NUCLEIC ACID

SYNTHESIS
Presented by: Rosalinda Marzan & John Kenneth Rabanal
What is nucleic acid synthesis?

• Nucleic acid synthesis is the process by which cells

create new nucleic acids, such as DNA and RNA. This
process involves the polymerization of nucleotides,
which are the building blocks of nucleic acids. The
sequence of nucleotides in a nucleic acid determines
its function, and the ability to synthesize nucleic acids
with specific sequences is essential in many biological
processes, including DNA replication and protein
synthesis.
Two types of nucleic acid synthesis

• DNA SYNTHESIS (DNA REPLICATION) - The process of synthesizing

a new complementary strand of DNA from the existing strand, using the
existing strand as template. The replication process start at specfic sites
on the DNA called origins of replication and occurs in both the leading
and lagging strands, with the help of DNA polymerase enzymes.
• RNA SYNTHESIS (TRANSCRIPTION) - The process of synthesizing a
complementary RNA molecule from a DNA template. The RNA molecule
is synthesizing by RNA polymerase enzymes, which add nucleotides
one at a time to the growing RNA chain. This process occurs in the
nucleus for eukaryotes and in the cytoplasm for prokaryotes.
Transcription results in the production of messenger RNA (mRNA),
which carries the genetic information from the DNA to the ribosome,
where it is translated into at protein.
How are nucleic acids synthesized?

• Nucleic acid synthesis is catalyzed by both viral

and host enzymes, the relative contribution of
which is determined by the type of virus and the
specific molecule. Viruses with RNA genomes,
except for the retroviruses, synthesize mRNA and
replicate their genomes using virus-encoded RNA-
dependent RNA polymerases.
Why are nucleic acids synthesized 5 to 3?

• When incorrect bases are added to the 3'

end, they can quickly be corrected; however,
correcting bases in the 5' end would be
difficult. Due to this, DNA synthesis occurs in
the 5' to 3' direction and not in the opposite
direction.
IMPORTANCE OF SYTHESIZING NUCLEIC ACID

DNA replication
• The ability to synthesize new DNA strands is essential for the process
of DNA replication. This is the process by which cells make copies of
their genetic material before cell division, ensuring that the genetic
information is passed on to the next generation of cells and
organisms.
Gene therapy
• Synthesizing new DNA or RNA molecules can be used in gene
therapy to replace or repair defective genes in an individual's cells.
This can be used to treat genetic disorders, cancer, and other
diseases.
Drug development
• Synthesizing new nucleic acids can also be used in drug
development. For example, oligonucleotides (short sequences
of nucleic acids) can be designed to bind to and inhibit specific
genes, which can be used to treat diseases such as cancer.
Biotechnology
• Synthesizing nucleic acids also plays an important role in
biotechnology, allowing scientists to create genetically
modified organisms and produce useful products such as
enzymes and hormones.
Research
• Synthesizing nucleic acids is also essential for basic
research in fields such as genetics, molecular biology, and
biochemistry. By synthesizing specific sequences of
nucleic acids, scientists can study the function of specific
genes or proteins, and understand the underlying
mechanisms of biological processes.
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