Role of RNA synthesis in DNA replication of synchronized populations of cultured mammalian cells

Using the harvesting method of synchronizing L cells, the relationship of RNA synthesis of DNA replication was studied by the use of selective inhibitors of RNA synthesis such as actinomycin D and chromomycin succinate. The synthesis of the early replicating DNA fraction is a process sensitive to the inhibition of RNA synthesis during the G1 period. The synthesis of early replicating DNA was inhibited by chromomycin succinate without affecting the initation of DNA synthesis. However, actinomycin D inhibited the synthesis of early replicating DNA and prevented the initiation of DNA synthesis in 50% of the synchronized cells. However, it was found that the continued synthesis of RNA during the S period is not essential for the synthesis of late replicating DNA. In addition to this specific response of DNA synthesis to the inhibitors of RNA synthesis, another function of early and late replicating DNA was determined relative to the cell viability. Cells synthesizing early replicating DNA were killed more efficiently by chromomycin than at other stages of the cell cycle. This indicates that the early replicating DNA unit plays a more important role in cell reproduction than the late replicating DNA unit.