Fork coupling directs DNA replication elongation and termination. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38484065/)

These scientists wanted to understand how our DNA, which carries all the information that makes us who we are, gets copied in our cells. They discovered that when our cells make copies of DNA, it's like a race with many starting points and two lanes going in opposite directions. When the lanes meet, the copying is done.

To study this, the scientists developed a special method called replication-associated in situ HiC. This method helped them see how different parts of the DNA are connected during the copying process. They found more than 2000 structures that look like fountains, showing how the DNA copying lanes are linked together.

The scientists learned that not only do the lanes coming from the same starting point connect, but also lanes from different starting points can join together before finishing the copying. This helps the cells know when to stop copying the DNA.

They also found that when there are problems during the copying process, it can lead to mistakes in the DNA that may cause diseases like cancer.

Overall, this study showed how the copying of DNA is organized in our cells and how important it is for our bodies to work correctly.

Liu Y., Zhangding Z., Liu X., Gan T., Ai C., Wu J., Liang H., Chen M., Guo Y., Lu R., Jiang Y., Ji X., Gao N., Kong D., Li Q., Hu J. Fork coupling directs DNA replication elongation and termination. Science. 2024 Mar 15;383(6688):1215-1222. doi: 10.1126/science.adj7606. Epub 2024 Mar 14.