2019年10月10日，西班牙塞维利亚大学Andrés Aguilera课题组在《细胞》在线发表综述性论文，详细介绍了R环从生理到病理的作用。

研究人员介绍，DNA-RNA杂合体在细胞过程中起着重要的生理作用，但其通常代表非固定的共转录结构，对转录，复制和DNA修复产生负面影响。 越来越多的证据表明，它们是构成复制压力、DNA断裂和基因组不稳定的来源。

相反，DNA断裂通过释放双螺旋扭转构象促进DNA-RNA杂合体的形成。 细胞通过直接预防或去除杂合体或通过DNA修复偶联机制来避免DNA-RNA积累。

鉴于R环对染色质和基因组结构的影响及其与遗传疾病的潜在关系，研究者回顾了R环稳态及其生理和病理作用。

附：英文原文

Title: R Loops: From Physiological to Pathological Roles

Author: Tatiana García-Muse, Andrés Aguilera

Issue&Volume: 10 October 2019

Abstract: 

DNA-RNA hybrids play a physiological role in cellular processes, but often, they represent non-scheduled co-transcriptional structures with a negative impact on transcription, replication and DNA repair. Accumulating evidence suggests that they constitute a source of replication stress, DNA breaks and genome instability. Reciprocally, DNA breaks facilitate DNA-RNA hybrid formation by releasing the double helix torsional conformation. Cells avoid DNA-RNA accumulation by either preventing or removing hybrids directly or by DNA repair-coupled mechanisms. Given the R-loop impact on chromatin and genome organization and its potential relation with genetic diseases, we review R-loop homeostasis as well as their physiological and pathological roles.

DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2019.08.055

Source: https://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(19)31006-2