One of the most effective ways of improving cancer treatments is to improve early diagnosis, so that cancers are detected before they spread. Proteins that regulate DNA replication provide a new approach to this problem.
Replicating the human genome during each cell cycle is an enormous
logistical challenge. 105 replication initiation events must be co-ordinated so that all of the DNA is replicated once, exactly once and only once. How does the cell keep track of which regions it has already replicated? The answer lies in a ratchet-like system of "replication licensing". Proteins
that make up the license are remarkably powerful markers for improving cancer screening and diagnosis.
Replicating the human genome during each cell cycle is an enormous
logistical challenge. 105 replication initiation events must be co-ordinated so that all of the DNA is replicated once, exactly once and only once. How does the cell keep track of which regions it has already replicated? The answer lies in a ratchet-like system of "replication licensing". Proteins
that make up the license are remarkably powerful markers for improving cancer screening and diagnosis.
