Multiple DNA polymerase activity solubilized from higher plant chromatin

DNA polymerase preparations solubilized from chromatin of unwashed and washed sugar beet storage tissue exhibit multiple activity peaks when separated by DEAE-Sephadex chromatography. Activity peaks isolated from unwashed and washed tissue required Mg²⁺, all four deoxynucleoside triphosphates and added DNA. Activity from peaks isolated from washed tissue was completely sensitive to pancreatic DNase and insensitive to RNase. Enzyme activity was increased in the tissue during the washing period. In addition, there was a drastic change in template specificity from single-stranded primer in unwashed tissue to double-stranded DNA in washed tissue.