Initiation of HeLa cell DNA synthesis in a subnuclear system.

Mammalian cells are known to synthesize DNA in discrete stages, the first of which seems to be the formation of DNA pieces 150--200 nucleotides in length that have a s20 value of about 4 S. We have reconstructed a system derived from HeLa cell nuclei that carries out RNA-primed initiation of the synthesis of small (4S) DNA fragments. This synthesis is resistant to high concentrations of alpha-amanitin and sensitive to antibody directed against RNA polymerase I, suggesting that this enzyme may be involved in the initiation step. The formation of small DNA fragments in this system also requires DNA polymerase alpha, heat-labile nuclear factor(s), and at least one other nuclear protein.