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DNA replication timing: random thoughts about origin firing.

Regions of metazoan genomes replicate at defined times within S phase. This observation suggests that replication origins fire with a defined timing pattern that remains the same from cycle to cycle. However, an alterative model based on the stochastic firing of origins may also explain replication timing. This model assumes varying origin efficiency instead of a strict origin-timing programme. Here, we discuss the evidence for both models.

Animals↗

Genomic mapping of single-stranded DNA in hydroxyurea-challenged yeasts identifies origins of replication.

During DNA replication one or both strands transiently become single stranded: first at the sites where initiation of DNA synthesis occurs (known as origins of replication) and subsequently on the lagging strands of replication forks as discontinuous Okazaki fragments are generated. We report a genome-wide analysis of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) formation in the presence of hydroxyurea during DNA replication in wild-type and checkpoint-deficient rad53 Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells. In wild-type cells, ssDNA was first observed at a subset of replication origins and later 'migrated' bi-directionally, suggesting that ssDNA formation is associated with continuously moving replication forks. In rad53 cells, ssDNA was observed at virtually every known origin, but remained there over time, suggesting that replication forks stall. Telomeric regions seemed to be particularly sensitive to the loss of Rad53 checkpoint function. Replication origins in Schizosaccharomyces pombe were also mapped using our method.

Cell Cycle Proteins↗

H4S47 O-GlcNAcylation regulates the activation of mammalian replication origins.

The transmission and maintenance of genetic information in eukaryotic cells relies on the faithful duplication of the entire genome. In each round of division, excessive replication origins are licensed, with only a fraction activated to give rise to bi-directional replication forks in the context of chromatin. However, it remains elusive how eukaryotic replication origins are selectively activated. Here we demonstrate that O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) enhances replication initiation by catalyzing H4S47 O-GlcNAcylation. Mutation of H4S47 impairs DBF4-dependent protein kinase (DDK) recruitment on chromatin, causing reduced phosphorylation of the replicative helicase mini-chromosome maintenance (MCM) complex and compromised DNA unwinding. Our short nascent-strand sequencing results further confirm the importance of H4S47 O-GlcNAcylation in origin activation. We propose that H4S47 O-GlcNAcylation directs origin activation through facilitating MCM phosphorylation, and this may shed light on the control of replication efficiency by chromatin environment.

Animals↗

Ordered assembly of Sld3, GINS and Cdc45 is distinctly regulated by DDK and CDK for activation of replication origins.

Initiation of chromosome DNA replication in eukaryotes is tightly regulated through assembly of replication factors at replication origins. Here, we investigated dependence of the assembly of the initiation complex on particular factors using temperature-sensitive fission yeast mutants. The psf3-1 mutant, a GINS component mutant, arrested with unreplicated DNA at the restrictive temperature and the DNA content gradually increased, suggesting a defect in DNA replication. The mutation impaired GINS complex formation, as shown by pull-down experiments. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays indicated that GINS integrity was required for origin loading of Psf2, Cut5 and Cdc45, but not Sld3. In contrast, loading of Psf2 onto origins depended on Sld3 and Cut5 but not on Cdc45. These results suggest that Sld3 functions furthest upstream in initiation complex assembly, followed by GINS and Cut5, then Cdc45. Consistent with this conclusion, Cdc7-Dbf4 kinase (DDK) but not cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) was required for Sld3 loading, whereas recruitment of the other factors depended on both kinases. These results suggest that DDK and CDK regulate distinct steps in activation of replication origins in fission yeast.

Cell Cycle Proteins↗

Structure of the origin-binding domain of simian virus 40 large T antigen bound to DNA.

The large T antigen (T-ag) protein binds to and activates DNA replication from the origin of DNA replication (ori) in simian virus 40 (SV40). Here, we determined the crystal structures of the T-ag origin-binding domain (OBD) in apo form, and bound to either a 17 bp palindrome (sites 1 and 3) or a 23 bp ori DNA palindrome comprising all four GAGGC binding sites for OBD. The T-ag OBDs were shown to interact with the DNA through a loop comprising Ser147-Thr155 (A1 loop), a combination of a DNA-binding helix and loop (His203-Asn210), and Asn227. The A1 loop traveled back-and-forth along the major groove and accounted for most of the sequence-determining contacts with the DNA. Unexpectedly, in both T-ag-DNA structures, the T-ag OBDs bound DNA independently and did not make direct protein-protein contacts. The T-ag OBD was also captured bound to a non-consensus site ATGGC even in the presence of its canonical site GAGGC. Our observations taken together with the known biochemical and structural features of the T-ag-origin interaction suggest a model for origin unwinding.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The B2 element of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae ARS1 origin of replication requires specific sequences to facilitate pre-RC formation.

The minimal requirements for a eukaryotic origin of replication are an initiator binding site and a region of helically unstable DNA [DNA unwinding element (DUE)]. Budding yeast origins consist of modular elements, and one of these elements, B2, has been proposed to act as a DUE. To test this hypothesis, we screened for sequences that function at the B2 element of ARS1. We found that the B2 element required A-rich sequences, but that the function of these identified sequences did not correlate with helical instability. Instead, the sequences that substituted fully for B2 function showed similarity to the ARS consensus sequence (ACS). The ACS is the binding site for the initiator origin recognition complex (ORC), but the selected sequences are not strong ORC binding sites in vitro. Nonfunctional B2 sequences show a corresponding loss in Mcm2-7p origin association. The function of these mutant sequences is rescued by Cdc6p overexpression. We propose that the B2 element requires specific sequences to bind a component of the pre-RC.

Binding Sites↗

Two discriminatory binding sites in the Escherichia coli replication origin are required for DNA strand opening by initiator DnaA-ATP.

Initiation of DNA replication in eukaryotes, archea, and eubacteria requires interaction of structurally conserved ATP-binding initiator proteins and origin DNA to mediate assembly of replisomes. However, the specific requirement for ATP in the early steps of initiation remains unclear. This is true even for the well studied Escherichia coli replication origin, oriC, where the ATP form of initiator DnaA is necessary and sufficient for initial DNA strand separation, but the five DnaA-binding sites (R boxes) with consensus sequence 5'TGTGNAT/AAA bind both active ATP-DnaA and inactive ADP-DnaA with equal affinity. By using dimethyl sulfate footprinting, we recently identified two initiator-binding sites, I2 and I3, with sequence 5'TG/TGGATCAG/A. We now show that sites I2 and I3 preferentially bind DnaA-ATP and are required for origin unwinding. Guanine at position 3 determines DnaA-ATP preference, and changing this base to thymine at both I sites allows DnaA-ADP to bind and open oriC, although DNA strand separation is not precisely localized in the AT-rich region. These observations indicate that specific initiator binding sites within a replication origin can be important determinants of an ATP-dependent molecular switch regulating DNA strand separation.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

Replication-associated strand asymmetries in mammalian genomes: toward detection of replication origins.

In the course of evolution, mutations do not affect both strands of genomic DNA equally. This imbalance mainly results from asymmetric DNA mutation and repair processes associated with replication and transcription. In prokaryotes, prevalence of G over C and T over A is frequently observed in the leading strand. The sign of the resulting TA and GC skews changes abruptly when crossing replication-origin and termination sites, producing characteristic step-like transitions. In mammals, transcription-coupled skews have been detected, but so far, no bias has been associated with replication. Here, analysis of intergenic and transcribed regions flanking experimentally identified human replication origins and the corresponding mouse and dog homologous regions demonstrates the existence of compositional strand asymmetries associated with replication. Multiscale analysis of human genome skew profiles reveals numerous transitions that allow us to identify a set of 1,000 putative replication initiation zones. Around these putative origins, the skew profile displays a characteristic jagged pattern also observed in mouse and dog genomes. We therefore propose that in mammalian cells, replication termination sites are randomly distributed between adjacent origins. Taken together, these analyses constitute a step toward genome-wide studies of replication mechanisms.

Animals↗

Multiple origins of life.

There is some indication that life may have originated readily under primitive earth conditions. If there were multiple origins of life, the result could have been a polyphyletic biota today. Using simple stochastic models for diversification and extinction, we conclude: (i) the probability of survival of life is low unless there are multiple origins, and (ii) given survival of life and given as many as 10 independent origins of life, the odds are that all but one would have gone extinct, yielding the monophyletic biota we have now. The fact of the survival of our particular form of life does not imply that it was unique or superior.

Biological Evolution↗

The Ku-like protein from Saccharomyces cerevisiae is required in vitro for the assembly of a stable multiprotein complex at a eukaryotic origin of replication.

We have previously shown that three distinct DNA-binding activities, in crude form, are necessary for the ATP-dependent assembly of a specific and stable multiprotein complex at a yeast origin of replication. Here we show the purification of one of these DNA binding activities, referred to as origin binding factor 2 (OBF2). The purified protein is a heterodimer composed of two polypeptides with molecular mass values of 65 and 80 kDa as determined by SDS/PAGE. Purified OBF2 not only binds DNA but also supports the formation of a protein complex at essential sequences within the ARS121 origin of replication. Interestingly, OBF2 binds tightly and nonspecifically to both duplex DNA and single-stranded DNA. The interaction with duplex DNA occurs at the termini. N-terminal sequencing of the 65-kDa subunit has revealed that this polypeptide is identical to the previously identified HDF1 peptide, a yeast homolog of the small subunit of the mammalian Ku autoantigen. Although the potential involvement of Ku in DNA metabolic events has been proposed, this is the first requirement for a Ku-like protein in the assembly of a protein complex at essential sequences within a eukaryotic origin of replication.

Animals↗

Copy-up mutants of the plasmid RK2 replication initiation protein are defective in coupling RK2 replication origins.

The broad host range plasmid RK2 replicates and regulates its copy number in a wide range of Gram-negative bacteria. The plasmid-encoded trans-acting replication protein TrfA and the origin of replication oriV are sufficient for controlled replication of the plasmid in all Gram-negative bacteria tested. The TrfA protein binds specifically to direct repeat sequences (iterons) at the origin of replication. A replication control model, designated handcuffing or coupling, has been proposed whereby the formation of coupled TrfA-oriV complexes between plasmid molecules results in hindrance of origin activity and, consequently, a shut-down of plasmid replication under conditions of higher than normal copy number. Therefore, according to this model, the coupling activity of an initiation protein is essential for copy number control and a copy-up initiation protein mutant should have reduced ability to form coupled complexes. To test this model for plasmid RK2, two previously characterized copy-up TrfA mutations, trfA-254D and trfA-267L, were combined and the resulting copy-up double mutant TFrfA protein TrfA-254D/267L was characterized. Despite initiating runaway (uncontrolled) replication in vivo, the copy-up double-mutant TrfA protein exhibited replication kinetics similar to the wild-type protein in vitro. Purified TrfA-254D, TrfA-267L, and TrfA-254D/267L proteins were then examined for binding to the iterons and for coupling activity using an in vitro ligase-catalyzed multimerization assay. It was found that both single and double TrfA mutant proteins exhibited substantially reduced (single mutants) or barely detectable (double mutant) levels of coupling activity while not being diminished in their capacity to bind to the origin of replication. These observations provide direct evidence in support of the coupling model of replication control.

Bacterial Proteins↗

The stoichiometry of binding of the herpes simplex virus type 1 origin binding protein, UL9, to OriS.

A number of studies have demonstrated that the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) UL9 protein, which is a homodimer in solution, binds to two high affinity binding sites in each origin of replication. Interaction between the proteins bound at the two sites leads to the formation of a complex nucleoprotein structure. The simplest models for this binding interaction predict two possible binding stoichiometries: 1) one UL9 dimer is bound at each site; or 2) one UL9 monomer is bound at each site so that one UL9 dimer occupies both sites. Two recent papers have addressed this issue by using indirect methods to measure the binding stoichiometry. Martin et al. (Martin, D. W., Muñoz, R. M., Oliver, D., Subler, M. A., and Deb, S. (1994) Virology 198, 71-80) reported that a monomer of UL9 binds to a single high affinity site, and Stabell and Olivo (Stabell, E. C., and Olivo, P.D. (1993) Nucleic Acids Res. 21, 5203-5211) concluded that a dimer of UL9 binds to a single high affinity site. We have directly measured the stoichiometry of binding of the carboxyl-terminal DNA binding domain of UL9 (t-UL9) to the origin of replication using a double-label gel shift assay. Using a short synthetic double-stranded oligonucleotide containing a single UL9 binding site, one protein-DNA complex was detected in the gel shift assay, and the molar ratio of UL9 DNA binding domains to DNA binding sites in this complex was determined to be 2.0 +/- 0.1 (n = 13). Using the minimal origin sequence excised from plasmid DNA, two protein-DNA complexes were detected. The binding stoichiometry of the faster migrating complex was 1.8 +/- 0.1 (n = 15), and the stoichiometry of the more slowly migrating band was 3.7 +/- 0.4 (n = 15). The simplest explanation for these data is that UL9 binds to the origin of replication as a homodimer with one dimer bound at both high affinity sites.

Animals↗

Requirements for Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA1)-induced permanganate sensitivity of the epstein-barr virus latent origin of DNA replication.

Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA1) activates DNA replication from the Epstein-Barr virus latent origin of DNA replication, oriP. EBNA1 binds cooperatively to four recognition sites in the dyad symmetry (DS) element of oriP, causing alterations in the origin DNA structure, which can be detected by the increased sensitivity of one Thy residue in two of the binding sites to permanganate oxidation. To better understand the significance of this EBNA1-induced origin distortion, we have investigated the DNA sequence and EBNA1 amino acid requirements for permanganate sensitivity. We have shown that the EBNA1 DNA binding and dimerization domains are sufficient to induce permanganate sensitivity and that amino acids 463-467, which form an extended chain that travels along the minor groove of the EBNA1 recognition site, play an important role in generating the DNA distortion. The EBNA1-induced permanganate sensitivity is independent of cooperative interactions between EBNA1 molecules on the origin and requires a specific sequence within the EBNA1 binding site. Using synthetic EBNA1 binding sites, we found that the inversion of a single AT base pair in the EBNA1 recognition sequence is sufficient to confer EBNA1-induced permanganate sensitivity. These studies indicate that permanganate oxidation can detect very minor alterations in DNA structure.

Binding Sites↗

The activity of topoisomerase I is modulated by large T antigen during unwinding of the SV40 origin.

When simian virus 40 (SV40) large T antigen binds to the virus origin of replication, it forms a double hexamer that functions as a helicase to unwind the DNA bidirectionally. We demonstrate in this report that T antigen can unwind and release an origin DNA single strand of less than full length in the presence of purified human topoisomerase I. The sites nicked by topoisomerase I in the strands released by T antigen during DNA unwinding were localized primarily to the "late" side of the origin, and the template for lagging strand synthesis was preferred significantly over the one for leading strand synthesis. Importantly, these sites were, for the most part, different from the sites nicked by topoisomerase I in the absence of T antigen. These data indicate that T antigen activates topoisomerase I nicking at discrete sites and releases these nicked strands during unwinding. We hypothesize that a single molecule of topoisomerase I can form a functional complex with a double hexamer of T antigen to simultaneously relax and unwind double-stranded origin-containing DNA.

Antigens, Viral, Tumor↗

Human Hsp70 and Hsp40 chaperone proteins facilitate human papillomavirus-11 E1 protein binding to the origin and stimulate cell-free DNA replication.

Human papillomavirus replication initiator, the E1 helicase, binds weakly to the origin of DNA replication. Purified human chaperone proteins Hsp70 and Hsp40 (HDJ-1 and HDJ-2) independently and additively enhanced E1 binding to the origin. The interaction between E1 and Hsp70 was transient and required ATP hydrolysis, whereas Hsp40 bound to E1 directly and remained in the complex. A peptide of 20 residues spanning the HPD loop and helix II of the J domain of YDJ-1 also stimulated E1 binding to the origin, alone or in combination with Hsp70 or Hsp40. A mutated peptide (H34Q) had a reduced activity, while an adjacent or an overlapping peptide had no effect. Neither Hsp70 nor the J peptide altered the E1/DNA ratio in the complex. Electron microscopy showed that E1 mainly bound to DNA as a hexamer. In the presence of Hsp40, E1 primarily bound to DNA as a dihexamer. Preincubation of chaperones with viral E1 and template shortened the lag time and increased replication in a cell-free system. Since two helicases are essential for bidirectional replication of human papillomavirus DNA, these results demonstrate that, as in prokaryotes, chaperones play an important role in the assembly of preinitiation complexes on the origin.

Carrier Proteins↗

The putative coiled coil domain of the phi 29 terminal protein is a major determinant involved in recognition of the origin of replication.

The linear double-stranded genome of phage phi29 contains a terminal protein (TP) covalently linked at each 5' DNA end, called parental TP. Initiation of phi29 DNA replication starts with the recognition of the origins of replication, constituted by the parental TP-containing DNA ends, by a heterodimer containing phi29 DNA polymerase and primer TP. It has been argued that origin recognition involves protein-protein interactions between parental and primer TP. Analysis of the TP sequence revealed that the region between amino acids 84 and 118 has a high probability to form an amphipatic alpha-helix that could be involved in the interaction between parental and primer TP. Therefore, this TP region may be important for origin recognition. To test this hypothesis we introduced various mutations in the predicted amphipatic alpha-helix and analyzed the functionality of the corresponding purified TP mutants. The results obtained show that the identified putative amphipatic alpha-helix of TP is an important determinant involved in origin recognition.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Assembly of the human origin recognition complex.

The six-subunit origin recognition complex (ORC) was originally identified in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Yeast ORC binds specifically to origins of replication and serves as a platform for the assembly of additional initiation factors, such as Cdc6 and the Mcm proteins. Human homologues of all six ORC subunits have been identified by sequence similarity to their yeast counterparts, but little is known about the biochemical characteristics of human ORC (HsORC). We have extracted HsORC from HeLa cell chromatin and probed its subunit composition using specific antibodies. The endogenous HsORC, identified in these experiments, contained homologues of Orc1-Orc5 but lacked a putative homologue of Orc6. By expressing HsORC subunits in insect cells using the baculovirus system, we were able to identify a complex containing all six subunits. To explore the subunit-subunit interactions that are required for the assembly of HsORC, we carried out extensive co-immunoprecipitation experiments with recombinant ORC subunits expressed in different combinations. These studies revealed the following binary interactions: HsOrc2-HsOrc3, HsOrc2-HsOrc4, HsOrc3-HsOrc4, HsOrc2-HsOrc6, and HsOrc3-HsOrc6. HsOrc5 did not form stable binary complexes with any other HsORC subunit but interacted with sub-complexes containing any two of subunits HsOrc2, HsOrc3, or HsOrc4. Complex formation by HsOrc1 required the presence of HsOrc2, HsOrc3, HsOrc4, and HsOrc5 subunits. These results suggest that the subunits HsOrc2, HsOrc3, and HsOrc4 form a core upon which the ordered assembly of HsOrc5 and HsOrc1 takes place. The characterization of HsORC should facilitate the identification of human origins of DNA replication.

DNA-Binding Proteins↗

The origin recognition complex in silencing, cell cycle progression, and DNA replication.

This report describes the isolation of ORC5, the gene encoding the fifth largest subunit of the origin recognition complex, and the properties of mutants with a defective allele of ORC5. The orc5-1 mutation caused temperature-sensitive growth and, at the restrictive temperature, caused cell cycle arrest. At the permissive temperature, the orc5-1 mutation caused an elevated plasmid loss rate that could be suppressed by additional tandem origins of DNA replication. The sequence of ORC5 revealed a potential ATP binding site, making Orc5p a candidate for a subunit that mediates the ATP-dependent binding of ORC to origins. Genetic interactions among orc2-1 and orc5-1 and other cell cycle genes provided further evidence for a role for the origin recognition complex (ORC) in DNA replication. The silencing defect caused by orc5-1 strengthened previous connections between ORC and silencing, and combined with the phenotypes caused by orc2 mutations, suggested that the complex itself functions in both processes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗