Replisoms

Replisomes are large protein machines found in all living organisms that are responsible for DNA replication. They are complex structures that assemble at specific sites on the DNA, known as origins of replication. The primary function of the replisome is to unwind the double-stranded DNA helix and synthesize new complementary DNA strands. This process is crucial for cell division and the transmission of genetic information from one generation to the next.

The core components of a replisome include DNA helicase, which unwinds the DNA, and DNA polymerase, which synthesizes the new DNA strands. Other essential proteins within the replisome include primase, responsible for creating RNA primers that initiate DNA synthesis, and single-strand binding proteins that stabilize the unwound DNA. The coordinated action of these and other accessory proteins ensures the accurate and efficient duplication of the entire genome. Replisomes move along the DNA template, effectively creating two identical DNA molecules from one original molecule. Errors in replication can lead to mutations, so the fidelity of replisome function is tightly regulated and involves proofreading mechanisms.