Abstract
Retrovirus-like particles have been assumed to play a physiological role in embryogenesis. They have been found in embryos of all investigated species including the japanese quail and man (1), which were previously thought to be virus free. Their final identification as particle-bound reverse transcriptase (RT) (RNA-dependent DNA-poymerase) requires a precise characterization against DNA-dependent DNA-polymerase which are co-purified with these particles from embryonic tissues. After further purification by ion-exchange and affinity chromatography 2 distinct non-mitochondrial cell-polymerases were characterized by elution profile from DEAE-cellulose (0.09 vs 0.24M KCl for RT), substrate preference (incorporation of 3H-labeled nucleosid-3P: DNA/RNA ratio 50 vs 0.34), inhibitor studies and molecular weight (4·104;1.4·105 D vs 1.1·105 D).
Our study reveals distinct difference between reverse transcriptase from retrovirus-like particles and embryonic cell-polymeroses which are co-purified with these particles. This provides evidence for a separate identitiy of aretrovirus related polymerase in embryonic tissue.
(1) Mondol H, Hofschneider PH: Int J Cancer 30:281, 1982.
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Münch, G., Mondal, H. & Hofschneider, P. EMBRYONIC CELL-POLYMERASES: SEPARATION FROM REVERSE TRANSCRIPTASE IN EMBRYOS OF THE JAPANESE QUAIL. Pediatr Res 22, 237 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198708000-00146
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198708000-00146