An alpha-like DNA polymerase from Halobacterium halobium.

Two DNA polymerases have been isolated from extracts of Halobacterium halobium, one having a sedimentation coefficient of 11 S, designated as alpha-like polymerase and possessing the following characteristics. It is sensitive to both aphidicolin and N-ethylmaleimide but indifferent to the presence of a dideoxynucleoside triphosphate. Therefore this polymerase is very similar to the alpha DNA polymerase of eukaryotes. The enzyme requires 5 M NaCl for maximum activity. The other polymerase has a sedimentation coefficient of 4.4 S and is resistant to both aphidicolin and N-ethylmaleimide. However, it is inhibited by a dideoxynucleoside triphosphate.