Dda, one of three helicases encoded by bacteriophage T4, has been well- characterized biochemically but its biological role remains unclear. It is thought to be involved in origin-dependent replication, recombination-dependent replication, anti- recombination, recombination repair, as well as in replication fork progression past template-bound nucleosomes and RNA polymerase. One of the proteins that most strongly interacts with Dda, Gp32, is the only single-stranded DNA binding protein (SSB) encoded by T4, is essential for DNA replication, recombination, and repair. Previous studies have shown that Gp32 is essential for Dda stimulation of replication fork progression. Our studies show that interactions between Dda and Gp32 play a critical role in regulating replication fork restart during recombination repair. When the leading strand polymerase stalls at a site of ssDNA damage and the lagging strand machinery continues, Gp32 binds the resulting ssDNA gap ahead of the stalled leading strand polymerase. We found that a Gp32 cluster on leading strand ssDNA blocks Dda loading on the lagging strand ssDNA, blocks stimulation of fork progression by Dda, and stimulates Dda to displace the stalled polymerase and the 3' end of the daughter strand. This unwinding generates conditions necessary for polymerase template switching in order to regress the DNA damage-stalled replication fork. Helicase trafficking by Gp32 could play a role in preventing premature fork progression until the events required for error-free translesion DNA synthesis have taken place. Interestingly, we found that Dda helicase activity is strongly stimulated by the N-terminal deletion mutant Gp32-B, suggesting the N-terminal truncation to generate Gp32-B reveals a cryptic helicase stimulatory activity of Gp32 that may be revealed in the context of a moving polymerase, or through direct interactions of Gp32 with other replisome components. Additionally, our findings support a role for Dda-Gp32 interactions in double strand break (DSB) repair by homology-directed repair (HDR), which relies on homologous recombination and the formation of a displacement loop (D-loop) that can initiate DNA synthesis. We examined the D-loop unwinding activity of Dda, Gp41, and UvsW, the D-loop strand extension activity of Gp43 polymerase, and the effect of the helicases and their modulators on D-loop extension. Dda and UvsW, but not Gp41, catalyze D-loop invading strand by DNA unwinding. The relationship between Dda and Gp43 was modulated by the presence of Gp32. Dda D-loop unwinding competes with D- loop extension by Gp43 only in the presence of Gp32, resulting in a decreased frequency of invading strand extension when all three proteins are present. These data suggest Dda functions as an antirecombinase and negatively regulates the replicative extension of D- loops. Invading strand extension is observed in the presence of Dda, indicating that invading strand extension and unwinding can occur in a coordinated manner. The result is a translocating D-loop, called bubble migration synthesis, a hallmark of break-induced repair (BIR) and synthesis dependent strand annealing (SDSA). Gp41 did not unwind D- loops studied and may serve as a secondary helicase loaded subsequent to D-loop processing by Dda. Dda is proposed to be a mixed function helicase that can work both as an antirecombinase and to promote recombination-dependent DNA synthesis, consistent with the notion that Dda stimulates branch migration. These results have implications on the repair of ssDNA damage, DSB repair, and replication fork regulation, which are highly conserved processes sustained in all organisms.

Current simulations of atmospheric entry into both Mars and Earth atmospheres for the design of thermal protections systems (TPS) typically invoke conservative assumptions regarding surface-catalyzed recombination and the amount of energy deposited on the surface. The need to invoke such assumptions derives in part from lack of adequate experimental data on gas-surface interactions at trajectory relevant conditions. Addressing this issue, the University of Vermont's Plasma Test and Diagnostics Laboratory has done extensive work to measure atomic specie consumption by measuring the concentration gradient over various material surfaces. This thesis extends this work by attempting to directly diagnose molecular species production in air plasmas. A series of spectral models for the A-X and B-X systems of nitric oxide (NO), and the B-X system of boron monoxide (BO) have been developed. These models aim to predict line positions and strengths for the respective molecules in a way that is best suited for the diagnostic needs of the UVM facility. From the NO models, laser induced fluorescence strategies have been adapted with the intent of characterizing the relative quantity and thermodynamic state of NO produced bysurface-catalyzed recombination, while the BO model adds a diagnostic tool for the testing of diboride-based TPS materials. Boundary layer surveys of atomic nitrogen and NO have been carried out over water-cooled copper and nickel surfaces in air/argon plasmas. Translation temperatures and relative number densities throughout the boundary layer are reported. Additional tests were also conducted over a water-cooled copper surface to detect evidence of highly non-equilibrium effects in the form of excess population in elevated vibrational levels of the A-X system of NO. The tests showed that near the sample surface there is a much greater population in the v'' = 1ground state than is predicted by a Boltzmann distribution.

La reproduction sexuée repose sur deux processus fondamentaux : la méiose qui permet la formation des gamètes dont le génome est haploïde et la syngamie qui permet, après fécondation, de restaurer la diploïdie par fusion des deux noyaux parentaux haploïdes. Alors que la méiose repose respectivement sur le génome maternel pour l'ovocyte et paternel pour le spermatozoïde, la restauration de la diploïdie dans le zygote repose exclusivement sur le génome maternel. Si un pronucleus maternel compétent pour la réplication est formé au terme de la méiose ovocytaire, le génome paternel quant à lui, n'acquiert cette compétence que sous l'influence de facteurs maternels. En effet, à la fin de la méiose, le génome paternel est « empaqueté » avec des protamines qui le rendent inactif pour toute fonction biologique, en particulier la réplication. L'éviction des protamines et leur remplacement par des histones maternelles sont des étapes indispensables à l'acquisition par le génome paternel de sa compétence à la réplication, préalable à la syngamie. Tous ces événements doivent être extrêmement coordonnés afin de permettre à un premier noyau zygotique comportant les deux lots de chromosomes parentaux de se former et d'entrer dans le premier cycle mitotique.Notre laboratoire a identifié yemanuclein-alpha, aussi appelé yemanuclein (yem) dans un crible moléculaire pour des gènes exprimés spécifiquement dans la lignée germinale femelle, et son premier allèle muté yem1. Cette mutation ponctuelle (V478E) a été identifiée dans un crible génétique de « stérilité femelle ». Une descendance exceptionnelle observée chez les femelles yem1, présente la propriété inattendue d'être parthénogénétique. Cette propriété révèle un double défaut chez le mutant : dans le processus de méiose ovocytaire qui conduit à la formation d'un pronucleus maternel haploïde mais aussi dans la formation d'un pronucleus paternel compétent pour la syngamie. Mes travaux de thèse ont porté sur les deux aspects de la fonction de la Yemanucléine. En conjuguant des méthodes de génétique, de biochimie, et de biologie cellulaire, nous avons pu mettre en évidence des fonctions essentielles de la Yemanucléine dans les étapes initiales de la prophase méiotique de l'ovocyte de drosophile. Nous avons pu montrer que la Yemanucléine joue un rôle clé dans la recombinaison méiotique et plus particulièrement dans la fréquence et la cinétique d'apparition des cassures double brin. Son association au complexe synaptonémal et au complexe cohésine, tous deux connus comme étant nécessaires à la ségrégation chromosomique, est un élément clé de cette fonction.Outre cette fonction méiotique, la Yemanucléine, facteur maternel, est aussi requise pour l'assemblage de la chromatine du pronucleus paternel. Nous montrons dans ce manuscrit qu'elle joue ce rôle à travers son action dans un troisième complexe, en partenariat avec la protéine HIRA. Le complexe multiprotéique contenant la protéine HIRA est connu pour sa fonction de chaperon du variant de l'histone H3.3 et son rôle dans l'assemblage de la chromatine du pronucleus paternel. La Yemanucléine est le premier membre de la famille HPC2/UBN1 caractérisé. Son rôle dans l'assemblage des nucléosomes découplé de la réplication est décrit pour la première fois dans ce manuscrit. C'est aussi la première fois qu'une protéine spécifique de la reproduction est décrite pour son implication à deux étapes clés de ce processus. / Sexual reproduction relies on two key events: formation of cells with a haploid genome through meiosis and restoration of diploidy through syngamy in the zygote. Meiosis completion is supported exclusively by the maternal genome for the oocyte and the paternal genome for the sperm cell. In contrast diploidy restoration in the zygote is entirely dependent on maternal factors. At the end of meiosis the maternal pronucleus is competent for replication, whereas the paternal genome is packed with protamines. These proteins need to be removed in the zygote and replaced by maternally provided histones before the paternal genome acquires competence for replication, a prerequisite for syngamy. All these events must be highly coordinated to allow the first zygotic nucleus to form with the two sets of parental chromosomes and enter the first mitotic cycle. Our laboratory has identified yemanuclein-alpha, also called yemanuclein (yem) in a molecular screen for genes specifically expressed in the female germ line and its first mutant allele yem1, in a female sterile screen. The role played by yem not only in the meiotic process through which a haploid maternal pronucleus is formed but also in the zygotic process that makes a paternal pronucleus competent for syngamy, is underscored by the obtention of exceptional parthenogenetic progeny from yem1 mothers.My thesis work is precisely dedicated to the analysis of both aspects of Yemanuclein function: in the oocyte and the zygote. Using genetic, biochemical and cell biology methods we were able to uncover essential functions of Yemanuclein in early meiotic prophase in the Drosophila oocyte. Using yem1 allele (V478E), we could show its requirement for meiotic recombination especially for the frequency and timing of the double strand breaks formation. Yemanuclein association with two protein complexes, the Synaptonemal Complex (SC) and the Cohesin complex known to be required for proper chromosome segregation, supports these findings. Beyond its meiotic function, Yemanuclein is also required in the zygote for assembly of paternal pronucleus chromatin. This is achieved through a third complex that acts as histone H3.3 chaperone. In the present manuscript we identify Yemanuclein as a partner of HIRA in its role in H3.3 nucleosome assembly and deposition on the paternal pronucleus. Interestingly Yemanuclein is the first member of the HPC2/UBN1 protein family ever characterized. The role of Yem/ HPC2/ UBN1 in replication independent chromatin remodeling remained elusive until very recently. Our work is original in that it is the first to report on a role of one member of this family in oocyte meiosis and paternal chromatin assembly in the zygote.

Les télomères sont des structures nucléo-protéiques présentes à l'extrémité des chromosomes. Ils sont un des facteurs garant de la stabilité génomique. Ils assurent la protection des extrémités des chromosomes et leur entière réplication. Les dysfonctionnements du télomère sont impliqués dans la tumorigénèse et le vieillissement.Un des rôles majeurs des télomères est d'éviter que les extrémités des chromosomes ne soient reconnues comme des cassures double brin de l'ADN et traitées comme telles par la machinerie de réparation. Cependant, de nombreuses protéines impliquées dans la reconnaissance et le métabolisme des cassures double brin, comme la protéine Tel1 et le complexe MRX par exemple, sont présentes au niveau des télomères et participent au maintien de leur taille par la télomérase. En s'appuyant sur cette analogie, j'ai étudié le rôle télomérique de l'endonucléase Sae2 et de l'hélicase Sgs1, impliquées dans l'étape de dégradation du brin 5' qui précède la réparation des cassures double brin de l'ADN par recombinaison.Les rôles des protéines Sae2 et Sgs1 ont été étudiés sur les télomères natifs et sur les télomères érodés lors de la sénescence réplicative. L'ensemble de mes résultats suggèrent que, bien que les télomères érodés en absence de télomérase soient reconnus comme une cassure double brin de l'ADN et traités comme tels par les nucléases et hélicases, le rôle majeur de Sae2 et Sgs1 au niveau des télomères natifs serait de les protéger contre des recombinaisons illégitimes au cours de leur réplication. / Telomeres are nucleoprotein complexes that protect the extremities of linear chromosomes, avoiding end-to-end fusions and nucleolytic degradation of chromosome ends. The failure of cells to properly maintain telomeres can be an important source of chromosome instability involved in cancer progression and aging.A major role of telomeres is to prevent chromosome ends from being recognized as damage-induced double-strand DNA breaks (DSBs). However, many proteins involved in recognition and processing of DSBs are also involved in telomeres maintenance, like Tel1 and MRX. Based on this analogy, I have studied the role at telomeres of the role of the endonuclease Sae2 and the helicase Sgs1, two proteins that have a key function in the processing of DSBs through nucleolytic degradation of their 5' end.The role of protein Sae2 and Sgs1 has been studied at native and eroded telomeres. My results showed that eroded telomeres, in telomerase deficient cells, are recognized and resected as a double-strand break DNA by a set of nucleases and helicases including Sae2 and sgs1. In contrast, the main role of Sae2 and Sgs1 at native telomeres would be to protect telomeres against illegitimate recombination during replication.

Homologous recombination (HR) is an essential mechanism for accurate repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). However, HR must be tightly controlled because excessive or unwanted HR events can lead to genome instability, which is a prerequisite for premature aging and cancer development. A critical step of HR is the loading of RAD51 molecules onto single-stranded DNA regions generated in the vicinity of the DSB, leading to the formation of a nucleoprotein filament. Several DNA helicases have been involved in the regulation of the HR process. One of these is human FBH1 (F-box DNA helicase 1) that is a member of SF1 superfamily of helicases. As a unique DNA helicase, FBH1 additionally possesses a conserved F-box motif that allows it to assemble into an SCF complex, an E3 ubiquitin ligase that targets proteins for degradation. FBH1 has been implicated in the restriction of nucleoprotein filament stability. However, the exact mechanism of how FBH1 controls the RAD51 action is still not certain. In this work, we revealed that FBH1 actively disassembles RAD51 nucleoprotein filament. We also show that FBH1 interacts with RAD51 and RPA physically in vitro. Based on these data, we propose a potential mechanism of FBH1 antirecombinase function.

Les génomes de bactériophages ont une capacité remarquable d’évolution. L’objectif de ma thèse a été d’étudier le rôle des recombinases de bactériophages dans cette évolution. Notre hypothèse était que les recombinases phagiques diffèrent de la recombinase bactérienne RecA par une fidélité relâchée lors de la réaction de recherche d’homologie, qui pourrait expliquer en partie la très grande plasticité des génomes de bactériophages. Nous avons tout d’abord utilisé une approche bioinformatique basée sur la recherche d’homologies lointaines pour prédire un maximum de gènes de recombinases dans les génomes entièrement séquencés, puis nous avons confirmé l’activité de recombinaison de certaines d’entre elles, par un test d’appariement d’ADN simple brin entre séquences identiques in vivo. Ceci nous a permis de conclure qu’il existait trois superfamilles de recombinases chez les bactériophages, de type Rad52, Rad51/RecA et Gp2.5, présentes dans 42% des 465 génomes analysés. Dans un deuxième temps, nous avons comparé six de ces recombinases à RecA et avons montré que toutes étaient capables de faire de l’appariement simple brin in vivo, contrairement à RecA. Pour deux d’entre elles, Redβ de Lambda (type Rad52) et Sak4 de HK620 (type Rad51/RecA), nous avons observé que l’appariement simple brin continuait à se produire, avec une efficacité diminuée, jusqu’à 13% de divergence entre les séquences. L’appariement d’ADN simple brin est donc une propriété commune aux recombinases de bactériophages qui les distingue de RecA, et semble pouvoir se maintenir pour un niveau élevé de divergence, ce qui soutient l’hypothèse d’une recombinaison homologue différente et plus relâchée dans sa fidélité chez les bactériophages. / Bacteriophage genomes have a remarkable ability to evolve. The aim of my thesis was to study the role of bacteriophage recombinases in this evolution. Our hypothesis was that such recombinases differ from the bacterial RecA recombinase by a relaxed fidelity during homology search, which may partly explain the high plasticity of bacteriophage genomes. We first used a bioinformatics approach based on remote homology search to predict a maximum of recombinase genes in completely sequenced genomes, and confirmed the recombination activity of some of them by a single-strand DNA annealing assay between identical sequences in vivo. This allowed us to conclude that there were three superfamilies of bacteriophage recombinases, Rad52-like, Rad51/RecA-like and Gp2.5-like, which were present in 42% of the 465 genomes analyzed. In a second step, we compared six of these recombinases to RecA and showed that all were able to anneal single-stranded DNA in vivo, in contrast to RecA. For two of them, Redβ of Lambda (Rad52-like) and Sak4 of HK620 (Rad51/RecAlike), we also observed that they were able to anneal non identical (13% of divergence) single-stranded DNA, with a reduced efficiency. We conclude that the single-stranded DNA annealing is a property common to recombinases of bacteriophages, which is absent in RecA, and seems to tolerate diverged sequences. This supports the hypothesis of a different and more relaxed recombination in bacteriophages.

Master of Science / Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering / William B. Kuhn / A technique for measuring and characterizing transistor noise is presented. The primary goal of the measurements is to locate the 1/f noise corner for select transistors in Silicon-on-Sapphire processes. Additionally, the magnitude of the background channel noise of each transistor is measured. With this data, integrated circuit (IC) engineers will have a qualitative and quantitative resource for selecting transistors in designs with low noise requirements. During tests, transistor noise behavioral change is investigated over varying channel lengths, device type (N-type and P-type), threshold voltage, and bias voltage levels. Noise improvements for increased channel lengths from minimal, 1.0μm, and 4.0μm are measured. Transistors with medium and high threshold voltages are tested for comparison of their noise performance. The bias voltages are chosen to represent typical design values used in practice, with approximately 400 mV overdrive and a drain-to-source voltage range of 0.5 to 3.0V. The transistors subjected to tests are custom designed in Peregrine’s 0.5μm (FC) and 0.25μm (GC) Silicon-on-Sapphire (SOS) processes. In order to allow channel current noise to dominate over other circuit noise, the transistors have extraordinarily large aspect ratios (~2500 - 5000). The transistor noise produced is amplified and measured over a frequency range of 1kHz - 100MHz. This range allows the measurement of each device’s low and high frequency noise spectrum and resulting noise corner.

<p>Mitotic genome instability can occur during the repair of double-strand breaks (DSBs) in DNA, which arise from endogenous and exogenous sources. Studying the mechanisms of DNA repair in the budding yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae has shown that Homologous Recombination (HR) is a vital repair mechanism for DSBs. HR can result in a crossover event, in which the broken molecule reciprocally exchanges information with a homologous repair template. The current model of double-strand break repair (DSBR) also allows for a tract of information to non-reciprocally transfer from the template molecule to the broken molecule. These “gene conversion” events can vary in size and can occur in conjunction with a crossover event or in isolation. The frequency and size of gene conversions in isolation and gene conversions associated with crossing over has been a source of debate due to the variation in systems used to detect gene conversions and the context in which the gene conversions are measured. </p><p>In Chapter 2, I use an unbiased system that measures the frequency and size of gene conversion events, as well as the association of gene conversion events with crossing over between homologs in diploid yeast. We show mitotic gene conversions occur at a rate of 1.3x10-6 per cell division, are either large (median 54.0kb) or small (median 6.4kb), and are associated with crossing over 43% of the time. </p><p>DSBs can arise from endogenous cellular processes such as replication and transcription. Two important RNA/DNA hybrids are involved in replication and transcription: R-loops, which form when an RNA transcript base pairs with the DNA template and displaces the non-template DNA strand, and ribonucleotides embedded into DNA (rNMPs), which arise when replicative polymerase errors insert ribonucleotide instead of deoxyribonucleotide triphosphates. RNaseH1 (encoded by RNH1) and RNaseH2 (whose catalytic subunit is encoded by RNH201) both recognize and degrade the RNA in within R-loops while RNaseH2 alone recognizes, nicks, and initiates removal of rNMPs embedded into DNA. Due to their redundant abilities to act on RNA:DNA hybrids, aberrant removal of rNMPs from DNA has been thought to lead to genome instability in an rnh201Δ background. </p><p> In Chapter 3, I characterize (1) non-selective genome-wide homologous recombination events and (2) crossing over on chromosome IV in mutants defective in RNaseH1, RNaseH2, or RNaseH1 and RNaseH2. Using a mutant DNA polymerase that incorporates 4-fold fewer rNMPs than wild type, I demonstrate that the primary recombinogenic lesion in the RNaseH2-defective genome is not rNMPs, but rather R-loops. This work suggests different in-vivo roles for RNaseH1 and RNaseH2 in resolving R-loops in yeast and is consistent with R-loops, not rNMPs, being the the likely source of pathology in Aicardi-Goutières Syndrome patients defective in RNaseH2.</p> / Dissertation

Dans les cellules somatiques, les télomères s'érodent à chaque division cellulaire. Ce processus appelé « Sénescence Réplicative» est contrebalancé de manière basale chez la levure bourgeonnante S. cerevisiae par l'action de la télomérase qui, alors qu'elle est inactive dans les cellules somatiques des eucaryotes supérieures, est activée dans 85% des cancers. Un autre mécanisme impliqué dans les 15% des cas de cancer restants et est appelé Alternative Lengthening of Telomere (ALT). Dans ce processus, le maintien des télomères est assuré par des mécanismes de recombinaison télomérique induisant des échanges de séquences télomériques de chromatides sœurs (T-SCE).Nous avons évalué l'existence d'ALT dans la LLC-B connue pour rarement exprimer la télomérase. Nous avons montrer que 90% des patients LLC-B présentent une diminution de l'expression de TopoIIIα corrélée à une méthylation plus importante des îlots CpG de la région promotrice du gène suggérant que dans les LLC-B le maintien des télomères est défectueux.Nous avons étudié l'implication de la SUMOylation de TopoIIIα/Top3 dans les mécanismes de régulation du ALT. Nous avons montré que TopoIIIα était SUMOylée in vitro et in vivo au sein des cellules U2-OS ALT. Nous avons aussi observé chez S. cerevisiae que Top3 ne serait SUMOylée qu'en absence d'une activité télomérase. Nos résultats suggèrent que la SUMOylation de TopoIIIα augmenterait son activité in vitro et in vivo en diminuant son affinité pour les télomères une fois la recombinaison achevée et qu'elle serait requise pour son accumulation dans les APBs mais pas pour leur formation. / In somatic cells, telomeres erode with each cell division. This process named « Replicative Senescence » is basically counterbalanced in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae by the action of telomerase which, while it is inactive in somatic cells of higher eukaryotes is activated in 85 % of cancer cases. Another process of telomere maintenance is involved in 15% of remaining cancer cases and is called Alternative Lengthening of Telomere (ALT). In this process, telomere maintenance is provided by telomeric recombination mechanisms inducing exchange of telomeric sister chromatid (T-SCE).We assessed the existence of an ALT mechanism in B-CLL known to rarely express telomerase. We have shown that 90% of B-CLL patients have a decreased expression of TopoIIIα correlated with largest methylation of CpG islands of the gene promoter region. Our results suggest that in B-CLL, telomere maintenance is defective either by telomerase or ALT mechanism.We investigated the involvement of post- SUMOylation of TopoIIIα/Top3 in mechanisms regulating ALT phenomenon. We have shown that TopoIIIα was SUMOylated in vitro and in vivo in U2-OS ALT cells. We also observed in S. cerevisiae that Top3p might be SUMOylated in absence of telomerase activity. Our results suggested that the SUMOylation of TopoIIIα increased its activity in vitro and in vivo by reducing its affinity for telomeres once recombination occurred and would be required for its accumulation in APBs but not for their formation.

La réplication de l’ADN est un phénomène physiologique essentiel à la transmission du patrimoine génétique mais est aussi une source importante de stress endogène. Le stress réplicatif peut conduire à une instabilité génomique et a été mis en évidence à une étape très précoce du développement tumoral et de la sénescence. La recombinaison homologue (RH) est un processus de réparation qui permet la prise en prise en charge du stress réplicatif. De ce fait, un défaut de RH devrait permettre de révéler les stress réplicatifs endogènes. Ainsi, une progression ralentie des fourches de réplication a été observée dans des cellules déficientes pour la RH (RH-), et ce en absence de tout traitement exogène (Daboussi 2008). De plus, de nombreux travaux ont mis en évidence la présence de défauts mitotiques dans les cellules RH-, en absence de tout traitement exogène (Griffin 2000; Kraakman-van der Zwet 2002; Bertrand 2003; Daboussi 2005; Laulier 2011; Rodrigue 2013). L’origine de ces défauts mitotiques spontanés reste peu claire. En effet, la RH étant un processus préférentiellement actif au cours des phases S et G2, le lien avec la mitose reste à éclaircir. Cette thèse a pour but de comprendre l’impact du stress réplicatif très faible ou endogène sur les phases post-réplicatives du cycle cellulaire. Dans un premier temps, je me suis intéressée à l’impact de ce stress sur la mitose. Les résultats obtenus montrent que le traitement des cellules contrôle à de très faibles doses d’hydroxyurée (HU) n’affecte pas la progression dans le cycle cellulaire mais induit cependant une diminution de la vitesse de réplication, comparable à celle observée dans les cellules RH-. De plus le traitement des cellules contrôle à des faibles doses d’HU induit l’apparition de défauts mitotiques, notamment des centrosomes surnuméraires, à la même fréquence que dans les cellules RH- non traitées. Inversement, l’ajout de précurseurs de nucléotides dans les cellules RH- permet de supprimer la diminution de la vitesse de réplication ainsi que les centrosomes mitotiques surnuméraires. Ainsi, un stress réplicatif subtil, qui n’impacte pas de façon détectable la progression dans les phases S et G2 du cycle cellulaire, ni l’entrée en mitose, cause cependant des défauts mitotiques sévères. De façon importante, les centrosomes mitotiques surnuméraires peuvent entrainer des mitoses multipolaires, impactant ainsi l’ensemble du génome. Ces données mettent en évidence la connexion qui existe entre la réplication des chromosomes et leur ségrégation. Dans un second temps, j’ai étudié l’impact du stress réplicatif faible ou endogène en phase G2. Cette étude a été réalisée en utilisant des cellules RH-, ainsi qu’un modèle d’induction de faible stress réplicatif après traitement à très faible dose d’HU. La présence de foyers pRPA-Ser33 en phase G2 a été observée dans ces deux modèles, mettant en évidence des zones de stress réplicatif. Après traitement à très faible dose d’HU, nous observons également la présence en phase G2 de foyers 53BP1 et RAD51 qui colocalisent partiellement avec les foyers pRPA-Ser33. L’analyse en spectrométrie de masse après co-immunoprécipitation de la protéine 53BP1 en phase G2 a permis d’établir un lien avec des protéines impliquées dans le contrôle de l’assemblage du fuseau mitotique ainsi que dans le points de contrôle mitotique, étayant ainsi le lien entre le stress réplicatif et les défauts mitotiques. Pour finir, l’immunoprécipitation de la chromatine liée à la protéine pRPA-Ser33 en phase G2, suivie d’un séquençage (ChIPseq), a permis de révéler l’absence d’enrichissement au niveau des sites fragiles communs et de mettre en évidence un enrichissement au niveau des régions promotrices de certains gènes, notamment de gènes impliqués dans la régulation du cycle cellulaire et de la mort cellulaire. Ces résultats soulignent le lien entre le stress réplicatif très faible ou endogène et l’instabilité chromosomique, qui peut mener à l’initiation tumorale. / DNA replication is a physiological process, essential for genetic information transmission but DNA replication is also an important source of endogenous stress. Replicative stress can lead to genomic instability and has been reported in early-stage malignancies and senescence. Homologous recombination is a repair process which can handle replicative stress. Therefore, a defect in homologous recombination could reveal endogenous replicative stresses. Consistently, a slow down in replication fork progression has been observed in homologous recombination deficient (HR-) cells, in absence of any exogenous treatment (Daboussi et al. 2008). In addition, several studies have shown the presence of mitotic defects in HR- cells, in absence of any exogenous treatment (Griffin 2000; Kraakman-van der Zwet 2002; Bertrand 2003; Daboussi 2005; Laulier et al. 2011; Rodrigue 2013). The origin of these spontaneous mitotic defects is still unclear. Indeed, homologous recombination is preferentially active in S and G2 phases thus, the link with mitosis remains to be elucidated. The aim of this thesis is to understand the impact of a low or endogenous replicative stress on post-replicative phases. First, I studied the impact of a low or endogenous replicative stress on mitosis. Control cells were treated with very low hydroxyurea doses, that did not affected cell cycle progression but did slow down the replication fork progression to the same level than unchallenged HR- cells. Importanntly, exposure of the control cells to these low hydroxyurea doses generated the same mitotic defects, notably extra centrosomes, and to the same extent than in untreated HR- cells. Reciprocally, supplying nucleotide precursors to HR- cells suppressed both their replication deceleration and mitotic extra centrosome phenotypes. Therefore, subtle replication stress that does not impact S and G2 phase progression nor the entry in mitosis, nevertheless causes severe mitotic defects. Importantly, mitotic extra centrosome can lead to multipolar mitosis and then impact the whole genome stability. These data highlight the crosstalk between chromosome replication and segregation. Secondly, I studied the impact of low or endogenous replicative stress on G2 phase. This study was done using HR- cells as well as control cells treated with very low HU doses to induce a very low replicative stress. In both of these models, the presence of pRPA-Ser33 foci was observed in G2 phase, highlighting replicative stress regions. After very low HU treatement, we observed 53BP1 and RAD51 foci in G2 phase. These foci partially colocalized with pRPA-Ser33 foci in G2 phase. Mass spectrometry analyse after 53BP1 coimmunoprecipitation allowed to etablish a link between proteins involved in mitotic spindle assembly control and in mitotic checkpoint. These data support the link between replicative stress and mitotic defects. Lastly, the immmunoprecipitation of the chromatin interacting with pRPA-Ser33 in G2 phase, followed by sequencing (ChIPseq) allowed to reveal the absence of common fragile site enrichment and to highlight an enrichment at promoter regions of genes involved in cell cycle and cell death regulation. These data underline the link between very low or endogenous replicative stress and chromosomal instability, which can lead to tumorigenesis.