Evidence for a role for DNA polymerase β in mammalian meiosis

DNA polymerase β (pol β) is an enzyme possessing both polymerase and deoxyribose phophatase activities. Although pol β is not believed to participate in the replication of genomic DNA, several studies have indicated a role for phi β in DNA repair. The high level of expression of pol β in mouse and rat testes raises the possibility that pol β participates in mammalian meiosis. Using antibody localization, we detect foci that stain with pol β antisera at discrete sites along homologous chromosomes as they synapse and progress through prophase of meiosis I. These data suggest that pol β participates in meiotic events associated with synapsis and recombination.