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Updated: Oct 5, 2025

DNA Polymerase Activity Assay Using Near-infrared Fluorescent Labeled DNA Visualized by Acrylamide Gel Electrophoresis
Published on: October 6, 2017
When DNA Polymerases Multitask: Functions Beyond Nucleotidyl Transfer
Denisse Carvajal-Maldonado1, Lea Drogalis Beckham2, Richard D Wood1
1Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, The University of Texas MD Anderson Center, Houston, TX, United States.
Abstract:
DNA polymerases catalyze nucleotidyl transfer, the central reaction in synthesis of DNA polynucleotide chains. They function not only in DNA replication, but also in diverse aspects of DNA repair and recombination. Some DNA polymerases can perform translesion DNA synthesis, facilitating damage tolerance and leading to mutagenesis. In addition to these functions, many DNA polymerases conduct biochemically distinct reactions. This review presents examples of DNA polymerases that carry out nuclease (3'-5' exonuclease, 5' nuclease, or end-trimming nuclease) or lyase (5' dRP lyase) extracurricular activities. The discussion underscores how DNA polymerases have a remarkable ability to manipulate DNA strands, sometimes involving relatively large intramolecular movement.
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