Cell-free synthesis of herpes simplex virus DNA: the influence of polyamines

The effect of polyamines on cell-free DNA synthesis of herpes simplex virus DNA in two different systems is investigated. Purified nuclei from infected cells are devoid of measurable amounts of putrescine, spermidine, and spermine, while an unfractionated lysate contains the polyamines at close to their respective cellular concentrations. Spermine, 0.3 mM, and 0.5 mM spermidine, when added to the nuclear system, decrease the extent of viral DNA synthesis to the level found in the lysate system, the size of the cell-free viral DNA product is increased, and a specific inhibition of repair-type DNA synthesis is observed. These effects of the polyamines occur only in the presence of ATP and not the other three ribonucleoside triphosphates.