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PCR

PCR

Lagging Strand Synthesis

Lagging Strand Synthesis

During replication, the complementary strands in double-stranded DNA are synthesized at different rates. Replication first begins on the leading strand. Replication starts later, occurs more slowly, and proceeds discontinuously on the lagging strand.
There are several major differences between synthesis of the leading strand and synthesis of the lagging strand. 1) Leading strand synthesis happens in the direction of replication fork opening, whereas lagging strand synthesis happens in the...

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...

Replication in Prokaryotes

Replication in Prokaryotes

DNA Replication

DNA Replication

DNA replication involves the separation of the two strands of the double helix, with each strand serving as a template from which the new complementary strand is copied. After replication, each double-stranded DNA includes one parental or “old” strand and one “new” strand. This is known as semiconservative replication. The resulting DNA molecules have the same sequence and are divided equally into the two daughter cells.
Replication in Prokaryotes
DNA replication...

Proofreading

Proofreading

Synthesis of new DNA molecules is carried out by the enzyme DNA polymerase, which adds nucleotides on the daughter strand complementary to the template DNA strand. DNA polymerase has a higher affinity to add the correct base and ensures fidelity during DNA replication. Furthermore, it exhibits proofreading activity during replication, using an exonuclease domain that cuts off incorrect nucleotides from the nascent DNA strand.
Errors During Replication are Corrected by the DNA Polymerase...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 25, 2025

Nucleoside Triphosphates - From Synthesis to Biochemical Characterization

Nucleoside Triphosphates - From Synthesis to Biochemical Characterization

Published on: April 3, 2014

Primase-polymerases: how to make a primer from scratch.

Lewis J Bainbridge¹, Katerina Zabrady¹, Aidan J Doherty¹

¹Genome Damage and Stability Centre, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9RQ, U.K.

Bioscience Reports

|June 26, 2023

Summary

DNA polymerases replicate genomes, but primases initiate synthesis. This review explores the catalytic mechanisms of Primase-Polymerases (Prim-Pols) in de novo primer generation for DNA replication and repair.

Keywords:

CAPP Pri1 Prim-Pol PrimPol primase primer initiation

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Last Updated: Jul 25, 2025

Nucleoside Triphosphates - From Synthesis to Biochemical Characterization

Nucleoside Triphosphates - From Synthesis to Biochemical Characterization

Published on: April 3, 2014

Polymerase Chain Reaction: Basic Protocol Plus Troubleshooting and Optimization Strategies

Polymerase Chain Reaction: Basic Protocol Plus Troubleshooting and Optimization Strategies

Published on: May 22, 2012

DNA Sequence Recognition by DNA Primase Using High-Throughput Primase Profiling

DNA Sequence Recognition by DNA Primase Using High-Throughput Primase Profiling

Published on: October 8, 2019

Area of Science:

Biochemistry
Molecular Biology
Genetics

Background:

Cellular DNA replication requires accurate genome duplication for genetic information transfer.
DNA polymerases synthesize DNA but typically need primers to initiate synthesis.
Primases are specialized enzymes that generate these essential primers de novo.

Conclusions:

The ability of Prim-Pols to initiate primer synthesis is fundamental to many DNA metabolic processes.
Understanding Prim-Pol catalytic mechanisms provides insights into genome stability and cellular function.
Further research into Prim-Pol mechanisms can inform therapeutic strategies targeting DNA processes.