Correction of replication errors by DNA polymerase using a 3'-5' exonuclease activity.

The cellular metabolic process in which a cell duplicates one or more molecules of DNA. DNA replication begins when specific sequences, known as origins of replication, are recognized and bound by initiation proteins, and ends when the original DNA molecule has been completely duplicated and the copies topologically separated. The unit of replication usually corresponds to the genome of the cell, an organelle, or a virus. The template for replication can either be an existing DNA molecule or RNA.

The DNA polymerase III core complex consists of the alpha,epsilon and theta subunits and is carries out the polymerase and the 3'-5' exonuclease proofreading activities.

The DNA polymerase III holoenzyme is a complex that contains 10 different types of subunits. These subunits are organized into 3 functionally essential sub-assemblies: the pol III core, the beta sliding clamp processivity factor and the clamp-loading complex. The pol III core carries out the polymerase and the 3'-5' exonuclease proofreading activities. The polymerase is tethered to the template via the sliding clamp processivity factor. The clamp-loading complex assembles the beta processivity factor onto the primer template and plays a central role in the organization and communication at the replication fork.