Stimulation of mitochondrial DNA synthesis in hela cells by herpes simplex virus

Abstract

Experiments were performed to investigate the effect of Herpes simplex virus on mitochondrial DNA synthesis in Hela cells, with particular stress on the initial period post infection. Isolation and characterization of closed circular DNA of mitochondria was carried out using a modification of the method described by Hirt and by isopycnic centrifugation in CsCl-ethidium bromide solution according to Radloff et al. In contrast to cellular DNA which was found to be inhibited in the time interval 1 – 5 h p.i. there was a 1.86 fold increase in the amount of radio-activity incorporated into supercoiled mitochondrial DNA compared with mock-infected control samples during the same time interval. At consecutive time intervals after 5 h p.i. incorporation of ( 3H) thymidine into supercoiled mitochondrial DNA decreased as well below the values of the control.