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The DNA replication checkpoint aids survival of plants deficient in the novel replisome factor ETG1
Author(s) -
Takahashi Naoki,
Lammens Tim,
Boudolf Véronique,
Maes Sara,
Yoshizumi Takeshi,
De Jaeger Geert,
Witters Erwin,
Inzé Dirk,
De Veylder Lieven
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
the embo journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 7.484
H-Index - 392
eISSN - 1460-2075
pISSN - 0261-4189
DOI - 10.1038/emboj.2008.107
Subject(s) - biology , g2 m dna damage checkpoint , dna replication factor cdt1 , control of chromosome duplication , replisome , dna replication , eukaryotic dna replication , dna re replication , genetics , origin recognition complex , pre replication complex , microbiology and biotechnology , cell cycle checkpoint , gene , dna repair , licensing factor , cell cycle
Complete and accurate chromosomal DNA replication is essential for the maintenance of the genetic integrity of all organisms. Errors in replication are buffered by the activation of DNA stress checkpoints; however, in plants, the relative importance of a coordinated induction of DNA repair and cell cycle‐arresting genes in the survival of replication mutants is unknown. In a systematic screen for Arabidopsis thaliana E2F target genes, the E2F TARGET GENE 1 ( ETG1 ) was identified as a novel evolutionarily conserved replisome factor. ETG1 was associated with the minichromosome maintenance complex and was crucial for efficient DNA replication. Plants lacking the ETG1 gene had serrated leaves due to cell cycle inhibition triggered by the DNA replication checkpoints, as shown by the transcriptional induction of DNA stress checkpoint genes. The importance of checkpoint activation was highlighted by double mutant analysis: whereas etg1 mutant plants developed relatively normally, a synthetically lethal interaction was observed between etg1 and the checkpoint mutants wee1 and atr , demonstrating that activation of a G2 cell cycle checkpoint accounts for survival of ETG1 ‐deficient plants.