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 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 uses a large number of...

DNA as a Genetic Template

DNA as a Genetic Template

Two structural features of the DNA molecule provide a basis for the mechanisms of heredity: the four nucleotide bases and its double-stranded nature. The Watson-Crick model of double-helical DNA structure, proposed in 1952, drew heavily upon the X-ray crystallography work of researchers Rosalind Franklin and Maurice Wilkins. Watson, Crick, and Wilkins jointly received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their work in 1962. Franklin was, controversially, excluded from the prize for...

The DNA Replication Fork

The DNA Replication Fork

An organism’s genome needs to be duplicated in an efficient and error-free manner for its growth and survival. The replication fork is a Y-shaped active region where two strands of DNA are separated and replicated continuously. The coupling of DNA unzipping and complementary strand synthesis is a characteristic feature of a replication fork. Organisms with small circular DNA, such as E. coli, often have a single origin of replication; therefore, they have only two replication forks, one in...

Restarting Stalled Replication Forks

Restarting Stalled Replication Forks

DNA replication is initiated at sites containing predefined DNA sequences known as origins of replication. DNA is unwound at these sites by the minichromosome maintenance (MCM) helicase and other factors such as Cdc45 and the associated GINS complex.The unwound single strands are protected by replication protein A (RPA) until DNA polymerase starts synthesizing DNA at the 5’ end of the strand in the same direction as the replication fork. To prevent the replication fork from falling apart, a...

DNA as a Genetic Template

DNA as a Genetic Template

Two structural features of the DNA molecule provide a basis for the mechanisms of heredity: the four nucleotide bases and its double-stranded nature. The Watson-Crick model of double-helical DNA structure, proposed in 1952, drew heavily upon the X-ray crystallography work of researchers Rosalind Franklin and Maurice Wilkins. Watson, Crick, and Wilkins jointly received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their work in 1962. Franklin was, controversially, excluded from the prize for...

The DNA Replication Fork

The DNA Replication Fork

An organism’s genome needs to be duplicated in an efficient and error-free manner for its growth and survival. The replication fork is a Y-shaped active region where two strands of DNA are separated and replicated continuously. The coupling of DNA unzipping and complementary strand synthesis is a characteristic feature of a replication fork. Organisms with small circular DNA, such as E. coli, often have a single origin of replication; therefore, they have only two replication forks, one in...

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by

Same author

DNA tests for ancestry and phenotype inference applied to the UK Metropolitan Police Operation Minstead: The investigation of serial sex offender Delroy Grant.

Forensic science international. Genetics·2026

Same author

Internal validation of the fully continuous model in EuroForMix for its implementation in routine forensic DNA profiling.

Forensic science international. Genetics·2026

Same author

A biofidelic mock residual limb for prosthetic socket testing.

Canadian prosthetics & orthotics journal·2025

Same author

Prosthetic treatment of women with lower limb absence during pregnancy & the postpartum period: A chart review.

Canadian prosthetics & orthotics journal·2025

Same author

Development of a social vulnerability index: Enhancing approaches to support climate justice.

MethodsX·2025

Same author

Evaluating the effect of marker panel sizes on estimation of bio-geographical co-ancestry proportions.

Forensic science international. Genetics·2025

Same journal

A viral ORFeome library for systems-level genetic dissection of host-pathogen interactions.

Cell·2026

Same journal

Co-option of lysosomal machinery shapes the evolution of the intracellular photosymbiosis supporting coral reefs.

Cell·2026

Same journal

LEF1 and niche factors determine T cell stemness across chronic diseases.

Cell·2026

Same journal

Recurrent patterns of TOP1-mediated neuronal genomic damage shared by major neurodegenerative disorders.

Cell·2026

Same journal

Four-dimensional molecular mapping from a spatial snapshot reveals the dynamics of hair follicle organogenesis.

Cell·2026

Same journal

Whole-cell particle-based digital twin simulations from 4D lattice light-sheet microscopy data.

Cell·2026

See all related articles

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 10, 2026

Analyzing and Building Nucleic Acid Structures with 3DNA

Analyzing and Building Nucleic Acid Structures with 3DNA

Published on: April 26, 2013

A study of foldback DNA

S Perlman, C Phillips, J O Bishop

|May 1, 1976

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Eukaryotic nuclear DNA contains foldback DNA, a fraction that rapidly forms duplexes. This study reveals foldback DNA represents the entire genome, suggesting intrastrand folding rather than cross-linking.

More Related Videos

Folding and Characterization of a Bio-responsive Robot from DNA Origami

Folding and Characterization of a Bio-responsive Robot from DNA Origami

Published on: December 3, 2015

Studying DNA Looping by Single-Molecule FRET

Studying DNA Looping by Single-Molecule FRET

Published on: June 28, 2014

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 10, 2026

Analyzing and Building Nucleic Acid Structures with 3DNA

Analyzing and Building Nucleic Acid Structures with 3DNA

Published on: April 26, 2013

Folding and Characterization of a Bio-responsive Robot from DNA Origami

Folding and Characterization of a Bio-responsive Robot from DNA Origami

Published on: December 3, 2015

Studying DNA Looping by Single-Molecule FRET

Studying DNA Looping by Single-Molecule FRET

Published on: June 28, 2014

Area of Science:

Molecular Biology
Genetics
Eukaryotic DNA Structure

Background:

Eukaryotic nuclear DNA contains a fraction that rapidly forms duplexes, independent of DNA concentration.
This fraction, termed foldback DNA, can be isolated via hydroxylapatite adsorption.
Previous studies indicated a finite number of foldback foci per genome equivalent.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the nature and genomic representation of foldback DNA in Xenopus laevis.
To test hypotheses regarding foldback DNA formation, including random cross-linking and intrastrand folding.

Main Methods:

Isolation of foldback DNA fraction from randomly sheared and restriction endonuclease-digested Xenopus laevis DNA.
Analysis of the sequence content of the isolated foldback fraction.
Testing the hypothesis of random DNA cross-linking.

Main Results:

The isolated foldback fraction, representing approximately 10% of the total DNA, was found to contain the entire Xenopus laevis DNA sequence.
Random cross-linkage of DNA was insufficient to explain the observed foldback DNA properties.
Foldback DNA formation is primarily an intrastrand phenomenon, occurring at variable sites across the genome.

Conclusions:

Foldback DNA formation in Xenopus laevis is predominantly an intrastrand process.
The observed foldback DNA properties challenge previous models and suggest a complex intragenomic folding mechanism.
Further research is needed to elucidate the precise mechanisms and functional implications of intrastrand foldback DNA formation.