Transcriptional R loops and their significance in neurodegenerative disease and possible elimination by specific carrier mediated microRNA techniques; importance for clinical therapeutics

Abstract

The transcription process has been shown to stimulate both mutation and recombination in many living beings from bacteria to mammals, but the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon are still largely unknown. A particularly intriguing and physiologically relevant intermediate causing transcription-associated genetic instability is the R-loop, a co-transcriptionally formed structure between the nascent mRNA and the template DNA that displaces the non-template single-strand DNA. R-loop formation impairs DNA replication and that this is responsible for the deleterious effects of R loops on genome stability in humans and may be responsible for neurodegenerative diseases. Novel approaches using the using specific gene delivery systems for miRNAs or MicroRNAs can prevent or remove R Loop formation.
Keywords: R Loop, drug, miRNA, DNA, transcription