#Id: 6024
#Unit 3. Fundamental Processes
DNA polymerase a is unusual because it has the ability to initiate a new strand. It is used to initiate both the leading and lagging strands.
The enzyme exists as a complex consisting of a 180-kD catalytic (DNA polymerase) subunit, which is associated with three other subunits: the B subunit that appears necessary for assembly, and two small subunits that provide the primase (RNA polymerase) activity. It has dual capacity to prime and extend chains, this complex is often called pol a/primase.
