• 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 252  (6) , 1932-1937
Abstract
The primed and unprimed synthesis of poly(dA-dT) by calf thymus DNA polymerase .alpha. (EC 2.7.7.7) was compared to replication of activated DNA. Synthesis of poly(dA-dT) by .alpha.-polymerase is both autocatalytic and exponential. The rate of synthesis of poly(dA-dT) is markedly affected by the Mg2+ concentration and has a higher temperature optimum than replication of activated DNA, implicating slippage as a necessary part of poly(dA-dT) replication. Calf thymus 24,000-dalton unwinding protein influences poly(dA-dT) synthesis by increasing both the exponential rate constant and the rate of linear synthesis. Single-stranded template poly(dA-dT) is provided .alpha.-polymerase by both strand slippage and melting by unwinding protein.