Replication of Structured DNA and its implication in epigenetic stability

摘要: DNA replication is an extremely risky process that cells have to endure in order correctly duplicate and segregate their genome. This task particularly sensitive damage multiple mechanisms evolved protect as a block the fork could lead genomic instability possibly cell death. The genome folds, for most part, into canonical B-form but some instances can form complex secondary structures such G-quadruplexes (G4). These G rich regions are thermodynamically stable constitute obstacle RNA metabolism. human contains more than 350,000 sequences potentially capable these involved variety of cellular processes initiation replication, telomere maintenance control gene expression. Only recently, we started understand how G4 poses problem its successful bypass requires coordinated activity ssDNA binding proteins, helicases specialized polymerases. Their role resolution structured crucially prevents both genetic epigenetic across