The interplay of DNA polymerase λ in diverse DNA damage repair pathways in higher plant genome in response to environmental and genotoxic stress factors.

DNA repair mechanisms are essential for the maintenance of genomic stability, proper cellular function and survival for all organisms. Plants, with their intrinsic immobility, are vastly exposed to a wide range of environmental agents and also endogenous processes which frequently cause damage to DNA and impose genotoxic stress. Therefore, in order to survive under frequent and extreme environmental stress conditions, plants have developed a vast array of efficient and powerful DNA damage repair mechanisms to ensure rapid and precise repair of genetic material for maintaining genome stability and faithful transfer of genetic information over generations. (1) Recently, we have defined the role of DNA polymerase λ in repair of UV-B-induced photoproducts in Arabidopsis thaliana via nucleotide excision repair pathway. (2) Here, we have further discussed potential function of DNA polymerase λ in various DNA repair pathways in higher plant genome in response to environmental and genotoxic stress factors.