question: Which genes code for the alpha subunit of the DNA polymerase III in most Firmicutes?
answer: Bacterial DNA polymerase III is the primary complex of DNA replication. In most Firmicutes, which are low-GC, gram-positive bacteria, the alpha subunit of their DNA polymerase III is encoded by polC and dnaE. DnaE is widely conserved in most bacteria, while PolC is present mainly in Firmicutes clade.