Publication Date:
2012-08-01
Description:
To preserve genetic information through generations, DNA must be duplicated with precision, and thus DNA polymerases (Pols) that replicate chromosomes are highly accurate. However, DNA is constantly bombarded by damage and undergoing repair, and, if the replication fork encounters a damaged base before repair, highly accurate replicases stall and cannot continue fork progression. All cells contain specialized translesion (TLS) Pols that have low accuracy but can extend DNA over template lesions (1, 2). Although some TLS Pols have evolved to insert the correct nucleotide opposite particular lesions, they can also be mutagenic by inserting an incorrect base. The conservation of...
Print ISSN:
0027-8424
Electronic ISSN:
1091-6490
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
,
Natural Sciences in General
Permalink