DNA replication involves several key proteins working together. The DNA double helix unwinds and each strand serves as a template to produce two new identical DNA molecules. Semi-conservative replication means each new molecule contains one original and one new strand. The lagging strand is replicated in fragments that are later joined together. DNA repair proteins proofread and correct any errors that occur during replication to maintain fidelity of the genetic code.

1. Proteins Work Together in
DNA Replication & Repair
Franklin Stahl

2. The Basic Principle:
Base Pairing to a Template Strand
Watson & Crick’s hypothesis = a Semi-Conservative model
Half of each new molecule is comprised of a original
template strand (dark blue)
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Original DNA
Segment
Hydrogen bonds
_____?______
that hold the 2
strands together
are temporarily
broken
The two new
Each original
segments are
strand serves as a identical to each
template for a new, other AND identical
to the original.
complementary
strand

3. Quick Think
How DOES DNA’s structure allow for it’s exact replication???

4. Although Watson & Crick Proposed a SemiConservative Model, Other Alternatives Were Proposed

5. Which Model Does DNA Replication
Actually Follow?
The Meselson-Stahl
Experiment:

6. Quick Think
Describe what semiconservative replication means

7. DNA Replication: Starting
DNA replication begins at a special sequence of nucleotides
which signifies an origin of replication-> proteins pull the two
strands apart to form a replication “bubble.” Replication
proceeds in both directions:

8. DNA Replication: Elongating the
•DNA polymerases
New Strand
catalyze the addition of a
nucleoside triphosphate to
the 3’ end of a growing
DNA strand
•A nucleoside
triphosphate is a
nucleotide monomer with
3 P groups the 3 P
groups create enough
instability that 2 P are lost
during the addition of the
monomer.
•Hydrolysis of the 2 P
molecule, pyrophosphate,
releases energy that drives the
polymerization reaction

9. DNA Replication: Antiparallel Elongation
•The 2 strands of a DNA molecule are
antiparallel to each other; they’re oriented
in opposite directions
•DNA polymerases add nucleotides only
to the 3’ end of a growing chain. Therefore growth proceeds in the 5’3’
direction

10. The leading strand
is made
continuously & in
one piece
Okazaki
fragments
are then joined
together by
DNA ligase
The lagging strand is
made small chunks,
Okazaki fragments, in
order to follow the
5’3’ rule

11. Leading vs. Lagging Strand
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com:8100/legacy/college/boyer/04716

12. Priming DNA Synthesis
•DNA replication cannot begin
without a primer
•A primer is a short segment
of RNA that has an available
3’ end
•Primase is a special enzyme
that constructs the primer
sequence from scratch
•The leading strand only needs
one primer. However the
lagging strand needs several
primers
•DNA pol I replaces RNA primer
nucleotides with DNA after each
fragment is made
•Ligase then fuses fragments

13. Quick Think
Describe the role of primase, DNA pol I, DNA pol III, and
ligase in the formation of the lagging strand.

14. Summary of Bacterial DNA Replication
Helicase unwinds the helix at the replication fork
Single-strand binding protein stabilizes single
stranded DNA until it can be used as a template
Topoisomerase keeps DNA from overwinding
by breaking & rejoining the DNA ahead of the
replication fork

15. Misconceptions & the Replication
Machine
Simplified models make it
seem like the DNA molecule is
stationary and that the various
replication enzymes move
down the molecule.
Contrary to this idea, there
is evidence that supports the
reverse notion: Replication
enzymes form a complex, a
“machine,” and the DNA
moves through the machine.
It’s analogous to fabric
moving through a sewing
machine.

16. Proof Reading & Repairing DNA
•DNA polymerases are the molecules that “proof-read” each
nucleotide to ensure that it is complementary to the template
•If a mistake is found, the nucleotide is removed & replaced
•If DNA polymerase
doesn’t catch a mistake, or if
a mismatch occurs after
DNA replication, then
excision repair is one way to
correct the error:
•A nuclease is a special
enzyme that cuts DNA
during repair

17. Quick Think
•What are some ways in which DNA may become damaged?
•Why is it important for DNA to be able to repair itself?

18. Replicating the Ends of DNA Molecules
In linear DNA, such as eukaryotic DNA, there comes a point
toward the end of the DNA molecule where a 3’ end is not
available, and, therefore, DNA pol III can no longer add
nucleotides:
With each replication,
the new DNA molecule
is becoming shorter &
shorter!!!

19. To mitigate the effects of the progressive shortening,
the ends of a DNA molecule are composed of
telomeresrepeating sequences of DNA (in humans,
TTAGGG) that don’t code for any genes.
The presence of telomeres
postpones the erosion of the
end of a DNA molecule.
Cells that undergo many
divisions, like germ cells which
produce gametes, contain an
enzyme called telomerase.
Telomerase catalyzes the
lengthening of telomeres so that
a zygote will contain cells that
have maximum telomere length
Bright yellow=telomeres

20. Quick Think
How are telomeres important in preserving eukaryotic genes?
Why does prokaryotic DNA lack telomeres?