DNA Polymerase and Sliding Clamps Quiz

A protein complex that encircles DNA and increases the processivity of DNA polymerases.

The ability of an enzyme to perform multiple catalytic cycles without releasing its substrate. In DNA replication, it refers to the number of nucleotides a polymerase can add before detaching from the DNA template.

A key factor contributing to the high processivity of DNA polymerases at the replication fork. They associate with sliding DNA clamps, which act like a ring around the DNA.

The DNA polymerase at the replication fork synthesizes many nucleotides before it releases from the DNA template.

The mechanism by which the sliding DNA clamp helps improve the processivity of DNA polymerases.

The sliding DNA clamp encircles the DNA double helix, leaving room for water molecules between the clamp and the DNA.

The sliding clamp binds tightly to the DNA polymerase attached to the primer-template junction.

The complex of DNA polymerase and sliding clamp moves smoothly along the DNA template during DNA synthesis.

A protein complex that encircles DNA, holding the DNA polymerase in place and increasing its processivity.

DNA polymerase is an enzyme that synthesizes new DNA. The processivity of DNA polymerase is its ability to continuously add nucleotides to the growing DNA chain without dissociating from the template.

In the absence of the sliding clamp, DNA polymerase dissociates from the template after synthesizing only a short stretch of DNA (20-100 base pairs).

The sliding clamp binds to the DNA polymerase and keeps it in close proximity to the DNA template, greatly increasing its ability to synthesize long stretches of DNA.

The sliding clamp prevents the DNA polymerase from diffusing away from the DNA template, even though the polymerase may temporarily detach from the 3' end of the growing strand.

The sliding clamp makes the DNA polymerase rebind to the same primer-template junction quickly after disengaging, increasing its processivity.

The sliding clamp is a closed ring in solution, but it needs to open to encircle the DNA helix.

Special protein complexes called clamp loaders catalyze the opening of the sliding clamp and its assembly onto the DNA.

Clamp loaders couple ATP binding and hydrolysis to the process of loading the clamp onto the DNA.

The sliding clamp is removed from the DNA when the DNA polymerase completes a stretch of replication.

Other proteins involved in DNA replication, repair, and chromatin assembly can interact with the sliding clamp, accumulating at sites of active DNA synthesis.

The sliding clamp is a conserved component of DNA replication machinery found in various organisms, from viruses to humans. Its structure is also conserved.

A protein complex that loads the sliding DNA clamp onto DNA.

The process by which a sliding DNA clamp is removed from DNA.

A protein complex that binds to and hydrolyzes ATP, providing energy for various cellular processes.

A specific DNA sequence recognized by the sliding DNA clamp loader for clamp loading. This sequence is found at the junction between the primer and template strands.

The ability of a protein to bind specifically to a particular DNA sequence.

The process by which a sliding DNA clamp is opened and closed.

The state of a sliding DNA clamp when it is bound to DNA.

The state of a sliding DNA clamp when it is not bound to DNA.

The type of DNA polymerase that is responsible for replicating the lagging strand during eukaryotic DNA replication.

The type of DNA polymerase that is responsible for replicating the leading strand during eukaryotic DNA replication.

The process by which the sliding DNA clamp is loaded onto DNA at the primer:template junction.

A protein complex that binds to and hydrolyzes ATP, providing energy for clamp loading.

The process by which the sliding DNA clamp is removed from DNA.