In human cells, only four
DNA polymerases (pols) are necessary and sufficient for the duplication of the genetic information. However, more than a dozen
DNA pols are required to maintain its integrity. Such a high degree of specialization makes DNA repair pols able to cope with specific lesions or repair pathways. On the other hand, the same
DNA pols can have partially overlapping roles, which could result in possible conflicts of functions, if the
DNA pols are not properly regulated.
DNA pol λ is a typical example of such an
enzyme. It is a
multifunctional enzyme, endowed with special structural and biochemical properties, which make it capable of participating in different DNA repair pathways such as base excision repair, nonhomologous end joining, and translesion synthesis. However, when mutated or deregulated,
DNA pol λ can also be a source of genetic instability. Its multiple roles in DNA damage tolerance and its ability in promoting
tumor progression make it also a possible target for novel anticancer approaches.