Programming DNA replication origins and chromosome organization.
During each cell cycle, thousands of DNA replication origins are activated in each cell of a metazoan organism. Although they appear site-specific, their usage and organization are rather plastic. Moreover, no strict sequence specificity has been observed in contrast to bacterial or Saccharomyces cerevisiae DNA replication origins. Epigenetic regulation linked to chromatin structure, chromosome organization, and transcription has been suggested to explain how DNA replication origins are selected and recognized by replication initiation factors. In this paper, we review these epigenetic features and discuss how, during the previous mitosis, chromosomal architecture might prepare DNA replication origins for a new cell cycle.
Cayrou
Christelle
C
Institute of Human Genetics, CNRS, 141 Rue de la Cardonille, 34980 Montpellier, France.
Coulombe
Philippe
P
Méchali
Marcel
M
D000818:Animals; D002843:Chromatin / Q000378:metabolism; D015825:Chromosomes, Fungal; D004261:DNA Replication; D004271:DNA, Fungal / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006801:Humans; D018741:Replication Origin; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000235:genetics
D002843:Chromatin; D004271:DNA, Fungal