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Epigenetic control of replication origins.

Efficient duplication of the eukaryotic genome requires the spatial and temporal coordination of numerous replication origins on each chromosome. Epigenetic factors, like chromatin environment, can have profound effects on origin site selection, utilization frequency, and cell cycle firing time. Precisely how chromatin contributes to origin site selection and timing is not completely understood. Recently, we reported on the cell cycle changes in chromatin structure at the plasmid replication origins of Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) and Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpes virus (KSHV). These studies and others suggest that cell cycle changes in histone modification and nucleosome remodeling regulate prereplication factor assembly and initiation of DNA replication at origins. We discuss how these studies of viral origins may provide important insights into epigenetic control of cellular chromosome origins.

Epigenesis, Genetic↗

Perturbation of the activity of replication origin by meiosis-specific transcription.

We have determined the activity of all ARSs on the Saccharomyces cerevisiae chromosome VI as chromosomal replication origins in premeiotic S-phase by neutral/neutral two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. The comparison of origin activity of each origin in mitotic and premeiotic S-phase showed that one of the most efficient origins in mitotic S-phase, ARS605, was completely inhibited in premeiotic S-phase. ARS605 is located within the open reading frame of MSH4 gene that is transcribed specifically during an early stage of meiosis. Systematic analysis of relationships between MSH4 transcription and ARS605 origin activity revealed that transcription of MSH4 inhibited the ARS605 origin activity by removing origin recognition complex from ARS605. Deletion of UME6, a transcription factor responsible for repressing MSH4 during mitotic S-phase, resulted in inactivation of ARS605 in mitosis. Our finding is the first demonstration that the transcriptional regulation on the replication origin activity is related to changes in cell physiology. These results may provide insights into changes in replication origin activity in embryonic cell cycle during early developmental stages.

Cell Cycle Proteins↗

Enhanced flexibility and aphidicolin-induced DNA breaks near mammalian replication origins: implications for replicon mapping and chromosome fragility.

Common fragile sites are chromosomal loci prone to breakage and rearrangement that can be induced by aphidicolin, an inhibitor of DNA polymerases. Within these loci, sites of preferential DNA breaks were proposed to correlate with peaks of enhanced DNA flexibility, the function of which remains elusive. Here we show that mammalian DNA replication origins are enriched in peaks of enhanced flexibility. This finding suggests that the search for these features may help in the mapping of replication origins, and we present evidence supporting this hypothesis. The association of peaks of flexibility with replication origins also suggests that some origins may associate with minor levels of fragility. As shown here, an increased sensitivity to aphidicolin was found near two mammalian DNA replication origins.

Animals↗

Identification and functional analysis of a human homologue of the monkey replication origin ors8.

We previously isolated from African green monkey (CV-1) cells a replication origin, ors8, that is active at the onset of S-phase. Here, its homologous sequence (hors8, accession number: DQ230978) was amplified from human cells, using the monkey-ors8-specific primers. Sequence alignment between the monkey and the human fragment revealed a 92% identity. Nascent DNA abundance analysis, involving quantification by real-time PCR, indicated that hors8 is an active replication origin, as the abundance of nascent DNA from a genomic region containing it was 97-fold higher relative to a non-origin region in the same locus. Furthermore, the data showed that the hors8 fragment is capable of supporting the episomal replication of its plasmid, when cloned into pBlueScript (pBS), as assayed by the DpnI resistance assay after transfection of HeLa cells. A quantitative chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay, using antibodies against Ku, Orc2, and Cdc6, showed that these DNA replication initiator proteins were associated in vivo with the human ors8 (hors8). Finally, nascent DNA abundance experiments from human cells synchronized at different phases of the cell cycle revealed that hors8 is a late-firing origin of DNA replication, having the highest activity 8 h after release from late G(1).

Animals↗

A defective phage system reveals bacteriophage T4 replication origins that coincide with recombination hot spots.

Plasmid transduction mediated by bacteriophage T4 has been used to study putative T4 DNA replication origins cloned as inserts in the Escherichia coli plasmid pBR322. Two particular inserts from the T4 genome allow high-frequency plasmid transduction, suggesting that each insert might contain a T4 replication origin. T4 infection of these plasmid-containing cells produces large numbers of defective phage particles that contain long linear concatamers of the plasmid DNA. During a second cycle of infection, these defective phage genomes can be replicated better than normal phage chromosomes present in the same infected cell; consequently, the T4 DNA inserts must be functioning as replication origins. Both of these origins appear to utilize a previously unrecognized mode of T4 replication initiation. Moreover, each origin coincides with a major recombination hot spot in the phage genome, and therefore this mode of replication initiation seems to involve a local stimulation of homologous genetic recombination. From a purely practical standpoint, additional DNA fragments can be cloned in an origin-containing plasmid, allowing isolation of large amounts of any DNA sequence with the glucosylated hydroxymethylcytosine modifications of T4 DNA.

DNA Replication↗

Binding of purified wild-type and mutant pi initiation proteins to a replication origin region of plasmid R6K.

The three replication origins of the antibiotic resistance plasmid R6K require for their activity in Escherichia coli a DNA segment containing seven 22 base-pair direct repeats and a plasmid-encoded initiation protein (pi). The pi protein functions in the negative control of R6K replication, in addition to its requirement for the initiation of replication. Construction of a plasmid containing the pi structural gene (pir) downstream from the inducible pR promoter of bacteriophage lambda provided high levels of production of pi protein in E. coli. The pi protein was purified and shown to possess general DNA binding properties with a preference for DNA fragments containing the gamma origin of replication, the operator region of the pir gene and the R6K beta-origin region. Velocity sedimentation analysis indicates that the pi protein exists as a dimer in its native form. Agarose gel electrophoresis analysis of pi-gamma-origin complexes suggests that one pi dimer binds to each copy of the 22 base-pair direct repeats in the gamma origin region. Purified mutant pi protein obtained from a temperature-sensitive initiation mutant (pir 105-ts) exhibited temperature-sensitive binding activity to the gamma-origin region, whereas two mutant proteins exhibiting a high copy number phenotype were unaltered (pir104-cop) or slightly reduced (pir1-cop) in binding activity. The patterns of DNase I protection and enhancement were similar for the wild-type and mutant proteins examined.

Binding Sites↗

Self-regulating model for control of replication origin firing in budding yeast.

A major research area concentrates on understanding the regulation of replication origin firing. It is now appreciated that checkpoint signaling participates in this controlled process and that defects in such signaling systems affect genome integrity. Inhibition of replication origin firing is most obviously apparent under conditions of replication stress, but origin firing must also be regulated on a minute-by-minute basis as cells progress normally through an unabated S-phase. Here we summarize a straightforward model to account for how origin firing could be controlled by a self-regulating system.

Cell Cycle Proteins↗

Dissection of the core and auxiliary sequences in the vegetative replication origin of promiscuous plasmid RK2.

The vegetative replication origin (oriV) of promiscuous IncP plasmid RK2 can function in many Gram-negative bacterial species when supplied with the plasmid-encoded replication protein TrfA and host-encoded replication proteins including DnaA. Nine TrfA binding sites (iterons) are known, and also two DnaA binding sites, box 1, between TrfA iterons 4 and 5, and box 2, downstream of repeat 9. The deletion analysis presented here shows that the core oriV requires DnaA box 1 for function in Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas putida. This DnA box is not essential in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, although its deletion does reduce plasmid copy number in this species. A putative IHF binding site is located upstream of DnaA box 1, but IHF deficiency in E. coli seems not to alter replication efficiency or copy number control. Cloned oriV can interfere with maintenance of an independent RK2 replicon. Analysis of replication inhibition functions associated with oriV showed that a short putative orf between TrfA iterons 1 and 2 is not necessary for replication inhibition, the presence of repeats 5 to 9 in target and inhibitor plasmid are not sufficient for efficient inhibition and inhibition does not correlate directly with the number of direct repeats present. Rather, the results showed that the isolated repeats 1 and 2 to 4, potentiate replication inhibition disproportionately to their effect on the number of TrfA binding sites. The results are consistent with the idea that repeats 1 to 4, arranged as a single copy and as an irregular group of three, potentiate the ability of the oriV region to form complexes which inhibit replication. We suggest that TrfA bound at these iterons may be more susceptible to forming pairs between oriV sequences on different plasmids.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Xrep, a plasmid-stimulating X chromosomal sequence bearing similarities to the BK virus replication origin and viral enhancers.

The human X chromosome-linked fragment, "Xrep," was sequenced because it exerts a positive effect on plasmid growth in both E. coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The sequence revealed three features similar to the human BK virus replication origin: Xrep has a true palindrome, CCTCC(T)3CCTCC, which is similar to "true" palindrome-like sequences found at the replication origins of polyoma [CCTC(T/C)10CTCC], BK [CCTC(A/G)8CCTCC] and SV40 [CCTCC(A)6GCCTCC] viruses. Twenty nucleotides away from the true palindrome, Xrep has the sequence GAATCCTATTCACTTTT while BK virus, the human analogue of SV40, has GAAATCCCTATTCTTTT in exactly the same position relative to the true palindrome. These two 17-mers differ only in the positions of two nucleotides comparing Xrep and BK virus. Also similar to the replication origins of DNA viruses, Xrep appears to have a cluster of enhancers adjacent to the origin-like sequences. Potent enhancer-like activity was detected in pSV1 X CAT/Xrep constructs. Xrep may originate from an endogenous virus, or from an X chromosomal replication origin.

Acetyltransferases↗

Cell cycle-specific changes in nucleoprotein complexes at a chromosomal replication origin.

Initiation of DNA synthesis is triggered by the binding of proteins to replication origins. However, little is known about the order in which specific proteins associate with origin sites during the cell cycle. We show that in cycling cells there are at least two different nucleoprotein complexes at oriC. A factor for inversion stimulation (FIS)-bound nucleoprotein complex, present throughout the majority of the cell cycle, switches to an integration host factor (IHF)-bound form as cells initiate DNA replication. Coincident with binding of IHF, initiator DnaA binds to its previously unoccupied R3 site. In stationary phase, a third nucleoprotein complex forms. FIS is absent and inactive oriC forms a nucleoprotein structure containing IHF that is not observed in cycling cells. We propose that interplay between FIS and IHF aids assembly of initiation nucleoprotein complexes during the cell cycle and blocks initiation at inappropriate times. This exchange of components at replication origins is reminiscent of switching between pre- and post-replicative chromatin states at yeast ARS1.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Localization of replication origins in pea chloroplast DNA.

The locations of the two replication origins in pea chloroplast DNA (ctDNA) have been mapped by electron microscopic analysis of restriction digests of supercoiled ctDNA cross-linked with trioxalen. Both origins of replication, identified as displacement loops (D-loops), were present in the 44-kilobase-pair (kbp) SalI A fragment. The first D-loop was located at 9.0 kbp from the closest SalI restriction site. The average size of this D-loop was about 0.7 kbp. The second D-loop started 14.2 kbp in from the same restriction site and ended at about 15.5 kbp, giving it a size of about 1.3 kbp. The orientation of these two D-loops on the restriction map of pea ctDNA was determined by analyzing SmaI, PstI, and SalI-SmaI restriction digests of pea ctDNA. One D-loop has been mapped in the spacer region between the 16S and 23S rRNA genes. The second D-loop was located downstream of the 23S rRNA gene. Denaturation mapping of recombinants pCP 12-7 and pCB 1-12, which contain both D-loops, confirmed the location of the D-loops in the restriction map of pea ctDNA. Denaturation-mapping studies also showed that the two D-loops had different base compositions; the one closest to a SalI restriction site denatured readily compared with the other D-loop. The recombinants pCP 12-7 and pCB 1-12 were found to be highly active in DNA synthesis when used as templates in a partially purified replication system from pea chloroplasts. Analysis of in vitro-synthesized DNA with either of these recombinants showed that full-length template DNA was synthesized. Recombinants from other regions of the pea chloroplast genome showed no significant DNA synthesis activity in vitro.

Chloroplasts↗

Gene A protein cleavage of recombinant plasmids containing the phi X174 replication origin.

Synthetic oligonucleotides, DNA ligase and DNA polymerase were used to construct double-stranded DNA fragments homologous to the first 25, 27 or 30 b.p. of the origin of replication of bacteriophage phi X174 (nucleotides 4299-4328 of the phi X174 DNA sequence). The double-stranded DNA fragments were cloned into the unique SmaI or HindIII restriction sites in the kanamycin-resistance gene of pACYC177 (AmpR, KmR). Recombinant plasmids were picked up by colony hybridization. DNA sequencing showed that not only recombinant plasmids with the expected insert were formed, but also recombinant plasmids with a shorter insert. Recombinant plasmids with an insert homologous to the first 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 or all 30 b.p. of the phi X174 origin region were thus obtained. Supercoiled plasmids containing a sequence homologous to the first 27, 28 or 30 b.p. of the phi X174 origin region are nicked by the phi X174 gene A protein. However, the other supercoiled plasmids are not nicked by the phi X174 gene A protein. These results show that the first 27 b.p. of the phi X174 origin region are sufficient as well as required for the initiation step in phi X174 RF DNA replication, i.e. the cleavage by gene A protein.

Bacteriophage phi X 174↗

Conservation of genes and their organization in the chromosomal replication origin region of Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli.

The organization of six open reading frames which were deduced from the nucleotide sequence of some 10 kb from the replication origin region of Bacillus subtilis resembles the organization of the genes in the rnpA-dnaA-gyrB region of the Escherichia coli chromosome. Based on the detection of homology with the E. coli genes the open reading frames were found to represent the Bacillus 'rnpA', 'rpmH', 'dnaA', 'dnaN', recF and gyrB genes. Only the latter two have also been defined by genetic analysis. Two regulatory regions containing nine and four copies of a repeating sequence, DnaA-box, which is identical with the DnaA protein-binding sequence repeated four times in the E. coli origin of replication, flank the 'dnaA' gene of B. subtilis. One or both of them are proposed to function as origins in the initiation of chromosomal replication. Transcription of the 'dnaA' gene of Bacillus starts in one of these regions and appears to be coupled to initiation of chromosomal replication. We propose that the conserved gene organization in the 'dnaA'-'gyrB' region of B. subtilis is representative of the replication origin region of a primordial replicon. The oriC sequence of E. coli has either been translocated to its present location 44 kb away from the primordial origin or has independently evolved there.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

oriX: a new replication origin in E. coli.

Replication of the chromosome of E. coli at 42 degrees C in an integratively suppressed dnaA mutant (dnaA46 Sin Hfr) occurs predominantly from the origin of replication of the integrated plasmid (oriV). We have carried out a detailed marker frequency analysis on such Hfrs. This analysis indicates that replication at 42 degrees C occurs not only from oriV, but also from an origin, oriX, located in the terminal region of the chromosome close to, but distinct from, the prophage rac (oriJ). In an oxa1 mutant of one of these Hfrs, we have shown that replication proceeds at 42 degrees C from all three origins: oriV, oriX, and oriC. Loss of the integrated plasmid results in a temperature- and rich-medium-sensitive strain that replicates the chromosome from oriC and oriX. Replication from oriX proceeds slowly and bidirectionally. We suggest that oriX may be involved in the coupling between replication and cell division.

Bacterial Proteins↗

A dual binding site for integration host factor and the response regulator CtrA inside the Caulobacter crescentus replication origin.

The response regulator CtrA controls chromosome replication by binding to five sites, a, b, c, d, and e, inside the Caulobacter crescentus replication origin (Cori). In this study, we demonstrate that integration host factor (IHF) binds Cori over the central CtrA binding site c. Surprisingly, IHF and CtrA share DNA recognition sequences. Rather than promoting cooperative binding, IHF binding hinders CtrA binding to site c and nearby site d. Unlike other CtrA binding sites, DNA mutations in the CtrA c/IHF site uniquely impair autonomous Cori plasmid replication. These mutations also alter transcription from distant promoters more than 100 bp away. When the CtrA c/IHF site was deleted from the chromosome, these cells grew slowly and became selectively intolerant to a CtrA phosphor-mimic allele (D51E). Since CtrA protein concentration decreases during the cell cycle as IHF protein concentration increases, we propose a model in which IHF displaces CtrA in order to bend Cori and promote efficient chromosome replication.

Alleles↗

On the nature of replication origins in higher eukaryotes.

Establishing whether DNA replication in higher eukaryotic cells is regulated by genetic replicators has been one of the more challenging problems in cell biology. Several important replicon-mapping techniques have been developed in the past decade that have opened up new windows on replication origins. In the past few years, the application of these strategies has identified a large number of origins in a variety of different loci and organisms. Comparison of sequence motifs and chromosomal milieu, as well as genetic manipulation, should begin to uncover the secrets of these illusive regulatory elements.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Association of RPA with chromosomal replication origins requires an Mcm protein, and is regulated by Rad53, and cyclin- and Dbf4-dependent kinases.

Eukaryotic cells use multiple replication origins to replicate their large genomes. Some origins fire early during S phase whereas others fire late. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, initiator sequences (ARSs) are bound by the origin recognition complex (ORC). Cdc6p synthesized at the end of mitosis joins ORC and facilitates recruitment of Mcm proteins, which renders origins competent to fire. However, origins fire only upon the subsequent activation of S phase cyclin-dependent kinases (S-CDKs) and Dbf4/Cdc7 at the G1/S boundary. We have used a chromatin immunoprecipitation assay to measure the association with ARS sequences of DNA primase and the single-stranded DNA binding replication protein A (RPA) when fork movement is inhibited by hydroxyurea (HU). RPA's association with origins requires S-CDKs, Dbf4/Cdc7 kinase and an Mcm protein. The recruitment of DNA primase depends on RPA. Furthermore, early- and late-firing origins differ not in the timing of their recruitment of an Mcm protein, but in the timing of RPA's recruitment. RPA is recruited to early but not to late origins in HU. We also show that Rad53 kinase is required to prevent RPA association with a late origin in HU. Our data suggest that the origin unwinding accompanied by RPA association is a key step, regulated by S-CDKs, Dbf4/Cdc7 and Rad53p. Thus, in the presence of active S-CDKs and Dbf4/Cdc7, Mcms may open origins and thereby facilitate the loading of RPA.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

The nucleotide sequence of a DNA fragment from the replication origin of the antibiotic resistance factor R1drd19.

The recombinant plasmid pRK101 contains a DNA fragment which carries the complete replication origin of the antibiotic resistance factor R1drd-19 inserted into the vector plasmid pBR322. In a spontaneously arising mutant of this plasmid (pRK103) a deletion of about 215 base pairs (bp) has been detected by heteroduplex analysis and mapping with restriction endonucleases. Essential parts of the replication origin must be located in the deleted sequence. The deletion mutant pRK103, in contrast to its parent plasmid pRK101 is not replicated under the control of the R1 replicon, even when the R1 factor or copy mutants of it are present within the same cell. These latter plasmids can complement a plasmid-specific protein not coded by pRK101 but essential for R1-directed replication. The nucleotide sequence of a 252 bp HpaII fragment covering about 170--200 bp of the deletion was determined. This piece of DNA is rich in G and C and contains a series of small palindromes, symmetrically arranged repeated sequences and short selfcomplementary structures which may be of significance for the initiation of the DNA replication. The possiblity that the sequenced DNA fragment comprises a major part of the replication origin of R1drd-19 is discussed.

Base Sequence↗