ON THE TRANSIENT TEMPLATE FOR IN VIVO DNA SYNTHESIS

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Abstract
A transient, metastable form of DNA has been identified in vivo. A specific fraction of parental DNA in growing cells exists in this form. Upon lysis it is converted, depending upon the conditions, either to the "native" state or to an atypical denatured state, herein called D. The phenomenon has been observed in two strains of bacteria and in cultured human cells. The amount of DNA in the metastable state is related to the rates of cell growth and DNA synthesis. Stepwise DNA synthesis is anticipated by a rise in the metastable form of DNA and accompanied by a corresponding drop. The evidence indicates that the metastable form of DNA may serve as the active template for DNA synthesis. Metastable DNA possesses two conserved units and an ordered structure, yet most of the interbase hydrogenbonds appear to be broken.