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Describe the three important functions of DnaA protein.

Short Answer

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The three important functions of the DnaA protein are: 1. It acts as the initiator of replication by locating and unwinding the origin of replication on the DNA strand. 2. It assembles the pre-replication complex by recruiting the necessary proteins for DNA replication, such as helicase, single-strand binding protein (SSBP), DNA gyrase, and DNA polymerase. 3. It regulates DNA replication to ensure that it only occurs once per cell division and controls its timing.

Step by step solution

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Function 1 - Initiator of Replication

The first function of the DnaA protein is to act as the initiator of replication. It locates the origin of replication on the DNA strand, also known as OriC, where replication is to begin. The DnaA protein binds to the OriC, unwinding the DNA strand by breaking the hydrogen bonds between the two DNA strands. This creates the 'replication bubble'.
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Function 2 - Assembly of the Pre-Replication Complex

The second function of the DnaA protein is the assembly of the pre-replication complex. After DnaA opens the DNA strands at the origin of replication, it cruits other proteins that are necessary for DNA replication. First, DnaA recruits the helicase, which further unwinds the DNA strands making it ready for other proteins to function. It also attracts the single-strand binding protein (SSBP) to prevent the DNA from rewinding back into a double helix and DNA gyrase to reduce DNA supercoiling. Then it recruits DNA polymerase for the synthesis of new DNA strand.
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Function 3 - Regulation of DNA Replication

The third function of the DnaA protein is the regulation of DNA replication. Once activated, DnaA ensures that DNA replication only happens once per cell division. It controls the initiation of DNA replication to ensure proper timing which regulates cell division.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Draw a picture that illustrates how DNA helicase works.

A DNA strand has the following sequence: 5'-GATCCCGATCCGCATACATTTACCAGATCACCACC \(-3^{\prime}\) In which direction would DNA polymerase slide along this strand (from left to right or from right to left)? If this strand was used as a template by DNA polymerase, what would be the sequence of the newly made strand? Indicate the \(5^{\prime}\) and \(3^{\prime}\) ends of the newly made strand.

With regard to DNA replication, define the term bidirectional replication. Which of the following statements is not true? Explain why. A. A DNA strand can serve as a template strand on many occasions. B. Following semiconservative DNA replication, one strand is a newly made daughter strand and the other strand is a parental strand. C. A DNA double helix may contain two strands of DNA that were made at the same time. D. A DNA double helix obeys the AT/GC rule. E. A DNA double helix could contain one strand that is 10 generations older than its complementary strand.

Single-strand binding proteins keep the two parental strands of DNA separated from each other until DNA polymerase has an opportunity to replicate the strands. Suggest how single-strand binding proteins keep the strands separated and yet do not impede the ability of DNA polymerase to replicate the strands.

As discussed in Chapter 18, some viruses contain RNA as their genetic material. Certain RNA viruses can exist as a provirus in which the viral genetic material has been inserted into the chromosomal DNA of the host cell. For this to happen, the viral RNA must be copied into a strand of DNA. An enzyme called reverse transcriptase, encoded by the viral genome, copies the viral RNA into a complementary strand of DNA. The strand of DNA is then used as a template to make a double-stranded DNA molecule. This doublestranded DNA molecule is then inserted into the chromosomal DNA, where it may exist as a provirus for a long period of time. A. How is the function of reverse transcriptase similar to the function of telomerase? B. Unlike DNA polymerase, reverse transcriptase does not have a proofreading function. How might this affect the proliferation of the virus?

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