Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 28, 2026

Direct Observation of Enzymes Replicating DNA Using a Single-molecule DNA Stretching Assay
Published on: March 23, 2010
Limiting DNA replication to once and only once
E Boye1, A Løbner-Olesen, K Skarstad
1Department of Cell Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Montebello, Oslo, Norway. erik.boye@labmed.uio.no
Abstract:
In Escherichia coli cells, the origin of chromosomal replication is temporarily inactivated after initiation has occurred. Origin sequestration is the first line of defence against over-initiation, providing a time window during which the initiation potential can be reduced by: (i) titration of DnaA proteins to newly replicated chromosomal elements; (ii) regulation of the activity of the DnaA initiator protein; and (iii) sequestration of the dnaA gene promoter. This review represents the first attempt to consider together older and more recent data on such inactivation mechanisms in order to analyze their contributions to the overall tight replication control observed in vivo. All cells have developed mechanisms for origin inactivation, but those of other bacteria and eukaryotic cells are clearly distinct from those of E. coli. Possible differences and similarities are discussed.
Related Concept Videos
Replication in Prokaryotes
The DNA Replication Fork
Restarting Stalled Replication Forks
S-Cdk Initiates DNA Replication
Two states at the origin of replication
In eukaryotes, the initiation of replication occurs at many sites on the chromosomes, called the origins of replication.
Replication in Prokaryotes
Many Proteins Work Together to Replicate the Chromosome
Replication is coordinated and carried out by a host of specialized...
Restarting Stalled Replication Forks

