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DNA polymerase III holoenzyme of Escherichia coli: Components and function of a true replicative complex

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Summary

The DNA polymerase III holoenzyme is a complex, multisubunit enzyme that is responsible for the synthesis of most of the Escherichia coli chromosome. Through studies of the structure, function and regulation of this enzyme over the past decade, considerable progress has been made in the understanding of the features of a true replicative complex. The holoenzyme contains at least seven different subunits. Three of these, α, ε and θ, compose the catalytic core. Apparently α is the catalytic subunit and the product of the dnaE gene. Epsilon, encoded by dnaQ (mutD), is responsible for the proofreading 3′→5′ activity of the polymerase. The function of the B subunit remains to be established. The auxiliary subunits, β, γ and δ, encoded by dnaN, dnaZ and dnaX, respectively, are required for the functioning of the polymerase on natural chromosomes. All of the proteins participate in increasing the processivity of the polymerase and in the ATP-dependent formation of an initiation complex. Tau causes the polymerase to dimerize, perhaps forming a structure that can coordinate leading and lagging strand synthesis at the replication fork. This dimeric complex may be asymmetric with properties consistent with the distinct requirements for leading and lagging strand synthesis.

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  1. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical School, 77225, Houston, TX, USA

    Charles S. McHenry

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McHenry, C.S. DNA polymerase III holoenzyme of Escherichia coli: Components and function of a true replicative complex. Mol Cell Biochem 66, 71–85 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00231826

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