Synchronization of mitochondrial DNA synthesis in Chinese hamster cells (line CHO) deprived of isoleucine

Replicative intermediates of ram sperm mitochondrial DNA

Replication of mtDNA from ejaculated ram spermatozoa was demonstrated by electron microscopy. Twelve percent of mtDNA circular molecules isolated either from ram sperm cells or from rat liver mitochondria were double-forked. These replicative intermediates appeared in four distinct steps of replication: 3.9%, 21.0%, 27.8%, and 44% of the circular contour length. The biological significance of sperm mitochondrial DNA replication is discussed.

Mitochondrial protein synthesis in Chinese hamster cells (line CHO) synchronized by isoleucine deprivation

Mitochondrial protein synthesis was measured in line CHO cells after phases of the cell cycle were synchronized by isoleucine deprivation or mitotic selection. Maximum incorporation of [3H] leucine into mitochondrial polypeptides occurred within 2 hours after isoleucine was added to initiate G1 traverse. In cells synchronized in G1 by mitotic selection, the rate of mitochondrial protein synthesis was fairly constant throughout the cell cycle. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic profiles of labeled mitochondrial polypeptides were similar in cells synchronized by either isoleucine deprivation or mitotic selection. Obvious changes in the distribution of polypeptides were not detected during various phases of the cell cycle. The increased rate of incorporation of [3H] leucine into mitochondrial polypeptides after reversal of G1-arrest may indicate that mitochondrial protein synthesis and possibly mitochondrial biogenesis are synchronized in CHO cells deprived of isoleucine.

A recurring temperature-sensitive mutant class of BHK-21 cells

A particular technique designed to select for temperature-sensitive DNA-synthesis mutants of BHK cells has yielded primarily a class of mutants which do not show complementation in cell hybrids.

Mouse L cell mitochondrial DNA molecules are selected randomly for replication throughout the cell cycle

The number of mitochondrial DNA molecules in a cell population doubles at the same rate as the cell generation time. This could occur by a random selection of molecules for replication or by a process that ensures the replication of each individual molecule in the cell. We have investigated the rate at which mouse L cell mitochondrial DNA molecules labeled with 3H-thymidine during one round of replication are reselected for a second round of replication. Mouse L cells were labeled with 3H-thymidine for 2 hr, chased for various periods of time and then labeled with 5-bromodeoxyuridine for 4 hr immediately before mitochondrial DNA isolation. A constant fraction of 3H-thymidine-labeled mitochondrial DNA incorporated 5-bromodeoxyuridine after chase intervals ranging from 1.5-22 hr. This result demonstrates that mitochondrial DNA molecules replicated in a short time interval are randomly selected for later rounds of replication, and that replication of mitochondrial DNA continues throughout the cell cycle in mouse L cells.

Detection of G1 proteins in Chinese hamster cells synchronized by isoleucine deprivation or mitotic selection

Examination of labeling patterns of proteins in Chinese hamster cells(line CHO) revealed the presence of a class of protein(s) that is synthesized during G1 phase of the cell cycle. Cells arrested in G1 by isoleucine (Ile) deprivation were prelabeded with [14-C]Ile, induced to traverse G1 by addition of unlabeled Ile, and labeled with [3-H]Ile at hourly intervals. Cells were fractionated into neclear and cytoplasmic portions, and proteins were separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide get electrophoresis. Gel profiles of proteins in the 45,000-160,000 mol wt range from the cytoplasm of cells in G1 were similar to those from cells arrested in G1 except for the presence of a mojor peak of [1-H]Ile incorporated into a protein(s) of approximately 80,000 mol wt. Peaks of net [3-H]Ile incorporation were not detected in neclear preparations. Cellular fractionation by differential centrifugation showed the peak I protein was located in the soluble supernatant fraction of the cytoplasm. Time-course studies showed that synthesis of this protein began 1-2 h after initiation of G1 traverse; the protein reached maximum levels in 4-6 h and was reduced to undetectable levels by 9 h. A cytoplasmic protein with similar electrophoretic mobility was found in G1 phase of cells synchronized by mitotic selection. This class of proteins is synthesized by cells before entry into S phase and may be involved in initiation of DNA synthesis.