What are the Consequences of Fork Destabilization?
When the replication fork is destabilized, it can lead to a phenomenon known as replication stress. Replication stress can cause double-strand breaks, mutations, and chromosomal rearrangements, all of which contribute to cancer development and progression. Additionally, replication stress can activate cellular checkpoints and stress response pathways, leading to cell cycle arrest or apoptosis. However, cancer cells often develop mechanisms to bypass these checkpoints, further promoting their survival and proliferation.
