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Related Concept Videos

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...
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

Overview
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...
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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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 18, 2026

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

Mouse models of DNA polymerases.

Miriam R Menezes1, Joann B Sweasy

  • 1Department of Therapeutic Radiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.

Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis
|September 25, 2012
PubMed
Summary

DNA polymerases are crucial for DNA replication and repair. Studies using genetically modified mice reveal their essential roles in development, aging, and cancer prevention.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Arthur Kornberg discovered DNA synthesis mechanisms and isolated Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I in 1956, earning him the Nobel Prize.
  • Mammalian cells possess 15 known DNA polymerases, categorized into four families, each involved in critical cellular functions.
  • DNA polymerases are vital for DNA replication, repair, and managing DNA damage.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the function of DNA polymerases in mammals.
  • To utilize gene-targeting techniques in mouse models to study polymerase function.
  • To understand the in vivo roles of DNA polymerases through phenotypic analysis of mutant mice.

Main Methods:

  • Gene-targeting techniques were employed to create mouse models with altered polymerase genes.

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Direct Observation of Enzymes Replicating DNA Using a Single-molecule DNA Stretching Assay
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Direct Observation of Enzymes Replicating DNA Using a Single-molecule DNA Stretching Assay

Published on: March 23, 2010

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Last Updated: May 18, 2026

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

Studying DNA Looping by Single-Molecule FRET
11:27

Studying DNA Looping by Single-Molecule FRET

Published on: June 28, 2014

Direct Observation of Enzymes Replicating DNA Using a Single-molecule DNA Stretching Assay
17:03

Direct Observation of Enzymes Replicating DNA Using a Single-molecule DNA Stretching Assay

Published on: March 23, 2010

  • Biochemical and cell biological studies were conducted to analyze polymerase function.
  • Phenotypic analysis of mice with mutant alleles was performed to assess the consequences of altered DNA polymerase function.

    • Main Results:

    • The study revealed the significant involvement of DNA polymerases in embryogenesis.
    • Mutant mouse phenotypes indicated a role for DNA polymerases in preventing premature aging.
    • Alterations in DNA polymerase genes were linked to cancer suppression in the studied mouse models.

    Conclusions:

    • DNA polymerases play a prominent role in mammalian embryogenesis.
    • DNA polymerases are critical for preventing premature aging.
    • These enzymes are important in cancer suppression, highlighting their multifaceted biological significance.