Abstract
DNA replication, one of the central events in the cell cycle, is the basis of biological inheritance. In order to be duplicated, a DNA double helix must be opened at defined sites, which are called DNA replication origins (ORIs). Unlike in bacteria, where replication initiates from a single replication origin, multiple origins are utilized in the eukaryotic genomes. Among them, the ORIs in budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe have been best characterized. In recent years, advances in DNA microarray and next-generation sequencing technologies have increased the number of yeast species involved in ORIs research dramatically. The ORIs in some non-conventional yeast species such as Kluyveromyces lactis and Pichia pastoris have also been genome-widely identified. Relevant databases of replication origins in yeast were constructed, then the comparative genomic analysis can be carried out. Here, we review several experimental approaches that have been used to map replication origins in yeast and some of the available web resources related to yeast ORIs. We also discuss the sequence characteristics and chromosome structures of ORIs in the four yeast species, which can be utilized to improve yeast replication origins prediction.
Highlights
DNA replication is one of the crucial steps for cell cycle
In S. cerevisiae, origin selection is mediated by the formation of a multiprotein complex termed the pre-replicative complex, whose activation leads to DNA unwinding and the assembly of replisomes to carry out DNA synthesis (Bell and Dutta, 2002)
Proteins required for pre-replicative complex (pre-RC) formation include the origin recognition complex (ORC), the pre-RC assembly factors Cdc6 and Cdt1 and the putative replicative DNA helicase, the MCM2-7 complex (Bell, 2002; Bowers et al, 2004)
Summary
DNA replication is one of the crucial steps for cell cycle. During cell division, accurate and complete duplication of the genome is required to ensure the faithful inheritance of genetic information from one cell generation to the next. We summarize several experimental approaches that have been used to identify replication origins in yeast and list some available web resources relevant to yeast ORIs. In addition, we discuss the characteristics of ORIs in the four yeast species based on the sequence data in the Database of Eukaryotic ORIs (DeOri), including the significant motifs found by the MEMEChIP web service, the chromosome structures of ORIs, and the origin replication timing and efficiency features.
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