ADENOVIRUS PROTEIN ASSOCIATED WITH THE ENDS OF REPLICATING DNA-MOLECULES

The adenovirus DNA-protein complex contains the linear DNA molecule and a 55K protein covalently attached to each 5′ end. We describe a simple assay for adenovirus DNA-protein complex, in which DNA, covalently linked to the terminal protein, specifically binds to benzoylated naphthoylated DEAE-cellulose. The DNA-protein complex can be recovered intact from the column by elution with urea and SDS, or the DNA moiety can be eluted after incubation of the column with protease. Using this assay system, we have shown that protein is associated with pulse-labeled single strands of DNA from the terminal restriction enzyme fragments of replicating adenovirus DNA. We suggest that the terminal protein has a function in DNA replication. © 1979.