Telomeres vs R-loops in the battleground of cancer

The oncogenic function of ADAR1p110 has been revealed in defending telomeres from the formation of chromosome damaging R-loops.  A new study from the  Wistar Institute (PA, USA), led by Kazuko Nishikura, has uncovered the function of nuclear-localized ADAR1, exposing its role in the development of cancer. The study could impact the development of future therapeutics to target this form of ADAR1.  ADAR1 is present in two isoforms, ADAR1p150 and ADAR1p110. The p150 isoform is localized to the cytoplasm and has been previously established, also by Nishikura’s lab, to play a role in RNA editing. The disruption of ADAR1p150 is associated with the disease mechanism of the autoimmune disorder Aicardi–Goutières...