Although DNA polymerase-a (DNA nucleotidyltransferase; deoxynucleoside triphosphate:DNA deoxynucleotidyltransferase; EC 2.7.7.7) probably functions in the nucleus, it is usually found predominantly in the nonnuclear fraction of disrupted cells. We have reexamined the intracellular location of this enzyme using cytochalasin-B-induced enucleation, a technique which avoids exposure of nuclei to extra-cellular conditions during cell fractionation. In conditions where viability of separated cell parts is high and recovery is quantitative, we find greater than 85% of total DNA polymerase-a (and DNA polymerase-P) activity in the nucleated cell fragments (karyoplasts), from which we conclude that the location in vivo of DNA polymerase-a is either nuclear or perinuclear. On the other hand, thymidine kinase (ATP:thymidine 5'-phosphotransferase, EC 2.7. MATERIALS AND METHODS Mouse L929 cells were grown in Eagle's minimum essential medium with 10% fetal calf serum (Kansas City Biological) and were judged to be mycoplasma-free by the following tests: cytoplasmic thymidine incorporation (19), surface appearance in the scanning electron microscope (performed by J. Meek and M. Clark), and conversion of uridine to uracil by cell extracts (20). Enucleation was performed by centrifugation at 370 in medium containing 10 .g/ml of cytochalasin B (Aldrich Chemical), after a pre-spin to remove weakly attached cells, as described elsewhere (21). Cytoplasts or untreated whole cells were removed by trypsin treatment, collected by a brief centrifugation 5.min at 300 X g), and gently resuspended in phosphate-b ffered saline. The karyoplasts were gently resuspended in the enucleation flasks in phosphate-buffered saline. Concentrations of whole cells, karyoplasts, and cytoplasts in the suspensions were determined by drying drops of known weight on microscope slides; these preparations were subsequently fixed, Feulgen stained, methyl green counter-stained, and all particles from each drop were scored as whole cells, karyoplasts, or cytoplasts. After samples were removed from the suspensions for counting and determination of intactness (trypan blue exclusion), the whole cells and cell parts were collected by a final centrifugation. Examination of supernatants indicated complete recovery (>99%) in the three pellets.For