Be prepared: DNA polymerase eta gets ready for action--in G1.

摘要

Translesion synthesis (TLS) is a process that allows cells to copy damaged DNA. Central to TLS are specialized DNA polymerases whose active sites are able to accommodate adducted and distorted templates. The use of TLS during S phase allows cells to defer excision of damaged bases to a later, and less risky, stage in the cell cycle. As the lesions copied during TLS are frequently non- or mis-instructional and the TLS polymerases lack proofreading activity,TLS is potentially mutagenic and must be carefully controlled. However, in spite of this mutagenic potential, TLS plays a crucial role in allowing complete duplication of the genome, and overall TLS enhances genetic instability and reduces cell death following DNA damage.