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Prokaryotic DNA Replication

Prokaryotic DNA replication begins at an origin of replication where the DNA unwinds into single strands. DNA polymerase and other enzymes then copy each strand to produce two identical double-stranded DNA molecules, each with one original strand and one new daughter strand. Replication proceeds through initiation, elongation, and termination steps. Key enzymes include DNA polymerase, helicase, ligase, and primase. DNA replication is essential for accurately passing genetic information to new cells.

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17K views

Prokaryotic DNA Replication

Prokaryotic DNA replication begins at an origin of replication where the DNA unwinds into single strands. DNA polymerase and other enzymes then copy each strand to produce two identical double-stranded DNA molecules, each with one original strand and one new daughter strand. Replication proceeds through initiation, elongation, and termination steps. Key enzymes include DNA polymerase, helicase, ligase, and primase. DNA replication is essential for accurately passing genetic information to new cells.

Uploaded by

Mg H
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Prokaryotic DNA Replication

 DNA replication is the process by which an organism duplicates its DNA into another
copy that is passed on to daughter cells.
 Replication occurs before a cell divides to ensure that both cells receive an exact copy of
the parent’s genetic material. 
 DNA replication uses a semi-conservative method that results in a double-stranded DNA
with one parental strand and a new daughter strand.
 Prokaryotic DNA replication is often studied in the model organism coli, but all other
prokaryotes show many similarities.

DNA Replication Steps


Following are the important steps involved in DNA replication:

1. Initiation

DNA replication demands a high degree of accuracy because even a minute mistake would result
in mutations. Thus, replication cannot initiate randomly at any point in DNA.

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For the replication to begin there is a particular region called the origin of replication. This is the
point where the replication originates. Replication begins with the spotting of this origin
followed by the unwinding of the two DNA strands.

Unzipping of DNA strands in its entire length is unfeasible due to high energy input. Hence,
first, a replication fork is created catalyzed by polymerases enzyme which is an opening in the
DNA strand.

2. Elongation

As the strands are separated, the polymerase enzymes start synthesizing the complementary
sequence in each of the strands. The parental strands will act as a template for newly
synthesizing daughter strands.

It is to be noted that elongation is unidirectional i.e. DNA is always polymerized only in the 5′ to
3′ direction.  Therefore, in one strand (the template 3‘→5‘) it is continuous, hence called
continuous replication while on the other strand (the template 5‘→3‘) it is discontinuous
replication. They occur as fragments called Okazaki fragments. The enzyme called DNA ligase
joins them later.

3. Termination

Termination of replication occurs in different ways in different organisms. In E. coli like


organisms, chromosomes are circular. And this happens when the two replication forks between
the two terminals meet each other.

Enzymes Involved in DNA Replication


DNA replication is a highly enzyme-dependent process. There are many enzymes involved in the
DNA replication which includes the enzymes DNA-dependent DNA polymerase, helicase,
ligase, etc.  Among them, DNA-dependent DNA polymerase is the main enzyme.

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DNA-dependent DNA polymerase

It helps in the polymerization and catalyzes and regularizes the whole process of DNA
replication with the support of other enzymes. Deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates are the
substrate as well as the energy provider for the replication process. DNA polymerase is of three
types:

DNA Polymerase I

It is a DNA repair enzyme. It is involved in three activities:

 5′-3′ polymerase activity


 5′-3′ exonuclease activity
 3′-5′ exonuclease activity

DNA Polymerase II

It is responsible for primer extension and proofreading.

DNA Polymerase III

It is responsible for in vivo DNA replication.

Helicase

Helicase is the enzyme which unzips the DNA strands by breaking the hydrogen bonds between
them. Thus, it helps in the formation of the replication fork.

Ligase

Ligase is the enzyme which glues the discontinuous DNA strands.

Primase

This enzyme helps in the synthesis of RNA primer complementary to the DNA template strand.

Endonucleases

These produce a single-stranded or a double-stranded cut in a DNA molecule.

Single-stranded Binding Proteins

It binds to single-stranded DNA and protects it from forming secondary structures.

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DNA Replication in Prokaryotes
The DNA replication in prokaryotes takes place in the following place:

1. The two strands of DNA unwind at the origin of replication.


2. Helicase opens the DNA and replication forks are formed.
3. The DNA is coated by the single-strand binding proteins around the replication fork to
prevent rewinding of DNA.
4. Topoisomerase prevents the supercoiling of DNA.
5. RNA primers are synthesized by primase. These primers are complementary to the DNA
strand.
6. DNA polymerase III starts adding nucleotides at the end of the primers.
7. The leading and lagging strands continue to elongate.
8.  The primers are removed and the gaps are filled with DNA Polymerase I and sealed by
ligase.

Significance
 DNA replication is a fundamental genetic process that is essential for cell growth and
division. 
 DNA replication involve the generation of a new molecule of nucleic acid, DNA, crucial
for life.
 DNA replication is important for properly regulating the growth and division of cells. 
 It conserves the entire genome for the next generation

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Reference
 https://byjus.com/
 https://microbenotes.com

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