From cooperation to conflicts - A complicated relationship between transcription and replication

Abstract

A tight coordination between transcription and DNA replication is essential to maintain genome stability. Both excessive transcription and upregulated initiation of DNA replication result in transcription replication conflicts and DNA damage. Interestingly, many replication origins are co-localized with transcription start sites, indicating that transcription may play a role in the initiation of DNA replication. In this review we cover various aspects of replication regulation by transcription - from location of replication origins to various steps of replication initiation, replication timing and transcription-replication conflicts.

Keywords: Chromatin; DNA replication; Replication origins; Replication timing; Transcription; Transcription start sites.