Lagging strand replication shapes the mutational landscape of the genome 

The origin of mutations is central to understanding evolution and of key relevance to health. Variation occurs non-randomly across the genome, and mechanisms for this remain to be defined. Here we report that the 5' ends of Okazaki fragments have significantly increased levels of nucleotide substitution, indicating a replicative origin for such mutations. Using a novel method, emRiboSeq, we map the genome-wide contribution of polymerases, and show that despite Okazaki fragment processing, DNA synthesized by error-prone polymerase-alpha (Pol-alpha) is retained in vivo, comprising ~1.5% of the mature genome. We propose that DNA-binding proteins that rapidly re-associate post-replication act as partial barriers to Pol-delta-mediated displacement of Pol-alpha-synthesized DNA, resulting in incorporation of such Pol-alpha tracts and increased mutation rates at specific sites. We observe a mutational cost to chromatin and regulatory protein binding, resulting in mutation hotspots at regulatory elements, with signatures of this process detectable in both yeast and humans.

Taylor, Martin; Kemp, Harriet; Marion de Procé, Sophie; Reijns, Martin; Ding, James; Jackson, Andrew. (2015). Lagging strand replication shapes the mutational landscape of the genome, [dataset]. University of Edinburgh. MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine. MRC Human Genetics Unit. http://dx.doi.org/10.7488/ds/204.