Biochemical characterization and development of DNA polymerases alpha and delta in the neonatal rat heart

The ontogeny of DNA polymerase activity in the neonatal rat heart was studied. The DNA polymerase activities in rat heart extracts were identified as DNA polymerase alpha and DNA polymerase delta activities by their purification and characterization, by the use of a specific inhibitor (BuAdATP), and by a specific monoclonal antibody against DNA polymerase alpha. Using these inhibitors, it was shown that the two activities declined in parallel during the maturation and terminal differentiation of the heart.