Abstract
Three DNA polymerases can be separated by fractionation of crude protein extracts from maize embryonic axes through DEAE-cellulose. One of them, DNA polymerase 2 (DNA pol 2) has been purified 5000-fold and characterized. According to biochemical, immunological and physiological criteria, DNA pol 2 is an α-type enzyme. In support of this conclusion, we have found a DNA primase closely associated to DNA pol 2 along the entire purification procedure. With the help of antibodies developed against maize DNA pol 2, we have been able to determine its putative subunit composition. This enzyme is the only one, among DNA polymerases in embryonic axes, to increase in activity as the germination process is established. Since there is no increase in the amount of the different proteins that form DNA pol 2 during germination, the higher activity presented might be due to enzyme modification. We have found that DNA pol 2 is a phosphoprotein and that phosphorylation is a cyclic event during the 0–48 h period of germination. The implication of this is discussed. Finally, we show that pol 2 is a labile enzyme in seed deterioration and that it may be responsible, at least partially, for the decrease in vigour/viability of deteriorated seeds.
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© 1997 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht
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Vazquez-Ramos, J.M., Coello, P., Garcia, E. (1997). Regulation of an α-Type DNA Polymerase Activity During Maize Germination. In: Ellis, R.H., Black, M., Murdoch, A.J., Hong, T.D. (eds) Basic and Applied Aspects of Seed Biology. Current Plant Science and Biotechnology in Agriculture, vol 30. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-5716-2_44
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-5716-2_44
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