Approaches to Monitor Termination of DNA Replication Using Xenopus Egg Extracts

Abstract

DNA replication is crucial for cell viability and genome integrity. Despite its crucial role in genome duplication, the final stage of DNA replication, which is termed termination, is relatively unexplored. Our knowledge of termination is limited by cellular approaches to study DNA replication, which cannot readily detect termination. In contrast, the Xenopus laevis egg extract system allows for all of DNA replication to be readily detected. Here we describe the use of this system and assays to monitor replication termination.

Keywords: Chromatin capture; DNA replication; DNA synthesis; Decatenation; Fork merger; Ligation; Xenopus egg extracts.