Relationship between protein synthesis and viral deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis.

Evidence is presented that poxvirus deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) synthesis required concurrent protein synthesis. The protein requirement in question can be distinguished from viral-induced thymidine kinase and DNA polymerase by virture of the instability of its messenger ribonucleic acid and its stoichiometric rather than catalytic relation to DNA synthesis. The protein(s) required did accumulate in the presence of fluorodeoxyuridine, an inhibitor of DNA synthesis, and, thus, appeared to be an "early" poxvirus function. The protein(s) was stable since it did function several hours after its synthesis had been terminated by puromycin. Two possible roles for such a protein requirement are discussed.