Eukaryotic DNA Polymerase α

Polymerase α-primase is the only DNA polymerase capable of de novo DNA synthesis in eukaryotic cells. The enzyme mainly functions to provide primers for DNA replication, but it is implicated in other cellular processes such as telomere maintenance and epigenetic regulation. Due to its pivotal role in initiating DNA synthesis, the activity of Pol α is tightly regulated by cell-cycle-dependent kinases and measures are taken to ensure integrity of the protein. As we learn more about the many functions of Pol α, it appears that Pol α plays a central role in orchestrating the progression of the replication fork, not only in coordinating the rate of the DNA unwinding and DNA synthesis engines but also in coordinating the repair of DNA damage and attenuation of DNA replication in response to intra-S-phase checkpoint signals.