title: Functions of human DNA polymerases eta, kappa and iota suggested by their properties, including fidelity with undamaged DNA templates.
abstract: Human DNA polymerases eta, kappa and iota are template-dependent, Y-family DNA polymerases that have been implicated in translesion DNA synthesis (TLS) in human cells. Here, we briefly review evidence that these exonuclease-deficient polymerases copy undamaged DNA with very low fidelity and unusual error specificity. Based on the base substitution specificity and other biochemical properties of DNA polymerases eta and iota, we consider the possibility that they participate in specialized DNA transactions that repair damaged DNA and/or generate mutations in the variable regions of immunoglobulin genes.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA. kunkel@niehs.nih.gov
authors.forename: Thomas A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Kunkel
authors.forename: Youri I
authors.initials: YI
authors.lastname: Pavlov
authors.forename: Katarzyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bebenek
mesh_terms: D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism*; D004259:DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000235:genetics; D009154:Mutation; D000094769:DNA Polymerase iota; D000099270:Y-Family DNA Polymerases
chemical_list: D004247:DNA; D004259:DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D000094769:DNA Polymerase iota; C404302:POLK protein, human; D000099270:Y-Family DNA Polymerases; C112338:Rad30 protein; C000722070:POLI protein, human