An ORC/Cdc6/MCM2-7 complex is formed in a multistep reaction to serve as a platform for MCM double-hexamer assembly

SETD3-mediated histidine methylation of MCM7 regulates DNA replication by facilitating chromatin loading of MCM

The minichromosome maintenance complex (MCM) DNA helicase is an important replicative factor during DNA replication. The proper chromatin loading of MCM is a key step to ensure replication initiation during S phase. Because replication initiation is regulated by multiple biological cues, additional changes to MCM may provide better understanding towards this event. Here, we report that histidine methyltransferase SETD3 promotes DNA replication in a manner dependent on enzymatic activity. Nascent-strand sequencing (NS-seq) shows that SETD3 regulates replication initiation, as depletion of SETD3 attenuates early replication origins firing. Biochemical studies reveal that SETD3 binds MCM mainly during S phase, which is required for the CDT1-mediated chromatin loading of MCM. This MCM loading relies on histidine-459 methylation (H459me) on MCM7 which is catalyzed by SETD3. Impairment of H459 methylation attenuates DNA synthesis and chromatin loading of MCM. Furthermore, we show that CDK2 phosphorylates SETD3 at Serine-21 during the G1/S phase, which is required for DNA replication and cell cycle progression. These findings demonstrate a novel mechanism by which SETD3 methylates MCM to regulate replication initiation.

Reconstitution of human DNA licensing and the structural and functional analysis of key intermediates

Human DNA licensing initiates replication fork assembly and DNA replication. This reaction promotes the loading of the hMCM2-7 complex on DNA, which represents the core of the replicative helicase that unwinds DNA during S-phase. Here, we report the reconstitution of human DNA licensing using purified proteins. We showed that the in vitro reaction is specific and results in the assembly of high-salt resistant hMCM2-7 double-hexamers. With ATPγS, an hORC1-5-hCDC6-hCDT1-hMCM2-7 (hOCCM) assembles independent of hORC6, but hORC6 enhances double-hexamer formation. We determined the hOCCM structure, which showed that hORC-hCDC6 recruits hMCM2-7 via five hMCM winged-helix domains. The structure highlights how hORC1 activates the hCDC6 ATPase and uncovered an unexpected role for hCDC6 ATPase in complex disassembly. We identified that hCDC6 binding to hORC1-5 stabilises hORC2-DNA interactions and supports hMCM3-dependent recruitment of hMCM2-7. Finally, the structure allowed us to locate cancer-associated mutations at the hCDC6-hMCM3 interface, which showed specific helicase loading defects.

MCM2-7 ring closure involves the Mcm5 C-terminus and triggers Mcm4 ATP hydrolysis

The eukaryotic helicase MCM2-7, is loaded by ORC, Cdc6 and Cdt1 as a double-hexamer onto replication origins. The insertion of DNA into the helicase leads to partial MCM2-7 ring closure, while ATP hydrolysis is essential for consecutive steps in pre-replicative complex (pre-RC) assembly. Currently it is unknown how MCM2-7 ring closure and ATP-hydrolysis are controlled. A cryo-EM structure of an ORC-Cdc6-Cdt1-MCM2-7 intermediate shows a remodelled, fully-closed Mcm2/Mcm5 interface. The Mcm5 C-terminus (C5) contacts Orc3 and specifically recognises this closed ring. Interestingly, we found that normal helicase loading triggers Mcm4 ATP-hydrolysis, which in turn leads to reorganisation of the MCM2-7 complex and Cdt1 release. However, defective MCM2-7 ring closure, due to mutations at the Mcm2/Mcm5 interface, leads to MCM2-7 ring splitting and complex disassembly. As such we identify Mcm4 as the key ATPase in regulating pre-RC formation. Crucially, a stable Mcm2/Mcm5 interface is essential for productive ATP-hydrolysis-dependent remodelling of the helicase.

Multifaceted role of the DNA replication protein MCM10 in maintaining genome stability and its implication in human diseases

MCM10 plays a vital role in genome duplication and is crucial for DNA replication initiation, elongation, and termination. It coordinates several proteins to assemble at the fork, form a functional replisome, trigger origin unwinding, and stabilize the replication bubble. MCM10 overexpression is associated with increased aggressiveness in breast, cervical, and several other cancers. Disruption of MCM10 leads to altered replication timing associated with initiation site gains and losses accompanied by genome instability. Knockdown of MCM10 affects the proliferation and migration of cancer cells, manifested by DNA damage and replication fork arrest, and has recently been shown to be associated with clinical conditions like CNKD and RCM. Loss of MCM10 function is associated with impaired telomerase activity, leading to the accumulation of abnormal replication forks and compromised telomere length. MCM10 interacts with histones, aids in nucleosome assembly, binds BRCA2 to maintain genome integrity during DNA damage, prevents lesion skipping, and inhibits PRIMPOL-mediated repriming. It also interacts with the fork reversal enzyme SMARCAL1 and inhibits fork regression. Additionally, MCM10 undergoes several post-translational modifications and contributes to transcriptional silencing by interacting with the SIR proteins. This review explores the mechanism associated with MCM10's multifaceted role in DNA replication initiation, chromatin organization, transcriptional silencing, replication stress, fork stability, telomere length maintenance, and DNA damage response. Finally, we discuss the role of MCM10 in the early detection of cancer, its prognostic significance, and its potential use in therapeutics for cancer treatment.

MCM double hexamer loading visualized with human proteins

Eukaryotic DNA replication begins with the loading of the MCM replicative DNA helicase as a head-to-head double hexamer at origins of DNA replication1-3. Our current understanding of how the double hexamer is assembled by the origin recognition complex (ORC), CDC6 and CDT1 comes mostly from budding yeast. Here we characterize human double hexamer (hDH) loading using biochemical reconstitution and cryo-electron microscopy with purified proteins. We show that the human double hexamer engages DNA differently from the yeast double hexamer (yDH), and generates approximately five base pairs of underwound DNA at the interface between hexamers, as seen in hDH isolated from cells4. We identify several differences from the yeast double hexamer in the order of factor recruitment and dependencies during hDH assembly. Unlike in yeast5-8, the ORC6 subunit of the ORC is not essential for initial MCM recruitment or hDH loading, but contributes to an alternative hDH assembly pathway that requires an intrinsically disordered region in ORC1, which may work through a MCM-ORC intermediate. Our work presents a detailed view of how double hexamers are assembled in an organism that uses sequence-independent replication origins, provides further evidence for diversity in eukaryotic double hexamer assembly mechanisms9, and represents a first step towards reconstitution of DNA replication initiation with purified human proteins.

Multiple mechanisms for licensing human replication origins

Loading of replicative helicases is obligatory for the assembly of DNA replication machineries. The eukaryotic MCM2-7 replicative helicase motor is deposited onto DNA by the origin recognition complex (ORC) and co-loader proteins as a head-to-head double hexamer to license replication origins. Although extensively studied in budding yeast1-4, the mechanisms of origin licensing in multicellular eukaryotes remain poorly defined. Here we use biochemical reconstitution and electron microscopy to reconstruct the human MCM loading pathway. We find that unlike in yeast, the ORC6 subunit of the ORC is not essential for-but enhances-human MCM loading. Electron microscopy analyses identify several intermediates en route to MCM double hexamer formation in the presence and absence of ORC6, including a DNA-loaded, closed-ring MCM single hexamer intermediate that can mature into a head-to-head double hexamer through multiple mechanisms. ORC6 and ORC3 facilitate the recruitment of the ORC to the dimerization interface of the first hexamer into MCM-ORC (MO) complexes that are distinct from the yeast MO complex5,6 and may orient the ORC for second MCM hexamer loading. Additionally, MCM double hexamer formation can proceed through dimerization of independently loaded MCM single hexamers, promoted by a propensity of human MCM2-7 hexamers to self-dimerize. This flexibility in human MCM loading may provide resilience against cellular replication stress, and the reconstitution system will enable studies addressing outstanding questions regarding DNA replication initiation and replication-coupled events in the future.

Replication licensing regulated by a short linear motif within an intrinsically disordered region of origin recognition complex

In eukaryotes, the origin recognition complex (ORC) faciliates the assembly of pre-replicative complex (pre-RC) at origin DNA for replication licensing. Here we show that the N-terminal intrinsically disordered region (IDR) of the yeast Orc2 subunit is crucial for this process. Removing a segment (residues 176-200) from Orc2-IDR or mutating a key isoleucine (194) significantly inhibits replication initiation across the genome. These Orc2-IDR mutants are capable of assembling the ORC-Cdc6-Cdt1-Mcm2-7 intermediate, which exhibits impaired ATP hydrolysis and fails to be convered into the subsequent Mcm2-7-ORC complex and pre-RC. These defects can be partially rescued by the Orc2-IDR peptide. Moreover, the phosphorylation of this Orc2-IDR region by S cyclin-dependent kinase blocks its binding to Mcm2-7 complex, causing a defective pre-RC assembly. Our findings provide important insights into the multifaceted roles of ORC in supporting origin licensing during the G1 phase and its regulation to restrict origin firing within the S phase.

Multiple pathways for licensing human replication origins

The loading of replicative helicases constitutes an obligatory step in the assembly of DNA replication machineries. In eukaryotes, the MCM2-7 replicative helicase motor is deposited onto DNA by the origin recognition complex (ORC) and co-loader proteins as a head-to-head MCM double hexamer to license replication origins. Although extensively studied in the budding yeast model system, the mechanisms of origin licensing in higher eukaryotes remain poorly defined. Here, we use biochemical reconstitution and electron microscopy (EM) to reconstruct the human MCM loading pathway. Unexpectedly, we find that, unlike in yeast, ORC's Orc6 subunit is not essential for human MCM loading but can enhance loading efficiency. EM analyses identify several intermediates en route to MCM double hexamer formation in the presence and absence of Orc6, including an abundant DNA-loaded, closed-ring single MCM hexamer intermediate that can mature into a head-to-head double hexamer through different pathways. In an Orc6-facilitated pathway, ORC and a second MCM2-7 hexamer are recruited to the dimerization interface of the first hexamer through an MCM-ORC intermediate that is architecturally distinct from an analogous intermediate in yeast. In an alternative, Orc6-independent pathway, MCM double hexamer formation proceeds through dimerization of two independently loaded single MCM2-7 hexamers, promoted by a propensity of human MCM2-7 hexamers to dimerize without the help of other loading factors. This redundancy in human MCM loading pathways likely provides resilience against replication stress under cellular conditions by ensuring that enough origins are licensed for efficient DNA replication. Additionally, the biochemical reconstitution of human origin licensing paves the way to address many outstanding questions regarding DNA replication initiation and replication-coupled events in higher eukaryotes in the future.

Changing protein-DNA interactions promote ORC binding site exchange during replication origin licensing

During origin licensing, the eukaryotic replicative helicase Mcm2-7 forms head-to-head double hexamers to prime origins for bidirectional replication. Recent single-molecule and structural studies revealed that one molecule of the helicase loader ORC can sequentially load two Mcm2-7 hexamers to ensure proper head-to-head helicase alignment. To perform this task, ORC must release from its initial high-affinity DNA binding site and "flip" to bind a weaker, inverted DNA site. However, the mechanism of this binding-site switch remains unclear. In this study, we used single-molecule Förster resonance energy transfer (sm-FRET) to study the changing interactions between DNA and ORC or Mcm2-7. We found that the loss of DNA bending that occurs during DNA deposition into the Mcm2-7 central channel increases the rate of ORC dissociation from DNA. Further studies revealed temporally-controlled DNA sliding of helicase-loading intermediates, and that the first sliding complex includes ORC, Mcm2-7, and Cdt1. We demonstrate that sequential events of DNA unbending, Cdc6 release, and sliding lead to a stepwise decrease in ORC stability on DNA, facilitating ORC dissociation from its strong binding site during site switching. In addition, the controlled sliding we observed provides insight into how ORC accesses secondary DNA binding sites at different locations relative to the initial binding site. Our study highlights the importance of dynamic protein-DNA interactions in the loading of two oppositely-oriented Mcm2-7 helicases to ensure bidirectional DNA replication.

Significance Statement

Bidirectional DNA replication, in which two replication forks travel in opposite directions from each origin of replication, is required for complete genome duplication. To prepare for this event, two copies of the Mcm2-7 replicative helicase are loaded at each origin in opposite orientations. Using single-molecule assays, we studied the sequence of changing protein-DNA interactions involved in this process. These stepwise changes gradually reduce the DNA-binding strength of ORC, the primary DNA binding protein involved in this event. This reduced affinity promotes ORC dissociation and rebinding in the opposite orientation on the DNA, facilitating the sequential assembly of two Mcm2-7 molecules in opposite orientations. Our findings identify a coordinated series of events that drive proper DNA replication initiation.

Establishment and function of chromatin organization at replication origins

The origin recognition complex (ORC) is essential for initiation of eukaryotic chromosome replication as it loads the replicative helicase-the minichromosome maintenance (MCM) complex-at replication origins1. Replication origins display a stereotypic nucleosome organization with nucleosome depletion at ORC-binding sites and flanking arrays of regularly spaced nucleosomes2-4. However, how this nucleosome organization is established and whether this organization is required for replication remain unknown. Here, using genome-scale biochemical reconstitution with approximately 300 replication origins, we screened 17 purified chromatin factors from budding yeast and found that the ORC established nucleosome depletion over replication origins and flanking nucleosome arrays by orchestrating the chromatin remodellers INO80, ISW1a, ISW2 and Chd1. The functional importance of the nucleosome-organizing activity of the ORC was demonstrated by orc1 mutations that maintained classical MCM-loader activity but abrogated the array-generation activity of ORC. These mutations impaired replication through chromatin in vitro and were lethal in vivo. Our results establish that ORC, in addition to its canonical role as the MCM loader, has a second crucial function as a master regulator of nucleosome organization at the replication origin, a crucial prerequisite for efficient chromosome replication.

An essential Noc3p dimerization cycle mediates ORC double-hexamer formation in replication licensing

Replication licensing, a prerequisite of DNA replication, helps to ensure once-per-cell-cycle genome duplication. Some DNA replication-initiation proteins are sequentially loaded onto replication origins to form pre-replicative complexes (pre-RCs). ORC and Noc3p bind replication origins throughout the cell cycle, providing a platform for pre-RC assembly. We previously reported that cell cycle-dependent ORC dimerization is essential for the chromatin loading of the symmetric MCM double-hexamers. Here, we used Saccharomyces cerevisiae separation-of-function NOC3 mutants to confirm the separable roles of Noc3p in DNA replication and ribosome biogenesis. We also show that an essential and cell cycle-dependent Noc3p dimerization cycle regulates the ORC dimerization cycle. Noc3p dimerizes at the M-to-G1 transition and de-dimerizes in S-phase. The Noc3p dimerization cycle coupled with the ORC dimerization cycle enables replication licensing, protects nascent sister replication origins after replication initiation, and prevents re-replication. This study has revealed a new mechanism of replication licensing and elucidated the molecular mechanism of Noc3p as a mediator of ORC dimerization in pre-RC formation.

Single-copy locus proteomics of early- and late-firing DNA replication origins identifies a role of Ask1/DASH complex in replication timing control

The chromatin environment at origins of replication is thought to influence DNA replication initiation in eukaryotic genomes. However, it remains unclear how and which chromatin features control the firing of early-efficient (EE) or late-inefficient (LI) origins. Here, we use site-specific recombination and single-locus chromatin isolation to purify EE and LI replication origins in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Using mass spectrometry, we define the protein composition of native chromatin regions surrounding the EE and LI replication start sites. In addition to known origin interactors, we find the microtubule-binding Ask1/DASH complex as an origin-regulating factor. Strikingly, tethering of Ask1 to individual origin sites advances replication timing (RT) of the targeted chromosomal domain. Targeted degradation of Ask1 globally changes RT of a subset of origins, which can be reproduced by inhibiting microtubule dynamics. Thus, our findings mechanistically connect RT and chromosomal organization via Ask1/DASH with the microtubule cytoskeleton.

The CMG helicase and cancer: a tumor "engine" and weakness with missing mutations

The replicative Cdc45-MCM-GINS (CMG) helicase is a large protein complex that functions in the DNA melting and unwinding steps as a component of replisomes during DNA replication in mammalian cells. Although the CMG performs this important role in cell growth, the CMG is not a simple bystander in cell cycle events. Components of the CMG, specifically the MCM precursors, are also involved in maintaining genomic stability by regulating DNA replication fork speeds, facilitating recovery from replicative stresses, and preventing consequential DNA damage. Given these important functions, MCM/CMG complexes are highly regulated by growth factors such as TGF-ß1 and by signaling factors such as Myc, Cyclin E, and the retinoblastoma protein. Mismanagement of MCM/CMG complexes when these signaling mediators are deregulated, and in the absence of the tumor suppressor protein p53, leads to increased genomic instability and is a contributor to tumorigenic transformation and tumor heterogeneity. The goal of this review is to provide insight into the mechanisms and dynamics by which the CMG is regulated during its assembly and activation in mammalian genomes, and how errors in CMG regulation due to oncogenic changes promote tumorigenesis. Finally, and most importantly, we highlight the emerging understanding of the CMG helicase as an exploitable vulnerability and novel target for therapeutic intervention in cancer.

Cryo-EM structure of human hexameric MCM2-7 complex

The central step in the initiation of eukaryotic DNA replication is the loading of the minichromosome maintenance 2–7 (MCM2-7) complex, the core of the replicative DNA helicase, onto chromatin at replication origin. Here, we reported the cryo-EM structure of endogenous human single hexameric MCM2-7 complex with a resolution at 4.4 Å, typically an open-ring hexamer with a gap between Mcm2 and Mcm5. Strikingly, further analysis revealed that human MCM2-7 can self-associate to form a loose double hexamer which potentially implies a novel mechanism underlying the MCM2-7 loading in eukaryote. The high-resolution cryo-EM structure of human MCM2-7 is critical for understanding the molecular mechanisms governing human DNA replication, especially the MCM2-7 chromatin loading and pre-replicative complex assembly.

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A Twin-Strep-Tag II tag was fused to Mcm4 by using CRISPR-Cas9 technique

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The endogenous human MCM2-7 complex was successfully purified

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The high-resolution cryo-EM structure of human hexameric MCM2-7 complex

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The human single MCM2-7 hexamer can self-associate to form a double hexamer

A mechanism of origin licensing control through autoinhibition of S. cerevisiae ORC·DNA·Cdc6

The coordinated action of multiple replicative helicase loading factors is needed for the licensing of replication origins prior to DNA replication. Binding of the Origin Recognition Complex (ORC) to DNA initiates the ATP-dependent recruitment of Cdc6, Cdt1 and Mcm2-7 loading, but the structural details for timely ATPase site regulation and for how loading can be impeded by inhibitory signals, such as cyclin-dependent kinase phosphorylation, are unknown. Using cryo-electron microscopy, we have determined several structures of S. cerevisiae ORC·DNA·Cdc6 intermediates at 2.5-2.7 Å resolution. These structures reveal distinct ring conformations of the initiator·co-loader assembly and inactive ATPase site configurations for ORC and Cdc6. The Orc6 N-terminal domain laterally engages the ORC·Cdc6 ring in a manner that is incompatible with productive Mcm2-7 docking, while deletion of this Orc6 region alleviates the CDK-mediated inhibition of Mcm7 recruitment. Our findings support a model in which Orc6 promotes the assembly of an autoinhibited ORC·DNA·Cdc6 intermediate to block origin licensing in response to CDK phosphorylation and to avert DNA re-replication.

Structural mechanism for the selective phosphorylation of DNA-loaded MCM double hexamers by the Dbf4-dependent kinase

Loading of the eukaryotic replicative helicase onto replication origins involves two MCM hexamers forming a double hexamer (DH) around duplex DNA. During S phase, helicase activation requires MCM phosphorylation by Dbf4-dependent kinase (DDK), comprising Cdc7 and Dbf4. DDK selectively phosphorylates loaded DHs, but how such fidelity is achieved is unknown. Here, we determine the cryogenic electron microscopy structure of Saccharomyces cerevisiae DDK in the act of phosphorylating a DH. DDK docks onto one MCM ring and phosphorylates the opposed ring. Truncation of the Dbf4 docking domain abrogates DH phosphorylation, yet Cdc7 kinase activity is unaffected. Late origin firing is blocked in response to DNA damage via Dbf4 phosphorylation by the Rad53 checkpoint kinase. DDK phosphorylation by Rad53 impairs DH phosphorylation by blockage of DDK binding to DHs, and also interferes with the Cdc7 active site. Our results explain the structural basis and regulation of the selective phosphorylation of DNA-loaded MCM DHs, which supports bidirectional replication.

A helicase-tethered ORC flip enables bidirectional helicase loading

Replication origins are licensed by loading two Mcm2‑7 helicases around DNA in a head-to-head conformation poised to initiate bidirectional replication. This process requires ORC, Cdc6, and Cdt1. Although different Cdc6 and Cdt1 molecules load each helicase, whether two ORC proteins are required is unclear. Using colocalization single-molecule spectroscopy combined with FRET, we investigated interactions between ORC and Mcm2‑7 during helicase loading. In the large majority of events, we observed a single ORC molecule recruiting both Mcm2‑7/Cdt1 complexes via similar interactions that end upon Cdt1 release. Between first and second helicase recruitment, a rapid change in interactions between ORC and the first Mcm2-7 occurs. Within seconds, ORC breaks the interactions mediating first Mcm2-7 recruitment, releases from its initial DNA-binding site, and forms a new interaction with the opposite face of the first Mcm2-7. This rearrangement requires release of the first Cdt1 and tethers ORC as it flips over the first Mcm2-7 to form an inverted Mcm2‑7-ORC-DNA complex required for second-helicase recruitment. To ensure correct licensing, this complex is maintained until head-to-head interactions between the two helicases are formed. Our findings reconcile previous observations and reveal a highly-coordinated series of events through which a single ORC molecule can load two oppositely-oriented helicases.

Chromatin loading of MCM hexamers is associated with di-/tri-methylation of histone H4K20 toward S phase entry

DNA replication is a key step in initiating cell proliferation. Loading hexameric complexes of minichromosome maintenance (MCM) helicase onto DNA replication origins during the G1 phase is essential for initiating DNA replication. Here, we examined MCM hexamer states during the cell cycle in human hTERT-RPE1 cells using multicolor immunofluorescence-based, single-cell plot analysis, and biochemical size fractionation. Experiments involving cell-cycle arrest at the G1 phase and release from the arrest revealed that a double MCM hexamer was formed via a single hexamer during G1 progression. A single MCM hexamer was recruited to chromatin in the early G1 phase. Another single hexamer was recruited to form a double hexamer in the late G1 phase. We further examined relationship between the MCM hexamer states and the methylation levels at lysine 20 of histone H4 (H4K20) and found that the double MCM hexamer state was correlated with di/trimethyl-H4K20 (H4K20me2/3). Inhibiting the conversion from monomethyl-H4K20 (H4K20me1) to H4K20me2/3 retained the cells in the single MCM hexamer state. Non-proliferative cells, including confluent cells or Cdk4/6 inhibitor-treated cells, also remained halted in the single MCM hexamer state. We propose that the single MCM hexamer state is a halting step in the determination of cell cycle progression.

A novel cell-cycle-regulated interaction of the Bloom syndrome helicase BLM with Mcm6 controls replication-linked processes

The Bloom syndrome DNA helicase BLM contributes to chromosome stability through its roles in double-strand break repair by homologous recombination and DNA replication fork restart during the replication stress response. Loss of BLM activity leads to Bloom syndrome, which is characterized by extraordinary cancer risk and small stature. Here, we have analyzed the composition of the BLM complex during unperturbed S-phase and identified a direct physical interaction with the Mcm6 subunit of the minichromosome maintenance (MCM) complex. Using distinct binding sites, BLM interacts with the N-terminal domain of Mcm6 in G1 phase and switches to the C-terminal Cdt1-binding domain of Mcm6 in S-phase, with a third site playing a role for Mcm6 binding after DNA damage. Disruption of Mcm6-binding to BLM in S-phase leads to supra-normal DNA replication speed in unperturbed cells, and the helicase activity of BLM is required for this increased replication speed. Upon disruption of BLM/Mcm6 interaction, repair of replication-dependent DNA double-strand breaks is delayed and cells become hypersensitive to DNA damage and replication stress. Our findings reveal that BLM not only plays a role in the response to DNA damage and replication stress, but that its physical interaction with Mcm6 is required in unperturbed cells, most notably in S-phase as a negative regulator of replication speed.

Regulation of DNA Replication Licensing and Re-Replication by Cdt1

In eukaryotic cells, DNA replication licensing is precisely regulated to ensure that the initiation of genomic DNA replication in S phase occurs once and only once for each mitotic cell division. A key regulatory mechanism by which DNA re-replication is suppressed is the S phase-dependent proteolysis of Cdt1, an essential replication protein for licensing DNA replication origins by loading the Mcm2-7 replication helicase for DNA duplication in S phase. Cdt1 degradation is mediated by CRL4^Cdt2 ubiquitin E3 ligase, which further requires Cdt1 binding to proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) through a PIP box domain in Cdt1 during DNA synthesis. Recent studies found that Cdt2, the specific subunit of CRL4^Cdt2 ubiquitin E3 ligase that targets Cdt1 for degradation, also contains an evolutionarily conserved PIP box-like domain that mediates the interaction with PCNA. These findings suggest that the initiation and elongation of DNA replication or DNA damage-induced repair synthesis provide a novel mechanism by which Cdt1 and CRL4^Cdt2 are both recruited onto the trimeric PCNA clamp encircling the replicating DNA strands to promote the interaction between Cdt1 and CRL4^Cdt2. The proximity of PCNA-bound Cdt1 to CRL4^Cdt2 facilitates the destruction of Cdt1 in response to DNA damage or after DNA replication initiation to prevent DNA re-replication in the cell cycle. CRL4^Cdt2 ubiquitin E3 ligase may also regulate the degradation of other PIP box-containing proteins, such as CDK inhibitor p21 and histone methylase Set8, to regulate DNA replication licensing, cell cycle progression, DNA repair, and genome stability by directly interacting with PCNA during DNA replication and repair synthesis.

Replication initiation: Implications in genome integrity

In every cell cycle, billions of nucleotides need to be duplicated within hours, with extraordinary precision and accuracy. The molecular mechanism by which cells regulate the replication event is very complicated, and the entire process begins way before the onset of S phase. During the G1 phase of the cell cycle, cells prepare by assembling essential replication factors to establish the pre-replicative complex at origins, sites that dictate where replication would initiate during S phase. During S phase, the replication process is tightly coupled with the DNA repair system to ensure the fidelity of replication. Defects in replication and any error must be recognized by DNA damage response and checkpoint signaling pathways in order to halt the cell cycle before cells are allowed to divide. The coordination of these processes throughout the cell cycle is therefore critical to achieve genomic integrity and prevent diseases. In this review, we focus on the current understanding of how the replication initiation events are regulated to achieve genome stability.

Enhanced Myc Expression in Silkworm Silk Gland Promotes DNA Replication and Silk Production

Simple Summary

Based on a transgenic approach, enhancing Myc expression in the silkworm posterior silk gland (PSG), which was driven by the promoter of the fibroin heavy chain (FibH) gene, was performed for investigating the biological functions of Myc in silk gland. Enhanced Myc expression elevated the cocoon size. This elevation might be resulted from the increasing of FibH expression and DNA content in the PSG cells by promoting the transcription of the genes that are involved in DNA replication.

Abstract

Silkworm is an economically important insect that synthetizes silk proteins for silk production in silk gland, and silk gland cells undergo endoreplication during larval period. Transcription factor Myc is essential for cell growth and proliferation. Although silkworm Myc gene has been identified previously, its biological functions in silkworm silk gland are still largely unknown. In this study, we examined whether enhanced Myc expression in silk gland could facilitate cell growth and silk production. Based on a transgenic approach, Myc was driven by the promoter of the fibroin heavy chain (FibH) gene to be successfully overexpressed in posterior silk gland. Enhanced Myc expression in the PSG elevated FibH expression by about 20% compared to the control, and also increased the weight and shell rate of the cocoon shell. Further investigation confirmed that Myc overexpression increased nucleus size and DNA content of the PSG cells by promoting the transcription of the genes involved in DNA replication. Therefore, we conclude that enhanced Myc expression promotes DNA replication and silk protein expression in endoreplicating silk gland cells, which subsequently raises silk yield.

DNA replication origins retain mobile licensing proteins

DNA replication in eukaryotes initiates at many origins distributed across each chromosome. Origins are bound by the origin recognition complex (ORC), which, with Cdc6 and Cdt1, recruits and loads the Mcm2-7 (MCM) helicase as an inactive double hexamer during G1 phase. The replisome assembles at the activated helicase in S phase. Although the outline of replisome assembly is understood, little is known about the dynamics of individual proteins on DNA and how these contribute to proper complex formation. Here we show, using single-molecule optical trapping and confocal microscopy, that yeast ORC is a mobile protein that diffuses rapidly along DNA. Origin recognition halts this search process. Recruitment of MCM molecules in an ORC- and Cdc6-dependent fashion results in slow-moving ORC-MCM intermediates and MCMs that rapidly scan the DNA. Following ATP hydrolysis, salt-stable loading of MCM single and double hexamers was seen, both of which exhibit salt-dependent mobility. Our results demonstrate that effective helicase loading relies on an interplay between protein diffusion and origin recognition, and suggest that MCM is stably loaded onto DNA in multiple forms.

An Essential and Cell-Cycle-Dependent ORC Dimerization Cycle Regulates Eukaryotic Chromosomal DNA Replication

Eukaryotic DNA replication licensing is a prerequisite for, and plays a role in, regulating genome duplication that occurs exactly once per cell cycle. ORC (origin recognition complex) binds to and marks replication origins throughout the cell cycle and loads other replication-initiation proteins onto replication origins to form pre-replicative complexes (pre-RCs), completing replication licensing. However, how an asymmetric single-heterohexameric ORC structure loads the symmetric MCM (minichromosome maintenance) double hexamers is controversial, and importantly, it remains unknown when and how ORC proteins associate with the newly replicated origins to protect them from invasion by histones. Here, we report an essential and cell-cycle-dependent ORC "dimerization cycle" that plays three fundamental roles in the regulation of DNA replication: providing a symmetric platform to load the symmetric pre-RCs, marking and protecting the nascent sister replication origins for the next licensing, and playing a crucial role to prevent origin re-licensing within the same cell cycle.

Stabilisation of half MCM ring by Cdt1 during DNA insertion

Origin licensing ensures precise once per cell cycle replication in eukaryotic cells. The Origin Recognition Complex, Cdc6 and Cdt1 load Mcm2-7 helicase (MCM) into a double hexamer, bound around duplex DNA. The complex formed by ORC-Cdc6 bound to duplex DNA (OC) recruits the MCM-Cdt1 complex into the replication origins. Through the stacking of both complexes, the duplex DNA is inserted inside the helicase by an unknown mechanism. In this paper we show that the DNA insertion comes with a topological problem in the stacking of OC with MCM-Cdt1. Unless an essential, conserved C terminal winged helix domain (C-WHD) of Cdt1 is present, the MCM splits into two halves. The binding of this domain with the essential C-WHD of Mcm6, allows the latching between the MCM-Cdt1 and OC, through a conserved Orc5 AAA-lid interaction. Our work provides new insights into how DNA is inserted into the eukaryotic replicative helicase, through a series of synchronized events.

During pre-Replication Complex, eukaryotic cells load two MCMs into a head-to-head Double Hexamer around duplex DNA (DH). Here the authors preRC assembly assay with purified proteins to reveal insights into S. cerevisiae’s first steps that lead to the DH formation.

Caught in the act: structural dynamics of replication origin activation and fork progression

This review discusses recent advances in single-particle cryo-EM and single-molecule approaches used to visualise eukaryotic DNA replication reactions reconstituted in vitro. We comment on the new challenges facing structural biologists, as they turn to describing the dynamic cascade of events that lead to replication origin activation and fork progression.

Chromatin structure restricts origin utilization when quiescent cells re-enter the cell cycle

Quiescent cells reside in G0 phase, which is characterized by the absence of cell growth and proliferation. These cells remain viable and re-enter the cell cycle when prompted by appropriate signals. Using a budding yeast model of cellular quiescence, we investigated the program that initiated DNA replication when these G0 cells resumed growth. Quiescent cells contained very low levels of replication initiation factors, and their entry into S phase was delayed until these factors were re-synthesized. A longer S phase in these cells correlated with the activation of fewer origins of replication compared to G1 cells. The chromatin structure around inactive origins in G0 cells showed increased H3 occupancy and decreased nucleosome positioning compared to the same origins in G1 cells, inhibiting the origin binding of the Mcm4 subunit of the MCM licensing factor. Thus, quiescent yeast cells are under-licensed during their re-entry into S phase.

Prospect of reprogramming replication licensing for cancer drug development

Eukaryotic chromosomal DNA replication is preceded by replication licensing which involves the identification of the origin of replication by origin recognition complex (ORC). The ORC loads pre-replication complexes (pre-RCs) through a series of tightly regulated mechanisms where the ORC interacts with Cdc6 to recruit cdt1-MCM2-7 complexes to the origin of replication. In eukaryotes, adherence to regulatory mechanisms of the replication program is required to ensure that all daughter cells carry the exact copy of genetic material as the parent cell. Failure of which leads to the development of genome instability syndromes like cancer, diabetes, etc. In an event of such occurrence, preventing cells from carrying the defaulted genetic material and passing it to other cells hinges on the regulation of chromosomal DNA replication. Thus, understanding the mechanisms underpinning chromosomal DNA replication and particularly replication licensing can expose druggable enzymes, effector molecules, and secondary messengers that can be targeted for diagnosis and therapeutic purposes. Effectively drugging these molecular markers to reprogram pre-replication events can be used to control the fate of chromosomal DNA replication for the treatment of genome instability disorders and in this case, cancer. This review discusses available knowledge of replication licensing in the contest of molecular drug discovery for the treatment of cancer.

Structural insight into the assembly and conformational activation of human origin recognition complex

The function of the origin recognition complex (ORC) in DNA replication is highly conserved in recognizing and marking the initiation sites. The detailed molecular mechanisms by which human ORC is reconfigured into a state competent for origin association remain largely unknown. Here, we present structural characterizations of human ORC1–5 and ORC2–5 assemblies. ORC2–5 exhibits a tightly autoinhibited conformation with the winged-helix domain of ORC2 completely blocking the central DNA-binding channel. The binding of ORC1 partially relieves the autoinhibitory effect of ORC2–5 through remodeling ORC2-WHD, which makes ORC2-WHD away from the central channel creating a still autoinhibited but more dynamic structure. In particular, the AAA+ domain of ORC1 is highly flexible to sample a variety of conformations from inactive to potentially active states. These results provide insights into the detailed mechanisms regulating the autoinhibition of human ORC and its subsequent activation for DNA binding.

Molecular mechanisms of eukaryotic origin initiation, replication fork progression, and chromatin maintenance

Eukaryotic DNA replication is a highly dynamic and tightly regulated process. Replication involves several dozens of replication proteins, including the initiators ORC and Cdc6, replicative CMG helicase, DNA polymerase α-primase, leading-strand DNA polymerase ε, and lagging-strand DNA polymerase δ. These proteins work together in a spatially and temporally controlled manner to synthesize new DNA from the parental DNA templates. During DNA replication, epigenetic information imprinted on DNA and histone proteins is also copied to the daughter DNA to maintain the chromatin status. DNA methyltransferase 1 is primarily responsible for copying the parental DNA methylation pattern into the nascent DNA. Epigenetic information encoded in histones is transferred via a more complex and less well-understood process termed replication-couple nucleosome assembly. Here, we summarize the most recent structural and biochemical insights into DNA replication initiation, replication fork elongation, chromatin assembly and maintenance, and related regulatory mechanisms.

A predictable conserved DNA base composition signature defines human core DNA replication origins

DNA replication initiates from multiple genomic locations called replication origins. In metazoa, DNA sequence elements involved in origin specification remain elusive. Here, we examine pluripotent, primary, differentiating, and immortalized human cells, and demonstrate that a class of origins, termed core origins, is shared by different cell types and host ~80% of all DNA replication initiation events in any cell population. We detect a shared G-rich DNA sequence signature that coincides with most core origins in both human and mouse genomes. Transcription and G-rich elements can independently associate with replication origin activity. Computational algorithms show that core origins can be predicted, based solely on DNA sequence patterns but not on consensus motifs. Our results demonstrate that, despite an attributed stochasticity, core origins are chosen from a limited pool of genomic regions. Immortalization through oncogenic gene expression, but not normal cellular differentiation, results in increased stochastic firing from heterochromatin and decreased origin density at TAD borders.

In metazoan the DNA sequence elements characterizing origin specification are unknown. By generating and analysing 19 SNS-seq datasets from different human cell types, the authors reveal a class and features of Core origins of replication which can be predicted by an algorithm.

A novel transcriptional cascade is involved in Fzr-mediated endoreplication

Endoreplication, known as endocycle, is a variant of the cell cycle that differs from mitosis and occurs in specific tissues of different organisms. Endoreplicating cells generally undergo multiple rounds of genome replication without chromosome segregation. Previous studies demonstrated that Drosophila fizzy-related protein (Fzr) and its mammalian homolog Cdh1 function as key regulators of endoreplication entrance by activating the anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome to initiate the ubiquitination and subsequent degradation of cell cycle factors such as Cyclin B (CycB). However, the molecular mechanism underlying Fzr-mediated endoreplication is not completely understood. In this study, we demonstrated that the transcription factor Myc acts downstream of Fzr during endoreplication in Drosophila salivary gland. Mechanistically, Fzr interacts with chromatin-associated histone H2B to enhance H2B ubiquitination in the Myc promoter and promotes Myc transcription. In addition to negatively regulating CycB transcription, the Fzr-ubiquitinated H2B (H2Bub)-Myc signaling cascade also positively regulates the transcription of the MCM6 gene that is involved in DNA replication by directly binding to specific motifs within their promoters. We further found that the Fzr-H2Bub-Myc signaling cascade regulating endoreplication progression is conserved between insects and mammalian cells. Altogether, our work uncovers a novel transcriptional cascade that is involved in Fzr-mediated endoreplication.

Structural mechanism of helicase loading onto replication origin DNA by ORC-Cdc6

The loading of the core Mcm2-7 helicase onto origin DNA is essential for the formation of replication forks and genomic stability. Here, we report two cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures that capture helicase loader–helicase complexes just prior to DNA insertion. These pre-loading structures, combined with a computational simulation of the dynamic transition from the pre-loading state to the loaded state, provide crucial insights into the mechanism required for topologically linking the helicase to DNA. The helicase loading system is highly conserved from yeast to human, which means that the molecular principles described here for the yeast system are likely applicable to the human system.

DNA replication origins serve as sites of replicative helicase loading. In all eukaryotes, the six-subunit origin recognition complex (Orc1-6; ORC) recognizes the replication origin. During late M-phase of the cell-cycle, Cdc6 binds to ORC and the ORC–Cdc6 complex loads in a multistep reaction and, with the help of Cdt1, the core Mcm2-7 helicase onto DNA. A key intermediate is the ORC–Cdc6–Cdt1–Mcm2-7 (OCCM) complex in which DNA has been already inserted into the central channel of Mcm2-7. Until now, it has been unclear how the origin DNA is guided by ORC–Cdc6 and inserted into the Mcm2-7 hexamer. Here, we truncated the C-terminal winged-helix-domain (WHD) of Mcm6 to slow down the loading reaction, thereby capturing two loading intermediates prior to DNA insertion in budding yeast. In “semi-attached OCCM,” the Mcm3 and Mcm7 WHDs latch onto ORC–Cdc6 while the main body of the Mcm2-7 hexamer is not connected. In “pre-insertion OCCM,” the main body of Mcm2-7 docks onto ORC–Cdc6, and the origin DNA is bent and positioned adjacent to the open DNA entry gate, poised for insertion, at the Mcm2–Mcm5 interface. We used molecular simulations to reveal the dynamic transition from preloading conformers to the loaded conformers in which the loading of Mcm2-7 on DNA is complete and the DNA entry gate is fully closed. Our work provides multiple molecular insights into a key event of eukaryotic DNA replication.

Super-Enhancer-Associated Hub Genes In Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Identified Using Weighted Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis

Purpose

Super-enhancer (SE)-associated oncogenes extensively potentiate the uncontrolled proliferation capacity of cancer cells. In this study, we aimed to identify the SE-associated hub genes associated with the clinical characteristics of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML).

Methods

Eigengenes from CML clinical modules were determined using weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). Overlapping genes between eigengenes and SE-associated genes were used to construct protein–protein interaction (PPI) networks and annotate for pathway enrichment analysis. Expression patterns of the top-ranked SE-associated hub genes were further determined in CML patients and healthy controls via real-time PCR. After treatment of K562 cells with the BRD4 inhibitor, JQ1, for 24 hrs, mRNA and protein levels of SE-associated hub genes were evaluated using real-time PCR and Western blotting, respectively. H3K27ac, H3K4me1 and BRD4 ChIP-seq signal peaks were used to predict and identify SEs visualized by the Integrative Genomics Viewer.

Results

The yellow module was significantly related to the status and pathological phase of CML. SE-associated hub candidate genes were mainly enriched in the cell cycle pathway. Based on the PPI networks of hub genes and the top rank of degree, five SE-associated genes were identified: specifically, BUB1, CENPO, KIF2C, ORC1, and RRM2. Elevated expression of these five genes was not only related to CML status and phase but also positively regulated by SE and suppressed by the BRD4 inhibitor, JQ1, in K562 cells. Strong signal peaks of H3K27ac, H3K4me1 and BRD4 ChIP-seq of the five genes were additionally observed close to the predicted SE regions.

Conclusion

This is the first study to characterize SE-associated genes linked to clinical characteristics of CML via weighted gene co-expression network analysis. Our results support a novel mechanism involving aberrant expression of hub SE-associated genes in CML patients and K562 cells, and these genes will be potential new therapeutic targets for human leukemia.

Mechanism of head-to-head MCM double-hexamer formation revealed by cryo-EM

In preparation for bidirectional replication, the origin recognition complex (ORC) loads two MCM helicases forming a head-to-head double hexamer (DH) around DNA^1,2. How DH formation occurs is debated. Single-molecule experiments suggest a sequential mechanism whereby ORC-dependent loading of the first hexamer drives second hexamer recruitment³. In contrast, biochemical data show that two rings are loaded independently via the same ORC-mediated mechanism, at two inverted DNA sites^4,5. We visualized MCM loading using time-resolved EM, to identify DH formation intermediates. We confirm that both hexamers are recruited via the same interaction between the MCM and ORC C-terminal domains, and identify the mechanism for coupled MCM loading. A first loaded hexamer locked around DNA is recognized by ORC, which unexpectedly engages the N-terminal homo-dimerization interface of MCM. In this configuration, ORC is poised to direct second hexamer recruitment in an inverted orientation, suitable for DH formation. Our data reconcile two apparently contrasting models.

Mechanisms of replication origin licensing: a structural perspective

The duplication of chromosomal DNA is a key cell cycle event that involves the controlled, bidirectional assembly of the replicative machinery. In a tightly regulated, multi-step reaction, replicative helicases and other components of the DNA synthesis apparatus are recruited to replication start sites. Although the molecular approaches for assembling this machinery vary between the different domains of life, a common theme revolves around the use of ATP-dependent initiation factors to recognize and remodel origins and to load replicative helicases in a bidirectional manner onto DNA. This review summarizes recent advances in understanding the mechanisms of replication initiation in eukaryotes, focusing on how the replicative helicase is loaded in this system.

An integrated workflow for crosslinking mass spectrometry

We present a concise workflow to enhance the mass spectrometric detection of crosslinked peptides by introducing sequential digestion and the crosslink identification software xiSEARCH. Sequential digestion enhances peptide detection by selective shortening of long tryptic peptides. We demonstrate our simple 12-fraction protocol for crosslinked multi-protein complexes and cell lysates, quantitative analysis, and high-density crosslinking, without requiring specific crosslinker features. This overall approach reveals dynamic protein-protein interaction sites, which are accessible, have fundamental functional relevance and are therefore ideally suited for the development of small molecule inhibitors.

Screening key genes and signaling pathways in colorectal cancer by integrated bioinformatics analysis

The aim of the present study was to identify potential key genes associated with the progression and prognosis of colorectal cancer (CRC). Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between CRC and normal samples were screened by integrated analysis of gene expression profile datasets, including the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and The Cancer Genome Atlas. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis was conducted to identify the biological role of DEGs. In addition, a protein‑protein interaction network and survival analysis were used to identify the key genes. The profiles of GSE9348, GSE22598 and GSE113513 were downloaded from the GEO database. A total of 405 common DEGs were identified, including 236 down‑ and 169 upregulated. GO analysis revealed that the downregulated DEGs were mainly enriched in 'detoxification of copper ion' [biological process, (BP)], 'oxidoreductase activity, acting on CH‑OH group of donors, NAD or NADP as acceptor' [molecular function, (MF)] and 'brush border' [cellular component, (CC)]. Upregulated DEGs were mainly involved in 'nuclear division' (BP), 'snoRNA binding' (MF) and 'nucleolar part' (CC). KEGG pathway analysis revealed that DEGs were mainly involved in 'mineral absorption', 'nitrogen metabolism', 'cell cycle' and 'caffeine metabolism'. A PPI network was constructed with 268 nodes and 1,027 edges. The top one module was selected, and it was revealed that module‑related genes were mainly enriched in the GO terms 'sister chromatid segregation' (BP), 'chemokine activity' (MF), and 'condensed chromosome (CC)'. The KEGG pathway was mainly enriched in 'cell cycle', 'progesterone‑mediated oocyte maturation', 'chemokine signaling pathway', 'IL‑17 signaling pathway', 'legionellosis', and 'rheumatoid arthritis'. DNA topoisomerase II‑α (TOP2A), mitotic arrest deficient 2 like 1 (MAD2L1), cyclin B1 (CCNB1), checkpoint kinase 1 (CHEK1), cell division cycle 6 (CDC6) and ubiquitin conjugating enzyme E2 C (UBE2C) were indicated as hub genes. Furthermore, survival analysis revealed that TOP2A, MAD2L1, CDC6 and CHEK1 may serve as prognostic biomarkers in CRC. The present study provided insights into the molecular mechanism of CRC that may be useful in further investigations.

Genotoxic response and damage recovery of macrophages to graphene quantum dots

The potential adverse effects of graphene quantum dots (GQDs) have increasingly attracted attention. Our present study revealed the genotoxic responses of rat alveolar macrophages (NR8383) to aminated graphene QDs (AG-QDs) and detected the cellular recovery after removing AG-QDs. Global gene expression analysis from RNA-sequencing showed that AG-QDs (100 μg/mL) caused significant alterations in expression of 2898 genes after exposure for 24 h. Among these, 1335 and 1563 genes were up-regulated and down-regulated, respectively. Based on the Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Gene and Genomes (KEGG) analysis, we found that most of the down-regulated genes were responsive to "cell cycle", which correlated well with the cell cycle arrest data that AG-QDs triggered cell cycle arrest at S (synthesis) and G2/M (second gap/mitosis) phase. The percentages of cells in S and G2/M phase were increased by 4.5%, and 29.0%, respectively. In addition, the up-regulated genes related with "endocytosis" and "phagocytosis" were identified, which could regulate the internalization of AG-QDs by endocytosis and phagocytosis. After removing exposed AG-QDs and re-incubating the cells in fresh medium, the arrest of S and G2/M phase in NR8383 cells was reduced, and the cell cycle gradually recovered. This cellular recovery could be attributed to the cellular excretion of AG-QDs and the up-regulation of the DNA-repair-related genes (Rad51, Brca2, and Atm). The current work provides insights into the potential hazards of AG-QDs in transcriptional level and presented the long-term effects of AG-QDs on organisms in environment.

The interaction networks of the budding yeast and human DNA replication-initiation proteins

DNA replication is a stringently regulated cellular process. In proliferating cells, DNA replication-initiation proteins (RIPs) are sequentially loaded onto replication origins during the M-to-G₁ transition to form the pre-replicative complex (pre-RC), a process known as replication licensing. Subsequently, additional RIPs are recruited to form the pre-initiation complex (pre-IC). RIPs and their regulators ensure that chromosomal DNA is replicated exactly once per cell cycle. Origin recognition complex (ORC) binds to, and marks replication origins throughout the cell cycle and recruits other RIPs including Noc3p, Ipi1-3p, Cdt1p, Cdc6p and Mcm2-7p to form the pre-RC. The detailed mechanisms and regulation of the pre-RC and its exact architecture still remain unclear. In this study, pairwise protein-protein interactions among 23 budding yeast and 16 human RIPs were systematically and comprehensively examined by yeast two-hybrid analysis. This study tested 470 pairs of yeast and 196 pairs of human RIPs, from which 113 and 96 positive interactions, respectively, were identified. While many of these interactions were previously reported, some were novel, including various ORC and MCM subunit interactions, ORC self-interactions, and the interactions of IPI3 and NOC3 with several pre-RC and pre-IC proteins. Ten of the novel interactions were further confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation assays. Furthermore, we identified the conserved interaction networks between the yeast and human RIPs. This study provides a foundation and framework for further understanding the architectures, interactions and functions of the yeast and human pre-RC and pre-IC.

Shining a Spotlight on DNA: Single-Molecule Methods to Visualise DNA

The ability to watch single molecules of DNA has revolutionised how we study biological transactions concerning nucleic acids. Many strategies have been developed to manipulate DNA molecules to investigate mechanical properties, dynamics and protein–DNA interactions. Imaging methods using small molecules and protein-based probes to visualise DNA have propelled our understanding of complex biochemical reactions involving DNA. This review focuses on summarising some of the methodological developments made to visualise individual DNA molecules and discusses how these probes have been used in single-molecule biophysical assays.

DNA replication licensing proteins: Saints and sinners in cancer

DNA replication is all-or-none process in the cell, meaning, once the DNA replication begins it proceeds to completion. Hence, to achieve maximum control of DNA replication, eukaryotic cells employ a multi-subunit initiator protein complex known as "pre-replication complex or DNA replication licensing complex (DNA replication LC). This complex involves multiple proteins which are origin-recognition complex family proteins, cell division cycle-6, chromatin licensing and DNA replication factor 1, and minichromosome maintenance family proteins. Higher-expression of DNA replication LC proteins appears to be an early event during development of cancer since it has been a common hallmark observed in a wide variety of cancers such as oesophageal, laryngeal, pulmonary, mammary, colorectal, renal, urothelial etc. However, the exact mechanisms leading to the abnormally high expression of DNA replication LC have not been clearly deciphered. Increased expression of DNA replication LC leads to licensing and/or firing of multiple origins thereby inducing replication stress and genomic instability. Therapeutic approaches where the reduction in the activity of DNA replication LC was achieved either by siRNA or shRNA techniques, have shown increased sensitivity of cancer cell lines towards the anti-cancer drugs such as cisplatin, 5-Fluorouracil, hydroxyurea etc. Thus, the expression level of DNA replication LC within the cell determines a cell's fate thereby creating a paradox where DNA replication LC acts as both "Saint" and "Sinner". With a potential to increase sensitivity to chemotherapy drugs, DNA replication LC proteins have prospective clinical importance in fighting cancer. Hence, in this review, we will shed light on importance of DNA replication LC with an aim to use DNA replication LC in diagnosis and prognosis of cancer in patients as well as possible therapeutic targets for cancer therapy.

TGFβ1 Cell Cycle Arrest Is Mediated by Inhibition of MCM Assembly in Rb-Deficient Conditions

Transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) is a potent inhibitor of cell growth that targets gene-regulatory events, but also inhibits the function of CDC45-MCM-GINS helicases (CMG; MCM, Mini-Chromosome Maintenance; GINS, Go-Ichi-Ni-San) through multiple mechanisms to achieve cell-cycle arrest. Early in G₁, TGFβ1 blocks MCM subunit expression and suppresses Myc and Cyclin E/Cdk2 activity required for CMG assembly, should MCMs be expressed. Once CMGs are assembled in late-G₁, TGFβ1 blocks CMG activation using a direct mechanism involving the retinoblastoma (Rb) tumor suppressor. Here, in cells lacking Rb, TGFβ1 does not suppress Myc, Cyclin E/Cdk2 activity, or MCM expression, yet growth arrest remains intact and Smad2/3/4-dependent. Such arrest occurs due to inhibition of MCM hexamer assembly by TGFβ1, which is not seen when Rb is present and MCM subunit expression is normally blocked by TGFβ1. Loss of Smad expression prevents TGFβ1 suppression of MCM assembly. Mechanistically, TGFβ1 blocks a Cyclin E-Mcm7 molecular interaction required for MCM hexamer assembly upstream of CDC10-dependent transcript-1 (CDT1) function. Accordingly, overexpression of CDT1 with an intact MCM-binding domain abrogates TGFβ1 arrest and rescues MCM assembly. The ability of CDT1 to restore MCM assembly and allow S-phase entry indicates that, in the absence of Rb and other canonical mediators, TGFβ1 relies on inhibition of Cyclin E-MCM7 and MCM assembly to achieve cell cycle arrest. IMPLICATIONS: These results demonstrate that the MCM assembly process is a pivotal target of TGFβ1 in eliciting cell cycle arrest, and provide evidence for a novel oncogenic role for CDT1 in abrogating TGFβ1 inhibition of MCM assembly.

Role of MCM2-7 protein phosphorylation in human cancer cells

A heterohexameric complex composed of minichromosome maintenance protein 2–7 (MCM2–7), which acts as a key replicative enzyme in eukaryotes, is crucial for initiating DNA synthesis only once per cell cycle. The MCM complex remains inactive through the G1 phase, until the S phase, when it is activated to initiate replication. During the transition from the G1 to S phase, the MCM undergoes multisite phosphorylation, an important change that promotes subsequent assembly of other replisome members. Phosphorylation is crucial for the regulation of MCM activity and function. MCMs can be phosphorylated by multiple kinases and these phosphorylation events are involved not only in DNA replication but also cell cycle progression and checkpoint response. Dysfunctional phosphorylation of MCMs appears to correlate with the occurrence and development of cancers. In this review, we summarize the currently available data regarding the regulatory mechanisms and functional consequences of MCM phosphorylation and seek the probability that protein kinase inhibitor can be used therapeutically to target MCM phosphorylation in cancer.

The Replication Protein Cdc6 Suppresses Centrosome Over-Duplication in a Manner Independent of Its ATPase Activity

The Cdc6 protein is essential for the initiation of chromosomal replication and functions as a licensing factor to maintain chromosome integrity. During the S and G2 phases of the cell cycle, Cdc6 has been found to inhibit the recruitment of pericentriolar material (PCM) proteins to the centrosome and to suppress centrosome over-duplication. In this report, we analyzed the correlation between these two functions of Cdc6 at the centrosome. Cdc6 depletion increased the population of cells showing centrosome over-duplication and premature centrosome separation; Cdc6 expression reversed these changes. Deletion and fusion experiments revealed that the 18 amino acid residues (197-214) of Cdc6, which were fused to the Cdc6-centrosomal localization signal, suppressed centrosome over-duplication and premature centrosome separation. Cdc6 mutant proteins that showed defective ATP binding or hydrolysis did not exhibit a significant difference in suppressing centrosome over-duplication, compared to the wild type protein. In contrast to the Cdc6-mediated inhibition of PCM protein recruitment to the centrosome, the independence of Cdc6 on its ATPase activity for suppressing centrosome over-duplication, along with the difference between the Cdc6 protein regions participating in the two functions, suggested that Cdc6 controls centrosome duplication in a manner independent of its recruitment of PCM proteins to the centrosome.

From structure to mechanism-understanding initiation of DNA replication

In this Review, Riera et al. review recent structural and biochemical insights that start to explain how specific proteins recognize DNA replication origins, load the replicative helicase on DNA, unwind DNA, synthesize new DNA strands, and reassemble chromatin.

DNA replication results in the doubling of the genome prior to cell division. This process requires the assembly of 50 or more protein factors into a replication fork. Here, we review recent structural and biochemical insights that start to explain how specific proteins recognize DNA replication origins, load the replicative helicase on DNA, unwind DNA, synthesize new DNA strands, and reassemble chromatin. We focus on the minichromosome maintenance (MCM2–7) proteins, which form the core of the eukaryotic replication fork, as this complex undergoes major structural rearrangements in order to engage with DNA, regulate its DNA-unwinding activity, and maintain genome stability.

Cryo-EM structure of Mcm2-7 double hexamer on DNA suggests a lagging-strand DNA extrusion model

During replication initiation, the core component of the helicase-the Mcm2-7 hexamer-is loaded on origin DNA as a double hexamer (DH). The two ring-shaped hexamers are staggered, leading to a kinked axial channel. How the origin DNA interacts with the axial channel is not understood, but the interaction could provide key insights into Mcm2-7 function and regulation. Here, we report the cryo-EM structure of the Mcm2-7 DH on dsDNA and show that the DNA is zigzagged inside the central channel. Several of the Mcm subunit DNA-binding loops, such as the oligosaccharide-oligonucleotide loops, helix 2 insertion loops, and presensor 1 (PS1) loops, are well defined, and many of them interact extensively with the DNA. The PS1 loops of Mcm 3, 4, 6, and 7, but not 2 and 5, engage the lagging strand with an approximate step size of one base per subunit. Staggered coupling of the two opposing hexamers positions the DNA right in front of the two Mcm2-Mcm5 gates, with each strand being pressed against one gate. The architecture suggests that lagging-strand extrusion initiates in the middle of the DH that is composed of the zinc finger domains of both hexamers. To convert the Mcm2-7 DH structure into the Mcm2-7 hexamer structure found in the active helicase, the N-tier ring of the Mcm2-7 hexamer in the DH-dsDNA needs to tilt and shift laterally. We suggest that these N-tier ring movements cause the DNA strand separation and lagging-strand extrusion.

Nuclear DNA Replication in Trypanosomatids: There Are No Easy Methods for Solving Difficult Problems

In trypanosomatids, etiological agents of devastating diseases, replication is robust and finely controlled to maintain genome stability and function in stressful environments. However, these parasites encode several replication protein components and complexes that show potentially variant composition compared with model eukaryotes. This review focuses on the advances made in recent years regarding the differences and peculiarities of the replication machinery in trypanosomatids, including how such divergence might affect DNA replication dynamics and the replication stress response. Comparing the DNA replication machinery and processes of parasites and their hosts may provide a foundation for the identification of targets that can be used in the development of chemotherapies to assist in the eradication of diseases caused by these pathogens.

In trypanosomatids, DNA replication is tightly controlled by protein complexes that diverge from those of model eukaryotes.

There is no consensus for the number of replication origins used by trypanosomatids; how their replication dynamics compares with that of model organisms is the subject of debate.

The DNA replication rate in trypanosomatids is similar to, but slightly higher than, that of model eukaryotes, which may be related to chromatin structure and function.

Recent data suggest that the origin recognition complex in trypanosomatids closely resembles the multisubunit eukaryotic model.

The absence of fundamental replication-associated proteins in trypanosomatids suggests that new signaling pathways may be present in these parasites to direct DNA replication and the replicative stress response.