Simultaneous, parallel synthesis of leading and lagging strands
Some diagrams
of DNA replication show leading and lagging
strand synthesis as under the control of two
different DNA Polymerase molecules. In fact,
replication is controlled by a single, dimeric enzyme,
and is oriented such that extension in the 5'
3'
direction occurs in parallel. The lagging strand is
wrapped around one of the subunits, and passes through
it in parallel to the leading strand.
3'
direction occurs in parallel. The lagging strand is
wrapped around one of the subunits, and passes through
it in parallel to the leading strand.Figure © 2012 TA Brown, Introduction
to Genetics (1st ed.); additional
text © 2014 by Steven M. Carr