The polynucleotide-joining enzyme does not repair (in one step) the single-strand chain breaks produced in DNA by x-irradiation in aqueous media. Preliminary data on the chemical nature of the ends of the broken strands suggest that nuclease action (to 'clean' the termini), followed by polymerase action, is necessary before the irradiated DNA would become a substrate for the polynucleotide-joining enzyme. © 1969 Informa UK Ltd All rights reserved: reproduction in whole or part not permitted.