Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

DNA Helicases

DNA Helicases

DNA unwinding helicase enzymes are a type of motor protein. Motor proteins can translocate along filaments or polymers using energy generated from ATP hydrolysis. Helicases are involved in all the important cellular processes where DNA unwinding is required, such as DNA replication, repair, recombination, and transcription. They are present in all living organisms, but vary in their structure, function, and mechanism of action. For example, in prokaryotes, DnaB helicase binds and translocates...

DNA Topoisomerases

DNA Topoisomerases

Topoisomerases are enzymes that relax overwound DNA molecules during various cell processes, including DNA replication and transcription. These enzymes regulate positive and negative DNA supercoiling without changing the nucleotide sequence. DNA overwinding in a clockwise direction results in positively supercoiled DNA, whereas underwinding in a counterclockwise direction produces negatively supercoiled DNA.
Types and Mechanism of action
Topoisomerases are divided into two main types. Type I...

Single-Strand DNA Binding Proteins

Single-Strand DNA Binding Proteins

For successful DNA replication, the unwinding of double-stranded DNA must be accompanied by stabilization and protection of the separated single strands of the DNA. This crucial task is performed by single-strand DNA-binding (SSB) proteins. They bind to the DNA in a sequence-independent manner, which means that the nitrogenous bases of the DNA need not be present in a specific order for binding of SSB proteins to it. The binding of SSB proteins straightens single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) and makes...

Replication in Eukaryotes

Replication in Eukaryotes

Replication in Eukaryotes

Replication in Eukaryotes

In eukaryotic cells, DNA replication is highly conserved and tightly regulated. Multiple linear chromosomes must be duplicated with high fidelity before cell division, so there are many proteins that fulfill specialized roles in the replication process. Replication occurs in three phases: initiation, elongation, and termination, and ends with two complete sets of chromosomes in the nucleus.
Many Proteins Orchestrate Replication at the Origin
Eukaryotic replication follows many of the same...

The Replisome

The Replisome

DNA replication is carried out by a large complex of proteins that act in a coordinated matter to achieve high-fidelity DNA replication. Together this complex is known as the DNA replication machinery or 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...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

DNA binding and bridging by human CtIP in the healthy and diseased states.

Nucleic acids research·2024

Same author

Highly efficient CRISPR-mediated large DNA docking and multiplexed prime editing using a single baculovirus.

Nucleic acids research·2022

Same author

Towards a molecular mechanism underlying mitochondrial protein import through the TOM and TIM23 complexes.

eLife·2022

Same author

CTP promotes efficient ParB-dependent DNA condensation by facilitating one-dimensional diffusion from <i>par</i>S.

eLife·2021

Same author

ParB dynamics and the critical role of the CTD in DNA condensation unveiled by combined force-fluorescence measurements.

eLife·2019

Same author

CtIP forms a tetrameric dumbbell-shaped particle which bridges complex DNA end structures for double-strand break repair.

eLife·2019

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 15, 2026

Hybrid Ensemble and Single-molecule Assay to Image the Motion of Fully Reconstituted CMG

Hybrid Ensemble and Single-molecule Assay to Image the Motion of Fully Reconstituted CMG

Published on: July 26, 2024

Superfamily 1 helicases .

Neville Surain Gilhooly¹, Emma Jane Gwynn, Mark Simon Dillingham

¹DNA-Protein Interactions Unit, School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.

Frontiers in Bioscience (Scholar Edition)

|January 2, 2013

Summary

Superfamily 1 helicases are essential motor proteins that unwind DNA and RNA using ATP. This review covers their structure, function, and mechanisms in cellular processes.

Area of Science:

Molecular Biology
Biochemistry

Background:

Superfamily 1 helicases are crucial motor proteins involved in nucleic acid metabolism.
They utilize ATP hydrolysis to unwind DNA and RNA, playing roles in replication, recombination, and repair.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the current understanding of Superfamily 1 helicases.
To discuss their structure, function, and mechanism of action.

Main Methods:

Literature review of structural, functional, and mechanistic studies.
Analysis of biochemical and biophysical data on Superfamily 1 helicases.

Main Results:

Superfamily 1 helicases exhibit diverse structures and mechanisms.
Their functions are integral to various DNA and RNA metabolic pathways.

More Related Videos

Single-Molecule Real-Time Visualization of DNA Unwinding by CMG Helicase

Single-Molecule Real-Time Visualization of DNA Unwinding by CMG Helicase

Published on: September 27, 2024

In Situ Monitoring of Transiently Formed Molecular Chaperone Assemblies in Bacteria, Yeast, and Human Cells

In Situ Monitoring of Transiently Formed Molecular Chaperone Assemblies in Bacteria, Yeast, and Human Cells

Published on: September 2, 2019

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 15, 2026

Hybrid Ensemble and Single-molecule Assay to Image the Motion of Fully Reconstituted CMG

Hybrid Ensemble and Single-molecule Assay to Image the Motion of Fully Reconstituted CMG

Published on: July 26, 2024

Single-Molecule Real-Time Visualization of DNA Unwinding by CMG Helicase

Single-Molecule Real-Time Visualization of DNA Unwinding by CMG Helicase

Published on: September 27, 2024

In Situ Monitoring of Transiently Formed Molecular Chaperone Assemblies in Bacteria, Yeast, and Human Cells

In Situ Monitoring of Transiently Formed Molecular Chaperone Assemblies in Bacteria, Yeast, and Human Cells

Published on: September 2, 2019

Conclusions:

A comprehensive understanding of Superfamily 1 helicase structure and function is essential for elucidating their roles in cellular processes.
Further research is needed to fully unravel their complex mechanisms.