DNA polymerase
Enzymes that catalyze DNA synthesis and replication.
DNA polymerase is a member of a family of enzymes that catalyze the synthesis of DNA molecules from nucleoside triphosphates, the molecular precursors of DNA. These enzymes are essential for DNA replication and usually work in groups to create two identical DNA duplexes from a single original DNA duplex. During this process, DNA polymerase "reads" the existing DNA strands to create two new strands that match the existing ones. Every time a cell divides, DNA polymerases are required to duplicate the cell's DNA, so that a copy of the original DNA molecule can be passed to each daughter cell, passing genetic information from generation to generation.
- field
- Enzymology, Molecular Biology
- known_for
- Catalyzing DNA synthesis, essential for DNA replication, and use in polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
Lore & Background
They described the DNA replication process by which DNA polymerase copies the base sequence of a template DNA strand. DNA polymerase II was discovered by Thomas Kornberg and Malcolm E. coli DNA replication. Three more DNA polymerases have been found in E. The main function of DNA polymerase is to synthesize DNA from deoxyribonucleotides. When synthesizing new DNA, DNA polymerase can add free nucleotides only to the 3' end of the newly forming strand, resulting in elongation in a 5'–3' direction. The enzyme moves along the template strand in a 3'–5' direction. Error correction is a property of some, but not all DNA polymerases; the 3'–5' exonuclease activity allows incorrect base pairs to be excised (proofreading). The known DNA polymerases have highly conserved structure, described as resembling a right hand with thumb, finger, and palm domains. The palm domain catalyzes the transfer of phosphoryl groups; the finger domain binds nucleoside triphosphates; the thumb domain plays a role in processivity, translocation, and positioning of DNA.
Reader's Guide
DNA polymerase is central to molecular biology and genetics, as it is the enzyme responsible for copying DNA during cell division, ensuring faithful transmission of genetic information. The enzyme's ability to synthesize DNA from deoxyribonucleotides, with high fidelity aided by proofreading mechanisms, is critical for preventing mutations that can lead to dysfunctional proteins and cancer. The conserved structure of DNA polymerase—with palm, finger, and thumb domains—reflects its essential function across species. coli. DNA polymerase's legacy extends from basic research to medical diagnostics, forensic science, and genetic engineering, making it one of the most important enzymes in modern biology.
Did You Know?
- DNA polymerase adds nucleotides only to the 3' end of a DNA strand, one nucleotide at a time.
- The enzyme makes about one mistake for every billion base pairs copied.
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