Understanding DNA Polymerase Alpha: A Potential Drug Target (P16167)

Target Name: DNA Polymerase alpha

NCBI ID: P16167

Other Name(s): None

Understanding DNA Polymerase Alpha: A Potential Drug Target

DNA polymerase alpha is an enzyme that plays a critical role in DNA replication and repair. It is a protein that is expressed in all living cells and is essential for the maintenance of genetic accuracy.

DNA Polymerase alpha
is a large protein that consists of 1151 amino acids. It has a molecular weight of 17.6 kDa and a pre-cleavage structure of two distinct domains: the alpha domain and the beta domain. The alpha domain is responsible for the catalytic activity of DNA Polymerase alpha, while the beta domain is involved in the regulation of the enzyme's activity.

The alpha domain of DNA Polymerase alpha
is responsible for the critical step of DNA replication, known as the annealing step. During this step, the enzyme binds to the template DNA and separates the two strands of DNA that are twice the template. Then, with the help of beta factor, the enzyme adds a single nucleotide between the two single-stranded DNAs, forming a new complementary strand. This process is called semi-discontinuous replication, and it is an important step in DNA replication.

The DNA-binding domain of DNA Polymerase alpha is a transcription factor binding domain that can bind to specific sequences on DNA. This binding results in phosphorylation of the beta domain, resulting in changes in enzyme activity. The phosphorylated 閻??? domain can enhance the catalytic activity of DNA Polymerase alpha
, allowing it to play an important role in cell division and DNA damage repair.

DNA Polymerase alpha
is a target of many drugs, such as anti-tumor drugs. This is because mutations in DNA polymerase alpha may contribute to the growth and spread of tumor cells. Therefore, studying the biological functions and drug target properties of DNA Polymerase alpha
is of great significance for the development of new anti-tumor drugs.

In addition, mutations in DNA Polymerase alpha
are associated with many genetic diseases. In Down syndrome, for example, patients often have severe chromosomal abnormalities, including 47% chromosomal aneuploidy. These abnormalities may be related to mutations in DNA Polymerase alpha
, leading to mental retardation and other clinical manifestations in patients.

Therefore, DNA Polymerase alpha
is a very valuable drug target that can be used to treat many genetic diseases. Future research can focus on developing compounds that inhibit the activity of DNA Polymerase alpha, with a view to providing new methods for treating these diseases.

Protein Name: DNA Polymerase Alpha

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