Endogenous DNA polymerase of a transformation-defective rous sarcoma virus: characterization and comparison with the enzyme of the non-defective parent.

An RNA-directed DNA polymerase associated with transformation-defective (td) segregant of Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) has been characterized. The enzyme required both a monovalent and a divalent cation, a sulfhydryl reducing agent, and all four deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates for the expression of maximal activity. Sensitivity of the endogenous RNA-directed DNA polymerase activity to a low concentration of pancreatic RNase indicated that the enzyme utilized the td virus endogenous RNA as template. Maximal DNA synthesis was observed in a reaction mixture of pH 8 - 8.5 at 45 C with a manganese concentration of 1 mM. The enzyme of the td virus responded to exogenous template-primers in a manner characteristic of DNA polymerase of RNA tumor viruses, and the response became substantially greater when noncomplementary precursors were omitted from the reaction mixture. The endogenous reaction kinetics were examined. Three phases of DNA synthesis could be distinguished. Evidence was obtained showing that during the third and slowest phase of DNA synthesis the reaction mixture was not depleted of precursors and that the enzyme was fully active to initiate DNA synthesis with newly-added viral or synthetic RNA templates. Comparison of TMP and dAMP incorporation kinetics suggested that at the initial phase the enzyme preferentially copies A-rich region(s) of viral RNA. A comparison was also made between the endogenous reaction of the td virus and that of its parent sarcoma virus. The pH optimum, metal ion requirements, effect of sulfhydryl agents, response to exogenous template-primers, and kinetics of DNA synthesis, were all compared. No significant difference between the reaction of the td virus and its sarcomatogenous counterpart could be demonstrated.