| Abstract: | Evidence was presented that in vitro conversion of single-stranded DNA of phage phi X 174 to the double-stranded replicative form by partially purified DNA-dependent DNA polymerase I requires a specific RNA fragment acting as primer (25-50 nucleotides). RNA fragments highly rich in nucleotides A and G were obtained by partial degradation of E. coli M 500 Sho-R ribosomal RNA with pancreatic ribonuclease. They become covalently bound to the newly synthesized DNA chain of the replicative form of phage phi X 174. These RNA fragments are also required for in vitro replication of lambda phage DNA. |
