DNA breakdown of 3T3 and SV 40-transformed 3T3 cells cultured in suspension.

It was examined what effect of suspension culture exerted on prelabeled DNA of 3T3 and SV 40 transformed cells (SV3T3). On an alkaline sucrose density gradient the small size DNA of 3T3 cells increased with time of suspension, while that of SV3T3 did not. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that prelabeled DNA of suspended 3T3 cells became small on a neutral sucrose density gradient, in an alkaline and a neutral elution. When SV3T3 cells were treated with dimethylsulfoxide, the smaller DNA appeared on an alkaline sucrose density gradient.