Biochemistry of DNA Replication

Professor Miesfeld at the University of Arizona

This Online Biochemistry Course is based on Miesfeld’s Biochemistry (3rd Edition)

DNA replication needs a coordinated set of proteins to copy the genome quickly and accurately: DNA polymerases, helicase, primase, single-strand binding protein, the beta-clamp, and the clamp loader. This video covers the polymerase mechanism, proofreading, and the trombone model of leading and lagging strand synthesis.

Key concepts covered: DNA polymerase mechanism, Mg2+ catalysis, proofreading and 3′ to 5′ exonuclease, bacterial Pol I/II/III, eukaryotic Pol α/δ/ε and PCNA, replication fork proteins (helicase, gyrase, SSB, primase), beta-clamp and clamp loader, Okazaki fragments, trombone model.