Specific cleavage of the terminal protein from the adenovirus 5 DNA under the condition of single-strand scission by nuclease S1

Single-strand-specific nucleases

Single-strand-specific nucleases, which act on single-stranded nucleic acids and single-stranded regions in double-stranded nucleic acids, are multifunctional enzymes and are ubiquitous in distribution. They find wide application as analytical tools in molecular biology research, although enzymes such as P1 nuclease are also used for production of flavor enhancers such as 5' IMP and 5' GMP. Because these enzymes are mainly used as analytical tools, very little attention was paid to aspects relating to their structure-function relationships. However, during the last few years considerable developments have taken place in this area. Single-strand-specific nucleases, their purification, characteristics, biological role, and applications have been reviewed.

Expression of integrated viral DNA sequences outside the transforming region in eight adenovirus-transformed cell lines

The expression of early and intermediate-early viral regions in eight adenovirus type 5 transformed cell lines was analyzed by radioimmuno-inhibition and RNA-DNA hybridization techniques. Details on the arrangement of the integrated viral DNA sequences in these cell lines have already been published (Visser, L., Wassenaar, A.D.C., Van Maarschalkerweerd, M.W. and Rozijn, T.H. (1981) J. Virol, 39, 684-693). In all cell lines tested, proteins encoded by the transforming region E1 are present. Dependent on the viral DNA content, additional early regions are expressed in most cell lines. In two of the cell lines polypeptides related to the adenoviral terminal protein, encoded by the recently described region E2b, could be detected. The viral DNA sequence encoding the body of the terminal protein mRNA is probably integrated intact, but the promoter region and at least some of the leaders are lacking in these cell lines.

Nucleotide sequence at the termini of the DNA of Bacillus subtilis phage phi 29

Phage phi 29 DNA cannot be phosphorylated with polynucleotide kinase and [gamma-32P]ATP because of the presence of a viral protein covalently linked to the 5' termini. The 5' ends can, however, be made susceptible to phosphorylation by treatment with alkali and alkaline phosphatase. Restriction fragments Hpa II C and Hpa II F, corresponding to the right and left ends of phi 29 DNA, respectively, were labeled at the 5' ends with polynucleotide kinase and [gamma-32P]ATP or at the 3' ends with terminal transferase and [alpha-32P]ATP or [alpha-32P]cordycepin 5'-triphosphate. After a secondary cleavage of the labeled fragments, the sequence of the first 150-180 nucleotides at the termini of phi 29 DNA was determined by the method of Maxam and Gilbert. The ends of phi 29 DNA are flush, and a six-nucleotides-long inverted terminal repetition was found. The functional implications of the sequences determined are discussed.