Identification of template strand in heteroduplex DNA directing cell-free enzyme synthesis

Summary Cell-free synthesis of galactose enzymes was directed by heteroduplex DNA carrying an amber mutation in thegal T gene on one DNA strand, the wildtype configuration on the complementary strand. Comparison with the corresponding homoduplex DNA preparations shows that the presence of the wildtype base sequence in the l-strand is necessary and sufficient for the synthesis of active enzyme. Single stranded DNA of either configuration is inactive in this system.