The processivity factor beta controls DNA polymerase IV traffic during spontaneous mutagenesis and translesion synthesis in vivo.

The dinB-encoded DNA polymerase IV (Pol IV) belongs to the recently identified Y-family of DNA polymerases. Like other members of this family, Pol IV is involved in translesion synthesis and mutagenesis. Here, we show that the C-terminal five amino acids of Pol IV are essential in targeting it to the beta-clamp, the processivity factor of the replicative DNA polymerase (Pol III) of Escherichia coli. In vivo, the disruption of this interaction obliterates the function of Pol IV in both spontaneous and induced mutagenesis. These results point to the pivotal role of the processivity clamp during DNA polymerase trafficking in the vicinity of damaged-template DNA.