The hunt for origins of DNA replication in multicellular eukaryotes.
Origins of DNA replication (ORIs) occur at defined regions in the genome. Although DNA sequence defines the position of ORIs in budding yeast, the factors for ORI specification remain elusive in metazoa. Several methods have been used recently to map ORIs in metazoan genomes with the hope that features for ORI specification might emerge. These methods are reviewed here with analysis of their advantages and shortcomings. The various factors that may influence ORI selection for initiation of DNA replication are discussed.
Division of Biology and Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Brown University Sidney Frank Hall, 185 Meeting Street, Providence, RI 02912 USA.
John M
JM
Urban
Division of Biology and Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Brown University Sidney Frank Hall, 185 Meeting Street, Providence, RI 02912 USA ; Department of Biology, Mercyhurst University 501 East 38th Street, Erie, PA 16546 USA.
Michael S
MS
Foulk
Division of Biology and Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Brown University Sidney Frank Hall, 185 Meeting Street, Providence, RI 02912 USA ; Institute for Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark JB Winsloews Vej 25, 5000 Odense C Denmark.
Cinzia
C
Casella
Division of Biology and Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Brown University Sidney Frank Hall, 185 Meeting Street, Providence, RI 02912 USA.
Susan A
SA
Gerbi