Endogenous RNA-directed DNA polymerase activity in uninfected chicken embryos

Early chicken embryos that are either positive or negative for group-specific antigens of avian leukosis viruses contained endogenous RNA-directed DNA polymerase activity. This endogenous DNA polymerase activity was not increased after mixture of soluble DNA polymerases isolated from chicken embryos with disrupted chicken embryo cells. The endogenous activity was resistant to treatment with deoxyribonuclease, and the initial rate of DNA synthesis was partially resistant to actinomycin D. In contrast, over 90% of the endogenous polymerase activity was destroyed by ribonuclease in medium with high salt concentration. The DNA product of the endogenous DNA polymerase activity from chicken embryos did not hybridize with RNA of Rous sarcoma virus or reticuloendotheliosis virus, whereas about 40% of this DNA product hybridized with the RNA from the same chicken-cell fraction. Antibody against DNA polymerase of avian myeloblastosis virus did not neutralize the chicken endogenous DNA polymerase activity. These results demonstrate that uninfected chicken embryo cells contain endogenous RNA-directed DNA polymerase activity that is not derived from avian leukosis or reticuloendotheliosis viruses.