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Extra-chromosomal elements and the evolution of cellular DNA replication machineries

Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology volume 9, pages 569–574 (2008)Cite this article

Abstract

DNA replication is fundamental to the propagation of cellular life. Remarkably, the bacterial replication machinery is distinct from that used by archaea and eukaryotes. In this article, we discuss the role that lateral gene transfer by extra-chromosomal elements might have had in shaping the replication machinery and even modulating the manner in which host cellular genomes are replicated.

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Figure 1: The tree of life.
Figure 2: Models for the replication dichotomy.
Figure 3: The diversity of archaeal MCMs.

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Acknowledgements

Work in the laboratory of S.D.B is funded by the Wellcome Trust and the Edward Penley Abraham Trust.

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Author notes

  1. Stephen D. Bell is at the Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3RE, UK.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Adam T. McGeoch is at the MRC Cancer Cell Unit, Hutchison MRC Centre, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0XZ, UK.,

    Adam T. McGeoch & Stephen D. Bell

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Correspondence to Stephen D. Bell.

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McGeoch, A., Bell, S. Extra-chromosomal elements and the evolution of cellular DNA replication machineries. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 9, 569–574 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrm2426

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