ATP requirement for the processes of DNA replication in isolated HeLa cell nuclei

The ATP requirement for two steps of DNA replication, the synthesis and subsequent joining of Okazaki fragments, was investigated by using isolated HeLa cell nuclei. Among adenine nucleotides tested, high levels of dATP and ADP stimulated DNA synthesis. In the presence of high levels of ATP, the addition of high levels of dATP or ADP resulted in about 70% inhibition of DNa synthesis. The optimal concentration of ATP for the stimulation of DNA synthesis varied depending on the magnesium ion concentration. When the molar ratio of magnesium ion to ATP was approximately 1, maximal stimulation was attained. Product analysis by sedimentation in an alkaline sucrose gradient revealed that both Okazaki fragments and high molecular weight DNA were synthesized in the presence of high levels of ATP, whereas in the case of dATP and ADP, little high molecular weight DNA was synthesized. The ability to synthesize high molecular weight DNA was restored to nuclei by adding low levels of ATP in the presence of high levels of ADP but not of dATP.