BACKGROUND Eukaryotic DNA polymerase β (pol β), the polymerase thought to be responsible for DNA repair synthesis, has been extensively characterized in rats and humans. However, pol β has not been purified or enzymatically characterized from the model fish species Danio rerio (zebrafish). We used the in vitro/in vivo dual expression system plasmid, pIVEX, to express Danio rerio pol β (Danio po...

The RNA-dependent RNA-polymerase, 3D(pol), is an essential component in the picornavirus genome for the replication of single stranded RNA. However, transgenic expression of 3D(pol) in mice has antiviral effects. Here we discuss the structure and function of 3D(pol) during picornavirus replication, we review the evidence and consequence of a host immune response to epitopes in 3D(pol) after pic...

PDIP46 (SKAR, POLDIP3) was discovered through its interaction with the p50 subunit of human DNA polymerase δ (Pol δ). Its functions in DNA replication are unknown. PDIP46 associates with Pol δ in cell extracts both by immunochemical and protein separation methods, as well as by ChIP analyses. PDIP46 also interacts with PCNA via multiple copies of a novel PCNA binding motif, the APIMs (AlkB homo...

There is widespread agreement that the clamp loader of the Escherichia coli replicase has the composition DnaX3δδ'χψ. Two DnaX proteins exist in E. coli, full length τ and a truncated γ that is created by ribosomal frameshifting. τ binds DNA polymerase III tightly; γ does not. There is a controversy as to whether or not DNA polymerase III holoenzyme (Pol III HE) contains γ. A three-τ form of Po...

The Escherichia coli dnaN159 allele encodes a mutant form of the beta-sliding clamp (beta159) that is impaired for interaction with the replicative DNA polymerase (Pol), Pol III. In addition, strains bearing the dnaN159 allele require functional Pol I for viability. We have utilized a combination of genetic and biochemical approaches to characterize the role(s) played by Pol I in the dnaN159 st...

DNA polymerases mu (pol mu), lambda (pol lambda), and terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase (TdT) are enzymes of the pol X family that share homology in sequence and functional domain organization. We showed previously that pol mu participates in light chain but surprisingly not heavy chain gene rearrangement. We show here that immunoglobulin heavy chain junctions from pol lambda-deficient anima...

Foamy viruses (FV) comprise a subfamily of retroviruses. Orthoretroviruses, such as human immunodeficiency virus type 1, synthesize Gag and Pol from unspliced genomic RNA. However, FV Pol is expressed from a spliced mRNA independently of Gag. FV pol splicing uses a 3' splice site located at the 3' end of gag, resulting in a shared exon between gag and pol. Previously, our laboratory showed that...

Three major DNA polymerases replicate the linear eukaryotic chromosomes. DNA polymerase α-primase (Pol α) and DNA polymerase δ (Pol δ) replicate the lagging-strand and Pol α and DNA polymerase ε (Pol ε) the leading-strand. To identify factors affecting coordination of DNA replication, we have performed genome-wide quantitative fitness analyses of budding yeast cells containing defective polymer...

Ribosomal RNA synthesis is controlled by nutrient signaling through the mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) pathway. mTORC1 regulates ribosomal RNA expression by affecting RNA Polymerase I (Pol I)-dependent transcription of the ribosomal DNA (rDNA) but the mechanisms involved remain obscure. This study provides evidence that the Ccr4-Not complex, which regulates RNA Polymerase II...