DNA replication timing data corroborate in silico human replication origin predictions

Abstract

We develop a wavelet-based multiscale pattern recognition methodology to disentangle the replication- from the transcription-associated compositional strand asymmetries observed in the human genome. Comparing replication skew profiles to recent high-resolution replication timing data reveals that most of the putative replication origins that border the so-identified replication domains are replicated earlier than their surroundings whereas the central regions replicate late in the S phase. We discuss the implications of this first experimental confirmation of these replication origin predictions that are likely to be early replicating and active in most tissues.