Abstract
THERE is considerable evidence implicating the cell membrane as the site for DNA replication in prokaryotic systems1–3. Several laboratories have considered the possibility that the nuclear membrane may serve a similar role in eukaryotes. This model has been supported by biochemical studies in various eukaryotic cell systems4–8. But, autoradiographic analyses in mammalian cells, that previously indicated that DNA synthesis was initiated at the nuclear membrane9,10, now provide the strongest evidence against an involvement of the nuclear membrane in DNA synthesis11–13. The sea urchin system presents several advantages for studies of DNA synthesis. On fertilisation a population of dormant unfertilised eggs begins a series of very rapid cellular divisions, the first three of which are naturally synchronous. Biochemical studies with this system have suggested that rapid replication of DNA occurs at a nuclear membrane site and that DNA may be associated with the site only during the period of DNA synthesis14. We therefore decided to undertake an autoradiographic study in the sea urchin embryo. The results presented here strongly support the role of the nuclear membrane in the synthesis of DNA.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Tremblay, G. Y., Daniels, M. J. & Schaechter, M. J. molec. Biol. 40, 65–76 (1969).
Firshein, W. J. molec. Biol. 70, 393–397 (1972).
Kornberg, T., Lockwood, A. & Worcel, A. Proc. natn. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 71, 3189–3193 (1974).
Friedman, D. L. & Meuller, G. C. Biochim. biophys. Acta 174, 253–263 (1969).
Mizuno, N. S., Stoops, C. E. & Peiffer, R. L. J. molec. Biol. 59, 517–525 (1970).
Hanoaka, F. & Yamada, M. Biochem. biophys. Res. Commun. 42, 647–653 (1971).
Hildebrand, L. E. & Tobey, R. A. Biochem. biophys. Res. Commun. 331, 165–180 (1973).
Dye, D. M. & Toliver, A. P. Biochim. Biophys. Acta 414, 173–184 (1975).
Comings, D. E. & Okada, T. A. J. molec. Biol 75, 609–618 (1973).
O'Brien, R. L., Sanyal, A. B. & Stanton, R. H. Expl Cell Res. 80, 340–344 (1973).
Williams, C. A. & Ockey, C. H. Expl Cell Res. 63, 365–372 (1970).
Huberman, J., Tsai, A., Deich, R. Nature 241, 32–36 (1973).
Wise, G. E. & Prescott, D. M. Proc. natn. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 70, 714–717 (1973).
Infante, A., Nauta, R., Gilbert, S., Hobart, P. & Firshein, W. Nature new Biol. 242, 5–8 (1973).
Hinegardner, T. R., Rau, B. & Feldman, D. E. Expl Cell Res. 36, 53–61 (1964).
Gourlie, B. & Infante, A. Biochem biophys. Res. Commun. 64, 1206–1214 (1975).
Infante, A. A., Firshein, W., Hobart, P. & Murray, L. Biochemistry 15, 4810–4817 (1976).
Callan, H. G. Br. med. Bull. 29, 192–195 (1973).
Hori, T. & Lark, K. G. J. molec Biol. 77, 391–404 (1973).
Hand, R. & Tam, I. J. molec. Biol. 82, 175–183 (1974).
Lima-de-Faria, A. & Javorsja, H. Nature 217, 138–142 (1968).
Brown, J. W. Science 151, 417–425 (1966).
Fakan, S. & Hancock, R. Expl Cell Res. 83, 95–102 (1974).
Stevens, A. R. in Methods in Cell Physiology (ed Prescott, D. M.) 250–310 (Academic, New York. 1966).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
HOBART, P., DUNCAN, R. & INFANTE, A. Association of DNA synthesis with the nuclear membrane in sea urchin embryos. Nature 267, 542–544 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1038/267542a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/267542a0
This article is cited by
-
Membrane initiation of DNA synthesis
Nature (1977)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.