Early events in eukaryotic DNA replication

Starting DNA Synthesis: Initiation Processes during the Replication of Chromosomal DNA in Humans

The initiation reactions of DNA synthesis are central processes during human chromosomal DNA replication. They are separated into two main processes: the initiation events at replication origins, the start of the leading strand synthesis for each replicon, and the numerous initiation events taking place during lagging strand DNA synthesis. In addition, a third mechanism is the re-initiation of DNA synthesis after replication fork stalling, which takes place when DNA lesions hinder the progression of DNA synthesis. The initiation of leading strand synthesis at replication origins is regulated at multiple levels, from the origin recognition to the assembly and activation of replicative helicase, the Cdc45-MCM2-7-GINS (CMG) complex. In addition, the multiple interactions of the CMG complex with the eukaryotic replicative DNA polymerases, DNA polymerase α-primase, DNA polymerase δ and ε, at replication forks play pivotal roles in the mechanism of the initiation reactions of leading and lagging strand DNA synthesis. These interactions are also important for the initiation of signalling at unperturbed and stalled replication forks, "replication stress" events, via ATR (ATM-Rad 3-related protein kinase). These processes are essential for the accurate transfer of the cells' genetic information to their daughters. Thus, failures and dysfunctions in these processes give rise to genome instability causing genetic diseases, including cancer. In their influential review "Hallmarks of Cancer: New Dimensions", Hanahan and Weinberg (2022) therefore call genome instability a fundamental function in the development process of cancer cells. In recent years, the understanding of the initiation processes and mechanisms of human DNA replication has made substantial progress at all levels, which will be discussed in the review.

A half century of exploring DNA excision repair in chromatin

DNA in eukaryotic cells is packaged into the compact and dynamic structure of chromatin. This packaging is a double-edged sword for DNA repair and genomic stability. Chromatin restricts the access of repair proteins to DNA lesions embedded in nucleosomes and higher order chromatin structures. However, chromatin also serves as a signaling platform in which post-translational modifications of histones and other chromatin-bound proteins promote lesion recognition and repair. Similarly, chromatin modulates the formation of DNA damage, promoting or suppressing lesion formation depending on the chromatin context. Therefore, the modulation of DNA damage and its repair in chromatin is crucial to our understanding of the fate of potentially mutagenic and carcinogenic lesions in DNA. Here, we survey many of the landmark findings on DNA damage and repair in chromatin over the last 50 years (i.e., since the beginning of this field), focusing on excision repair, the first repair mechanism studied in the chromatin landscape. For example, we highlight how the impact of chromatin on these processes explains the distinct patterns of somatic mutations observed in cancer genomes.

Nucleotide excision repair in cellular chromatin: studies with yeast from nucleotide to gene to genome

Here we review our development of, and results with, high resolution studies on global genome nucleotide excision repair (GGNER) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We have focused on how GGNER relates to histone acetylation for its functioning and we have identified the histone acetyl tranferase Gcn5 and acetylation at lysines 9/14 of histone H3 as a major factor in enabling efficient repair. We consider results employing primarily MFA2 as a model gene, but also those with URA3 located at subtelomeric sequences. In the latter case we also see a role for acetylation at histone H4. We then go on to outline the development of a high resolution genome-wide approach that enables one to examine correlations between histone modifications and the nucleotide excision repair (NER) of UV-induced cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers throughout entire genomes. This is an approach that will enable rapid advances in understanding the complexities of how compacted chromatin in chromosomes is processed to access DNA damage and then returned to its pre-damaged status to maintain epigenetic codes.

Viral DNA synthesis-dependent titration of a cellular repressor activates transcription of the human adenovirus type 2 IVa2 gene

Synthesis of progeny DNA genomes in cells infected by human subgroup C adenoviruses leads to several changes in viral gene expression. These changes include transcription from previously silent, late promoters, such as the IV(a2) promoter, and a large increase in the efficiency of major-late (ML) transcription. Some of these changes appear to take place sequentially, because the product of the IV(a2) gene has been implicated in stimulation of ML transcription. Our previous biochemical studies suggested that IV(a2) transcription is regulated by viral DNA synthesis-dependent relief of transcriptional repression by a cellular protein that we termed IV(a2)-RF. To test the relevance of such a repressor-titration mechanism during the viral infectious cycle, we introduced into the endogenous IV(a2) promoter two mutations that impair in vitro-binding of IV(a2)-RF, but introduce no change (Rep7) or one conservative amino acid substitution (Rep6) into the overlapping coding sequence for the viral DNA polymerase. The results of run-on transcription assays indicated that both mutations induced earlier-than-normal and more efficient IV(a2) transcription. Both mutations were also observed to result in modest increases in the efficiency of viral DNA synthesis. However, measurement of the concentration of IV(a2) transcripts as a function of IV(a2) template concentration demonstrated that the Rep mutations increased by up to 60-fold the efficiency with which IV(a2) templates were used during the initial period of the late phase of infection, as predicted by the repressor titration hypothesis. These mutations also increased the efficiency of ML transcription in infected cells.

DNA synthesis-dependent relief of repression of transcription from the adenovirus type 2 IVa(2) promoter by a cellular protein

The promoter of the human adenovirus type 2 IVa(2) gene, which becomes active only during the late phase of infection, is built largely from sequences spanning, and downstream of, the sites of initiation of transcription. These sequences comprise an initiator, an intragenic sequence necessary for efficient transcription from the promoter by RNA polymerase II, and an intragenic binding site for a cellular repressor of IVa(2) transcription. The properties of the latter protein, which is termed IVa(2)-RF, suggested that it might account for the viral DNA synthesis-dependent activation of IVa(2) transcription during the adenoviral productive cycle. Here we report the results of experiments to assess the contributions of DNA template concentration and IVa(2)-RF binding to the activity of the IVa(2) promoter using a transient expression system. When a IVa(2)-EGFP reporter gene was introduced into HeLa cells, in which IVa(2)-RF was identified, no EFGP synthesis could be detected. In contrast, in IVa(2)-RF-containing cells in which the plasmid carrying the chimeric gene replicated, synthesis of both the EGFP protein and the IVa(2)-EGFP mRNA was readily detected. A vector mutation that blocked plasmid replication reduced IVa(2) promoter activity to undetectable levels. In contrast, a IVa(2) promoter substitution that impaired binding of IVa(2)-RF increased IVa(2) promoter activity under all conditions examined. Furthermore, introduction of DNA containing the IV-RF binding site with the chimeric reporter genes resulted in increased transcription from the IVa(2) promoter in the absence of plasmid replication. These properties are consistent with the hypothesis that the relative concentration of the IVa(2) promoter and of the cellular repressor that binds to it governs transcription from this adenoviral promoter.

An N-terminal deletion mutant of simian virus 40 (SV40) large T antigen oligomerizes incorrectly on SV40 DNA but retains the ability to bind to DNA polymerase alpha and replicate SV40 DNA in vitro

A peptide encompassing the N-terminal 82 amino acids of simian virus 40 (SV40) large T antigen was previously shown to bind to the large subunit of DNA polymerase alpha-primase (I. Dornreiter, A. Höss, A. K. Arthur, and E. Fanning, EMBO J. 9:3329-3336, 1990). We report here that a mutant T antigen, T83-708, lacking residues 2 to 82 retained the ability to bind to DNA polymerase alpha-primase, implying that it carries a second binding site for DNA polymerase alpha-primase. The mutant protein also retained ATPase, helicase, and SV40 origin DNA-binding activity. However, its SV40 DNA replication activity in vitro was reduced compared with that of wild-type protein. The reduction in replication activity was accompanied by a lower DNA-binding affinity to SV40 origin sequences and aberrant oligomerization on viral origin DNA. Thus, the first 82 residues of SV40 T antigen are not strictly required for its interaction with DNA polymerase alpha-primase or for DNA replication function but may play a role in correct hexamer assembly and efficient DNA binding at the origin.

Species-specific replication of simian virus 40 DNA in vitro requires the p180 subunit of human DNA polymerase alpha-primase

Human cell extracts efficiently support replication of simian virus 40 (SV40) DNA in vitro, while mouse cell extracts do not. Since human DNA polymerase alpha-primase is the major species-specific factor, we set out to determine the subunit(s) of DNA polymerase alpha-primase required for this species specificity. Recombinant human, mouse, and hybrid human-mouse DNA polymerase alpha-primase complexes were expressed with baculovirus vectors and purified. All of the recombinant DNA polymerase alpha-primases showed enzymatic activity and efficiently synthesized the complementary strand on an M13 single-stranded DNA template. The human DNA polymerase alpha-primase (four subunits [HHHH]) and the hybrid DNA polymerase alpha-primase HHMM (two human subunits and two mouse subunits), containing human p180 and p68 and mouse primase, initiated SV40 DNA replication in a purified system. The human and the HHMM complex efficiently replicated SV40 DNA in mouse extracts from which DNA polymerase alpha-primase was deleted, while MMMM and the MMHH complex did not. To determine whether the human p180 or p68 subunit was required for SV40 DNA replication, hybrid complexes containing only one human subunit, p180 or p68, together with three mouse subunits (HMMM and MHMM) or three human subunits and one mouse subunit (MHHH and HMHH) were tested for SV40 DNA replication activity. The hybrid complexes HMMM and HMHH synthesized oligoribonucleotides in the SV40 initiation assay with purified proteins and replicated SV40 DNA in depleted mouse extracts. In contrast, the hybrid complexes containing mouse p180 were inactive in both assays. We conclude that the human p180 subunit determines host-specific replication of SV40 DNA in vitro.

Bovine papillomavirus E1 protein binds specifically DNA polymerase alpha but not replication protein A

Extracts prepared from either mouse cells or monkey cells were examined for the ability to support in vitro bovine papillomavirus type 1 (BPV1) DNA replication, and they were used in parallel as a source of host replication proteins for affinity chromatography. DNA synthesis exhibited an absolute requirement for BPV1 E1 protein. In contrast to previous observations, we found that low levels of E1 were highly efficient in initiating DNA replication in the absence of the BPV1 transcription factor E2. Surprisingly, COS-1 cell extract allowed a high rate of BPV1 DNA replication, supporting an efficient production of mature circular DNA molecules, whereas in mouse cell extracts, the replication products mostly consisted of replicative intermediates. Submitting the extracts to affinity chromatography allowed specific binding of DNA polymerase alpha-primase to E1 protein, up to a total depletion of the extract, regardless of the origin of the cell extract. Furthermore, replication protein A was not retained on E1 affinity columns, even when E2 was complexed with E1. These data confirm that the interactions between E1 and DNA polymerase alpha-primase do not exhibit cell-type specificity, as had already been suggested by data from in vivo and in vitro replication assays, but they imply that other cellular proteins may affect the level of E1-dependent replication.

Isolation of human DNA-unwinding elements as sites of DNA polymerase alpha/primase entry

Human DNA libraries were screened for DNA synthesis activity in vitro using purified DNA polymerase alpha/primase and a viral DNA helicase (simian virus 40 large tumor antigen). Three clones exhibited a high activity distinguishable from the rest. The DNA synthesis was dependent on negative supertwisting and initiated at a unique region in the human DNA insert. Functional subclone DNA fragments which could be shortened to less than 1 kb are located in the initiation region. Binding with a single-stranded DNA-binding protein and digestion with nuclease P1 demonstrated that these DNAs have a highly single-stranded nature at a certain site in a closed circular plasmid. The minimal functional sequences coincide with the single-stranded region and contain a characteristic dinucleotide repeat sequence. These repeats have an extremely low free energy for DNA strand separation and are defined as DNA-unwinding elements, which are frequently observed at regions flanking replication origins in Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae chromosomes. We suggest that such a repeating sequence would have an important role during initiation of DNA replication and function as a site to recruit replication proteins.

Simian virus 40 origin- and T-antigen-dependent DNA replication with Drosophila factors in vitro

DNA replication of double-stranded simian virus 40 (SV40) origin-containing plasmids, which has been previously thought to be a species-specific process that occurs only with factors derived from primate cells, is catalyzed with an extract derived from embryos of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. This reaction is dependent upon both large T antigen, the SV40-encoded replication initiator protein and DNA helicase, and a functional T-antigen binding site at the origin of DNA replication. The efficiency of replication with extracts derived from Drosophila embryos is approximately 10% of that observed with extracts prepared from human 293 cells. This activity is not a unique property of embryonic extracts, as cytoplasmic extracts from Drosophila tissue culture cells also support T-antigen-mediated replication of SV40 DNA. By using highly purified proteins, DNA synthesis is initiated by Drosophila polymerase alpha-primase in a T-antigen-dependent manner in the presence of Drosophila replication protein A (RP-A; also known as single-stranded DNA-binding protein), but neither human RP-A nor Escherichia coli single-stranded DNA-binding protein could substitute for Drosophila RP-A. In reciprocal experiments, however, Drosophila RP-A was able to substitute for human RP-A in reactions carried out with human polymerase alpha-primase. These results collectively indicate that many of the specific functional interactions among T antigen, polymerase alpha-primase, and RP-A are conserved from primates to Drosophila species. Moreover, the observation that SV40 DNA replication can be performed with Drosophila factors provides a useful assay for the study of bidirectional DNA replication in Drosophila species in the context of a complete replication reaction.

Simian virus 40 origin- and T-antigen-dependent DNA replication with Drosophila factors in vitro

DNA replication of double-stranded simian virus 40 (SV40) origin-containing plasmids, which has been previously thought to be a species-specific process that occurs only with factors derived from primate cells, is catalyzed with an extract derived from embryos of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. This reaction is dependent upon both large T antigen, the SV40-encoded replication initiator protein and DNA helicase, and a functional T-antigen binding site at the origin of DNA replication. The efficiency of replication with extracts derived from Drosophila embryos is approximately 10% of that observed with extracts prepared from human 293 cells. This activity is not a unique property of embryonic extracts, as cytoplasmic extracts from Drosophila tissue culture cells also support T-antigen-mediated replication of SV40 DNA. By using highly purified proteins, DNA synthesis is initiated by Drosophila polymerase alpha-primase in a T-antigen-dependent manner in the presence of Drosophila replication protein A (RP-A; also known as single-stranded DNA-binding protein), but neither human RP-A nor Escherichia coli single-stranded DNA-binding protein could substitute for Drosophila RP-A. In reciprocal experiments, however, Drosophila RP-A was able to substitute for human RP-A in reactions carried out with human polymerase alpha-primase. These results collectively indicate that many of the specific functional interactions among T antigen, polymerase alpha-primase, and RP-A are conserved from primates to Drosophila species. Moreover, the observation that SV40 DNA replication can be performed with Drosophila factors provides a useful assay for the study of bidirectional DNA replication in Drosophila species in the context of a complete replication reaction.

Control of SV40 DNA replication by protein phosphorylation: a model for cellular DNA replication?

SV40 DNA replication has been studied extensively as a model for eukaryotic DNA replication. The initiation of SV40 DNA replication depends on certain cellular enzymes and on a multifunctional viral phosphoprotein, T antigen, whose activity is controlled positively and negatively by its phosphorylation state. Several cellular protein kinases and phosphatases that act on T antigen have now been identified. The recent elucidation of the step in initiation that is sensitive to T antigen's phosphorylation state raises the question of whether initiation of cellular DNA replication may utilize a similar regulatory mechanism.

Species-specific functional interactions of DNA polymerase alpha-primase with simian virus 40 (SV40) T antigen require SV40 origin DNA

Physical and functional interactions of simian virus 40 (SV40) and polyomavirus large-T antigens with DNA polymerase alpha-primase were analyzed to elucidate the molecular basis for the species specificity of polymerase alpha-primase in viral DNA replication. SV40 T antigen associated more efficiently with polymerase alpha-primase in crude human extracts than in mouse extracts, while polyomavirus T antigen interacted preferentially with polymerase alpha-primase in mouse extracts. The apparent species specificity of complex formation was not observed when purified polymerase alpha-primases were substituted for the crude extracts. Several functional interactions between T antigen and purified polymerase alpha-primase, including stimulation of primer synthesis and primer elongation on M13 DNA in the presence or absence of the single-stranded DNA binding protein RP-A, also proved to be independent of the species from which polymerase alpha-primase had been purified. However, the human DNA polymerase alpha-primase was specifically required for primosome assembly and primer synthesis on SV40 origin DNA in the presence of T antigen and RP-A.

Species-specific functional interactions of DNA polymerase alpha-primase with simian virus 40 (SV40) T antigen require SV40 origin DNA

Physical and functional interactions of simian virus 40 (SV40) and polyomavirus large-T antigens with DNA polymerase alpha-primase were analyzed to elucidate the molecular basis for the species specificity of polymerase alpha-primase in viral DNA replication. SV40 T antigen associated more efficiently with polymerase alpha-primase in crude human extracts than in mouse extracts, while polyomavirus T antigen interacted preferentially with polymerase alpha-primase in mouse extracts. The apparent species specificity of complex formation was not observed when purified polymerase alpha-primases were substituted for the crude extracts. Several functional interactions between T antigen and purified polymerase alpha-primase, including stimulation of primer synthesis and primer elongation on M13 DNA in the presence or absence of the single-stranded DNA binding protein RP-A, also proved to be independent of the species from which polymerase alpha-primase had been purified. However, the human DNA polymerase alpha-primase was specifically required for primosome assembly and primer synthesis on SV40 origin DNA in the presence of T antigen and RP-A.

The B subunit of the DNA polymerase alpha-primase complex in Saccharomyces cerevisiae executes an essential function at the initial stage of DNA replication

The four-subunit DNA polymerase alpha-primase complex is unique in its ability to synthesize DNA chains de novo, and some in vitro data suggest its involvement in initiation and elongation of chromosomal DNA replication, although direct in vivo evidence for a role in the initiation reaction is still lacking. The function of the B subunit of the complex is unknown, but the Saccharomyces cerevisiae POL12 gene, which encodes this protein, is essential for cell viability. We have produced different pol12 alleles by in vitro mutagenesis of the cloned gene. The in vivo analysis of our 18 pol12 alleles indicates that the conserved carboxy-terminal two-thirds of the protein contains regions that are essential for cell viability, while the more divergent NH2-terminal portion is partially dispensable. The characterization of the temperature-sensitive pol12-T9 mutant allele demonstrates that the B subunit is required for in vivo DNA synthesis and correct progression through S phase. Moreover, reciprocal shift experiments indicate that the POL12 gene product plays an essential role at the early stage of chromosomal DNA replication, before the hydroxyurea-sensitive step. A model for the role of the B subunit in initiation of DNA replication at an origin is presented.

The B subunit of the DNA polymerase alpha-primase complex in Saccharomyces cerevisiae executes an essential function at the initial stage of DNA replication

The four-subunit DNA polymerase alpha-primase complex is unique in its ability to synthesize DNA chains de novo, and some in vitro data suggest its involvement in initiation and elongation of chromosomal DNA replication, although direct in vivo evidence for a role in the initiation reaction is still lacking. The function of the B subunit of the complex is unknown, but the Saccharomyces cerevisiae POL12 gene, which encodes this protein, is essential for cell viability. We have produced different pol12 alleles by in vitro mutagenesis of the cloned gene. The in vivo analysis of our 18 pol12 alleles indicates that the conserved carboxy-terminal two-thirds of the protein contains regions that are essential for cell viability, while the more divergent NH2-terminal portion is partially dispensable. The characterization of the temperature-sensitive pol12-T9 mutant allele demonstrates that the B subunit is required for in vivo DNA synthesis and correct progression through S phase. Moreover, reciprocal shift experiments indicate that the POL12 gene product plays an essential role at the early stage of chromosomal DNA replication, before the hydroxyurea-sensitive step. A model for the role of the B subunit in initiation of DNA replication at an origin is presented.

Mutation of the cyclin-dependent kinase phosphorylation site in simian virus 40 (SV40) large T antigen specifically blocks SV40 origin DNA unwinding

A mutant simian virus 40 (SV40) large tumor (T) antigen bearing alanine instead of threonine at residue 124 (T124A) failed to replicate SV40 DNA in infected monkey cells (J. Schneider and E. Fanning, J. Virol. 62:1598-1605, 1988). We investigated the biochemical properties of T124A T antigen in greater detail by using purified protein from a baculovirus expression system. Purified T124A is defective in SV40 DNA replication in vitro, but does bind specifically to the viral origin under the conditions normally used for DNA replication. The mutant protein forms double-hexamer complexes at the origin in an ATP-dependent fashion, although the binding reaction requires somewhat higher protein concentrations than the wild-type protein. Binding of T124A protein results in local distortion of the origin DNA similar to that observed with the wild-type protein. These findings indicate that the replication defect of T124A protein is not due to failure to recognize and occupy the origin. Under some conditions T124A is capable of unwinding short origin DNA fragments. However, the mutant protein is almost completely defective in unwinding of circular plasmid DNA molecules containing the SV40 origin. Since the helicase activity of T124A is essentially identical to that of the wild-type protein, we conclude that the mutant is defective in the initial opening of the duplex at the origin, possibly as a result of altered hexamer-hexamer interactions. The phenotype of T124A suggests a possible role for phosphorylation of threonine 124 by cyclin-dependent kinases in controlling the origin unwinding activity of T antigen in infected cells.