2019 PLOS

In all kingdoms of life, DNA is used to encode hereditary information.

Propagation of the genetic material between generations requires timely and accurate duplication of DNA by semiconservative replication prior to cell division to ensure each daughter cell receives the full complement of chromosomes.

DNA synthesis of daughter strands starts at discrete sites, termed replication origins, and proceeds in a bidirectional manner until all genomic DNA is replicated.

Despite the fundamental nature of these events, organisms have evolved surprisingly divergent strategies that control replication onset.

Here, we discuss commonalities and differences in replication origin organization and recognition in the three domains of life.

Surprisingly, these studies have revealed interesting differences both in origin properties and in initiator composition compared to yeast and metazoans. Further exploration of replication initiation mechanisms across different branches of the eukaryotic domain will likely yield unexpected insight into the diversity and evolution of this fundamental biological process.