Replication-induced DNA secondary structures drive fork uncoupling and breakage.

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Authors

Williams, SL
Casas-Delucchi, CS
Raguseo, F
Guneri, D
Li, Y
Minamino, M
Fletcher, EE
Yeeles, JT
Keyser, UF
Waller, ZA
Di Antonio, M
Coster, G

Document Type

Journal Article

Date

2023-11-15

Date Accepted

2023-09-21

Abstract

Sequences that form DNA secondary structures, such as G-quadruplexes (G4s) and intercalated-Motifs (iMs), are abundant in the human genome and play various physiological roles. However, they can also interfere with replication and threaten genome stability. Multiple lines of evidence suggest G4s inhibit replication, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Moreover, evidence of how iMs affect the replisome is lacking. Here, we reconstitute replication of physiologically derived structure-forming sequences to find that a single G4 or iM arrest DNA replication. Direct single-molecule structure detection within solid-state nanopores reveals structures form as a consequence of replication. Combined genetic and biophysical characterisation establishes that structure stability and probability of structure formation are key determinants of replisome arrest. Mechanistically, replication arrest is caused by impaired synthesis, resulting in helicase-polymerase uncoupling. Significantly, iMs also induce breakage of nascent DNA. Finally, stalled forks are only rescued by a specialised helicase, Pif1, but not Rrm3, Sgs1, Chl1 or Hrq1. Altogether, we provide a mechanism for quadruplex structure formation and resolution during replication and highlight G4s and iMs as endogenous sources of replication stress.

Citation

The EMBO Journal, 2023, pp. e114334 -

Source Title

The EMBO Journal

Publisher

SPRINGERNATURE

ISSN

0261-4189

eISSN

1460-2075
1460-2075

Research Team

Genome Replication

Notes