RNase H1C collaborates with ssDNA binding proteins WHY1/3 and recombinase RecA1 to fulfill the DNA damage repair in Arabidopsis chloroplasts. Issue 12 (16th June 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Wenjie; Li, Kuan; Yang, Zhuo; Hou, Quancan; Zhao, Wei W; Sun, Qianwen
• Is Part Of: Nucleic acids research. Volume 49:Issue 12(2021)
• Page Start: 6771
• Page End: 6787
• Publication Date: 2021-06-16
• Subjects: Nucleic acids -- Periodicals; Molecular biology -- Periodicals; 572.805
• DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab479
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0305-1048

Abstract

Abstract: Proper repair of damaged DNA is crucial for genetic integrity and organismal survival. As semi-autonomous organelles, plastids have their own genomes whose integrity must be preserved. Several factors have been shown to participate in plastid DNA damage repair; however, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Here, we elucidate a mechanism of homologous recombination (HR) repair in chloroplasts that involves R-loops. We find that the recombinase RecA1 forms filaments in chloroplasts during HR repair, but aggregates as puncta when RNA:DNA hybrids accumulate. ssDNA-binding proteins WHY1/3 and chloroplast RNase H1 AtRNH1C are recruited to the same genomic sites to promote HR repair. Depletion of AtRNH1C or WHY1/3 significantly suppresses the binding of RNA polymerase to the damaged DNA, thus reducing HR repair and modulating microhomology-mediated double-strand break repair. Furthermore, we show that DNA polymerase IB works with AtRNH1C genetically to complete the DNA damage repair process. This study reveals the positive role of R-loops in facilitating the activities of WHY1/3 and RecA1, which in turn secures HR repair and organellar development.