title: Initiation of chromosomal DNA replication in eukaryotic cells; contribution of yeast genetics to the elucidation.
abstract: Chromosomal DNA replication is a fundamental process in the transmission of genetic information through generations. While the molecular mechanism of DNA replication has been studied for a long time, knowledge regarding this process in eukaryotic cells has advanced rapidly in the past 20 years. Yeast genetics contributed profoundly to this rapid advancement. Reverse genetics and genetic screenings identified all genes encoding replication proteins in budding yeast. Moreover, the genetic interactions that were used in screenings and analyses provided an insight into the molecular mechanism of chromosomal DNA replication. Further studies showed that complicated but sophisticated mechanisms govern chromosomal DNA replication. The retrospective view of the genetic approaches used to elucidate DNA replication in eukaryotes, together with current knowledge, tell us the reasons why some of the genetic screenings are successful, and also provide ideas for future directions.
authors.affiliation: Division of Microbial Genetics, National Institute of Genetics, Department of Genetics, Sokendai, Yata 1111, Mishima, Shizuoka 411-8540, Japan. hiaraki@lab.nig.ac.jp
authors.forename: Hiroyuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Araki
mesh_terms: D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D048430:Cell Shape / Q000502:physiology; D004257:DNA Polymerase II / Q000378:metabolism; D004261:DNA Replication / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*; D005057:Eukaryotic Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D004718:Saccharomycetales; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; C097185:DPB11 protein, S cerevisiae; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins; D004257:DNA Polymerase II