DNA replication is the process by which a cell makes an identical copy of its DNA when it divides. It involves unwinding the DNA double helix, forming a replication fork, synthesizing new strands to complement each original strand, and synthesizing short fragments that are later joined together. Multiple enzymes are involved in this process, including DNA helicase, DNA primase, DNA polymerase, topoisomerase, and DNA ligase. DNA replication ensures each new cell has the exact genetic information.
DNA replication is the process by which a cell makes an identical copy of its DNA when it divides. It involves unwinding the DNA double helix, forming a replication fork, synthesizing new strands to complement each original strand, and synthesizing short fragments that are later joined together. Multiple enzymes are involved in this process, including DNA helicase, DNA primase, DNA polymerase, topoisomerase, and DNA ligase. DNA replication ensures each new cell has the exact genetic information.
DNA replication is the process by which a cell makes an identical copy of its DNA when it divides. It involves unwinding the DNA double helix, forming a replication fork, synthesizing new strands to complement each original strand, and synthesizing short fragments that are later joined together. Multiple enzymes are involved in this process, including DNA helicase, DNA primase, DNA polymerase, topoisomerase, and DNA ligase. DNA replication ensures each new cell has the exact genetic information.
DNA replication is the process by which a cell makes an identical copy of its DNA when it divides. It involves unwinding the DNA double helix, forming a replication fork, synthesizing new strands to complement each original strand, and synthesizing short fragments that are later joined together. Multiple enzymes are involved in this process, including DNA helicase, DNA primase, DNA polymerase, topoisomerase, and DNA ligase. DNA replication ensures each new cell has the exact genetic information.
• It follows several steps that involve multiple proteins called replication enzymes and RNA. • In eukaryotic cells, such as animal cells and plant cells, DNA replication occurs in the S phase of interphase during the cell cycle. • DNA, found within the nucleus, must be replicated in order to ensure that each new cell receives the correct number of chromosomes. • The process of DNA replication is vital for cell growth, repair, and reproduction in organisms. ENZYMES INVOLVE IN DNA REPLICATION • DNA helicase - unwinds and separates double stranded DNA as it moves along the DNA. It forms the replication fork by breaking hydrogen bonds between nucleotide pairs in DNA. • DNA primase - a type of RNA polymerase that generates RNA primers. Primers are short RNA molecules that act as templates for the starting point of DNA replication. • DNA polymerases - synthesize new DNA molecules by adding nucleotides to leading and lagging DNA strands. • Topoisomerase or DNA Gyrase - unwinds and rewinds DNA strands to prevent the DNA from becoming tangled or supercoiled. • Exonucleases - group of enzymes that remove nucleotide bases from the end of a DNA chain. • DNA ligase - joins DNA fragments together by forming phosphodiester bonds between nucleotides. STEP 1: REPLICATION FORK FORMATION • An enzyme called Helicase breaks the hydrogen bonds between the bases of the two antiparallel strands. • The strands are initially split apart in areas that are rich in A-T base pairs (there are only two bonds between Adenine and Thymine) forming a replication fork. • DNA Gyrase (also called Topoisomerase) relieves tension that builds up as a result of unwinding. • Single strand binding proteins (SSBs) help to stabilize the single stranded DNA. STEP 2: PRIMER BINDING • RNA polymerase (also known as RNA Primase) synthesizes short RNA nucleotides sequences that act as primers (starters). • These essentially provide a starting point for DNA replication. STEP 3: ELONGATION • DNA Polymerase III can now start synthesising the new DNA strand using free DNA nucleotides. • However, DNA polymerase can only read the original template (parent strand) in the 3’ → 5’ direction (making DNA 5’ → 3’). • This is not a problem on the leading strand, because the DNA polymerase can simply continue to read along as the two parent stands continue to unzip. STEP 3: ELONGATION • On the lagging strand DNA polymerase moves away from the replication fork. • As the strands continue to unzip more DNA is exposed and new RNA primers must be added. • As a result the lagging strand is synthesized in short bursts as DNA polymerase synthesizes DNA in-between each of the RNA primers. STEP: ELONGATION • The newly synthesised lagging strand now consists of both RNA and DNA fragments. • The DNA fragments are known as Okazaki fragments, after a Japanese scientist who noticed that heating DNA during replication, which separates the strands, gave many small fragments of DNA. • From this he concluded that one strand must be synthesized in short bursts of DNA. STEP 4: TERMINATION
• DNA Polymerase I now removes the RNA primers and
replaces them with DNA STEP 4: TERMINATION • DNA Ligase joins the DNA fragments of the lagging strand together to form one continuous length of DNA. TELOMERES • During DNA replication the enzymes (polymerase) that duplicate the chromosome and its DNA can't continue their duplication all the way to the end of the chromosome. • At the very ends of the DNA, are long non-coding region of Repeats known as telomeres. • Every time the DNA is replicated the telomeres shorten slightly. • It is believed that this may be the genetic basis for the aging process. PROOF READING AND CORRECTION • DNA replication occurs at a surprisingly fast rate. • Despite this, errors are very rare; occurring at a rate of approx. 1 in every 10,000,000,000 base pairs. • This is much lower than the expected value of about 1 in every 100 bp. • This is the result of a complex series of enzymes that proof-read the new DNA strands and make corrections where needed. SUMMARY • DNA replication is the production of identical DNA helices from a single double-stranded DNA molecule. • Each molecule consists of a strand from the original molecule and a newly formed strand. Prior to replication, the DNA uncoils and strands separate. • A replication fork is formed which serves as a template for replication. • Primers bind to the DNA and DNA polymerases add new nucleotide sequences in the 5ʹ to 3ʹ direction. • This addition is continuous in the leading strand and fragmented in the lagging strand. • Once elongation of the DNA strands is complete, the strands are checked for errors, repairs are made, and telomere sequences are added to the ends of the DNA. Related Videos: • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNKWgcF PHqw • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGzz712 Z0n8 • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBmO_r mXxIw