Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa
Belen Gomez Gonzalez

e-mail: belen.gomez@cabimer.es

Main Research lines

  1. Transcription-associated genetic instability and R-loops
  2. Mechanisms preventing irreversible replication fork arrest
  3. Functions of histone deacetylases in double-strand break (DSB) repair

Information

Belén Gómez González’s research is focused on understanding the molecular mechanisms that safeguard genome stability, with particular emphasis on the interplay between DNA replication, transcription, and DNA damage repair pathways.

Her work has contributed to support that transcription is a major endogenous source of genome instability. She demonstrated that the widespread accumulation of co-transcriptional R-loops impairs replication fork progression on a genome-wide scale, making the S-phase checkpoint essential for cell viability. Through the development of advanced genetic tools for in vivo R-loop detection in yeast and human cells, she has made key contributions to the identification and functional characterization of multiple factors involved in R-loop prevention and resolution in eukaryotes, including the THO complex, Senataxin, DNA damage response components, post-replicative repair pathways, BRCA2, DDX5, and DICER.

During her postdoctoral training at Clare Hall Laboratories (UK), her research focused on the role of S-phase checkpoints in replication fork stabilization. By combining whole-genome sequencing approaches with classical genetics, she uncovered a novel role for histone deacetylases in the DNA damage sensitivity of checkpoint-deficient mutants. After returning to CABIMER, she continued investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying replication fork destabilization, collapse, and repair, recently uncovering that S-phase checkpoint protects from aberrant replication fork processing and degradation.

Since 2026, she has been an Associate Professor in the Department of Genetics at the University of Seville. Her current research at CABIMER focuses on the causes and consequences of DNA damage arising during DNA replication, including R-loops and other transcription-replication conflicts, as well as on the mechanisms of replication fork stabilization and DSB repair, with special emphasis on the role of histone deacetylases.

ORCID: 0000-0003-1655-8407
ResearcherID: B-2365-2014
Scopus: 16678982400 

Projects

Principal Investigator:

  • Replication fork stability and arrest in eukaryotic cells (US-1380058). Proyectos I+D+i FEDER Andalucía 2014-2020 – Emergente
  • Role of BRCA2 and related factors in the resolution of R-loops and prevention of cancer-associated genome instability. Ayuda a Investigadores en Oncología. Fundación científica de la AECC. 2015-2020

Research team:

  • Función de la cromatina en la inestabilidad genómica asociada a transcripción. Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación. IP: Aguilera-López, Andrés (Universidad de Sevilla). 2023-2026.
  • Mecanismos de Inestabilidad Genómica mediada por ARN y Reparación. Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades. IP: Aguilera-López, Andrés (Universidad de Sevilla). 2019-2022.
  • Transcripción y Replicación como Fuentes de Inestabilidad Genética. Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad. IP: Aguilera-López, Andrés (Universidad de Sevilla). 2016-2019.

Researcher: 

  • ERC Advanced Grant: R-loops as a major modulator of transcription-associated recombination and chromatin dynamics TARLOOP European Research Council. IP: Aguilera-López, Andrés (Universidad de Sevilla). 2015-2020.
  • Transcripción y Replicación como Fuentes de Inestabilidad Genética. Ministerio De Economía Y Competitividad. IP: Aguilera-López, Andrés (Universidad de Sevilla). 2016-2019.
  • Inestabilidad Genómica Asociada a Transcripción e Híbridos DNA-RNA. Ministerio De Economía Y Competitividad. IP: Aguilera-López, Andrés (Universidad de Sevilla). 2014-2016.
  • Deciphering the role of S-phase checkpoints in the stabilisation of replication forks. CRUK. IP: Diffley, JFX (Clare Hall laboratories) 2010-2015
  • ERC Advanced Grant: The Initiation of Eukaryotic DNA Replication: Mechanism, Regulation and Role in Genome Stability. EUKDNAREP European Research Council. IP: Diffley, JFX (Clare Hall laboratories) 2010-2014
  • Inestabilidad Genómica. Plan Estatal 2013-2016 Redes de Excelencia. Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad. IP: Aguilera-López, Andrés (Universidad de Sevilla) BFU2014-51672-REDC 2013-2016.
  • Inestabilidad Genómica Asociada a Transcripción e Híbridos DNA-RNA. Plan estatal 2013-2016 Excelencia. Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad. IP: Aguilera-López, Andres (Universidad de Sevilla) BFU2013-42918-P 2013-2016.
  • Bases genéticas y moleculares del origen de la inestabilidad genómica en eucariotas. Junta de Andalucía. Proyecto de Excelencia CVI-4567. IP: Aguilera-López, Andrés (Universidad de Sevilla). 2010-2013.
  • Inestabilidad Genómica, Grupo Bio-102. IP: Aguilera-López, Andrés (Universidad de Sevilla). 2011
  • Genómica Funcional de la interconexión transcripción-transporte de ARN. IP: Aguilera-López, Andrés (Universidad de Sevilla). 2008-2011
  • Inestabilidad Genómica CSD2007-00015. IP: Aguilera-López, Andrés (Universidad de Sevilla). 2007-2013
  • Bases genéticas y moleculares de la instabilidad genómica en eucariotas. P09-CVI-4567 IP: Aguilera-López, Andrés (Universidad de Sevilla). 2010-2013
  • Inestabilidad Genómica. Grupo BIO-102 IP: Aguilera-López, Andrés (Universidad de Sevilla). 2009-2011
  • Inestabilidad Genómica. Grupo BIO-102 IP: Aguilera-López, Andrés (Universidad de Sevilla). 2009-2010
  • Inestabilidad Genómica. Grupo BIO-102 IP: Aguilera-López, Andrés (Universidad de Sevilla). 2007-2010
  • Vigilancia del ARN nuclear en la expresión génica BFU2007-28647-E IP: Aguilera-López, Andrés (Universidad de Sevilla). 2007-2010
  • Bases genéticas y moleculares de la instabilidad genómica y su relación con la biogénesis de los mRNPs en eucariotas. BFU2006-05260 IP: Aguilera-López, Andrés (Universidad de Sevilla). 2006-2011

Publications

Articles:

  1. Núñez-Martín I, Drury L, Martínez-Jiménez MI, Blanco L, Diffley JFX, Aguilera A and Gómez-González B*. (2025) S-phase checkpoint protects from aberrant replication fork processing and degradation. Nucleic Acids Res. 53:gkaf707. doi: 10.1093/nar/gkaf707.
  2. Luna, R., Gómez-González, B., & Aguilera, A. (2024). RNA biogenesis and RNA metabolism factors as R-loop suppressors: a hidden role in genome integrity. Genes & development, 38(11-12), 504–527.
  3. Duardo, R. C., Marinello, J., Russo, M., Morelli, S., Pepe, S., Guerra, F., Gómez-González, B., Aguilera, A., & Capranico, G. (2024). Human DNA topoisomerase I poisoning causes R loop-mediated genome instability attenuated by transcription factor IIS. Science advances, 10(21), eadm8196.
  4. Camino LP, Dutta A, Barroso S, Pérez-Calero C, Katz JN, García-Rubio M, Sung P*, Gómez-González B*, and Aguilera A* (2023) DICER ribonuclease removes harmful R-loops. Molecular Cell, 83(20), 3707–3719.e5. * Co-corresponding author
  5. Gómez-González B, Aguilera A (2023) Break-induced RNA-DNA hybrids (BIRDHs) in homologous recombination: friend or foe?. EMBO Rep.
  6. Cañas JC, García-Rubio ML, García A, Antequera F, Gómez-González B* and Aguilera A (2022) A role for the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Rtt109 histone acetyltransferase in R-loop homeostasis and associated genome instability. Genetics 222(1), iyac108 . * Corresponding author
  7. Gomez-Gonzalez B*, Dutta A* and Feng WY* (2022) Editorial: The Role of RNA in Genome Stability: To Wreck or Repair? Frontiers in Mol Biosci
  8. Cañas JC, Aguilera A, and Gómez-González B* (2022). Detection of R-Loops by In Vivo and In Vitro Cytosine Deamination in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Methods in Mol Biol 2528, 39-53. * Corresponding author
  9. Gómez-González B, Ortega P, and Aguilera A (2021) Analysis of repair of replication-born double-strand breaks by sister chromatid recombination in yeast Methods in Enzymology 661, 121-138
  10. Chacin E, Bansal P, Reusswig KU, Diaz-Santin LM, Ortega P, Vizjak P, Gómez-González B, Müller-Planitz F, Aguilera A, Pfander B, Cheung ACM, Kurat CF (2021) A CDK-regulated chromatin segregase promoting chromosome replication. Nat Commun 12(1):5224.
  11. Ortega P, Gómez-González B*, and Aguilera A (2021) Heterogeneity of DNA damage incidence and repair in different chromatin contexts DNA Repair 107, 103210. * Corresponding author
  12. Ortega P, Mérida-Cerro JA, Rondón AG, Gómez-González B* and Aguilera A* (2021) DNA-RNA hybrids at DSBs interfere with repair by homologous recombination. eLife 10, 10:e69881. * Co-corresponding author
  13. Gómez-González B*, Sessa G, Carreira A, Aguilera A (2021) A new interaction between BRCA2 and DDX5 promotes the repair of DNA breaks at transcribed chromatin. Mol Cell Onc 221 (8) 3. * Corresponding author
  14. Sessa G*, Gómez-González B*, Silva S, Pérez-Calero C, Beaurepere R, Barroso S, Martineau S, Martin C, Ehlén A, Martínez JS, Lombard B, Loew D, Vagner V, Aguilera A, Carreira A (2021) BRCA2 promotes DNA-RNA hybrid resolution by DDX5 at DNA breaks to facilitate their repair. EMBO J 40(7):e106018. *Co-first author
  15. Galati E, Bosio MC, Novarina D, Chiara M, Bernini GM, Mozzarelli AM, García-Rubio ML, Gómez-González B, Aguilera A, Carzaniga T, Todisco M, Bellini T, Nava GM, Frigè G, Sertic S, Horner DS, Baryshnikova A, Manzari C, D’Erchia AM, Pesole G, Brown GW, Muzi-Falconi M, Lazzaro F. (2021) VID22 counteracts G-quadruplex-induced genome instability. Nucleic Acids Res. 49(22):12785-12804.
  16. Gómez-González B*, Aguilera A. (2021) Origin matters: spontaneous DNA-RNA hybrids do not form in trans as a source of genome instability. Curr Genet 67:93-97. *Co-corresponding author
  17. Lafuente-Barquero J, Garcia-Rubio ML, San Martin-Alonso M, Gómez-González B* and Aguilera A* (2020) Harmful DNA:RNA hybrids are formed in cis and in a Rad51-independent manner. eLife 9, e56674 *Co-corresponding author
  18. Gómez-González B and Aguilera A. (2020) Looping the (R) loop in DSB repair via RNA methylation Mol Cell 3, 361-362
  19. Ortega P, García-Pichardo D, San Martin-Alonso M, Rondón AG, Gómez-González B* and Aguilera A* (2020) Histone H3E73Q and H4E53A mutations cause recombinogenic DNA damage Microb Cell 7, 190-198. *Co-corresponding author
  20. Gómez-González B*, Barroso S, Herrera-Moyano E, and Aguilera A. (2020) Spontaneous DNA-RNA hybrids: differential impacts throughout the cell cycle. Cell Cycle, 19(5):525-531. * Corresponding author
  21. Gómez-González B*, Ortega P, and Aguilera A*. (2020) Histone deacetylases facilitate the accurate repair of broken forks Mol Cell Onc 7(2):1705731. * Co-corresponding author
  22. Ortega P, Gómez-González B* and Aguilera A* (2019) Rpd3L and Hda1 histone deacetylases facilitate repair of broken forks by promoting sister chromatid cohesion. Nat Commun 10, 5178. ** Co-corresponding author
  23. Barroso S, Herrera-Moyano E, García-Rubio ML, Gómez-González B, Aguilera A (2019) The DNA Damage Response acts as a safeguard against harmful DNA-RNA hybrids of different origins. EMBO R 20, e47250.
  24. Gómez-González B, Aguilera A (2019) Transcription-mediated replication hindrance: a major driver of genome instability. Genes Dev 33, 1008-1026.
  25. Klein H., Bacinskaja G, Che J, Cheblal A, Elango R, Ephstein A, Fitzgerland D, Gómez-González B et al, (2019) Guidelines for DNA recombination and repair studies: Cellular assays of DNA repair pathways. Microb Cell 6, 1-64.
  26. Gómez-González B, Patel H, Early A and Diffley JFX (2019) Rpd3L contributes to the DNA damage sensitivity of Saccharomyces cerevisiae checkpoint mutants. Genetics 211, 503-513.
  27. Aguilera A and Gómez-González B (2017) The need to regulate replication fork speed. Science 358, 722-723.
  28. Lafuente-Barquero J, Luke-Glaser S, Graf M, Silva S, Gómez-González B, Lockhart A, Lisby M, Aguilera A and Luke B (2017) The Smc5/6 complex regulates the yeast Mph1 helicase at RNA-DNA hybrid-mediated DNA damage PLoS Genet 13:e1007136.
  29. Bhatia V, Herrera-Moyano E, Aguilera A, Gómez-González B* (2017). The Role of Replication-Associated Repair Factors on R-Loops. Genes 8(7) pii: E171. * Co-corresponding author
  30. García-Pichardo D, Cañas JC, Garcia-Rubio ML, Gómez-González B, Rondón AG, Aguilera A (2017). Histone Mutants Separate R Loop Formation from Genome Instability Induction. Mol Cell 66(5), 597-609.e5.
  31. Aguilera A, Gómez-González B (2017). DNA-RNA hybrids: the risks of DNA breakage during transcription. NSMB 24(5), 439-443.
  32. Muñoz-Galván S, García-Rubio M, Ortega P, Ruiz JF, Jimeno S, Pardo B, Gómez-González B *, Aguilera A*. (2017) A new role for Rrm3 in repair of replication-born DNA breakage by sister chromatid recombination. PLoS Genet. 2017 May 5;13(5):e1006781. * Co-corresponding author
  33. Yekezare M*, Gómez-González B* and Diffley JF (2013) Controlling DNA replication origins in response to DNA damage – inhibit globally, activate locally. J. Cell Sci. 126, 1297-306. * Co-first author
  34. Bermejo R, Capra T, Jossen R, Colosio A, Frattini C, Carotenuto W, Cocito A, Doksani Y, Klein H, Gómez-González B, Aguilera A, Katou Y, Shirahige K and Foiani M (2011). The Replication Checkpoint Protects Fork Stability by Releasing Transcribed Genes from Nuclear Pores. Cell 146, 233-246.
  35. Dominguez-Sanchez MS, Barroso S, Gómez-González B, Luna R and Aguilera A (2011). Genome Instability and Transcription Elongation Impairment in Human Cells Depleted of THO/TREX. PLoS Genet 7, e1002386.
  36. Gómez-González B*, Garcia-Rubio M, Bermejo R, Gaillard H, Shirahige K, Marin A, Foiani M and Aguilera A (2011). Genome-Wide Function of THO/TREX in Active Genes Prevents R-Loop-Dependent Replication Obstacles. EMBO J 30, 3106-3119. *Co-first author
  37. Gómez-González B, Ruiz JF and Aguilera A (2011). Genetic and Molecular Analysis of Mitotic Recombination in Saccharomyces Cerevisiae. Methods in Mol Biol 745, 151-172.
  38. Mischo HE, Gómez-González B, Grzechnik P, Rondon AG, Wei W, Steinmetz L, Aguilera A and Proudfoot NJ (2011). Yeast Sen1 Helicase Protects the Genome from Transcription-Associated Instability. Mol Cell 41, 21-32.
  39. Ruiz JF, Gómez-González B and Aguilera A (2011). AID Induces Double-Strand Breaks at Immunoglobulin Switch Regions and C-Myc Causing Chromosomal Translocations in Yeast THO Mutants. PLoS Genet 7, e1002009.
  40. Gómez-González B and Aguilera A (2009). R-Loops Do Not Accumulate in Transcription-Defective Hpr1-101 Mutants: Implications for the Functional Role of THO/TREX. Nucleic Acids Res 37, 4315-4321.
  41. Gómez-González B, Felipe-Abrio I and Aguilera A (2009). The S-Phase Checkpoint Is Required to Respond to R-Loops Accumulated in THO Mutants. Mol Cell Biol 29, 5203-5213.
  42. Pardo B, Gómez-González B and Aguilera A (2009). DNA Repair in Mammalian Cells: DNA Double-Strand Break Repair: How to Fix a Broken Relationship. Cell Mol Life Sci 66, 1039-1056.
  43. Ruiz JF, Gómez-González B and Aguilera A (2009). Chromosomal Translocations Caused by Either Pol32-Dependent or Pol32-Independent Triparental Break-Induced Replication. Mol Cell Biol 29, 5441-5454.
  44. Aguilera A and Gómez-González B (2008). Genome Instability: A Mechanistic View of Its Causes and Consequences. Nat Rev Genet 9, 204-217.
  45. Gonzalez-Aguilera C, Tous C, Gómez-González B, Huertas P, Luna R and Aguilera A (2008). The Thp1-Sac3-Sus1-Cdc31 Complex Works in Transcription Elongation-mRNA Export Preventing RNA-Mediated Genome Instability. Mol Biol Cell 19, 4310-4318.
  46. Gómez-González B and Aguilera A (2007). Activation-Induced Cytidine Deaminase Action Is Strongly Stimulated by Mutations of the THO Complex. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 104, 8409-8414.