Human DNA polymerase eta,POLH ELI

DNA polymerase specifically involved in the DNA repair by translesion synthesis (TLS) (PubMed:10385124, PubMed:11743006, PubMed:24449906, PubMed:24553286, PubMed:16357261).

Due to low processivity on both damaged and normal DNA, cooperates with the heterotetrameric (REV3L, REV7, POLD2 and POLD3) POLZ complex for complete bypass of DNA lesions.

Inserts one or 2 nucleotide(s) opposite the lesion, the primer is further extended by the tetrameric POLZ complex.

In the case of 1,2-intrastrand d(GpG)-cisplatin cross-link, inserts dCTP opposite the 3' guanine (PubMed:24449906).

Particularly important for the repair of UV-induced pyrimidine dimers (PubMed:10385124, PubMed:11743006).

Although inserts the correct base, may cause base transitions and transversions depending upon the context.

May play a role in hypermutation at immunoglobulin genes (PubMed:11376341, PubMed:14734526).

Forms a Schiff base with 5'-deoxyribose phosphate at abasic sites, but does not have any lyase activity, preventing the release of the 5'-deoxyribose phosphate (5'-dRP) residue.

This covalent trapping of the enzyme by the 5'-dRP residue inhibits its DNA synthetic activity during base excision repair, thereby avoiding high incidence of mutagenesis (PubMed:14630940).

Targets POLI to replication foci (PubMed:12606586).

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