Dynamic behavior of DNA replication domains

Like many nuclear processes, DNA replication takes place in distinct domains that are scattered throughout the S-phase nucleus. Recently we have developed a fluorescent double-labeling procedure that allows us to visualize nascent DNA simultaneously with "newborn" DNA that had replicated earlier in the same nucleus during the same S-phase. Using this procedure we have shown that all DNA in a replication domain is replicated within 1 h (Manders et al., 1992, J. Cell Sci. 103, 857-862). Here we extend these studies by analyzing the behavior of replication domains on a time scale of less than 1 h. We have carried out a series of double-labeling experiments in which we varied the time interval between nascent DNA and newborn DNA from 0 to 60 min. Subsequently, we determined from the confocal, 3D images the spatial position of replicated DNA domains and identified pairs of nearest neighbor domains containing newborn and nascent DNA, respectively. The distance between the centers of the two domains in a pair gradually increases. Accurate measurements show that domains containing nascent DNA and domains containing newborn DNA gradually separate from each other at a rate that is on the order of 0.5 micron/h. This indicates that either newly synthesized DNA moves away from sites of replication activity or the replication machinery is moving itself. This rate is essentially the same during early and late S-phase.