Which enzyme is responsible for replacing RNA primers on newly synthesized DNA strands and is needed much more frequently on the lagging strand than on the leading strand?

Question

Biology

Jax Frank

7 September, 14:21

Which enzyme is responsible for replacing RNA primers on newly synthesized DNA strands and is needed much more frequently on the lagging strand than on the leading strand?

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Answers (1)

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Casey Holland · Answer 1

DNA polymerase I

Explanation:

DNA polymerase I have a distinct 5' to 3' exonuclease activity. This allows the DNA polymerase I to remove a segment of DNA or RNA that is paired with the template strand. Due to the presence of its 5' to 3' exonuclease activity, DNA polymerase I can remove the primers from the newly formed DNA strands. Since the lagging strand is replicated by the formation of Okazaki fragments, it requires DNA polymerase I to remove primers from each of the Okazaki fragments.