Sequence-specific interactions between a cellular DNA-binding protein and the simian virus 40 origin of DNA replication.

The core origin of simian virus 40 (SV40) DNA replication is composed of a 64-base-pair sequence encompassing T-antigen-binding site II and adjacent sequences on either side. A 7-base-pair sequence to the early side of T-antigen-binding site II which is conserved among the papovavirus genomes SV40, BK, JC, and SA12 was recently shown to be part of a 10-base-pair sequence required for origin activity (S. Deb, A.L. DeLucia, C.-P. Baur, A. Koff, and P. Tegtmeyer, Mol. Cell. Biol. 6:1663-1670, 1986), but its functional role was not defined. In the present report, we have used gel retention assays to identify a monkey cell factor that interacts specifically with double-stranded DNA carrying this sequence and also binds to single-stranded DNA. DNA-protein complexes formed with extracts from primate cells are more abundant and display electrophoretic mobilities distinct from those formed with rodent cell extracts. The binding activity of the factor on mutant templates is correlated with the replication activity of the origin. The results suggest that the monkey cell factor may be involved in SV40 DNA replication.