Progressive activation of DNA replication initiation in large domains of the immunoglobulin heavy chain locus during B cell development

Mol Cell. 2005 Nov 23;20(4):575-87. doi: 10.1016/j.molcel.2005.10.029.

Abstract

In mammalian cells, the replication of tissue-specific gene loci is believed to be under developmental control. Here, we provide direct evidence of the existence of developmentally regulated origins of replication in both cell lines and primary cells. By using single-molecule analysis of replicated DNA (SMARD), we identified various groups of coregulated origins that are activated within the Igh locus. These origin clusters can span hundreds of kilobases and are activated sequentially during B cell development, concomitantly with developmentally regulated changes in chromatin structure and transcriptional activity. Finally, we show that the changes in DNA replication initiation that take place during B cell development, within the D-J-C-3'RR region, occur on both alleles (expressed and nonexpressed).

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • B-Lymphocytes / cytology
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • B-Lymphocytes / metabolism*
  • Cell Differentiation / physiology*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • DNA Replication / physiology*
  • Gene Expression Regulation / physiology*
  • Genetic Markers
  • Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains / genetics*
  • Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Nucleic Acid Hybridization
  • S Phase / physiology
  • Transcription Initiation Site / physiology*

Substances

  • Genetic Markers
  • Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains