Question

What are the 3 units that the 10 subunits of DNAP III are categorized into?

Answer 1

The 10 subunits of DNA Polymerase III are classified into three functional units: the core enzyme which includes polymerase and exonuclease activities, the clamp-loader complex for loading the beta-clamp, and the sliding clamp for processivity.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student asked about the categorization of the 10 subunits of DNA Polymerase III (DNAP III), which are part of the DNA replication machinery. These subunits are categorized into three essential functional units:

• The core enzyme, which includes the subunits responsible for the polymerase and 3'to5' exonuclease activities.
• The clamp-loader complex, which includes the subunits that are responsible for loading the sliding clamp (also known as the beta-clamp) onto DNA.
• The sliding clamp itself, which holds the DNA polymerase onto the DNA strand, allowing for high processivity during replication.

This categorization is crucial as it highlights the division of labor within the enzyme complex, wherein each functional group plays a specific role essential for efficient and correct DNA replication.