Role for topoisomerases in the release of DNA into the detergent-soluble fraction of eukaryotic cells.

Detergent-soluble DNA is the fraction (2-4%) of DNA that is released into the supernate upon mild detergent lysis. It is nonmitochondrial in origin. It labels efficiently with deoxy[3H]ribonucleosides and the labeling is prevented by inhibitors of polymerase alpha and ribonucleotide reductase. In previous publications we have characterized detergent-soluble DNA from splenocytes of immunologically activated mice. In this publication we show that incorporation of [3H]thymidine into detergent-soluble DNA is prevented by pretreatment with novobiocin, 4'-(9-acridinylamino)methanesulfon-m-anisidide (m-AMSA), and teniposide (VM26), three inhibitors of type II topoisomerases. Camptothecin, an inhibitor of type I topoisomerases, also reduces incorporation of [3H]thymidine but only to 50% of control levels. In addition to affecting incorporation of [3H]thymidine, preincubation with the topoisomerase II inhibitors m-AMSA and VM26 alters the amount of DNA recovered in the detergent-soluble fraction. At low concentrations of m-AMSA the amount of detergent-soluble DNA increases somewhat, whereas at higher drug concentrations a marked decrease is observed. Treatment with VM26 results in diminished amounts of DNA being released into the detergent-soluble fraction as well. However, maximal inhibition of detergent-soluble DNA release by VM26 requires the presence of camptothecin. Therefore, we suggest that topoisomerases play an important role in making a small part of lymphocyte chromatin detergent labile. Furthermore, these results are consistent with recent studies demonstrating a role for topoisomerases in yeast replication. Thus, the newly synthesized portion of detergent-soluble DNA may arise as DNA replication intermediates not yet stabilized into mature chromatin.