ATP-stimulated polymerase activity involving DNA polymerase I and a recB-dependent factor in extracts of Escherichia coli cells

ATP-stimulated DNA polymerase activity involving DNA polymerase I has been found to be present in cell extracts from wild type and recC mutant strains of Escherichia coli, but not in extracts from recB strain. The activity has been separated from recBC DNase by DEAE-cellulose ion exchange. It is suggested that recB-dependent factor is involved in the ATP-stimulation of polymerase. Evidence is provided that this stimulation may be due to the interaction of recB-dependent factor with DNA polymerase I.