Abstract
DNA polymerase _ (pol _) holds a special position among the growing family of eukaryotic DNA polymerases. In fact, pol _ is associated with DNA primase to form a four subunit complex and, as a consequence, is the only enzyme able to start DNA synthesis de novo. Because of this peculiarity the major role of the DNA polymerase _-primase complex (pol-prim) is in the initiation of DNA replication at chromosomal origins and in the discontinuous synthesis of Okazaki fragments on the lagging strand of the replication fork. However, pol-prim seems to play additional roles in other complex cellular processes, such as the response to DNA damage, telomere maintenance, and the epigenetic control of higher order chromatin assembly.
Highlights
The maintenance of genome stability is of crucial importance for all living organisms
Pol α was the first polymerase identified in eukaryotic cells and for several years it was thought to be the only pol required for chromosomal DNA replication, while pol α and pol α were, respectively, the repair enzyme and the pol required for mitochondrial DNA replication
Later pol α and pol α were identified as additional pols required for nuclear DNA replication and a DNA primase activity was found to be associated with pol α, providing an explanation on how DNA replication can be initiated[1,3]
Summary
The maintenance of genome stability is of crucial importance for all living organisms. Because of this peculiarity the major role of the DNA polymerase α-primase complex (pol-prim) is in the initiation of DNA replication at chromosomal origins and in the discontinuous synthesis of Okazaki fragments on the lagging strand of the replication fork.
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