Role of DNA and RNA in Cell Replication

Western Governors Community Health Center

Presented By: Melinda J. Qubti, RN

(The Math Zone, 2001)

Introduction to DNA
Deoxyribonucleic Acid or DNA is the key to all Cellular functions. DNA has the shape of a double helix or twisted ladder and made of nucleotides. The rungs on the ladder is the storage space for all the genes of the cell Accurate and efficient replication of DNA is critical for life sustainability
("Thinkwell online video," 2012)
(Biology country - the land of bioinformatics, 2009)

Nucleotide

DNA Replication
Helicase is 1st on the scene.
Composed of 6 proteins

It has to get inside the double helix so it looks for an entry point called the origin of replication It starts to unzip the double helix. This unzipping creates 2 replication forks and a replication bubble.
("Thinkwell online video," 2012)
Samford Univ Biol405, (Unknown)

DNA Replication
A single-stranded binding protein coats the two strands to prevent them from reconnecting.

Now, we have two separate strands: the leading strand and the lagging strand.
With 2 separate strands, the magic of replication can now begin
("Thinkwell online video," 2012)

Samford Univ Biol405, (Unknown)

DNA Replication: leading strand

DNA Polymerase reads the leading strand DNA (3 to 5-prime direction).

Then, it copies the DNA (5 to 3-prime direction) and matches the bases.
Polymerase replicates in the 5 prime direction creating a continuous matching of bases.
(Rahman, 2008) ("Thinkwell online video," 2012)

DNA Replication: lagging strand

Primase attaches to the strand and creates a short RNA primer. DNA Polymerase III adds nucleotides to the primed area DNA Polymerase I converts RNA primer to DNA. Creating small sections of RNA, known as Okazaki fragments. Primase moves to another 3-5 section and repeats the process. Ligase connects the pieces together. ("Thinkwell online video," 2012)

(BIO1151, unknown)

Role of Ligase-Lagging Strand

DNA Polymerase I along with Ligase removes all the RNA primers.

Okazaki fragments must be fused together before the replication process can be considered complete.
(Thinkwell, 2012) (Walsh, unknown)

mRNA Synthesis
We have a specific unit of DNA to transcribe.

3 3

Transcription Unit on DNA 5 5 5

RNA Polymerase II lands on the DNA strand.

Polymerase binds directly to a promoter sequence. 3 This promoter sequence starts the transcription process. Transcription factors , helps Polymerase recognize and bind to the promoter, and bind to the TATA box. Inserts ribonucleotides onto the DNA strand. Transcription and Elogation begin now. Polymerase copies the DNA strand until it reaches a termination sequence. mRNA is released 5 3
T A T A A A A

3
5

(Thinkwell, 2012)

References BIO1151. (Artist). (unknown). Slide 6 lagging strand. [Print Graphic]. Retrieved from http://bio1151b.nicerweb.com/Locked/media/ch16/lagging.html Biology country - the land of bioinformatics. (unknown Artist). (2009). Slide 2 nucleotide graphic. [Print Photo]. Retrieved from http://biologii.net/world/molb1.html Rahman, I. (Artist). (2008). Leading strand graphic slide 5. [Print Photo]. Retrieved from http://podcast.montgomerycollege.edu/podcast.php?forceMP4Play=Yes&rcdid= 922 Samford University Biol405. (Unknown Artist). (unknown). Slide 3 and 4 DNA double helix with helicase. [Print Graphic]. Retrieved from http://faculty.samford.edu/~djohnso2/44962/405/dnarep.html The Math Zone. (Unknown Artist). (2001). Slide 2 double helix image. [Print Graphic]. Retrieved from www.maths.uq.edu.au/~infinity/Infinity7/dna_seq.html Thinkwell online video lectures [Theater]. (2012). Available from http://wgu.thinkwell.com/students/getResources.cfm?levelThreeID=182060 4&levelTwoID=350664&mode=browse Walsh, B. (Professor). (unknown). Slide 7 lagging strand image. [Print Graphic]. Retrieved from http://nitro.biosci.arizona.edu/courses/EEB105/lectures/DNA_replicatio n/DNA_rep.html