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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

Overview
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...
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...
DNA Topoisomerases02:02

DNA Topoisomerases

Topoisomerases are enzymes that relax overwound DNA molecules during various cell processes, including DNA replication and transcription. These enzymes regulate positive and negative DNA supercoiling without changing the nucleotide sequence. DNA overwinding in a clockwise direction results in positively supercoiled DNA, whereas underwinding in a counterclockwise direction produces negatively supercoiled DNA.
Types and Mechanism of action
Topoisomerases are divided into two main types.  Type I...

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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

Published on: April 4, 2025

Translesion DNA polymerases.

Myron F Goodman1, Roger Woodgate

  • 1Department of Biological Sciences and Department of Chemistry, University of Southern California, University Park, Los Angeles, California 90089-2910.

Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Biology
|July 11, 2013
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Cells use translesion DNA synthesis (TLS) to bypass DNA damage during replication. While error-prone TLS aids survival, it can increase mutation risk but also promote genetic diversity.

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Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Living cells face constant DNA damage threats to genomic integrity.
  • DNA repair mechanisms address lesions, but some persist, stalling DNA replication.
  • Stalled replication forks trigger specialized polymerases for translesion DNA synthesis (TLS).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explain the role of translesion DNA synthesis (TLS) in DNA damage tolerance.
  • To investigate the implications of TLS in cell survival, mutagenesis, and genetic diversity.

Main Methods:

  • Review of cellular DNA repair and replication processes.
  • Analysis of the function of specialized TLS polymerases.
  • Examination of the regulation and consequences of TLS.

Main Results:

  • TLS allows replication to proceed past DNA lesions, providing time for repair.
  • TLS is often error-prone, linking cell survival to increased mutagenesis and cancer risk.
  • Regulated TLS polymerases can access undamaged DNA, potentially benefiting genetic diversity.

Conclusions:

  • Translesion DNA synthesis is a critical, albeit risky, DNA damage tolerance mechanism.
  • The fidelity of TLS polymerases impacts both mutagenesis and evolutionary adaptation.
  • Understanding TLS is crucial for comprehending genome stability and disease development.