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  • The EMBO Journal (1998) 17, 2961 - 2969
  • doi:10.1093/emboj/17.10.2961

Cell cycle modulation of protein–DNA interactions at a human replication origin

Gulnara Abdurashidova1, Silvano Riva3, Giuseppe Biamonti3, Mauro Giacca2,3 and Arturo Falaschi1

  1. Molecular Biology, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Padriciano 99, 34012 Trieste, Italy
  2. Molecular Medicine Units, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Padriciano 99, 34012 Trieste, Italy
  3. Istituto di Genetica Biochimica ed Evoluzionistica, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via Abbiategrasso 207, 27100 Pavia, Italy

Correspondence to:

Arturo Falaschi, E-mail: falaschi@icgeb.trieste.it

Received 23 January 1998; Accepted 13 March 1998; Revised 12 March 1998

We followed the variations of protein–DNA interactions occurring in vivo over the early firing replication origin located near the human lamin B2 gene, in IMR-90 cells synchronized in different moments of the cell cycle. In G0 phase cells no protection is present; as the cells progress in G1 phase an extended footprint covering over 100 bp appears, particularly marked at the G1/S border. As the cells enter S phase the protection shrinks to 70 bp and remains unchanged throughout this phase. In mitosis the protection totally disappears, only to reappear in its extended form as the cells move into the next G1. These variations are reminiscent of those corresponding to the formation of the pre- and post-replicative complexes described in yeast and Xenopus cells.

  • Keywords:

    • DNA replication origin,
    • human genome,
    • in vivo footprinting,
    • origin-binding proteins,
    • pre-replication complex