Lability of host-cell DNA in growing cell cultures due to Mycoplasma.

In HeLa-cell cultures chronically infected with Mycoplasma, (PPLO) host-cell DNA is unstable as detected by incorporation of H(3)-or C1 i-thymidine into DNA and subsequent release into the medium as acidsoluble radioactivity. This characteristic can be transmitted to PPLO-free cultures of strain L cells by inoculation with preparations of PPLO from the HeLa cells, although chronically infected cultures of L cells continue to multiply. In addition, virus preparations also may carry PPLO contamination through numerous passages.