Sequential changes in DNA polymerases alpha and beta during diethylnitrosamine-induced carcinogenesis

It has often been suggested that the high molecular weight DNA polymerase alpha of eukaryotes plays a role in de novo replication of DNA, while the low molecular weight polymerase beta is involved in repair replication. Previous studies have shown that when diethylnitrosamine is fed in the diet to rats it causes after a few weeks an increase in de novo replication of DNA, which then returns to normal values. In contrast, repair replication may be expected to continue throughout the feeding period. Study of DNA polymerase activity in livers of animals during carcinogenesis showed that an increase in polymerase alpha occurred at the time of increased de novo replication, while there was a gradual increase in polymerase beta during the time diethylnitrosamine was present in the diet. When diethylnitrosamine treatment was stopped, there was a rapid drop in polymerase beta activity. These results support the view that the polymerase alpha is involved in DNA replication, that the polymerase beta functions in repair replication, and that the beta enzyme can be induced by chronic damage to DNA.