Regions of metazoan genomes replicate at defined times within S phase. This observation suggests that replication origins fire with a defined timing pattern that remains the same from cycle to cycle. However, an alterative model based on the stochastic firing of origins may also explain replication timing. This model assumes varying origin efficiency instead of a strict origin-timing programme. Here, we discuss the evidence for both models.
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I am grateful to J. Bechhoefer, D. Clarke, B. Kobertz and M. Munson for critical reading of the manuscript.
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Rhind, N. DNA replication timing: random thoughts about origin firing. Nat Cell Biol 8, 1313–1316 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/ncb1206-1313
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/ncb1206-1313
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