Genetic dissection of a mammalian replicator in the human beta-globin locus
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Updated: Oct 28, 2026

Genome-wide Determination of Mammalian Replication Timing by DNA Content Measurement
Published on: January 19, 2017
M I Aladjem1, L W Rodewald, J L Kolman
1Gene Expression Laboratory, The Salk Institute, San Diego, CA 92037, USA.
Abstract:
The timing and localization of DNA replication initiation in mammalian cells are heritable traits, but it is not known whether initiation requires specific DNA sequences. A site-specific recombination strategy was used to show that DNA sequences previously identified as replication initiation sites could initiate replication when transferred to new chromosomal locations. An 8-kilobase DNA sequence encompassing the origin of DNA replication in the human beta-globin locus initiated replication in the simian genome. Specific deletions within the globin origin did not initiate replication in these chromosomal sites. These data suggest that initiation of DNA replication in mammalian cells requires specific sequence information and extend the replicon hypothesis to higher eukaryotes.
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