FANCD2 protects genome stability by recruiting RNA processing enzymes to resolve R-loops during mild replication stress.

R-loops, which consist of DNA : RNA hybrids and displaced single-strand DNA, are a major threat to genome stability. We have previously reported that a key Fanconi anemia protein, FANCD2, accumulates on large fragile genes during mild replication stress in a manner depending on R-loops. In this study, we found that FANCD2 suppresses R-loop levels. Furthermore, we identified FANCD2 interactions with RNA processing factors, including hnRNP U and DDX47. Our data suggest that FANCD2, which accumulates with R-loops in chromatin, recruits these factors and thereby promotes efficient processing of long RNA transcripts. This may lead to a reduction in transcription-replication collisions, as detected by PLA between PCNA and RNA Polymerase II, and hence, lowered R-loop levels. We propose that this mechanism might contribute to maintenance of genome stability during mild replication stress.

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