Comprehensive analysis of DNA replication timing in genetic diseases and gene knockouts identifies MCM10 as a novel regulator of the replication program

Cellular proliferation depends on the accurate and timely replication of the genome. Several genetic diseases are caused by mutations in key DNA replication genes; however, it remains unclear whether these genes influence the normal program of DNA replication timing. Similarly, the factors that regulate DNA replication dynamics are poorly understood. To systematically identify trans-acting modulators of replication timing, we profiled replication in 184 cell lines from three cell types, encompassing 60 different gene knockouts or genetic diseases. Through a rigorous approach that considers the background variability of replication timing, we concluded that most samples displayed normal replication timing. However, mutations in two genes showed consistently abnormal replication timing. The first gene was RIF1, a known modulator of replication timing. The second was MCM10, a highly conserved member of the pre-replication complex. MCM10 mutant cells demonstrated replication timing variability comprising 46% of the genome and at different locations than RIF1 knockouts. Replication timing alterations in MCM10-mutant cells was predominantly comprised of replication initiation defects. Taken together, this study demonstrates the remarkable robustness of the human replication timing program and reveals MCM10 as a novel modulator of DNA replication timing.