Apparent stimulation of calf thymus DNA polymerase alpha by ATP

Nucleic Acids Res. 1987 Mar 11;15(5):2269-78. doi: 10.1093/nar/15.5.2269.

Abstract

The mechanism by which millimolar concentrations of ATP stimulate the activity and increase the processivity of calf thymus DNA polymerase alpha has been investigated with poly(dA)/oligo(dT) as template/primer to eliminate possible effects due to primer synthesis. The effect of ATP on the rate of DNA synthesis with this template/primer was found to be dependent upon whether or not the ATP was neutralized and the species of buffer used in the reaction. The present studies suggest that ATP stimulation of calf thymus DNA polymerase can be attributed to changes in the pH of the reaction mixture, a shift in the magnesium ion optimum, or both. Furthermore, effects of ATP on the processivity of DNA polymerase alpha could be mimicked by lowering the pH of the reaction mixture.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine Triphosphate / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • Cattle
  • DNA Polymerase II / metabolism*
  • DNA Replication / drug effects
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Kinetics
  • Magnesium / pharmacology
  • Magnesium Chloride
  • Thymus Gland / enzymology*

Substances

  • Magnesium Chloride
  • Adenosine Triphosphate
  • DNA Polymerase II
  • Magnesium