Initiation of DNA Replication in the Archaea

Abstract

Organisms within the archaeal domain of life possess a simplified version of the eukaryotic DNA replication machinery. While some archaea possess a bacterial-like mode of DNA replication with single origins of replication per chromosome, the majority of species characterized to date possess chromosomes with multiple replication origins. Genetic, structural, and biochemical studies have revealed the nature of archaeal origin specification. Recent work has begun to shed light on the mechanisms of replication initiation in these organisms.

Keywords: Archaea; DNA replication; Helicase; Initiator protein; Replication origin; Sulfolobus.