Catalysis of Adenovirus DNA Synthesis in vitro by DNA Polymerase {gamma}

DNA replication complexes were purified from adenovirus type 5 (Ad5)-infected HeLa cells. DNA synthesis by these complexes in vitro was extremely sensitive to the inhibitors dideoxythymidine triphosphate, N-ethyl maleimide and p-hydroxymercuribenzoate. The bound DNA polymerase was released from the complexes by limited digestion with micrococcal nuclease. This released polymerase preferred poly(rA):(dT)₁₂₁₈ as template over activated calf thymus DNA. These results are compatible with the major polymerase in the replication complex being of the γ class.

^* Present address: Max-Planck-Institut fur Zuchtungsforschung, 5 Koln-Vogelsang, D5000 Koln 30, Germany.

^† Present address: Department of Biochemistry, Schools of Medicine and Dentistry, State University of New York at Buffalo, 102 Cary Hall, Buffalo, New York 14214, U.S.A.