Inhibition of E. coli DNA polymerase I by 1,10-phenanthroline.

A 1,10-phenanthroline-cuprous ion complex is a potent reversible inhibitor of $\text{E. coli}$ DNA polymerase I yielding 50% inhibition in the micromolar concentration range. The 2:1 1,10-phenanthroline-cuprous ion complex is most probably the inhibitory species. Complexes of cupric ion and 1,10-phenanthroline have no apparent kinetic effect. The previously reported inhibition of the enzyme by 1,10-phenanthroline (1,2) is most likely due to the formation of this complex from thiols normally added to the assay mixtures and trace amounts of cupric ion invariably present notwithstanding reasonable precaution. The reversible and instantaneous 1,10-phenanthroline inhibition observed for other polymerases may be due to this unique inhibitory species and not coordination of a catalytically important zinc ion at the active site by the chelating agent.