The age-related decline of helicase function-how G-quadruplex structures promote genome instability

Abstract

The intricate mechanisms underlying transcription-dependent genome instability involve G-quadruplexes (G4) and R-loops. This perspective elucidates the potential link between these structures and genome instability in aging. The co-occurrence of G4 DNA and RNA-DNA hybrid structures (G-loop) underscores a complex interplay in genome regulation and instability. Here, we hypothesize that the age-related decline of sirtuin function leads to an increase in acetylated helicases that bind to G4 DNA and RNA-DNA hybrid structures, but are less efficient in resolving them. We propose that acetylated, less active, helicases induce persistent G-loop structures, promoting transcription-dependent genome instability in aging.

Keywords: G4; G‐quadruplex; RNA–DNA hybrids; R‐loops; aging; double‐strand breaks; epigenetics; genome instability; helicases; sirtuins.