DNA replication and repair bypass machines

Maintenance of genetic stability is of crucial importance for any form of life. Before cell division in each mammalian cell, the process of DNA replication must faithfully duplicate three billion bases with an absolute minimum of mistakes. This is complicated by the fact that DNA itself is highly reactive and is constantly attacked by endogenous and exogenous factors leading to 50,000–100,000 different damages in the DNA of human cells every day. In this mini-review we will focus on lesion bypass by DNA polymerase machines either in replication or repair, with particular focus on the repair of oxidative lesions.

► Maintenance of genetic stability is of crucial importance for any form of life.
► DNA is damaged by endogenous and exogenous factors up to 100,000 times a day.
► Replication as well as repair of DNA has to keep mistakes to an absolute minimum.
► Nature has evolved fantastic molecular machines to handle damaged and undamaged DNA.
► Fifteen different DNA polymerases together with helper proteins share this workload.