Cells of pea (Pisum sativum) that differentiate from G2 phase have extrachromosomal DNA

Extrachromosomal DNA of pea (Pisum sativum) root-tip cells replicates by strand displacement

In cultured pea roots there is extrachromosomal DNA associated with cells that differentiate from the G(2) phase of the cell cycle that is absent from those that differentiate from the G(1) phase. We examined this extrachromosomal DNA by electron microscopy and found that it consisted of three types: (i) double-stranded linear molecules with single-stranded branches (74%), (ii) double-stranded molecules without branches (26%), and (iii) free single-stranded molecules. The double-stranded molecules with or without branches were similar in length, having a modal length of 10-15 mum. The free single-stranded molecules were shorter and had a mean length of 3.8 mum. The length of the branches attached to the duplex molecules was only slightly less than that of the free form. The duplex molecules with branches were interpreted as configurations reflecting an ongoing strand-displacement process that results in free single-stranded molecules. Finally, measurements on duplex molecules with multiple branches suggested that the extrachromosomal DNA may exist in the form of tandemly repeated sequences.

Excision and replication of extrachromosomal DNA of pea (Pisum sativum)

Experiments with cultured pea roots were conducted to determine (i) whether extrachromosomal DNA was produced by cells in the late S phase or in the G2 phase of the cell cycle, (ii) whether the maturation of nascent DNA replicated by these cells achieved chromosomal size, (iii) when extrachromosomal DNA was removed from the chromosomal duplex, and (iv) the replication of nascent chains by the extrachromosomal DNA after its release from the chromosomal duplex. Autoradiography and cytophotometry of cells of carbohydrate-starved root tips revealed that extrachromosomal DNA was produced by a small fraction of cells accumulated in the late S phase after they had replicated about 80% of their DNA. Velocity sedimentation of nascent chromosomal DNA in alkaline sucrose gradients indicated that the DNA of cells in the late S phase failed to achieve chromosomal size. After reaching sizes of 70 X 10(6) to 140 X 10(6) daltons, some of the nascent chromosomal molecules were broken, presumably releasing extrachromosomal DNA several hours later. Sedimentation of selectively extracted extrachromosomal DNA either from dividing cells or from those in the late S phase showed that it replicated two nascent chains, one of 3 X 10(6) daltons and another of 7 X 10(6) daltons. Larger molecules of extrachromosomal DNA were detectable after cells were labeled for 24 h. These two observations were compatible with the idea that the extrachromosomal DNA was first replicated as an integral part of the chromosomal duplex, was cut from the duplex, and then, once free of the chromosome, replicated two smaller chains of 3 X 10(6) and 7 X 10(6) daltons.