53BP1-the ‘Pandora’s box’ of genome integrity

53BP1 has several functions in the maintenance of genome integrity. It functions as a key mediator involved in double-strand break (DSB) repair, which functions to maintain a balance in the repair pathway choices and in preserving genomic stability. While its DSB repair functions are relatively well-characterized, its role in DNA replication and replication fork protection is less understood. In response to replication stress, 53BP1 contributes to fork protection by regulating fork reversal and restart. It helps maintain replication fork stability and speed, with 53BP1 loss leading to defective fork progression and increased sensitivity to replication stress agents. However, 53BP1's precise role in fork protection remains debated, as some studies have not observed protective effects. Therefore, it is critical to determine the role of 53BP1 in replication to better understand when it promotes replication fork protection, and the underlying mechanisms involved. Moreover, 53BP1's function in replication stress extends beyond its activity at active replication forks; it also forms specialized nuclear bodies (NBs) which protect stretches of under-replicated DNA (UR-DNA) transmitted from a previous cell cycle to daughter cells through mitosis. The mechanism of 53BP1 NBs in the coordination of replication and repair events at UR-DNA loci is not fully understood and warrants further investigation. The present review article focuses on elucidating 53BP1’s functions in replication stress (RS), its role in replication fork protection, and the significance of 53BP1 NBs in this context to provide a more comprehensive understanding of its less well-established role in DNA replication.