Most of the replicative synthesis in bacteria is done by DNA polymerase III beta sliding clamp (IPR001001), which is a complex multi-chain holoenzyme. It functions by utilizing complementary DNA as a template to add nucleotide triphosphate (dNTP) residues to the 5' end of the developing DNA strand. The β subunit, also referred to as the elongation factor β-clamp, is a component of the DNA polymerase III holoenzyme. Nevertheless, the β-clamp is not irreversibly affixed to polymerase III, as are the other subunits. The clamp loader, a constituent of DNA Pol III, is responsible for loading it onto the DNA. The dsDNA in bacteria is encircled by a ring-shaped dimer that the β-clamp forms (sliding clamp). Bacterial β clampis a homodimer made up of three globular domains that fit together to make a ring with six domains.