[DNA replication in mammalian cells acted on by chemical, physical and biological factors. I. DNA damage and replication in LL line cells treated with formaldehyde].

The inhibition of DNA synthesis and the appearance of single-strand breaks and/or alkali-labile sites in DNA and DNA-membrane cross-links were observed after formaldehyde treatment of cultured LL-line cells. It was shown that supercoiling of cell chromatin is not affected under these conditions. The initiation of DNA replication after the exposure with 10(-4) M formaldehyde occurs also without disturbance. Under the higher concentration of formaldehyde (10(-3) M), DNA elongation was inhibited. It is suggested that cross-linking of DNA with other molecules and structures for example membranes, stabilizes DNA supercoiling (chromatine). This conformational stability is essential for normal initiation of DNA replication, although the parenteral DNA contains many lesions in its primary and secondary structures.