The disassembly of DNA replication machinery at the end of replication Event

Abstract: To ensure duplication of the whole genome DNA replication initiates from thousands of replication origins. The replication forks move through the chromatin until they encounter forks from the neighbouring origins. During the termination of replication forks the replisomes disassemble by an unknown mechanism and topisomerase II resolves the daughter DNA molecules. If not resolved properly, the terminating forks are at high risk of stalling and fork reversal, leading to DNA damage and genomic instability.

Our recent work provides first insight into the mechanism of replisome disassembly during eukaryotic DNA replication termination and sheds light onto the way the terminating replication forks are resolved efficiently to maintain the stable genome. I will introduce the concepts of DNA replication, present data leading to our model of replisome disassembly and discuss the importance of this process for cell viability.