Biogenesis of chromatin in animal cells. Stimulation of nuclear protein and DNA synthesis in hepatocytes after brief inhibition of translation by cycloheximide]

A drastic and brief inhibition of protein synthesis (up to 95% for 3--6 hrs) by cycloheximide in the liver of rats starved for 24 hrs results in a recovery and subsequent marked stimulation of non-histone proteins, histone chromosomal proteins and DNA. The stimulation of non-histone protein synthesis was observed after 1 hr (inhibition) 12--24 hrs (recovery and stimulation of protein synthesis) and 48--60 hrs (stimulation of DNA synthesis) following the administration of cycloheximide. Two periods of histone biosynthesis were observed. The first one (24--36 hrs) was not coupled and the second one (48--60 hrs) was coupled with DNA replication. During the recovery and stimulation of protein synthesis acetylation of the histone and non-histone proteins proceeds at an increased rate. Possible applicability of the model in question for investigations of chromatin biogenesis is discussed.