What are the differences between DNA polymerase 1, 2, and 3?

Question

Accepted Answer

Basis of differentiation

Polymerase I

Polymerase II

Polymerase III

Processivity

Has low processivity

Has high processivity

Subunit structure

Is a monomeric enzyme

Is a multisubunit enzyme

Functions as a holoenzyme

Leading and lagging strand synthesis

During DNA replication, it plays a role in synthesizing both the leading strand and the lagging strand.

It plays a minor role in either the leading or lagging strand synthesis during DNA replication

It is an important enzyme in charge of DNA synthesis during DNA replication on both the leading and lagging strands

Translesion synthesis

It does not participate in translesion synthesis

Participates in translesion synthesis

Does not have an active role in translesion synthesis

Abundance

In bacterial cells, it is the least prevalent among the three DNA polymerases

In bacterial cells, it is more prevalent than Polymerase 1 but less common than Polymerase 3

In bacterial cells, it is the most abundant DNA polymerase

Location

It is located in the cytoplasm of bacterial cells

It is also present in the cytoplasm of bacterial cells

It is situated at the DNA replication fork within the nucleoid region of the bacterial cell

Basis of differentiation	Polymerase I	Polymerase II	Polymerase III
Processivity	Has low processivity	Has low processivity	Has high processivity
Subunit structure	Is a monomeric enzyme	Is a multisubunit enzyme	Functions as a holoenzyme
Leading and lagging strand synthesis	During DNA replication, it plays a role in synthesizing both the leading strand and the lagging strand.	It plays a minor role in either the leading or lagging strand synthesis during DNA replication	It is an important enzyme in charge of DNA synthesis during DNA replication on both the leading and lagging strands
Translesion synthesis	It does not participate in translesion synthesis	Participates in translesion synthesis	Does not have an active role in translesion synthesis
Abundance	In bacterial cells, it is the least prevalent among the three DNA polymerases	In bacterial cells, it is more prevalent than Polymerase 1 but less common than Polymerase 3	In bacterial cells, it is the most abundant DNA polymerase
Location	It is located in the cytoplasm of bacterial cells	It is also present in the cytoplasm of bacterial cells	It is situated at the DNA replication fork within the nucleoid region of the bacterial cell