ADAR1 RNA editing enzyme regulates R-loop formation and genome stability at telomeres in cancer cells

Nat Commun. 2021 Mar 12;12(1):1654. doi: 10.1038/s41467-021-21921-x.

Abstract

ADAR1 is involved in adenosine-to-inosine RNA editing. The cytoplasmic ADAR1p150 edits 3'UTR double-stranded RNAs and thereby suppresses induction of interferons. Loss of this ADAR1p150 function underlies the embryonic lethality of Adar1 null mice, pathogenesis of the severe autoimmune disease Aicardi-Goutières syndrome, and the resistance developed in cancers to immune checkpoint blockade. In contrast, the biological functions of the nuclear-localized ADAR1p110 remain largely unknown. Here, we report that ADAR1p110 regulates R-loop formation and genome stability at telomeres in cancer cells carrying non-canonical variants of telomeric repeats. ADAR1p110 edits the A-C mismatches within RNA:DNA hybrids formed between canonical and non-canonical variant repeats. Editing of A-C mismatches to I:C matched pairs facilitates resolution of telomeric R-loops by RNase H2. This ADAR1p110-dependent control of telomeric R-loops is required for continued proliferation of telomerase-reactivated cancer cells, revealing the pro-oncogenic nature of ADAR1p110 and identifying ADAR1 as a promising therapeutic target of telomerase positive cancers.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine Deaminase / genetics
  • Adenosine Deaminase / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • DNA
  • DNA Damage
  • Genomic Instability*
  • Genomics
  • HEK293 Cells
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Neoplasms / genetics
  • Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • R-Loop Structures*
  • RNA Editing*
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Telomere / metabolism*
  • Transcriptome

Substances

  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • DNA
  • ADAR protein, human
  • ADAR1 protein, mouse
  • Adenosine Deaminase