DNA Replication 1 Flashcards
central dogma of biology (3)
- genetic information moves to proteins
- once information is transferred to protein, it cannot be transferred back to RNA/DNA
- RNA and DNA can pass information back and forth and replicate
what are the challenges that need to be resolved to replicate DNA? (5)
- DNA copy must be accurate
- must be able to free DNA strands from protein and from each other
- must be repair/proof-reading mechanisms
- must be fast
- eukaryotes only: issue with replicating telomeres
telomeres
- the ends of linear DNA
semi-conservative
- describes how DNA molecules contain one strand from original parent DNA molecule and one from newly synthesized strand after replication
DNA polymerase (2)
- function
- what does it require
- enzyme that uses DNA as a template to make new DNA copies
- requires primer and magnesium 2+
DNA polymerase primer
- short strand oligonucleotide with free 3’-OH
what is magnesium’s function in DNA replication? (2)
- acts as a co-factor for DNA polymerase by coordinating dNTP in the active site
- aspartate forms ionic bond with magnesium in the active site
what direction does DNA polymerase catalyze the synthesis of new DNA?
- ONLY in the 5’ -> 3’ direction
fidelity
- the degree of exactness with which something is copied or reproduced
how does DNA polymerase achieve high fidelity (3)
- Mg2+ ensures proper orientation of dNTP
- geometry of active site ensures only correct base pairing can occur
- alpha-helix “lid” closes on active site when correct base pairing forms to trap dNTP so catalyses can occur
how much does magnesium, active site geometry and alpha-helix allow mistakes in DNA?
- allows a mistake every 10^4 - 10^5 nucleotides
how does DNA polymerase correct mistakes that do occur?
- 3’ -> 5’ exonuclease activity removes nucleotides one by one from DNA strand
what are the steps involved in DNA polymerase’s exonuclease activity? (3)
- if mismatch base is incorporated, DNA polymerase will shift to 3’ -> 5’ exonuclease site
- mismatch is removed
- DNA polymerase will switch back to 5’ -> 3’ active site and continue polymerase activity
what is a downside of DNA polymerase exonuclease activity and why is it still used anyway? (2)
- it is wasteful as it can remove pairings that are not mismatched
- still used because it does ensure high fidelity
how much does DNA polymerase exonuclease activity allow mistakes in DNA?
- allows a mistake every 10^6 - 10^8 nucleotides
what happens if the exonuclease activity fails to detect a mismatch?
- DNA repair enzymes can correct error after replication
what is the final error rate considering all of the mechanism used to ensure high fidelity in DNA replication?
- a mistake every 10^10 nucleotides
describe the E.coli genome
- circular genome with one oriC
oriC definiton
- origin of replication
oriC structure (2)
- 4-5 repeats of a sequence recognized by DnaA protein
- DNA unwinding elements (DUE)
DNA unwinding elements (DUE) (2)
- 3 tandem repeats (~13 nucleotides each) rich in A and T
- where first strand separation occurs due to weaker H-bonding (only 2 bonds) between A-T
replication fork
- point where DNA is being synthesized
- replication occurs bidirectionally: 2 replication forks per circular genome
does DnaA require ATP (2)
- yes, it required ATP
- ATP is a co-factor for DnaA because it is not hydrolyzed
DnaB (2)
- helicase: separates the DNA helix
- one DnaB per replication fork, so there are 2 DnaB proteins total during DNA replication
DnaC
- ATPase: it hydrolyzes 1 ATP to load DnaB