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Related Concept Videos

Translesion DNA Polymerases02:10

Translesion DNA Polymerases

Translesion (TLS) polymerases rescue stalled DNA polymerases at sites of damaged bases by replacing the replicative polymerase and installing a nucleotide across the damaged site. Doing so, TLS allows additional time for the cell to repair the damage before resuming regular DNA replication.
TLS polymerases are found in all three domains of life - archaea, bacteria, and eukaryotes. Of the different classes of TLS polymerases, members of the Y family are fitted with specialized structures that...
Proofreading01:31

Proofreading

Synthesis of new DNA molecules is carried out by the enzyme DNA polymerase, which adds nucleotides on the daughter strand complementary to the template DNA strand. DNA polymerase has a higher affinity to add the correct base and ensures fidelity during DNA replication. Furthermore,  it exhibits proofreading activity during replication, using an exonuclease domain that cuts off incorrect nucleotides from the nascent DNA strand.
Errors During Replication are Corrected by the DNA Polymerase Enzyme
Proofreading01:43

Proofreading

Synthesis of new DNA molecules starts when DNA polymerase links nucleotides together in a sequence that is complementary to the template DNA strand. DNA polymerase has a higher affinity for the correct base to ensure fidelity in DNA replication. The DNA polymerase furthermore proofreads during replication, using an exonuclease domain that cuts off incorrect nucleotides from the nascent DNA strand.Errors during Replication Are Corrected by the DNA Polymerase EnzymeGenomic DNA is synthesized in...
The Replisome03:01

The Replisome

DNA replication is carried out by a large complex of proteins that act in a coordinated matter to achieve high-fidelity DNA replication. Together this complex is known as the DNA replication machinery or the replisome.
The synthesis of the leading and lagging strands is a highly coordinated process. To explain this, the “Trombone model” was proposed by Bruce Alberts in 1980. The DNA loop formation starts when a primer is synthesized on the parent lagging strand. The loop grows with the...
Replication in Eukaryotes02:31

Replication in Eukaryotes

Overview
Replication in Eukaryotes01:29

Replication in Eukaryotes

In eukaryotic cells, DNA replication is highly conserved and tightly regulated. Multiple linear chromosomes must be duplicated with high fidelity before cell division, so there are many proteins that fulfill specialized roles in the replication process. Replication occurs in three phases: initiation, elongation, and termination, and ends with two complete sets of chromosomes in the nucleus.
Many Proteins Orchestrate Replication at the Origin
Eukaryotic replication follows many of the same...

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Translesion DNA synthesis on pyrimidine dimers by plant organellar DNA polymerases is metal-dependent.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 28, 2026

DNA Polymerase Activity Assay Using Near-infrared Fluorescent Labeled DNA Visualized by Acrylamide Gel Electrophoresis
07:38

DNA Polymerase Activity Assay Using Near-infrared Fluorescent Labeled DNA Visualized by Acrylamide Gel Electrophoresis

Published on: October 6, 2017

Template dependent human DNA polymerases.

Luis G Brieba1

  • 1Laboratorio Nacional de Genomica para Biodiversidad. lgbrieba@ira.cinvestav.mx

Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry
|November 11, 2008
PubMed
Summary

Maintaining genome integrity is crucial for preventing diseases. Human DNA polymerases play vital roles in DNA replication, repair, and bypassing lesions to avoid mutations.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • The human genome, comprising nuclear and mitochondrial DNA, is susceptible to damage from various agents like Reactive Oxidative Species (ROS) and UV light.
  • DNA damage can lead to mutations, potentially causing diseases, with an estimated 100,000 abasic sites forming daily in mammalian genomes.
  • DNA polymerases are essential enzymes for genome maintenance, with different families specializing in replication, repair, and lesion tolerance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a concise overview of the functions of human template-dependent DNA polymerases.
  • To highlight the roles of these polymerases in DNA replication, repair, and translesion synthesis.
  • To emphasize the importance of accurate DNA replication and repair in preventing genetic mutations and associated diseases.

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Single-Molecule Fluorescence Visualization of DNA Polymerase Dynamics at G-Quadruplexes
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Single-Molecule Fluorescence Visualization of DNA Polymerase Dynamics at G-Quadruplexes

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DNA-Tethered RNA Polymerase for Programmable In vitro Transcription and Molecular Computation
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DNA-Tethered RNA Polymerase for Programmable In vitro Transcription and Molecular Computation

Published on: December 29, 2021

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 28, 2026

DNA Polymerase Activity Assay Using Near-infrared Fluorescent Labeled DNA Visualized by Acrylamide Gel Electrophoresis
07:38

DNA Polymerase Activity Assay Using Near-infrared Fluorescent Labeled DNA Visualized by Acrylamide Gel Electrophoresis

Published on: October 6, 2017

Single-Molecule Fluorescence Visualization of DNA Polymerase Dynamics at G-Quadruplexes
05:37

Single-Molecule Fluorescence Visualization of DNA Polymerase Dynamics at G-Quadruplexes

Published on: April 4, 2025

DNA-Tethered RNA Polymerase for Programmable In vitro Transcription and Molecular Computation
09:26

DNA-Tethered RNA Polymerase for Programmable In vitro Transcription and Molecular Computation

Published on: December 29, 2021

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and synthesis of existing research on human DNA polymerases.
  • Categorization of DNA polymerases based on their roles in replication, repair, and lesion bypass.
  • Summary of the biochemical mechanisms and biological significance of each polymerase family.

Main Results:

  • Replicative DNA polymerases are critical for accurate genome duplication.
  • Family X DNA polymerases are key players in DNA repair pathways.
  • Translesion Synthesis (TLS) DNA polymerases facilitate replication across damaged DNA segments, preventing replication fork collapse.

Conclusions:

  • Human DNA polymerases exhibit diverse functions essential for maintaining genome stability.
  • The coordinated action of different DNA polymerase families ensures the fidelity of DNA replication and repair.
  • Understanding these polymerases is crucial for developing therapeutic strategies against diseases linked to DNA damage and mutations.