Genome-wide stability of the DNA replication program in single mammalian cells

Abstract

Here, we report the establishment of a single-cell DNA replication sequencing method, scRepli-seq, which is a simple genome-wide methodology that measures copy number differences between replicated and unreplicated DNA. Using scRepli-seq, we demonstrate that replication domain organization is conserved among individual mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs). Differentiated mESCs exhibited distinct replication profiles, which were conserved from cell to cell. Haplotype-resolved scRepli-seq revealed similar replication timing profiles of homologous autosomes, while the inactive X chromosome was clearly replicated later than its active counterpart. However, a small degree of cell-to-cell replication timing heterogeneity was present, and we discovered that developmentally regulated domains are a source of such variability, suggesting a link between cell-to-cell heterogeneity and developmental plasticity. Together, our results form a foundation for single-cell-level understanding of DNA replication regulation and provide insights into 3D genome organization.