The DNA-polymerase-X family: controllers of DNA quality?

Kristijan Ramadan; Igor Shevelev; Ulrich Hübscher

doi:10.1038/nrm1530

The DNA-polymerase-X family: controllers of DNA quality?

Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol. 2004 Dec;5(12):1038-43. doi: 10.1038/nrm1530.

Authors

Kristijan Ramadan¹, Igor Shevelev, Ulrich Hübscher

Affiliation

¹ Institute of Veterinary Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH 8057 Zürich, Switzerland.

PMID: 15573140
DOI: 10.1038/nrm1530

Abstract

Synthesis of the genetic material of the cell is achieved by a large number of DNA polymerases. Besides replicating the genome, they are involved in DNA-repair processes. Recent studies have indicated that certain DNA-polymerase-X-family members can synthesize unusual DNA structures, and we propose that these DNA structures might serve as 'flag wavers' for the induction of DNA-repair and/or DNA-damage-checkpoint pathways.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Animals
DNA / metabolism*
DNA Damage
DNA Repair
DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase / chemistry
DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase / genetics
DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase / metabolism*
Humans
Models, Molecular
Multigene Family
Nucleic Acid Conformation
Protein Conformation

Substances

DNA
DNA polymerase X
DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase