Visualization of DNA replication sites in mammalian nuclei

Abstract

DNA replication takes place at discrete sites in the cell nucleus, named replication foci. The spatial arrangements of these foci change in the course of S phase in a temporally regulated and reproducible fashion forming five distinct and highly conserved replication patterns. The organization of nuclear replication sites can be studied by electron and light microscopy techniques. This chapter describes several procedures for detection of replication foci in mammalian nuclei via indirect immunofluorescence microscopy. © 2009 Humana Press, a part of Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.