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

Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology volume 5, pages 1038–1043 (2004)Cite this article

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.

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Figure 1: Domain structure of the DNA-polymerase-X-family members.
Figure 2: Unusual DNA structures created by members of the DNA-polymerase-X family.
Figure 3: A 'flag waving' model for Pol λ and Pol μ?

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank G. Villani and H.-P. Nägeli for their critical comments on the manuscript and U. Hübscher for her help with the figures. The work carried out in the authors' laboratory is supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation, by the Union Bank of Switzerland (UBS) 'im Auftrage eines Kunden', by the Wolfermann-Nägeli Stiftung and by the University of Zürich.

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Authors and Affiliations

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

    Kristijan Ramadan, Igor Shevelev & Ulrich Hübscher

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  1. Kristijan Ramadan
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  3. Ulrich Hübscher
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Correspondence to Ulrich Hübscher.

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Related links

Related links

DATABASES

Interpro

BRCT domain

PHP domain

pol-X family

Pol-β-like domain

OMIM

ATR

ataxia-telangiectasia

Fanconi anaemia

hereditary non-polposis colon cancer

Werner's syndrome

Swiss-Prot

ATM

BRCA1

Pol β

Pol λ

Pol μ

TdT

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Ramadan, K., Shevelev, I. & Hübscher, U. The DNA-polymerase-X family: controllers of DNA quality?. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 5, 1038–1043 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrm1530

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