Recognition of B and Z forms of DNA by Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I

Since the substrate binding domain of the large proteolytic fragment of E.coli DNA polymerase I has been shown to interact with the B forms of DNA, the ability of this enzyme to recognize structures other than the B form was studied.The polymerase activity has been used to evaluate the degree of recognition of the B and Z forms of DNA.The Z form was found to promote less activity, indicating the probable inability of the polymerase to move along the conformationally rigid form of the template.The present study indicates that the Z-DNA found in vivo may have a role in the control of replication