Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 13, 2026

DNA Sequence Recognition by DNA Primase Using High-Throughput Primase Profiling
Published on: October 8, 2019
Properties of an unusual DNA primase from an archaeal plasmid
1Institute of Biochemistry, University of Bayreuth, Universitätstrasse 30, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany.
Abstract:
Primases are specialized DNA-dependent RNA polymerases that synthesize a short oligoribonucleotide complementary to single-stranded template DNA. In the context of cellular DNA replication, primases are indispensable since DNA polymerases are not able to start DNA polymerization de novo. The primase activity of the replication protein from the archaeal plasmid pRN1 synthesizes a rather unusual mixed primer consisting of a single ribonucleotide at the 5' end followed by seven deoxynucleotides. Ribonucleotides and deoxynucleotides are strictly required at the respective positions within the primer. Furthermore, in contrast to other archaeo-eukaryotic primases, the primase activity is highly sequence-specific and requires the trinucleotide motif GTG in the template. Primer synthesis starts outside of the recognition motif, immediately 5' to the recognition motif. The fidelity of the primase synthesis is high, as non-complementary bases are not incorporated into the primer.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Diversity of Archaea III
Viruses of Archaea
Surface Appendages of Archaea
The Replisome
The synthesis of the leading and lagging strands is a highly coordinated process. To explain this, the “Trombone model” was proposed by Bruce Alberts in 1980. The DNA loop formation starts when a primer is synthesized on the parent lagging strand. The loop grows with the...
Nucleoid
Diversity of Archaea IV

