Role of non-coding RNA in DNA damage response and repair

DNA damage response (DDR) and repair is the major mechanism for maintenance of genomic stability in mammalian cells. Emerging evidence indicates non-coding RNA(ncRNA), including miRNA, diRNAs, DDRNAs and lncRNAs, plays critical roles in the regulation of DDR and DNA repair. Here, we first focus on recent progress in ncRNA mediated activation of ATM and ATR signaling and the molecular mechanisms of ncRNA in DNA repair, in particular, the HR and NHEJ associated repair process. Then, we summarize the correlation between the aberrant expression and regulation of ncRNAs that are related to DDR with genome instability and genesis of various human cancers. Lastly, we propose that screening new RNA binding proteins in DDR and revealing their potential interactions with ncRNAs are an important future direction for revealing novel ncRNA species and their functions in the genome integrity. Key words: non-coding RNA; DNA damage response and repair; RNA binding protein