Conversion of post-elongation stage DNA to mature DNA occurs even if movement of the replication fork has stopped.

During DNA synthesis there is a distinct stage immediately after the joining of large DNA replication intermediates (post-elongation stage). The conversion of this DNA to mature DNA was analysed in cells treated with aphidicolin to stop the movement of the replication fork. In such cells mature DNA is formed. In contrast, UV-A, which induces a wide spectrum of DNA lesions, inhibits the conversion to mature DNA. The data indicate that the maturation of the post-elongation stage can be uncoupled from the movement of the replication fork.