Recognition of B and Z forms of DNA by Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I.
Since the substrate binding domain of the large proteolytic fragment of Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I has been shown to interact with the B forms of DNA, we have studied the ability of this enzyme to recognize structures other than the B form. The polymerase activity has been used to evaluate the degree of recognition of the B and Z forms of DNA. The Z form was found to promote less activity, indicating the probable inability of the polymerase to move along the conformationally rigid form of the template. The present study indicates that the Z-DNA found in vivo may have a role in the control of replication.
D004256:DNA Polymerase I / Q000378:metabolism*; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000378:metabolism; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000201:enzymology; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D013379:Substrate Specificity; D013698:Templates, Genetic
D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D004256:DNA Polymerase I