Demonstration of an unusual DNA polymerase activity associated with the L cell virion.

Purified preparations of L cell virions (LCV) were found to possess an associated DNA polymerase activity. This enzyme was active with poly(C).oligo(dG) and poly(Cm).oligo(dG) and was able to transcribe poly(A).oligo(dT). Endogenous DNA synthesis was also demonstrable in disrupted virion preparations but this reaction was enhanced, rather than inhibited, by RNase pre-treatment. The effects of variations in a number of the assay parameters on these activities were examined in an attempt to determine the class of DNA polymerase involved.