Ribosome biosynthesis is not necessary for initiation of DNA replication

Synthesis of mature 28-S ribosomal RNA and 60-S ribosomal subunits is inhibited in baby hamster kidney (BHK) cell line ts 422E at non-permissive temperature (39 degrees C). This leads to a 66% decrease of total ribosomes per cell, a marked imbalance between the large and small ribosomal subunits in the cytoplasm and a decrease of cells per dish after prolonged culture at 30 degrees C. However, inhibition of ribosome synthesis does not affect progression of cells through the G1 period of the cell division cycle, the length of the pre-replicative period, and the rate of entry of cells into S phase. In contrast to culture at non-permissive temperature, culture of BHK ts 422E cells in the presence of 0.04 micrograms/ml actinomycin D at 33 degrees C inhibits markedly the entry into S period. It is concluded that low doses of actinomycin D exert their inhibitory effect on cell growth by preventing maturation and transport of mRNA rather than by interfering with ribosome synthesis. Microfluorometric analysis revealed only slight differences in the distribution of BHK ts 422E cells in G1, S and G2 phases of the cycle either when cultured at 33 degrees C or at 39 degrees C. When too few ribosomes per cell are produced in BHK ts 422E cells at 39 degrees C, cells do not seem to be arrested reversibly at a specific point of the cell cycle but rather to die at random.