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Structural and molecular basis for transcription-replication collisions

Project description

Transcription-replication collision mechanism for cancer treatment

Transcription-replication collisions (TRCs) occur when the cellular machinery responsible for DNA replication runs into transcription complexes, often due to obstacles like R-loops. These collisions can lead to genome instability and DNA damage and have been linked to various cancers. However, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the ReTraCol project will integrate transcription and replication research to investigate R-loop-dependent TRCs. Using advanced biochemical methods and cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), the project will shed light on how these collisions form and how replication and transcription systems interact during such events. This research has the potential to deepen our understanding of TRCs in both healthy and cancerous cells. This could identify new molecular targets for cancer treatment.

Objective

One of the sources of genome instability is the occurrence of transcription-replication collisions (TRCs). These collisions occur when the replication machinery collides with the transcription complex due to the presence of obstacles in the DNA template, such as DNA-bound proteins or structures known as R-loops, which are three-stranded nucleic acid structures that inhibit the normal progression of both systems. These R-loops are often formed during transcription, but their assembly is regulated by several cellular mechanisms that prevent the accumulation of TRCs. TRCs can potentially cause deletions, chromosomal rearrangements, and loss of genetic information due to DNA double-strand breaks generated by the collision. High levels of TRCs have been found in several types of cancer, which is a growing global health concern. Although many studies have investigated the role of TRCs in normal and cancer cells, the detailed molecular mechanism behind TRCs remains to be elucidated. The ReTraCol project aims to bring together the fields of transcription and replication to gain a deeper molecular and structural understanding of R-loop-dependent TRCs using biochemical and cryo-EM techniques. The expected results will reveal how the replication and transcription systems behave during a collision and describe the stepwise formation of TRCs. This project could lead to an understanding of the impact of TRCs in both normal and cancer cells, and potentially open new future investigations to use TRCs as a cancer target.

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HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships

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Call for proposal

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(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01

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Coordinator

MAX-PLANCK-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER WISSENSCHAFTEN EV
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 202 125,12
Address
HOFGARTENSTRASSE 8
80539 MUNCHEN
Germany

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Region
Bayern Oberbayern München, Kreisfreie Stadt
Activity type
Research Organisations
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Total cost

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