FROM DNA TO RNA TO PROTEIN

The Central Dogma of Molecular Biology

Cell Division
DNA Replication
 HELICASE

It is an enzyme that unzips the DNA strands by breaking the hydrogen bonds
between the complementary bases.

It helps create a REPLICATION FORK.

 TOPOISOMERASE

It is an enzyme that breaks, swivels, and rejoins the DNA ahead of the
replication fork, relieving the strain caused by unwinding.
 PRIMASE

It is an enzyme that synthesizes RNA primers, using the parental DNA as a

template.

It is about 5-10 nucleotides long.

 DNA POLYMERASE III

It is the main enzyme in the DNA Replication process.

It synthesizes new nucleotides that are complementary to the strands.

 DNA POLYMERASE III

It is the main enzyme in the DNA Replication process.

It synthesizes new nucleotides that are complementary to the strands.

 DNA POLYMERASE I

It is an enzyme that removes primer from the lagging strand and also fills the
gap.
 LIGASE

It is an enzyme that catalyzes the formation of a phosphodiester bond

between nucleotides on one strand of a double-stranded DNA molecule.
Summary of Steps of DNA replication

HELICASE: Separation
The two DNA strands unwind and separate, breaking the hydrogen
bonds between complementary bases (A-T, C-G).

PRIMASE: Binding
It anneals RNA primers to start the process of DNA Replication.

POLYMERASE III: Complementation

It copies each strand following the rules of complementarity. It is continuous for
the leading strand but creates discontinuous segments (Okazaki fragments) on
the lagging strand.

POLYMERASE I: Formation
Two new DNA strands are formed, one for each original strand, using
the paired nucleotides as building blocks.

LIGASE: Closing
It seals everything up resulting in the formation of two DNA molecules,
identical to the original, ready for cell division.
DNA Replication