Studies on the proteins and DNA sequences involved in adenovirus DNA replication

Abstract

Recent success in expressing a fully functional form of Ad DNA polymerase (Ad Pol) in vitro has facilitated our studies on exploring the functional domains of this polypeptide. In this regard, we have constructed a series of 16 linker-insertion mutations within the coding region of the Ad Pol gene and determined the effect of each mutation in three independent in vitro reactions. The results indicate that essential regions of the Ad Pol appear to be scattered in patches across the entire molecule and are not limited to the five regions of homology shared with a variety of other replicating polymerases. Thus, the Ad Pol presumably contains active sites that must be formed by distinct interactions across the polymerase molecule. (Abstract shortened with permission of author.).