EVIDENCES FOR THE FUNCTION OF DNA POLYMERASE-BETA IN UNSCHEDULED DNA-SYNTHESIS

The activities of DNA polymerase-α and -β isolated from pig spleen were determined at different temperatures and in the presence of different concentrations of inhibitors. The results were compared with parallel estimations of replicative DNA synthesis and UV-induced repair synthesis in spleen cells.In respect to pCMB and aCTP, polymerase-α is more sensitive than polymerase-β and similarly is replication more sensitive than repair. Repair synthesis and the activity of polymerase-B decreases at temperatures higher than 40°C with nearly no increase between 37° and 40°C whereas both replication and the activity of polymerase-α are greatly stimulated at elevated temperatures with optima of 45°C (poly-merase-cx; ) and 41°C (replication).The results favour the hypothesis that polymerase-B is involved in repair synthesis. © 1979 Information Retrieval Limited.