DNA Replication Flashcards
What is semiconservative replication?
When DNA replicates, one template strand pairs with a new daughter strand, so that there is always one “old” strand in the helix
The structure of DNA accounts for what?
The storage and transmission of genetic information
What did Meselson and Stahl prove?
That DNA replication is semiconservative
What did Meselson and Stahl use to prove that DNA replication is semiconservative?
They grew E. coli in radioactive nitrogen
What happened after 1 generation of the Meselson and Stahl experiment?
Half of the E. coli had the heavy nitrogen, and the other half had “light” nitrogen
What did Kornberg discover?
That DNA is synthesized from nucleotide triphosphate precursors by DNA polymerases
What are the 4 deoxyribonucleotide triphosphate precursors?
dGTP
dATP
dCTP
dTTP
What did Cairns discover?
The theta structure of replicating chromosomes in E. coli
How does replication occur in bacteria?
Begins at a single origin, and proceeds bidirectionally
What is occurring at the replication fork?
DNA is being unwound and daughter strands are being synthesized using a parent strand as a template
What is a primer?
A segment of nucleic acid (RNA or DNA) base paired to the template, having a free 3’ OH
DNA replication by polymerases require what two things?
Template
Primer
What is processivity?
The number of bases synthesized before the DNA polymerase enzyme dissociates from the template
(How long it stays on the template and adds bases)
What occurs during polymerization to make it thermodynamically favorable?
Hydrolysis of PPi and base pairing + stacking
How do DNA polymerases become more accurate?
Use of mismatch repair mechanisms
What is the overall polymerase accuracy?
1 error per 10^6-10^8 bases
How do errors in replication occur?
The chemical structure of a base is not stable in solution, so proton rearrangement can lead to tautomer formation
What is a tautomer?
A chemical with the same atomic composition, but a slightly different chemical structure
1 in how many molecules are tautomeric?
1 in 10,000
A vytosine tautomer will accurately base pair with what?
Adenine, not guanine
What does DNA polymerase I use to proofread its activity?
3’ to 5’ exonuclease
On which bases does the 3’ to 5’ exonuclease act?
Only on the one just incorporated
How does DNA polymerase I proofread?
After adding a base, polymerase pauses. If the base doesn’t match, the nuclease moves backward and cuts out the base, then the polymerase resumes.
DNA polymerase I has a ___ function.
Repair
DNA polymerase II has a ___ ___ function
Specialized repair
What is the main DNA replication enzyme in E. coli?
DNA polymerase III
How many subunits does DNA polymerase III have?
At least 10 subunits
How many subunits does DNA polymerase II have?
7
In which E. coli DNA polymerases is a 3’ to 5’ exonuclease found?
DNA polymerase I, II and III
In which E. coli DNA polymerase is a 5’ to 3’ exonuclease found?
DNA polymerase I
Which of the E. coli DNA polymerases has the highest processivity?
III - greater than 500,000
What are the three stages of DNA replication?
Initiation
Elongation
Termination
Where does DNA replication begin?
At the origin of replication (ORI)
How many proteins are involved in E. coli DNA replication?
Over 20
What proteins are required to initiate replication at the E. coli origin?
DnaA, DnaB, DnaC, HU, DnaG, SSB, DNA gyrase, Dam methylase
What does DnaA do?
Recognises ORI; opens duplex at specific sites
What is the other name for DnaB? What does it do?
Helicase
Unwinds DNA