DNA Replication Origins, Development, and Cancer

摘要

DNA replication is at the heart of living organisms. The main purpose of any organism, even the simplest, is the duplication of the genetic information and its transmission to the offspring. In simple organisms, such as the bacteria Echerichia coli, a single DNA replication origin is used, from which replication forks migrate in opposite directions to allowthe duplication of the entire genome. In complex eukaryotes, such as multicellular organisms, multiple DNA replication origins are used to replicate chromosomes, which are highly regulated during S phase. Here, I will review how the positions of these origins are regulated and how DNA replication origins might be regulatory elements that also control development and cell identity. I will also consider how DNA replication origins are regulated within each cell cycle in order to avoid re-replication, an event that might lead to genetic damage and neoplasic evolution.