At the fork: where epigenetic decisions are made

Epigenetic inheritance ensures the transmission of chromatin states through cell division, despite the dilution of parental histones during DNA replication. Recent studies reveal that inheritance is not a passive process but instead involves regulated, replication-coupled decisions coordinated by the replisome, histone chaperones, and histone modification feedback loops. In this review, I synthesize recent advances in histone recycling and chromatin inheritance, highlighting how regulated parental histone segregation underpins robust epigenetic memory. I propose a conceptual framework that positions the replication fork as an epigenetic decision-making hub and highlight key unresolved questions that will shape future studies.