CONCR lncRNA organizes a 3'-end structural domain that engages DDX11 for DNA replication and sister chromatid cohesion.

A highly structured 3'-end domain of CONCR lncRNA is essential for DDX11 binding, activating ATPase activity, and ensuring DNA replication and sister chromatid cohesion.

• Why it matters: Understanding the structural elements of lncRNAs like CONCR is crucial because their specific configurations underpin vital cellular processes such as chromosome segregation, yet these structural features are poorly characterized.
• What they did: The study employed SHAPE-MaP, AFM, evolutionary analysis, cryo-EM, and genetic experiments to elucidate CONCR’s modular structure, focusing on its 3'-end domain responsible for DDX11 interaction.
• The result: Findings reveal that the conserved, multiway junction-rich 3'-end domain acts as a loading and activation platform for DDX11, highlighting the importance of RNA structure in regulating chromosome cohesion mechanisms.