Development of chromatin-bound and soluble DNA polymerase activities during germination of Pisum sativum L.

Chromatin-bound and soluble DNA-dependent DNA polymerases were assayed in the embryonic axes of germinating peas (Pisum sativum L.). Activities of both enzymes increased markedly during germination, prior to the onset of net DNA synthesis. The activity of the soluble polymerase showed a better temporal correlation with net DNA synthesis than did the activity of the chromatin-bound polymerase. The activity of the soluble polymerase greatly exceeded the activity of the chromatin-bound polymerase, particularly during the period of DNA replication.