Epigenetic regulation of replication origin assembly: A role for histone H1 and chromatin remodeling factors

• DOI: 10.1002/bies.202000181
• Publication Date: 2020-11-09T16:48:45Z
• Authors: Lucia Falbo; Vincenzo Costanzo
• Keywords: Origin recognition complex; Replication timing; Pre-replication complex; DNA re-replication; Reprogramming

Abstract During early embryonic development in several metazoans, accurate DNA replication is ensured by high number of origins. This guarantees rapid genome duplication coordinated with fast cell divisions. In Xenopus laevis embryos this program switches to one a lower origins at developmental stage known as mid‐blastula transition (MBT) when cycle length increases and gene transcription starts. Consistent regulation, somatic nuclei replicate poorly transferred eggs, suggesting the existence an epigenetic memory suppressing assembly all available sites. Recently, it was shown that histone H1 imposes non‐permissive chromatin configuration preventing origin on nuclei. state can be erased SSRP1, subunit FACT complex. Here, we further develop hypothesis novel form might impact different areas vertebrate biology going from nuclear reprogramming cancer development.