ANALYSIS OF PRODUCT COMPOSITION OF POLYMERIZATION REACTION CATALYZED BY POLYNUCLEOTIDE PHOSPHORYLASE FROM THERMUS-THERMOPHILUS

The polymerization of ADP catalyzed by polynucleotide phosphorylase wa s investigated. Analysis of reaction mixture by high performance ion-e xchange liquid chromatography near the beginning of the reaction revea led oligonucleotides containing no more than five monomer residues. In creasing the NaCl concentration to 1 M induced a lag phase in the reac tion and induced the accumulation of oligomers. Simultaneously increas ing the NaCl and magnesium ion concentrations resulted in the disappea rance of the lag phase and in the increase in the velocity of polynucl eotide synthesis which was slowed at high ionic strength.