Mitochondrial DNA synthesis in mouse L cells temperature sensitive in nuclear DNA replication

Abstract

Temperature-sensitive (ts) A1S9 mouse L cells continue to synthesize double-stranded covalently closed mitochondrial (mt) DNA at a temperature (38.5 °C) which is nonpermissive for chromosomal DNA replication. The amount of mt DNA made appears to be quantitatively linked to nuclear DNA synthesis. Nuclear DNA replication proceeds normally for 6–8 h after the cells are shifted to 38.5 °C, and then declines to reach a minimum at 20–24 h. The level of mt DNA synthesis remains high during this period and decreases once the ts lesion has been established.