Topic 5 Flashcards
It is crucial for eukaryotic chromosomes to replicate at the S phase once and only once during each cell cycle. Why is ensuring this challenging?
It i challenging because of multi-origin of replications
Why does the formation of the replication bubble have to be well-coordinated with spindle fiber formation?
Chromosomal damage can occur if segregation occurs before replication.
Describe the 3 steps and results from the Meselson and Stahl experiment
- Labelled DNA with heavy nitrogen isotope
- Transferred heavy DNA to light nitrogen isotope medium and allowed DNA to replicate
- Bands appeared halfway between heavy and light nitrogen bands which indicated semi-conservative replication
(DNA/RNA) primer is used in PCR, while (DNA/RNA) primer is used in vivo
DNA primer is used in PCR, while RNA primer is used in vivo
What are the 2 main steps in adding a nucleotide to a growing strand?
- Recognition of proper dNTP and attacking dNTP with a hydroxyl group
- dNTP has to be able to base pair with the base on the template strand
Processivity
An enzyme’s ability to catalyze consecutive reactions without releasing its substrate
- e.g. the average number of nucleotides added each time when an enzyme binds a primer:template junction
True or false: DNA polymerase has separate active sites for each of the 4 dNTPs
False
- DNA polymerase is a processive enzyme that catalyzes the DNA synthesis using a single active site for any of the 4 dNTPs
What 3 things is DNA polymerase able to do that makes it a processive enzyme??
- Sterically distinguish between dNTPs and its rNTPs precursors
- Show kinetic selectivity for adding correct base-paired dNTP (not just recognizing the dNTP but also recognizing the nucleotide on the template)
- Initiate synthesis using either RNA or DNA primer annealed to the template
ddNTPs serve as…
Terminators
What component of the DNA polymerase recognizes dNTPs over rNTPs?
There are discriminator amino acids that recognize the proper structure of the incoming nucleotide
- rNTP can’t fit into the polymerase due to its 2’OH that isn’t recognized by the discriminator amino acids
DNA polymerase forms a…
Pocket that fits the 3 phosphate groups of the incoming nucleotide
How does the DNA polymerase grip the primer-template junction?
Like a palm
Function of thumb domain in DNA polymerase (2)
- Maintaining the correct position of the primer and the active site
- Maintaining a strong association between DNA polymerase and its substrate
Function of palm domain in DNA polymerase
Catalytic site and monitor base pairing of the most recently added nucleotides
- Metal ions are present in the palm and are important in making the 3’OH nucleophilic
Function of fingers domain in DNA polymerase
Bind and enclose dNTP with the catalytic metal ions in the palm
What component of the DNA polymerase proofreads newly synthesized DNA?
3’ to 5’ exonuclease
Difference between endonuclease and exonuclease
Endonuclease: cuts DNA in the middle
Exonuclease: cuts DNA at the ends and can chow through the strands towards the middle of the DNA molecule
Helicase
Unwinds DNA at the replication form to create ssDNA template for primase
Primase
A specialized RNA polymerase that makes short RNA primers used to anneal to an ssDNA template to serve as a starting point during DNA replication
RNase H
Removes RNA primers from RNA:DNA hybrid to complete DNA synthesis
- DNA polymerase fills the gap and DNA ligase repairs the nick
What are the three essential DNA pol in eukaryotes?
- Pol α
- Pol δ
- Pol ε
Pol α function
Primer synthesis during DNA replication
Pol δ function
Extend lagging strand
Pol ε function
Extend leading strand
DNA pol __ has relatively low processivity in comparison to DNA pols _______
DNA pol α has relatively low processivity in comparison to DNA pols δ and ε
Polymerase switching
Replacement of DNA pol α with DNA pol ε at the leading strand and pol δ at the lagging strand