{"682802":{"#nid":"682802","#data":{"type":"news","title":"RNA Has Newly Identified Role: Repairing Serious DNA Damage to Maintain the\u00a0Genome","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv class=\u0022theconversation-article-body\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYour \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nature.com\/scitable\/topicpage\/dna-damage-repair-mechanisms-for-maintaining-dna-344\/\u0022\u003EDNA is continually damaged\u003C\/a\u003E by sources both inside and outside your body. One especially severe form of damage called a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nature.com\/scitable\/topicpage\/repairing-double-strand-dna-breaks-14432332\/\u0022\u003Edouble-strand break\u003C\/a\u003E involves the severing of both strands of the DNA double helix.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDouble-strand breaks are among the most difficult forms of DNA damage for cells to repair because they disrupt the continuity of DNA and leave no intact template to base new strands on. If misrepaired, these breaks can lead to other mutations that make the genome unstable and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/2041-9414-1-15\u0022\u003Eincrease the risk of many diseases\u003C\/a\u003E, including cancer, neurodegeneration and immunodeficiency.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECells primarily \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1146\/annurev-genet-051710-150955\u0022\u003Erepair double-strand breaks\u003C\/a\u003E by either rejoining the broken DNA ends or by using another DNA molecule as a template for repair. However, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/storicilab.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003Emy team\u003C\/a\u003E and I discovered that \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/how-does-rna-know-where-to-go-in-the-city-of-the-cell-using-cellular-zip-codes-and-postal-carrier-routes-191155\u0022\u003ERNA, a type of genetic material\u003C\/a\u003E best known for its role in making proteins, surprisingly \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41467-024-51457-9\u0022\u003Eplays a key role in facilitating the repair\u003C\/a\u003E of these harmful breaks.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThese insights could not only pave the way for new treatment strategies for genetic disorders, cancer and neurodegenerative diseases, but also enhance gene-editing technologies.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003ESealing a Knowledge Gap in DNA Repair\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI have spent the past two decades \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/citations?user=8ZwKgNUAAAAJ\u0026amp;hl=en\u0022\u003Einvestigating the relationship\u003C\/a\u003E between RNA and DNA in order to understand how cells maintain genome integrity and how these mechanisms could be harnessed for genetic engineering.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA long-standing question in the field has been whether RNA in cells helps keep the genome stable beyond acting as a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.khanacademy.org\/science\/ap-biology\/gene-expression-and-regulation\/transcription-and-rna-processing\/a\/overview-of-transcription\u0022\u003Ecopy of DNA\u003C\/a\u003E in the process of making proteins and a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.semcdb.2011.02.017\u0022\u003Eregulator of gene expression\u003C\/a\u003E. Studying how RNA might do this has been especially difficult due to its similarity to DNA and how fast it degrades. It\u2019s also technically challenging to tell whether the RNA is directly working to repair DNA or indirectly regulating the process. Traditional models and tools for studying DNA repair have for the most part focused on proteins and DNA, leaving RNA\u2019s potential contributions largely unexplored.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigure\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ciframe width=\u0022440\u0022 height=\u0022260\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/j6YaOqKORYY?wmode=transparent\u0026amp;start=0\u0022 frameborder=\u00220\u0022 allowfullscreen=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022caption\u0022\u003ERNA plays a key role in protein synthesis.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMy team and I were curious about whether RNA might actively participate in fixing double-strand breaks as a first line of defense. To explore this, we used the gene-editing tool \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/nobel-prize-for-chemistry-honors-exquisitely-precise-gene-editing-technique-crispr-a-gene-engineer-explains-how-it-works-147701\u0022\u003ECRISPR-Cas9\u003C\/a\u003E to make breaks at specific spots in the DNA of human and yeast cells. We then analyzed how RNA influences various aspects of the repair process, including efficiency and outcomes.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWe found that \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41467-024-51457-9\u0022\u003ERNA can actively guide the repair process\u003C\/a\u003E of double-strand breaks. It does this by binding to broken DNA ends, helping align sequences of DNA on a matching strand that isn\u2019t broken. It can also seal gaps or remove mismatched segments, further influencing whether and how the original sequence is restored.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAdditionally, we found that RNA aids in double-strand break repair in both yeast and human cells, suggesting that its role in DNA repair is \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41467-024-51457-9\u0022\u003Eevolutionary conserved\u003C\/a\u003E across species. Notably, even low levels of RNA were sufficient to influence the efficiency and outcome of repair, pointing to its broad and previously unrecognized function in maintaining genome stability.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003ERNA in Control\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBy uncovering RNA\u2019s previously unknown function to repair DNA damage, our findings show how RNA may directly contribute to the stability and evolution of the genome. It\u2019s not merely a passive messenger, but an active participant in genome maintenance.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigure class=\u0022align-right zoomable\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/673463\/original\/file-20250610-68-mu3egb.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=1000\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\u0022Diagram of DNA transcription, showing mRNA building from a template strand of DNA\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/673463\/original\/file-20250610-68-mu3egb.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=237\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022 srcset=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/673463\/original\/file-20250610-68-mu3egb.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=750\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 600w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/673463\/original\/file-20250610-68-mu3egb.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=750\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1200w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/673463\/original\/file-20250610-68-mu3egb.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=750\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 1800w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/673463\/original\/file-20250610-68-mu3egb.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=942\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 754w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/673463\/original\/file-20250610-68-mu3egb.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=942\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1508w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/673463\/original\/file-20250610-68-mu3egb.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=942\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 2262w\u0022 sizes=\u0022(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px\u0022\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022caption\u0022\u003EOne type of RNA that has been effectively used in treatments is mRNA.\u003C\/span\u003E \u003Ca class=\u0022source\u0022 href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/illustration\/simple-diagram-of-transcription-elongation-royalty-free-illustration\/1256666027\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022attribution\u0022\u003EAldona\/iStock via Getty Images Plus\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThese insights could help researchers develop new ways to target the genomic instability that underlies many diseases, including cancer and neurodegeneration. Traditionally, treatments and gene-editing tools have focused almost exclusively on DNA or proteins. Our findings suggest that modifying RNA in different ways could also influence how cells respond to DNA damage. For example, researchers could design \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41419-022-05075-2\u0022\u003ERNA-based therapies\u003C\/a\u003E to enhance the repair of harmful breaks that could cause cancer, or selectively disrupt DNA break repair in cancer cells to help kill them.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn addition, these findings could \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s12929-023-00943-1\u0022\u003Eimprove the precision of gene-editing technologies\u003C\/a\u003E like CRISPR by accounting for interactions between RNA and DNA at the site of the cut. This could reduce off-target effects and increase editing precision, ultimately contributing to the development of safer and more effective gene therapies.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThere are still many unanswered questions about how RNA interacts with DNA in the repair process. The evolutionary role that RNA plays in maintaining genome stability is also unclear. But one thing is certain: RNA is no longer just a messenger, it is a molecule with a direct hand in DNA repair, rewriting what researchers know about how cells safeguard their genetic code.\u003C!-- Below is The Conversation\u0027s page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --\u003E\u003Cimg style=\u0022border-color:!important;border-style:none;box-shadow:none !important;margin:0 !important;max-height:1px !important;max-width:1px !important;min-height:1px !important;min-width:1px !important;opacity:0 !important;outline:none !important;padding:0 !important;\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/counter.theconversation.com\/content\/256429\/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic\u0022 alt=\u0022The Conversation\u0022 width=\u00221\u0022 height=\u00221\u0022 referrerpolicy=\u0022no-referrer-when-downgrade\u0022\u003E\u003C!-- End of code. If you don\u0027t see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https:\/\/theconversation.com\/republishing-guidelines --\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis article is republished from \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThe Conversation\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E under a Creative Commons license. Read the \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/rna-has-newly-identified-role-repairing-serious-dna-damage-to-maintain-the-genome-256429\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003Eoriginal article\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"full_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EInsights could not only pave the way for new treatment strategies for genetic disorders, cancer and neurodegenerative diseases, but also enhance gene-editing technologies.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Insights could not only pave the way for new treatment strategies for genetic disorders, cancer and neurodegenerative diseases, but also enhance gene-editing technologies."}],"uid":"27469","created_gmt":"2025-06-17 00:43:34","changed_gmt":"2026-03-19 13:17:05","author":"Kristen Bailey","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-06-16T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-06-16T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"677239":{"id":"677239","type":"image","title":"Double-strand breaks in DNA can be deadly","body":"\u003Cp\u003EDouble-strand breaks in DNA can be deadly. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/photo\/human-dna-structure-with-glass-helix-destroyed-royalty-free-image\/1486775339\u0022\u003EVictor Golmer\/iStock via Getty Images Plus\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1750121134","gmt_created":"2025-06-17 00:45:34","changed":"1750121134","gmt_changed":"2025-06-17 00:45:34","alt":"Double-strand breaks in DNA can be deadly","file":{"fid":"261120","name":"file-20250610-56-ibwiiz.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/06\/16\/file-20250610-56-ibwiiz.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/06\/16\/file-20250610-56-ibwiiz.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":106718,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/06\/16\/file-20250610-56-ibwiiz.jpg?itok=JJGhK1dx"}}},"media_ids":["677239"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/rna-has-newly-identified-role-repairing-serious-dna-damage-to-maintain-the-genome-256429","title":"Read This Article on The Conversation"}],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"658168","name":"Experts"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"1275","name":"School of Biological Sciences"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71891","name":"Health and Medicine"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Ch5\u003EAuthor:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/francesca-storici-2391930\u0022\u003EFrancesca Storici\u003C\/a\u003E, professor of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch5\u003EMedia Contact:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003EShelley Wunder-Smith\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:shelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Eshelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}}}