Index >> Replication of DNA >> Eukaryotic DNA Polymerases

Alpha polymerase has been referred to as the cytoplasmic DNA Polymerase, but it is probable that its in vivo location is in the nucleus. In animal cells the major part of alpha and β polymerase activity is located in the nucleus. β polymerase (which is located solely in the nucleus) can copy a poly(A) template but not alpha polymerase. β polymerase, however, cannot utilize poly(C) as a template.

In general, β polymerase can utilize polydeoxyribose templates like poly(dA) or poly(dC) more efficiently than polyriboncleotide templates like poly(A) or poly(C).alpha polymerase. In addition to natural or synthetic DNA templates, γ-polymerase can copy a variety of polyribonucleotides like poly(A), poly(C) etc.