What do DNA polymerases show? (Ex: 5 prime, 3 prime ends)
Directionality
DNA polymerases are enzymes that catalyze the formation of new DNA strands during DNA replication. These enzymes show specificity in terms of the direction in which they synthesize DNA strands and the types of nucleotides they incorporate into growing DNA chains.
One crucial feature of DNA polymerases is their ability to add nucleotides only to the 3′ end of the growing DNA chain. That is, they can add new nucleotides to the hydroxyl (-OH) group that is attached to the 3′ carbon of the deoxyribose sugar of the previous nucleotide in the chain. This directionality gives rise to the convention of labeling DNA strands with “5′ -> 3′” and “3′ -> 5′”.
When DNA polymerases synthesize new DNA strands, they move along the template strand in the 3′ -> 5′ direction. To do that, the polymerase first binds to the template strand near the 3′ end of the growing DNA chain and begins adding new nucleotides to the free 3′ end. As it moves along the template strand, it continues to add new nucleotides to the 3′ end, extending the growing chain in the 5′ -> 3′ direction.
More Answers:
The Importance of Deoxyribonucleotide Triphosphates (dNTPs) in DNA Synthesis.Optimizing DNA Replication: Understanding the Key Requirements for Active DNA Polymerase Function
Understanding No De Novo Synthesis in Metabolic Pathways.