DNA endonucleases associated with the avian myeloblastosis virus DNA polymerase.

A DNA endonuclease, Endo-I, which cleaves superhelical DNAs, has been isolated from avian myeloblastosis virions stripped of their coats by mild detergent treatment. The enzyme has a broad pH optimum around 7.5-8.0 and requires Mg2+ for activity. A second endonuclease, Endo-II, with a requirement for Mn2+, also present in viral cores, copurified with avian myeloblastosis virus alpha beta DNA polymerase (reverse transcriptase, RNA-dependent DNA nucleotidyltransferase) and similarly cleaved superhelical DNAs. Heat denaturation and sodium fluoride and N-ethylmaleimide inhibition studies were carried out to demonstrate a possible relationship between the two endonucleases and the viral DNA polymerase and RNase H activities. It appears that Endo-II may be an intrinsic activity of the polymerase.