Figure 6. Putative model to explain the role of RIF1 in the organization of replication factories.

RIF1 may stabilize chromatin topology during DNA replication, thus preventing DNA resection by nucleases or excessive origin activation. This could be direct, thanks to its capacity to interact with DNA, or/and via the recruitment of cohesin. In the absence of RIF1, the replication domains may be unprotected leading to DNA resection, DNA lesions, and activation of DNA damage response.