Structural insights into the exchange mechanism of a replicative DNA polymerase.

ABSTRACT: Replicative DNA polymerases are distinguished by their speed, processivity, and fidelity. While speed and fidelity arise from the polymerase's intrinsic catalytic and proofreading activities, processivity is typically attributed to the DNA sliding clamp that tethers the polymerase to DNA. However, additional mechanisms may also contribute. The T4 bacteriophage polymerase can exchange on-the-fly, a process likely contributing to its ∼10-fold higher synthesis rate compared with human polymerases. Here, we reconstituted the T4 holoenzyme and polymerase exchange complexes using purified gp43 polymerase, gp45 sliding clamp, and a primer-template DNA substrate. Cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) analysis revealed either one or two polymerases bound to the clamp and DNA. In the one-polymerase com

SUBMITTER: Feng X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12746103 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature