Dna replication origins: from sequence specificity to epigenetics

ABSTRACT Site-specific initiation of DNA replication is a conserved function in all organisms. In _Escherichia coli_ and _Saccharomyces cerevisiae_, DNA replication origins are sequence

specific, but in multicellular organisms, origins are not so clearly defined. In this article, I present a model of origin specification by epigenetic mechanisms that allows the

establishment of stable chromatin domains, which are characterized by autonomous replication. According to this model, origins of DNA replication help to establish domains of gene expression

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Read our FAQs * Contact customer support SIMILAR CONTENT BEING VIEWED BY OTHERS EVOLUTION OF DNA REPLICATION ORIGIN SPECIFICATION AND GENE SILENCING MECHANISMS Article Open access 14 October

2020 A PREDICTABLE CONSERVED DNA BASE COMPOSITION SIGNATURE DEFINES HUMAN CORE DNA REPLICATION ORIGINS Article Open access 21 September 2020 THE GENETIC ARCHITECTURE OF DNA REPLICATION

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locus are independent of the locus control region. _Mol. Cell. Biol._ 20, 5581–5591 (2000). Article  CAS  Google Scholar  Download references ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I wish to thank D. Fisher, D.

Maiorano and P. Françon for helpful comments on this manuscript. Work in our laboratory is mainly supported by the CNRS, ARC and FRM. AUTHOR INFORMATION AUTHORS AND AFFILIATIONS * Institute

of Human Genetics, CNRS, Genome Dynamics and Development, 141 rue de la Cardonille, Montpellier, 34396, France Marcel Méchali Authors * Marcel Méchali View author publications You can also

search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar RELATED LINKS RELATED LINKS DATABASE LINKS β-globin _DHFR_ _Myc_ _HML_ _HMR_ _orc1_ _orc2_ _orc5_ Sir1 Gal4 Sir3 HP1 Orc2 Orc4 _IgH_ ARS1 BAH

PCNA CAF1 GLOSSARY * (A+T)-HOOK MOTIF A nine-amino-acid protein domain that binds to the minor groove of (A+T)-rich DNA. * BOUNDARY ELEMENT A DNA element that lies between two

gene-controlling elements, such as a promoter and enhancer, preventing their communication or interaction. The function of boundary elements is usually mediated by the binding of specific

factors. * BROMO-ADJACENT-HOMOLOGY DOMAIN A domain of unknown function that is found in several proteins that are involved in chromatin remodelling and epigenetic mechanisms. * CHROMODOMAIN

A protein motif that is involved in binding certain methylated histones; often associated with transcriptional repression. * HETEROCHROMATIN The densely staining regions of the nucleus that

generally contain condensed, transcriptionally inactive regions of the genome. * HIGH MOBILITY GROUP PROTEINS Non-histone proteins involved in chromatin structure and gene regulation. *

INSULATOR ELEMENT A chromatin element that acts as a barrier against the influence of positive (enhancers) or negative (silencers) signals. * ORIGIN RECOGNITION COMPLEX A complex of six

subunits that binds to the origins of DNA replication in an ATP-dependent manner. * POLYCOMB-GROUP PROTEINS Genes that are involved in the heritable repression of developmentally regulated

genes, such as the homeotic genes. * POSITION-EFFECT VARIEGATION A phenomenon discovered in _Drosophila_, which occurs when genes placed close to large heterochromatic regions are repressed.

This repression is metastable, in that the silenced state can be occasionally released, giving rise to derepressed cells and a variegated phenotype. * REPLICON A genetic element that

contains a single origin of DNA replication, recognized by a specific positive regulatory protein or complex. RIGHTS AND PERMISSIONS Reprints and permissions ABOUT THIS ARTICLE CITE THIS

ARTICLE Méchali, M. DNA replication origins: from sequence specificity to epigenetics. _Nat Rev Genet_ 2, 640–645 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1038/35084598 Download citation * Issue Date: 01

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