What is the Difference Between Klenow Fragment and DNA Polymerase 1?

🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚

The Klenow Fragment and DNA Polymerase I are both enzymes involved in DNA replication, but they have distinct differences. The key difference between them is that the Klenow Fragment lacks the 5' to 3' exonuclease domain present in DNA Polymerase I.

Klenow Fragment:

  • It is a large portion of DNA Polymerase I.
  • It is produced when E. coli DNA Polymerase I is proteolytically digested by the bacterial protease subtilisin.
  • It contains the 5' to 3' polymerase and 3' to 5' exonuclease (proofreading) activity domains of DNA Polymerase I.
  • It lacks the 5' to 3' exonuclease domain.
  • It is used when only the polymerization activity is required.
  • It is used to fill 5' overhangs, sequence DNA, and synthesize dsDNA.

DNA Polymerase I:

  • It is an enzyme in E. coli involved in DNA repair.
  • It has three domains: 5' to 3' polymerization, 3' to 5' exonuclease activity, and 5' to 3' exonuclease activity.
  • It is used for various DNA replication processes.

In summary, the Klenow Fragment is a proteolytic product of DNA Polymerase I that retains some of its activity domains but lacks the 5' to 3' exonuclease domain. DNA Polymerase I, on the other hand, is a complete enzyme with all three domains and is involved in various DNA replication processes.

Comparative Table: Klenow Fragment vs DNA Polymerase 1

The Klenow fragment and DNA Polymerase 1 are both involved in DNA replication, but they have distinct differences. Here is a table comparing their characteristics:

Feature Klenow Fragment DNA Polymerase 1
Origin Proteolytic product of DNA Polymerase 1 Larger enzyme, of which Klenow fragment is a part
Domains Retains 5' to 3' polymerase and 3' to 5' exonuclease activities of intact DNA Polymerase 1 Has all three domains: 5' to 3' polymerase, 3' to 5' exonuclease activity, and 5' to 3' exonuclease activity
5' to 3' Exonuclease Activity Lacks this activity Possesses this activity
Function Used to fill 5' overhangs, sequence DNA, synthesize dsDNA, probes, and proteins Involved in DNA replication in living organisms
Application 3' to 5' exonuclease activity can be undesirable sometimes, so it can be deleted by changing the gene that codes for the Klenow fragment, resulting in the exo-Klenow fragment One of the key enzymes involved in DNA replication

The Klenow fragment lacks the 5' to 3' exonuclease activity of DNA Polymerase 1 and is used for specific functions such as filling 5' overhangs and synthesizing double-stranded DNA from single strands. In contrast, DNA Polymerase 1 is a larger enzyme with all three domains, including the 5' to 3' exonuclease activity, and is involved in DNA replication in living organisms.