Serological analysis of cellular and viral DNA polymerases by an antiserum to DNA polymerase γ of human lymphoblasts

An antiserum has been prepared against a highly purified DNA polymerase gamma from NC37 cells, a normal human lymphoblast cell line. The antiserum does not possess enzyme neutralizing activity, but does bind specifically to DNA polymerase gamma. When tested in a double antibody immunoprecipitation assay, the antibody does not cross-react with DNA polymerases alpha or beta, purified from NC37 cells, or with reverse transcriptases of avian, murine, or primate RNA tumor viruses. Antisera prepared against purified reverse transcriptases similarly do not recognize DNA polymerase gamma, either in an enzyme neutralization assay or in the more sensitive double antibody immunoprecipitation assay. The availability of an antiserum to DNA polymerase gamma will allow the further characterization of enzyme activities isolated from cellular material and suspected of being related to viral reverse ttranscriptases. In those cases where such activities do not immunologically resemble known viral DNA polymerases, the anti-DNA polymerase gamma will help determine the viral or cellular nature of the unknown activity.