| Literature DB >> 30915332 |
Argyro Kalogeropoulou1, Zoi Lygerou2, Stavros Taraviras1.
Abstract
During the development of the cortex distinct populations of Neural Stem Cells (NSCs) are defined by differences in their cell cycle duration, self-renewal capacity and transcriptional profile. A key difference across the distinct populations of NSCs is the length of G1 phase, where the licensing of the DNA replication origins takes place by the assembly of a pre-replicative complex. Licensing of DNA replication is a process that is adapted accordingly to the cell cycle length of NSCs to secure the timed duplication of the genome. Moreover, DNA replication should be efficiently coordinated with ongoing transcription for the prevention of conflicts that would impede the progression of both processes, compromising the normal course of development. In the present review we discuss how the differential regulation of the licensing and initiation of DNA replication in different cortical NSCs populations is integrated with the properties of these stem cells populations. Moreover, we examine the implication of the initial steps of DNA replication in the pathogenetic mechanisms of neurodevelopmental defects and Zika virus-related microcephaly, highlighting the significance of the differential regulation of DNA replication during brain development.Entities:
Keywords: DNA replication; cortex development; microcephaly; neural stem cells; origins licensing
Year: 2019 PMID: 30915332 PMCID: PMC6421272 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2019.00029
Source DB: PubMed Journal: Front Cell Dev Biol ISSN: 2296-634X
FIGURE 1The diverse populations of neural stem cells (NSCs) that emerge during cortical development exhibit distinct cell cycle kinetics and differential regulation of the DNA replication licensing and initiation processes. (A) Neuroepithelial cells are characterized by a shorter cell cycle compared to Radial Glial cells that permits their fast proliferation. (B; Licensing) During the G1 phase origins of replication are licensed by the formation of a competent pre-replicative complex (Pre-RC). Higher expression of licensing factors (ORC, Cdc6, Cdt1 and MCMs) is required for the efficient licensing of origins in NECs that exhibit a shorter G1 phase. (C; Origin usage) Increased formation of Pre-RCs facilitates the usage of more origins for the accurate completion of DNA replication that further causes a reduction of the available dormant origins. RGs activate less origins of replication compared to NECs to complete the duplication of their genome. (D; Replication Domains) DNA is replicated in well-defined segments constituted by multiple origins that fire synchronously in distinct time points throughout S phase. Rapid proliferating cells complete DNA replication in smaller segments, while cells with longer G1 phase exhibit fewer but larger replication domains.
Genes linked to microcephaly that encode proteins involved in DNA replication.
| Disease | Phenotype | Genes | Functions | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meier-Gorlin Syndrome | Microcephaly, primordial dwarfism and hypoplastic patella | Pre-Replicative Complex formation | ||
| Geminin | Re-licensing inhibitor | |||
| CMG complex establishment | ||||
| Bloom syndrome | Microcephaly, short stature and cancer predisposition | Replication fork stability and resolution of replication intermediates | ||
| Seckel syndrome (ATR/ATRIP-related) | Microcephaly, primordial dwarfism and dysmorphic facial features | Response to replication stress and stabilization of stalled forks | ||
| Microcephalic Primordial Dwarfism | Microcephaly and primordial dwarfism | Replication fork stability | ||
FIGURE 2Licensing, origin selection and replication timing are dynamically regulated during cortical development to secure the formation of a functional cortex. (A) Origins of replication are licensed during the G1 phase by the formation of a competent pre-replicative complex (Pre-RC). A fraction of the licensed origins is selected during the S phase to establish a bidirectional replication fork while not activated origins remain dormant. DNA is replicated in well-defined chromosomal segments, that are duplicated in distinct time points throughout S phase. Establishment of a characteristic replication timing profile permits the coordination of replication and transcriptional machineries. (B) Impaired licensing and initiation of DNA replication lead to defective brain development and microcephaly. Reduced expression of licensing factors results in decrease of licensed origins that further causes incomplete initiation of DNA replication. Aberrant licensing directly affects the successful duplication of the genome due to under-replication or over-replication. Moreover, deviation of the normal replication timing due to defective licensing, can lead to impaired gene expression and possibly, to conflicts between replication and transcription. Under these conditions, the proliferation of NSCs is compromised resulting in severe brain malformations.