Template Activity o f Various Phage RNA for Replicases of Qβ and VK Phages

Abstract

Haruna et at, have reportedl''2' the isolation of two RNA replicases (RNA-dependent RNA polymerase) induced by serologically distinct3~,4, RNA phages (MS2 and Qi9). Each enzyme exhibits a unique requirement for intact homologous template. This was the first instance of a nucleic acid polymerase (DNA or RNA) exhibiting a clear-cut requirement for a specific template. Weissmann and Feix5' have confirmed this property with Q/3 replicase and Augusts' found that purified Q9 replicase which he prepared by a different method also responded only to Q,9 RNA. Further, Fiers et al.'' confirmed the specific response of MS2 replicase to MS2 RNA.