Chromosomal coordination and differential structure of asynchronous replicating regions

Abstract

Stochastic asynchronous replication timing (AS-RT) is a phenomenon in which the time of replication of each allele is different, and the identity of the early allele varies between cells. By taking advantage of stable clonal pre-B cell populations derived from C57BL6/Castaneous mice, we have mapped the genome-wide AS-RT loci, independently of genetic differences. These regions are characterized by differential chromatin accessibility, mono-allelic expression and include new gene families involved in specifying cell identity. By combining population level mapping with single cell FISH, our data reveal the existence of a novel regulatory program that coordinates a fixed relationship between AS-RT regions on any given chromosome, with some loci set to replicate in a parallel and others set in the anti-parallel orientation. Our results show that AS-RT is a highly regulated epigenetic mark established during early embryogenesis that may be used for facilitating the programming of mono-allelic choice throughout development.