The Structure of the DNA of Bacteriophage φX174: I. The Action of Exopolynucleotidases

Abstract

A φX-DNA preparation cannot be inactivated, and can be hydrolysed only to a small extent, by E. coli phosphodiesterase. This result is a consequence of the unavailability of a free 3′-OH terminus. Studies of the action of spleen phosphodiesterase upon φX DNA similarly indicate the absence of a free 5′-0H terminus. Inactivation of φX. DNA by spleen or venom phosphodiesterase is exclusively a consequence of endonuclease activities present in these enzyme preparations. Pre-treatment of φX DNA with bacterial Phosphomonoesterase does not increase its susceptibility to the action of E. coli or spleen phosphodiesterase other than by the production of fragments as a consequence of contaminating endonuclease action.

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