BMI1-mediated heterochromatinization represses G-quadruplex DNA formation to maintain genomic stability during replication.

The article discusses how BMI1 plays a role in maintaining genomic stability by repressing the formation of G-quadruplex DNA structures during replication. The study shows that BMI1 is enriched at G4s flanked by heterochromatin domains, and its knockdown leads to replication stress and genomic instability in human dermal fibroblasts. The research suggests that heterochromatin-mediated repression of G4s helps attenuate replication stress and genomic instability, which is important for maintaining genomic integrity in various progeroid models. [Extracted from the article]