title: Epigenetic control of replication origins.
abstract: Efficient duplication of the eukaryotic genome requires the spatial and temporal coordination of numerous replication origins on each chromosome. Epigenetic factors, like chromatin environment, can have profound effects on origin site selection, utilization frequency, and cell cycle firing time. Precisely how chromatin contributes to origin site selection and timing is not completely understood. Recently, we reported on the cell cycle changes in chromatin structure at the plasmid replication origins of Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) and Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpes virus (KSHV). These studies and others suggest that cell cycle changes in histone modification and nucleosome remodeling regulate prereplication factor assembly and initiation of DNA replication at origins. We discuss how these studies of viral origins may provide important insights into epigenetic control of cellular chromosome origins.
authors.affiliation: The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chau
authors.forename: Zhong
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Deng
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Stedman
authors.forename: Paul M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Lieberman
mesh_terms: D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D006657:Histones / Q000378:metabolism; D009707:Nucleosomes / Q000235:genetics; D018741:Replication Origin / Q000235:genetics*; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D006657:Histones; D009707:Nucleosomes