Initiation of eukaryotic DNA replication in vitro

Abstract

Recent advances in our understanding of the mechanism and regulation of eukaryotic DNA replication have been expedited by the use of cell‐free systems capable of initiation of DNA replication. The system capable of replicating plasmid DNAs containing the SV40 origin of DNA replication in vitro is a paradigm for studies on the replication of other virus DNAs and the replication of cellular chromosomes. This review outlines some of the contemporary issues and developments related to this complex problem.

A novel primase-free form of murine DNA polymerase .alpha. induced by infection with minute virus of mice

“…Genetic studies have revealed an essential role for primase and for the DNA polymerase « catalytic subunit in Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Johnson et al, 1985;Lucchini et al, 1987) and in mammalian cells (Murakami et al, 1985) where the human gene for the DNA polymerase « catalytic subunit has been mapped to the X chromosome (Wang et al, 1985). These physical, enzymological, and genetic properties, as well as a processivity of 100 nucleotides or less, are consistent with a role for the DNA polymerase «-primase complex in the discontinuous synthesis of RNA-primed DNA chains (Okazaki fragments) on the lagging strand of the DNA replication fork in eucaryotic cells (Prelich & Stillman, 1988;Stillman, 1988;Downey et al, 1988).…”