Index >> Bacteriophages - Part One >> DNA Polymerase

DNA Polymerase - DNA polymerase is coded by gene 43. It consists of a single polypeptide chain (MW 112,000). It has both template directed nucleotidyltransferase activity and 3'-exonuclease activity. The polymerase and exonuclease activities represent separate functions of the enzyme.

The 3'-exonuclease activity involves proof reading. The properties of T4 DNA polymerase are very similar to those of DNA polymerase I of E coli. The latter enzyme is used for repair synthesis, rather than for replication. The 1'4 DNA polymerase does not have the 5' exonuclease activity showed DY E coli DNA polymerase I.