DNA polymerase activities in human placenta.

Activities of DNA polymerase alpha and beta were assayed in crude extracts prepared from human placenta. Polymerase alpha activity was high in early pregnancy but low during the 2nd trimester. Polymerase beta activity did not change significantly with gestational weeks. The increase in polymerase alpha activity in early pregnancy may be closely related to mitosis at the time of placental formation; there might also be some type of accelerating factor for polymerase in early pregnancy.