As a dedicated biologist with a Ph.D. in Biology, I, Zhang Xiaoyu, am eager to join the Hong Kong Laureate Forum to engage with global scientific leaders and innovators. My research focuses on uncovering molecular mechanisms underlying diseases, striving to bridge basic science and clinical applications. The forum’s mission to foster interdisciplinary collaboration deeply resonates with me, as it offers an unparalleled opportunity to exchange ideas, gain insights, and address pressing challenges in biology and beyond. By participating, I aim to contribute my expertise while learning from laureates and peers, ultimately advancing solutions for global health issues. This platform will also allow me to inspire young scientists, promoting the importance of scientific inquiry in shaping a better future. I am honored to be considered and look forward to meaningful contributions at the forum.

Tongji-University-Graduate-Transcript.pdf

The three-stranded DNA-RNA triplex hybridization is involved in various biological processes, including gene expression regulation, DNA repair, and chromosomal stability. However, the DNA-RNA triplex mediating mechanisms underlying tumorigenesis remain to be fully elucidated. Here, we show that peptidylprolyl isomerase A (PPIA) serves as anchor to recruit GAU1 lncRNA by interacting with exon 4 of GAU1 and enhances the formation of SENP5/GAU1 DNA-lncRNA triplex. Intriguingly, TFR4 region of GAU1 exon 3 and TTS4 region of SENP5 promoter DNA constitute fragments forming the SENP5/GAU1 triplex. The SENP5/GAU1 triplex subsequently triggers the recruitment of the methyltransferase SET1A to exon 1 of GAU1, leading to the enrichment of H3K4 trimethylation and the activation of SENP5 transcription for driving the tumorigenesis of gastric cancer in vitro and in vivo. Our study reveals a mechanism of PPIA-guided SENP5/GAU1 DNA-lncRNA triplex formation in tumorigenesis and providing a concept in the dynamics of isomerase assisted DNA-RNA hybridization.