EFFECT OF APHIDICOLIN ON VIRAL AND HUMAN DNA-POLYMERASES

DNA polymerases induced by Herpes simplex and Vaccinia viruses are inhibited by aphidicolin and this inhibition is probably the basis of its antiviral activity in vivo. Its possible clinical use is however hampered by the concomitant effect on human replicative DNA polymerase α. The inhibition of human α-polymerase is reversible both invitro and in vivo and the changes in the rate of incorporation of thymidine into DNA, following treatment with aphidicolin for a generation time, indicate the likely synchronization of the cells due to this agent. DNA polymerase β, which has recently been shown to carry out repair synthesis of damaged nuclear DNA, is not inhibited by aphidicolin either in vitro on in vivo suggesting that the drug could allow a rapid and simple evaluation of DNA repair synthesis due to DNA polymerase β. © 1979.