Capturing R-loops at base-pair resolution unveils clustered R-loops regulate gene expression in a number-dependent manner

Abstract

R-loops are prevalent triplex nucleic strands found across various organisms, involved in numerous biological processes. However, the physiological and pathological functions of R-loops remain largely unknown due to a lack of effective and high-resolution detection methods. Here, using nuclease P1, T5 exonuclease, and lambda exonuclease mediated digestion of ssRNA, ssDNA, and dsDNA while preserving RNA:DNA hybrid, we report a method named R-loop identification assisted by nuclease and high-throughput sequencing (RIAN-seq) for genome-wide mapping of R-loops at base-pair resolution. RIAN-seq represents ultra-accuracy in position and size of R-loops and identifies an order of magnitude more R-loops than current methods. Notably, we find the majority of R-loops ranging from 60 bp to 130 bp and reveal previously unresolvable patterns of R-loops aggerated in clusters across the genome. Clustered R-loops at gene promoters recruit zinc finger transcription factors (VEZF1 and SP5) to promote transcription. The number of R-loops within a cluster positively correlates with the diversity of bound transcription factors. Furthermore, clustered R-loops are less susceptible to transcription perturbation as the number of R-loops within clusters increases. Overall, we demonstrate the ability to identify R-loops at unprecedented resolution and facilitate investigating the mechanisms of clustered R-loops in gene regulation in diverse biological processes.