Potent inhibitors of the human RNA ligase Rlig1 highlights its role in RNA integrity maintenance under oxidative cellular stress.

Human RNA ligase 1 (Rlig1) catalyzes the ligation of 5'-phosphate to 3'-hydroxyl ends a conserved three-step mechanism. Rlig1-deficient HEK293 cells exhibit reduced cell viability and RNA integrity under oxidative stress, suggesting Rlig1's role in RNA repair maintenance. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are linked to various diseases, including neurodegenerative disorders and cancer, where RNA damage has significant effects.