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How does DNA polymerase "read" DNA?
I understand that DNA polymerase catalyzes the polymerization of DNA, in a 5'-3' manner. I dont seem to understand how it "reads" the DNA in the 3'-5' manner -- what the mechanism is for it to be "able" to read, and "understand" to "copy". Hope this question made sense... thanks in advance
2 Answers
- Eric BLv 41 decade agoFavorite Answer
This is an incredibly complicated question, but I will try to answer as concisely as possible without it getting overly complicated. Basically, when the polymerase binds to the old strand of DNA, the shape of the enzyme changes, the shape the nucleotide is what determines how the enzyme's shape changes. This produces a new active site, which is meant for a free version of the nucleotide, which is then added to the forming strand of DNA. As it is added, it changes the shape of the first site, causing the enzyme to move.
Source(s): Degree in biotechnology - AbuLv 61 decade ago
It 'reads' the templete strand and make copies based on the template. When it finds 'A' on template, then it will make 'T' (complementary nucleotide); when it reads 'G' then it will synthesize 'C' and so on.
