Effects of psoralen on replicon size and mean rate of DNA synthesis in partially synchronized cells of Pisum sativum L

• Published in: Experimental cell research Vol. 158; no. 2; p. 500
• Main Authors: Francis, D, Davies, N D, Bryant, J A, Hughes, S G, Sibson, D R, Fitchett, P N
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-06-1985
• Subjects: Autoradiography; DNA Polymerase II - metabolism; DNA Replication - drug effects; Ficusin - pharmacology; Furocoumarins - pharmacology; Plants - drug effects; Plants - genetics; Replicon - drug effects
• ISSN: 0014-4827
• DOI: 10.1016/0014-4827(85)90473-2

We have examined by fibre autoradiography the spacing of replicons in pea root meristems during synchronized entry into S phase from arrest at the G1/S boundary. Pretreatment with the DNA cross-linking agent, psoralen, produces a marked shortening of replicon spacing, suggesting that premature arrest of the replication fork results in the recruitment of additional initiation points within a given replicon family. This is discussed in relation to models for the control of DNA replication.