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Transcription-replication encounters, consequences and genomic instability

Nature Structural & Molecular Biology volume 20, pages 412–418 (2013)Cite this article

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Abstract

To ensure accurate duplication of genetic material, the replication fork must overcome numerous natural obstacles on its way, including transcription complexes engaged along the same template. Here we review the various levels of interdependence between transcription and replication processes and how different types of encounters between RNA- and DNA-polymerase complexes may result in clashes of those machineries on the DNA template and thus increase genomic instability. In addition, we summarize strategies evolved in bacteria and eukaryotes to minimize the consequences of collisions, including R-loop formation and topological stresses.

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Figure 1: Directionality makes the difference.
Figure 2: Consequences of transcription-replication encounters.
Figure 3: Stepwise passage through a collision course.

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Acknowledgements

We apologize to colleagues whose work could only be cited indirectly, owing to space limitations. We thank S. Bour for help with preparing the figures. A.H. and M.B. were supported by fellowships from Fondation pour la Recherche Médicale. E.N. was supported by grants from the US National Institutes of Health (R01 GM058750) and the Biogerontology Research Foundation, UK. This work was supported by funds from Centre Nationale de la Recherche Scientifique (LEA-SkinChroma), Agence Nationale de la Recherche (ANR-09-BLAN-0266 and ANR-09-BLAN-056), Institut National du Cancer (2008-Ubican) and European Community (EPIDICAN) grants to L.T.

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  1. Anne Helmrich & Monica Ballarino

    Present address: Present addresses: Institute of Cell Biology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland (A.H.) and Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy (M.B.).,

  2. Anne Helmrich and Monica Ballarino: These authors contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR 7104, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U 964, Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch, France

    Anne Helmrich, Monica Ballarino & Laszlo Tora

  2. Department of Biochemistry, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA

    Evgeny Nudler

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Helmrich, A., Ballarino, M., Nudler, E. et al. Transcription-replication encounters, consequences and genomic instability. Nat Struct Mol Biol 20, 412–418 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/nsmb.2543

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