A coupled complex of T4 DNA replication helicase (gp41) and polymerase (gp43) can perform rapid and processive DNA strand-displacement synthesis

摘要

We have developed a coupled helicase- polymerase DNA unwinding assay and have used it to monitor the rate of double-stranded DNA unwinding catalyzed by the phage T4 DNA replication helicase (gp41). This procedure can be used to follow helicase activity in subpopulations in systems in which the unwinding-synthesis reaction is not synchronized on all the substrate-template molecules.