Cell-free systems derived from unfertilized Xenopus eggs have been particul
arly informative in the study of the regulation and biochemistry of DNA rep
lication. We have developed a Xenopus-based system to analyze proliferating
cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)-specific effects on the functional properties
of egg extracts. To do this, we have coupled peptides derived from p21 (Waf
1/Cip1) to beads and used these to deplete PCNA from Xenopus egg extracts.
The effect on various aspects of DNA replication can be analyzed after the
readdition of PCNA and other purified proteins. Using this system, we have
shown that replication of single-stranded M13 DNA is entirely dependent upo
n PCNA. By adding exogenous T7 DNA polymerase 60 PCNA-depleted extracts, we
have uncoupled processive DNA replication from PCNA activity and so create
d an experimental system to analyze the dependence of post-replicative proc
esses on PCNA function. We have shown that successful chromatin assembly is
specifically dependent on PCNA. However, systems for analyzing the far mor
e complex mechanisms required for the replication of nuclear double-strande
d DNA have proved so far to be refractory to specific PCNA depletion. (C) 2
001 Academic Press.