A heterodimeric DNA polymerase: Evidence that members of Euryarchaeota possess a distinct DNA polymerase

Isaac K.O. Cann, Kayoko Komori, Hiroyuki Toh, Satoru Kanai, Yoshizumi Ishino

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

We describe here a DNA polymerase family highly conserved in Euryarchaeota, a subdomain of Archaea. The DNA polymerase is composed of two proteins, DP1 and DP2. Sequence analysis showed that considerable similarity exists between DP1 and the second subunit of eukaryotic DNA polymerase δ, a protein essential for the propagation of Eukarya, and that DP2 has conserved motifs found in proteins with nucleotide-polymerizing activity. These results, together with our previous biochemical analyses of one of the members, DNA polymerase II (DP1 + DP2) from Pyrococcus furiosus, implicate the DNA polymerases of this family in the DNA replication process of Euryarchaeota. The discovery of this DNA-polymerase family, aside from providing an opportunity to enhance our knowledge of the evolution of DNA polymerases, is a significant step toward the complete understanding of DNA replication across the three domains of life.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)14250-14255
Number of pages6
JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Volume95
Issue number24
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 24 1998
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Archaea
  • DNA Polymerase δ
  • DNA replication
  • Hyperthermophile
  • Methanogen

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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