Synthesis of simian virus 40 C-family catenated dimers in vivo in the presence of ICRF-193.

The effect of ICRF-193, a non-cleavable, complex-stabilizing type of topoisomerase II inhibitor, on SV40 DNA replication in vivo was examined. As analyzed by one and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, C-family catenated dimers, each composed of two intertwined, covalently closed SV40 DNAs, were mainly synthesized in the presence of the drug. On removal of the drug these C-family dimers were segregated into monomers. These results indicate that topoisomerase II is required for the segregation of replicated daughter molecules, but it is not absolutely required for the replication of DNA molecules up to the C-family dimers.