Specific effect of zinc ions on DNA polymerase activity of avian myeloblastosis virus.

The effect of selected cations on DNA synthesis by DNA-polymerase of avian myeloblastosis virus (AMV) was studied. Zinc ions at low concentration (0.2mM) in the assay system enhanced the activity about 2 x fold and at higher concentration (2.0 mM) inhibited the activity completely. In contrast, addition of lithium and potassium salts produced inhibitory effects in this ionic concentration range. Replacement of K+ ion had an inhibitory effect on the activity.