DNA-dependent ATPase activity associated with phage P22 gene 12 protein

The product of bacteriophage P22 gene 12 is known from genetic experiments to be essential for phage DNA replication. The P22 12 protein has been purified to near homogeneity from Escherichia coli lysogenic for lambda-P22 hybrid phage containing the replication genes of P22. The protein has a subunit molecular weight of 46,000. The purified protein contains ATPase activity that is stimulated by single-stranded DNA. The ATPase is poorly stimulated by double-stranded DNA. All four ribonucleoside triphosphates are hydrolyzed; none of the deoxynucleoside triphosphates are hydrolyzed. In addition, the P22 12 protein binds to single-stranded DNA in the presence of ATP. Studies of oligonucleotide synthesis by P22 12 protein in conjunction with E. coli dnaG primase are presented in the succeeding paper (Wickner, S. (1984) J. Biol. Chem. 259, 14044-14047).