RESUMEN
In a human cell, thousands of replication forks simultaneously coordinate duplication of the entire genome. The rate at which this process occurs might depend on the epigenetic state of the genome and vary between, or even within, cell types. To accurately measure DNA replication speeds, we developed single-cell 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine sequencing to detect nascent replicated DNA. We observed that the DNA replication speed is not constant but increases during S phase of the cell cycle. Using genetic and pharmacological perturbations we were able to alter this acceleration of replication and conclude that DNA damage inflicted by the process of transcription limits the speed of replication during early S phase. In late S phase, during which less-transcribed regions replicate, replication accelerates and approaches its maximum speed.
Asunto(s)
Replicación del ADN , Análisis de la Célula Individual , Humanos , Análisis de la Célula Individual/métodos , Desoxiuridina/análogos & derivados , Fase S/genética , Análisis de Secuencia de ADN/métodos , Daño del ADN , ADN/genéticaRESUMEN
Long-term perturbation of de novo chromatin assembly during DNA replication has profound effects on epigenome maintenance and cell fate. The early mechanistic origin of these defects is unknown. Here, we combine acute degradation of Chromatin Assembly Factor 1 (CAF-1), a key player in de novo chromatin assembly, with single-cell genomics, quantitative proteomics, and live-microscopy to uncover these initiating mechanisms in human cells. CAF-1 loss immediately slows down DNA replication speed and renders nascent DNA hyperaccessible. A rapid cellular response, distinct from canonical DNA damage signaling, is triggered and lowers histone mRNAs. As a result, histone variants usage and their modifications are altered, limiting transcriptional fidelity and delaying chromatin maturation within a single S-phase. This multi-level response induces a cell-cycle arrest after mitosis. Our work reveals the immediate consequences of defective de novo chromatin assembly during DNA replication, explaining how at later times the epigenome and cell fate can be altered.