Structure-function analysis of PRDI DNA polymerase

PRDI DNA polymerase is the smallest member of the family B DNA polymerase (Jung et al., 1987). This DNA polyerase is specified by bacteriophage PRDI which infects a wide variety of gram-negative bacteria(Mindich and Bamford, 1988). Because PRDI is highly amenable to genetic and biochemical manipulation, it is a convenient model system with which to study structure-function relationships of DNA polymerase molecules. To determine the functional roles of the highly conserved regions of the family B DNA polymerases, we have initiated site-directed mutagenesis with PRD1 DNA polymerase, and our results show that mutations at the conserved regions within PRD1 DNA polymerase inactivate polymerase complementing activity and catalytic activity.