Function
DNA polymerase specifically involved in DNA repair. Plays an important role in translesion synthesis, where the normal high-fidelity DNA polymerases cannot proceed and DNA synthesis stalls. Depending on the context, it inserts the correct base, but causes frequent base transitions, transversions and frameshifts. Lacks 3'-5' proofreading exonuclease activity. Forms a Schiff base with 5'-deoxyribose phosphate at abasic sites, but does not have lyase activity.
Tissue Specificity
Detected at low levels in testis, spleen, prostate and ovary. Detected at very low levels in kidney, colon, brain, heart, liver, lung, placenta, pancreas and peripheral blood leukocytes.