The DNA clamp, or sliding clamp, is a protein that binds DNA polymerase to increase its processivity during DNA replication. It assembles into a ring shape around DNA and prevents the polymerase from dissociating. This increases the number of nucleotides the polymerase can add before dissociating from thousands to millions. In bacteria, the beta clamp protein forms this ring and is a critical component of the DNA polymerase III holoenzyme.
Eukaryotic DNA replication occurs in the cell nucleus and involves multiple protein complexes. It begins with the assembly of pre-replication complexes at origins of replication during G1 phase. During S phase, these complexes are activated by cyclin-dependent kinases and Dbf4-dependent kinases to initiate bidirectional replication forks. Leading strand synthesis is continuous while lagging strand occurs discontinuously in short Okazaki fragments. Replication terminates once the replication forks from opposing origins meet.
The DNA clamp, or sliding clamp, is a protein that binds DNA polymerase to increase its processivity during DNA replication. It assembles into a ring shape around DNA and prevents the polymerase from dissociating. This increases the number of nucleotides the polymerase can add before dissociating from thousands to millions. In bacteria, the beta clamp protein forms this ring and is a critical component of the DNA polymerase III holoenzyme.
Eukaryotic DNA replication occurs in the cell nucleus and involves multiple protein complexes. It begins with the assembly of pre-replication complexes at origins of replication during G1 phase. During S phase, these complexes are activated by cyclin-dependent kinases and Dbf4-dependent kinases to initiate bidirectional replication forks. Leading strand synthesis is continuous while lagging strand occurs discontinuously in short Okazaki fragments. Replication terminates once the replication forks from opposing origins meet.