Recent advances in understanding DNA replication: cell type–specific adaptation of the DNA replication program

Antoine Aze (1) , Domenico Maiorano (1)

1 IGH - Institut de génétique humaine

DNA replication is an essential process occurring prior to cell division. Cell division coupled to proliferation ensures the growth and renewal of a large variety of specialized cell types generated during embryonic development. Changes in the DNA replication program occur during development. Embryonic undifferentiated cells show a high replication rate and fast proliferation, whereas more differentiated cells are characterized by reduced DNA synthesis and a low proliferation rate. Hence, the DNA replication program must adapt to the specific features of cells committed to different fates. Recent findings on DNA synthesis regulation in different cell types open new perspectives for developing efficient and more adapted therapies to treat various diseases such as genetic diseases and cancer. This review will put the emphasis on recent progress made in this field.

Mots clés: DNA synthesis; cell cycle; chromatin; development; differentiation; epigenetics; nucleus

Domaines: Sciences du Vivant [q-bio]; Génétique

Antoine Aze, Domenico Maiorano. Recent advances in understanding DNA replication: cell type–specific adaptation of the DNA replication program. F1000Research, 2018, 7, ⟨10.12688/f1000research.15408.1⟩. ⟨hal-01887450⟩