1.

Replication
DNA replication occurs in the part of the cell cycle called the S phase. Its called S phase
because it is the synthesis of DNA that in ongoing during this time. DNA synthesis begins at the
specific locations along the chromosome called replication origin. These are distinct sequences.
There doesnt appear to be singular origin sequence in higher eukaryotes. But, bacteria, viruses,
and yeast have very well-defined nucleotide sequences that form their replication origins.
Replication origins in human cells are sequence enriched in A-T base pairs. Its because it takes
less energy to pull apart A-T pairs. Thus, the separating of the DNA strands so they can be copied
would be facilitated at origins containing A-T bases.1
During DNA replication inside a cell, each of the two old DNA strands serves as
a template for the formation of an entire new strand. Because each of the two daughters of a
dividing cell inherits a new DNA double helix containing one old and one new strand, the DNA
double helix is said to be replicated semiconservatively by DNA polymerase.2

DNA replication takes place at a Y-shaped structure called a replication fork. Because DNA
polymerases synthesize DNA only from 5 to 3, there are two sets of reactions occurring as synthesis
occurs away from a replicating origin. On one side, the leading strand, there is synthesis 5 to 3 using a
singular polymerase complex. On the other strand, which referred to as the lagging strand, the synthesis
will make short fragments, called Okazaki fragments. Because the Okazaki fragments are also
synthesized 5 to 3, the direction of nucleotide addition is opposite to the overall growth of the DNA
strand. After the synthesis of the short Okazaki fragments, they are joined or ligated together to form a
continuous strand of new DNA by DNA ligase.1,2
 DNA replication requires the cooperation of many proteins. These include:
(1) DNA polymerase and DNA primase to catalyze nucleoside triphosphate polymerization
(2) DNA helicases and single-strand DNA-binding (SSB) proteins to help in opening up the DNA
helix so that it can be copied
(3) DNA ligase and an enzyme that degrades RNA primers to seal together the discontinuously
synthesized lagging-strand DNA fragments
(4) DNA topoisomerases to help to relieve helical winding and DNA tangling problems.2

Daftar pustaka

1. Goodman SR. 2008. Medical Cell Biology. 3rd ed. Elsevier Inc. Pp 156-158
2. Molecular Biology of the Cell. 4th edition.