4. Gene replication and expression in eukaryotes

4.1 Replication in eukaryotes

Eukaryotes possess several DNA polymerases (α, β, γ, δ, ε...) in their nuclei or mitochondria to replicate supplied genetic material. These enzymes form an evolutionary complex, the replisome, made up of a varied number of subunits capable of binding various protein factors. This complex evolves during the different phases of replication.

DNA polymerases δ and ε are the main enzymes involved in eukaryotic DNA replication. They synthesize the early and late strands of the DNA molecule to be replicated. As with their bacterial and viral counterparts, deoxyribonucleotide polymerases function on the basis of complementarity between nucleotide nitrogen bases (A/T and C/G). They also have DNA repair activities.

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