Serological analysis of cellular and viral DNA polymerases by an antiserum to DNA polymerase γ of human lymphoblasts

Abstract

An antiserum was prepared against a highly purified DNA polymerase .gamma. from NC37 cells, a normal human lymphoblast cell line. The antiserum did not possess enzyme neutralizing activity, but did specifically bind DNA polymerase .gamma.. When tested in a double antibody immunoprecipitation assay, the antibody did not cross-react with DNA polymerases .alpha. or .beta., purified from NC37 cells or with reverse transcriptases of avian, murine or primate RNA tumor viruses. Antisera prepared against purified reverse transcriptases similarly did not recognize DNA polymerase .gamma., either in an enzyme neutralization assay or in the more sensitive double antibody immunoprecipitation assay. The availability of an antiserum to DNA polymerase .gamma. would allow the further characterization of enzyme activities isolated from cellular material suspected of being related to viral reverse transcriptases. In those cases where such activities did not immunologically resemble known viral DNA polymerases, the anti-DNA polymerase .gamma. would help determine the viral or cellular nature of the unknown activity.