TERMINAL DEOXYNUCLEOTIDYL TRANSFERASE IN HUMAN BRAIN

A DNA polymerase lacking template direction for base selection has been partially purified from human brain. The molecular size, optimum reaction conditions, initiator preferences and chemical inhibitors of the brain enzyme were similar to calf thymus terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT). TdT has been found only in the thymus, and now in brain. The possibility exists that its function is related to biological property unique to these two organs.