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DNA replication is a ubiquitous and conserved cellular process. However, regulation of DNA replication is only understood in a small fraction of organisms that poorly represent the diversity of genetic systems in nature. Here we used computational and experimental approaches to examine the function and evolution of one such system, the replication band (RB) in spirotrich ciliates, which is a localized, motile hub that traverses the macronucleus while replicating DNA. We show that the RB can take unique forms in different species, from polar bands to a "replication envelope," where replication initiates at the nuclear periphery before advancing inward. Furthermore, we identify genes involved in cellular transport, including calcium transporters and cytoskeletal regulators, that are associated with the RB and may be involved in its function and translocation. These findings highlight the evolution and diversity of DNA replication systems and provide insights into the regulation of nuclear organization and processes.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2020.09.077 | DOI Listing |
Genes Genet Syst
September 2025
Department of Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University.
In most eubacteria the initiator protein DnaA triggers chromosomal replication by forming an initiation complex at the origin of replication and also functions as a transcriptional regulator, coordinating gene expression with cell cycle progression. While DnaA-regulated genes are relatively well characterized in exponentially growing cells, its role in gene regulation during stationary phase remains insufficiently explored. Here, using an aquatic bacterium Caulobacter crescentus as a model, we show that C.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFExp Gerontol
September 2025
Department of Nutrition and Integrative Physiology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA; Department of Molecular Biology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Department of Biochemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake Ci
Aging is the greatest risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and is characterized by inflammation, oxidative stress, and cellular senescence. Cellular senescence is a state of persistent cell cycle arrest triggered by stressors such as DNA damage and telomere attrition. Senescent endothelial cells (ECs) can impair vascular function and promote inflammation, thereby contributing to CVD progression.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPhotobiomodul Photomed Laser Surg
September 2025
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Diagnostic Sciences, Dental College and Hospital, Taibah University, Medina, Saudi Arabia.
Photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy involves the use of low-dose, nonionizing light to reduce pain and inflammation, promote wound healing, and enhance tissue regeneration. PBM-based therapy of various dental conditions is associated with improved treatment outcomes. This study aims to critically review the literature to highlight the underlying molecular biological mechanisms and clinical applications of PBM in modern dental practice.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFProc Natl Acad Sci U S A
September 2025
HHMI and The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065.
Replication of cellular chromosomes requires a primase to generate short RNA primers to initiate genomic replication. While bacterial and archaeal primase generate short RNA primers, the eukaryotic primase, Polα-primase, contains both RNA primase and DNA polymerase (Pol) subunits that function together to form a >20 base hybrid RNA-DNA primer. Interestingly, the DNA Pol1 subunit of Polα lacks a 3'-5' proofreading exonuclease, contrary to the high-fidelity normally associated with DNA replication.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFProc Natl Acad Sci U S A
September 2025
Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34051, Republic of Korea.
Microscopic examination of biopsy tissues remains essential for cancer diagnosis, despite advancements in sequencing technologies. Alterations in nuclear size or the nuclear-to-cytoplasmic ratio are hallmark features of cancer cells and often correlate with disease progression. However, the mechanisms underlying nuclear size abnormalities and their impact on tumor progression remain unclear.
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