Comparison of the Thermal Stabilities of the αβ Heterodimer and the α Subunit of Avian Myeloblastosis Virus Reverse Transcriptase

Abstract

Avian myeloblastosis virus reverse transcriptase (AMV RT) is a heterodimer consisting of a 63-kDa α subunit and a 95-kDa β subunit. In this study, we explored the role of the interaction between the α and β subunits on AMV RT stability. The recombinant AMV RT α subunit was expressed in insect cells and purified. It exhibited lower thermal stability than the native AMV RT αβ heterodimer. Unlike the αβ heterodimer, the α subunit was not stabilized by template-primer. These results suggest that interaction between the α and β subunits is important for AMV RT stability.