title: Overreplication and recombination of DNA in higher eukaryotes: potential consequences and biological implications.
abstract: We propose that a fundamental problem in the faithful replication of complex chromosomes of higher eukaryotes is the proper control of both the number and timing of the multiple initiations of replication on single chromosomes. When replication patterns are disrupted by any of a variety of agents, overreplication of DNA can occur. We propose a model that accounts for the generation of a wide variety of chromosomal aberrations-rearrangements, resulting from the various ways in which the overreplicated strands can undergo recombination. We also discuss certain implications of the generation of chromosomal alterations in higher eukaryotes as they may relate to cancer chemotherapy, cancer progression, aging, and rapid speciation-evolution.
authors.forename: R T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Schimke
authors.forename: S W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Sherwood
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.forename: R N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Johnston
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging; D005075:Biological Evolution; D002453:Cell Cycle; D002468:Cell Physiological Phenomena; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D004261:DNA Replication; D005057:Eukaryotic Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D005111:Extrachromosomal Inheritance; D005784:Gene Amplification; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics; D011995:Recombination, Genetic; D012854:Sister Chromatid Exchange