How do we make and process the RNA involved in DNA repair

DNA Double strand breaks (DSBs) elicit bidirectional transcription in mammalian cells. The transcribed RNA is processed by DROSHA to generate short RNAs and RNA is required for recruitment of DNA repair factors. HNRNPUL1 and HNRNPUL2 are RNA/DNA binding proteins which associate with each other and are required for DSB repair by an unknown mechanism (Mol Cell v45 p505). We have discovered that HNRNPUL1 binds RNA polymerase II (POLII) and is required for efficient transcription at sites of DSBs and other RNAs processed by DROSHA. HNRNPUL2 binds the 5' CAP binding complex, which orchestrates RNA processing (NAR v48 p10456). Therefore, we hypothesise that HNRNPUL1 drives transcription and HNRNPUL2 the processing of RNAs produced at DSBs. This project will focus on the role of HNRNPUL2 in this process.
Objectives: Establish the molecular role HNRNPUL2 plays in production/processing of RNA at DSBs and its role in recruitment of DNA repair factors.