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Updated: Jun 5, 2026

Strand-Specific Analysis of Proteins at Replicating DNA Strands by Enrichment and Sequencing of Protein-Associated Nascent DNA Method
Published on: May 2, 2025
Comparison of constitutional and replication stress-induced genome structural variation by SNP array and mate-pair
Martin F Arlt1, Alev Cagla Ozdemir, Shanda R Birkeland
1Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA.
Replication stress can cause copy-number variants (CNVs), which are key genetic variations in human diseases. This study shows experimentally induced CNVs resemble pathogenic human CNVs, providing new insights into their formation.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Genomics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Copy-number variants (CNVs) represent significant genetic variation influencing human health and disease.
- Replication stress is a suspected driver of CNV formation, but direct comparisons with experimental models are limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare constitutional CNVs with those induced by replication stress in human cells using high-resolution methods.
- To elucidate the mechanisms and characteristics of CNV formation under replication stress.
Main Methods:
- Utilized single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) arrays and mate-pair sequencing for high-resolution CNV detection.
- Induced DNA replication stress using aphidicolin in human cells for experimental comparison.
Main Results:
- Mate-pair sequencing offered higher sensitivity for small variants and better structural resolution than SNP arrays.
- Both constitutional and aphidicolin-induced CNVs predominantly formed through homology-independent mechanisms.
- Aphidicolin-induced CNVs were larger on average than constitutional CNVs.
Conclusions:
- Aphidicolin-induced CNVs share characteristics with pathogenic human CNVs, suggesting replication stress as a significant factor in their etiology.
- The study provides a refined methodology for comparing endogenous and experimentally induced CNVs.
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