. conceived the paper and drafted and edited the manuscript and the figure. A.A contributed to writing parts of the text, editing the manuscript and preparing the figure. Both authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Alexey Ruzov.

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A.A. is an employee of Altos Labs.

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Nature Genetics thanks Vivian Cheung and the other, anonymous, reviewer(s) for their contribution to the peer review of this work.

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Abakir, A., Ruzov, A. A model for a dual function of N6-methyladenosine in R-loop regulation. Nat Genet 56, 1995–1998 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41588-024-01905-5

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