DNA polymerase (Dpo) reads a DNA strand and catalyzes the synthesis of its complementary strand. Dpo's are divided into 7 families according to their sequence homology and 3D structure similarities.[1] The families are:

  • Family A - replicative or repair Dpo.
  • Family B - replicative Dpo involved in processing DNA replication during cell division (includes eukaryotic Dpo α,δ,ε).
  • Family C - major replicative Dpo in bacteria (includes Dpo II, III, IV).
  • Family D - replicative. Present in archaea.
  • Family X - eukaryotic repair Dpo (includes Dpo β,λ,σ,μ and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase).
  • Family Y - replicative of damaged DNA (includes eukaryotic η,ι,κ).
  • Family RT - reverse transcriptase. See Reverse transcriptase.

Some Dpo terminology:

Dpo sliding clamp is made of the complex of Dpo and Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (PCNA) which encircles it.
The BRCT domain in Dpo is the C-terminal domain of breast cancer susceptibility protein.
Klenow fragment is a large Dpo fragment produced upon cleavage of Dpo by subtilisin.
In the E. coli, the EcDpo III subunits β, γ, δ, δ' are named clamp loader. This complex assembles the β subunit sliding clamp unto the DNA.

Prokaryotic DNA polymerases:

Eukaryotic DNA polymerases:

  • Pol α,β,γ,δ,ε,ζ,η,ι,κ. See also DNA polymerase beta.
  • Rev1 is a Dpo involved in replication over DNA lesions.
  • Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) is a family X Dpo expressed in immature lymphoid cells. TdT adds nucleotides to exons during antibody gene recombination.

in Family A DNA polymerase I (1taq).

in Family A DNA polymerase I (1taq).

See also User:Karl E. Zahn/RB69 DNA polymerase (gp43)

Family A DNA polymerase I complex with octylglucoside 1taq

Drag the structure with the mouse to rotate

3D Structures of DNA polymerase3D Structures of DNA polymerase

Updated on 07-February-2016

ReferencesReferences

  1. Steitz TA. DNA polymerases: structural diversity and common mechanisms. J Biol Chem. 1999 Jun 18;274(25):17395-8. PMID:10364165

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