DNA Replication 101

DNA Replication 101
(Oversimplified)
The first phase of biology’s Central Dogma
Definition
In molecular biology, DNA replication is the biological
process of producing two identical replicas of DNA from
one original DNA molecule. DNA replication occurs in all
living organisms acting as the most essential part for
biological inheritance. This is essential for cell division
during growth and repair of damaged tissues, while it also
ensures that each of the new cells receives its own copy of
the DNA. The cell possesses the distinctive property of
division, which makes replication of DNA essential.
Why is DNA replication important?
DNA is the genetic material that defines every cell.
Before a cell duplicates and is divided into new daughter
cells through either mitosis or meiosis, biomolecules and
organelles must be copied to be distributed among the
cells. 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
duplication is called DNA replication.
Why is DNA replication important?
Replication 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. The process of DNA replication is
vital for cell growth, repair, and reproduction in
organisms.
Overview of DNA structure
DNA or deoxyribonucleic acid is a type of molecule
known as a nucleic acid. It consists of a 5-carbon
deoxyribose sugar, a phosphate, and a nitrogenous
base. Double-stranded DNA consists of two spiral
nucleic acid chains that are twisted into a double
helix shape. This twisting allows DNA to be more
compact. In order to fit within the nucleus, DNA is
packed into tightly coiled structures called
chromatin. Chromatin condenses to form
chromosomes during cell division. Prior to DNA
replication, the chromatin loosens giving cell
replication machinery access to the DNA strands.
Steps in DNA Replication (Initiation)
1. The first step in DNA replication is to ‘unzip’ the double
helix structure of the DNA molecule.
2. This is carried out by an enzyme called DNA helicase which
breaks the hydrogen bonds holding the complementary
bases of DNA together (A with T, C with G).
3. The separation of the two single strands of DNA creates a
‘Y’ shape called a replication ‘fork’. The two separated
strands will act as templates for making the new strands of
DNA.
4. One of the strands is oriented in the 3’ to 5’ direction
(towards the replication fork), this is the leading strand.
The other strand is oriented in the 5’ to 3’ direction
(away from the replication fork), this is the lagging
strand. As a result of their different orientations, the two
strands are replicated differently:
Steps in DNA Replication
(Elongation, Leading Strand)
5. A short piece of RNA called a primer
(produced by an enzyme called primase)
comes along and binds to the end of the
leading strand. The primer acts as the starting
point for DNA synthesis.
6. DNA polymerase binds to the leading
strand and then ‘walks’ along it, adding new
complementary nucleotide bases (A, C, G and
T) to the strand of DNA in the 5’ to 3’
direction.
7. This sort of replication is called continuous.
Steps in DNA Replication (Elongation,
Lagging Strand)
5. Numerous RNA primers are made by the primase
enzyme and bind at various points along the lagging
strand.
6. Chunks of DNA, called Okazaki fragments, are then
added to the lagging strand also in the 5’ to 3’ direction.
7. This type of replication is called discontinuous as the
Okazaki fragments will need to be joined up later.
Steps in DNA Replication (Termination)
8. Once all of the bases are matched up (A with T, C with G), an enzyme called
exonuclease strips away the primer(s). The gaps where the primer(s) were are then
filled by yet more complementary nucleotides.
9. The new strand is proofread to make sure there are no mistakes in the new DNA
sequence.
10. Finally, an enzyme called DNA ligase? seals up the sequence of DNA into two
continuous double strands.
11. The result of DNA replication is two DNA molecules consisting of one new
and one old chain of nucleotides. This is why DNA replication is described as semi-
conservative, half of the chain is part of the original DNA molecule, half is brand
new.
12. Following replication the new DNA automatically winds up into a double
helix.
Replication Enzymes
DNA replication would not occur without
enzymes that catalyze various steps in the process.
Enzymes that participate in the eukaryotic DNA
replication process include:
Replication Enzymes
• 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.

DNA Replication 101

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

DNA Replication 101

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

DNA Replication 101

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

DNA Replication 101

You might also like