Publication Date

12-1988

Advisor(s) - Committee Chair

Valgene Dunham, Frank Toman, Martin Houston

Degree Program

Department of Biology

Degree Type

Master of Science

Abstract

DNA polymerase alpha, the enzyme involved in nuclear DMA replication, and DNA polymerase gamma, the enzyme involved in organellular DNA replication, were isolated and purified from soybean and turnip. The enzymes were characterized following ammonium sulfate precipitation, DEAF-cellulcse, phosphocelluloca, and hydroxylapatite chromatography, and by non-denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Protein banct were electropluted and the enzymes characterized using kinetic studies and sensitivity to divalent cations and inhibitors. Molecular weight and subunit composition studies indicated a molecular weight for the catalytic subunit of DNA polymerase alpha in soybean and turnip to be 46kDa. DNA polymeraqe gamma was composed of a catalytic subunit with a molecular weight of 66kDa. Although the two enzymes appear to share common subunits, characterization of their genetic origin remains to be determined before alpha and gamma can be classified as isoenzymes.

Disciplines

Biology | Life Sciences

Included in

Biology Commons

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