RNA-Linked DNA Fragments In Vitro

Abstract
RNA-linked DNA fragments are intermediates in DNA replication in Escherichia coli cells made permeable to nucleoside triphosphates by treatment with toluene. Covalent linkage of a short RNA stretch to the 5' end of the DNA is proved by transfer of (32)P from [alpha-(32)P]dNTP to ribonucleotides upon digestion with alkali or pancreatic RNase, and by a small decrease in the molecular size upon alkaline hydrolysis. The (32)P transfer experiments reveal a unique structure...p(rPy)p(rA)p(rU or rC)p(dC)p... at the RNA-DNA junction.