Linc‘ing’ RNA to DNA repair

Abstract

To maintain genome stability cells have evolved complex DNA repair pathways to repair DNA breaks caused by exogenous and endogenous factors. The role of proteins and small non coding RNAs in DNA repair is well understood. However, recently several long non coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as critical players in DNA repair pathways.  LncRNAs interact with regulatory proteins or other coding and noncoding transcripts involved in DNA repair to modulate DNA repair by Homologous Recombination (HR) and Non Homologous End Joining (NHEJ). This review summarizes the emerging role of lncRNAs in DNA repair pathways.