Some evidence for replication-transcription coupling in Physarum polycephalum

Hydroxyurea, at concentrations of 40-60 mM, selectively and effectively blocked incorporation of thymidine into DNA. Inhibition occurred within 5-10 min of application of the agent when DNA synthesis was in progress, while the onset of replication at the beginning of S-phase and DNA synthesis in G2 phase were not affected. Uridine incorporation into TCA-precipitable material, in the presence of hydroxyurea, was significantly (up to 70%) inhibited in early S-phase of the cell cycle. Selective inhibition of RNA synthesis was confirmed for RNA separated into rRNA-rich and poly(A)-rich RNA fractions and analysed by the 2 kinds of DNA-RNA hybridization reactions. Uridine incorporation into poly (A) RNA was also inhibited under conditions where cycloheximide prevented maturation of nascent DNA molecules in early S-phase. We assume that chromatin which is replicating early DNA sequences may be a more competent template for transcription.