The paper identifies the role of FACT-(H3-H4) complex in stimulating Pol activity to coordinate DNA synthesis with nucleosome assembly during replication.

Science Advances · Sep 25, 2026Peer-reviewedMolecular Biology

XPF mediates 3' flap processing for FEN1-independent Okazaki fragment maturation

Kejiao Li, Feng Yang, Yingying Wang, Guojun Shi, Yixing Wang, Yunhao Liu, Yao Yan, Yi Lei, Main Zhou, Haitao Sun, Li Zheng, Binghui Shen

This paper shows that XPF degrades 3' flaps in human cells when FEN1 is deficient, enabling Okazaki fragment maturation and preventing DNA damage.

Nucleic Acids Research · May 20, 2026Peer-reviewedCell Biology

PARP1-mediated 5' flap dynamics facilitate Okazaki fragment maturation

Guojun Shi, Yixing Wang, Yao Yan, Kejiao Li, Lingzhi Ma, Yi Lei, Yingying Wang, Nancy Manriquez, Mian Zhou, Shan Zha, Li Zheng, Binghui Shen

This study identifies context-dependent roles of PARP1 in regulating Okazaki fragment maturation by controlling 5' flap dynamics and DNA ligation processes.

bioRxiv · Apr 30, 2026 · PreprintMolecular Biology

JMJD1B-mediated FEN1 demethylation allows timely switching of Okazaki fragment maturation core enzymes to avoid mutagenic flap ligation by PARP1-LIG3

Yao Yan, Guojun Shi, Kejiao Li, Yi Lei, Yixing Wang, Yingying Wang, Songbai Liu, Anthony Fernandez, Tingting Zhou, Evan Wang, Mian Zhou, Yuan Hang, Zhuo Li, Zhigang Guo, Zheng Li, Binghui Shen

bioRxiv · Oct 6, 2025 · PreprintCell Biology

DNA2 and MSH2 activity collectively mediate chemically stabilized G4 for efficient telomere replication

Anthony Fernandez, Tingting Zhou, Robert Steven Esworthy, Changxian Shen, Helen Liu, Jessica D. Hess, Hang Yuan, Nian Liu, Guojun Shi, Mian Zhou, Settapong T Kosiyatrakul, Vikas Gaur, Joshua A. Sommers, Winfried Edelmann, Guo‐Min Li, , Binghui Shen

The paper shows DNA2 and MSH2 work together to remove G4 structures at telomeres, preventing replication issues and telomere instability.

bioRxiv · Apr 4, 2025 · PreprintMolecular Biology