title: Evidence for a role for DNA polymerase beta in mammalian meiosis.
abstract: DNA polymerase beta (pol beta) is an enzyme possessing both polymerase and deoxyribose phophatase activities. Although pol beta is not believed to participate in the replication of genomic DNA, several studies have indicated a role for pol beta in DNA repair. The high level of expression of pol beta in mouse and rat testes raises the possibility that pol beta participates in mammalian meiosis. Using antibody localization, we detect foci that stain with pol beta antisera at discrete sites along homologous chromosomes as they synapse and progress through prophase of meiosis I. These data suggest that pol beta participates in meiotic events associated with synapsis and recombination.
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
authors.forename: A W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Plug
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Clairmont
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sapi
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ashley
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Sweasy
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002875:Chromosomes / Q000201:enzymology*; D004256:DNA Polymerase I / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D011995:Recombination, Genetic; D013090:Spermatocytes / Q000201:enzymology; D013573:Synaptonemal Complex; D013737:Testis / Q000201:enzymology*
chemical_list: D004256:DNA Polymerase I