Studies on DNA polymerases of Xenopus laevis oocytes: subcellular distribution and physical association of DNA polymerase alpha inside the nucleus.

The localization of DNA polymerases in Xenopus laevis oocytes and eggs was studied. Oocytes have a high level of DNA polymerase alpha activity detected exclusively in the nuclei, while mitochondria contain all the DNA polymerase activity of the gamma type. No DNA polymerase beta activity is present in the nuclear fraction. Moreover, the beta activity is not present in unfertilized eggs. In oocytes, DNA polymerase alpha is weakly bound to the nucleoplasm. The leakage of the enzyme from whole nuclei can be prevented using polyvinylpyrrolidone, a nuclear pore sealing agent.