Abstract

Retroviral reverse transcriptase possesses DNA polymerase and ribonuclease H (RNase H) activity within a single polypeptide. Chemical or proteolytic treatment of reverse transcriptase has been used in the past to produce enzyme that is missing DNA polymerase activity and retains RNase H activity. It has not been possible to obtain reverse transcriptase that lacks RNase H but retains DNA polymerase activity. We have constructed a novel deletion derivative of the cloned Moloney murine leukemia virus (M-MLV) reverse transcriptase gene, expressed the gene in E. coli, and purified the protein to near homogeneity. The purified enzyme has a fully active DNA polymerase, but has no detectable RNase H activity. These results are consistent with, but do not prove, the conclusion that the DNA polymerase and RNase H activities of M-MLV reverse transcriptase reside within separate structural domains.

Full Text
Paper version not known

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.