We know that DNA is self-replicating structure and DNA replicates semi-conservatively. However, DNA replication is catalyzed by a set of enzymes. Let’s learn about machinery and enzymes involved in DNA replication.
DNA ReplicationÂ
In the process of DNA replication, the DNA makes multiple copies of itself. It is a biological polymerization which proceeds in the sequence of initiation, elongation, and termination. It is an enzyme-catalysed reaction. DNA Polymerase is the main enzyme in the replication process.

DNA Replication Process
DNA Replication Steps
Following are the important steps involved in DNA replication:
Initiation
DNA replication demands a high degree of accuracy because even a minute mistake would result in mutations. Thus, replication cannot initiate randomly at any point in DNA.
For the replication to begin there is a particular region called the origin of replication. This is the point where the replication originates. Replication begins with the spotting of this origin followed by the unwinding of the two DNA strands.
Unzipping of DNA strands in its entire length is unfeasible due to high energy input. Hence, first, a replication fork is created catalyzed by polymerases enzyme which is an opening in the DNA strand.
Elongation
As the strands are separated, the polymerase enzymes start synthesizing the complementary sequence in each of the strands. The parental strands will act as a template for newly synthesizing daughter strands.
It is to be noted that elongation is unidirectional i.e. DNA is always polymerized only in the 5′ to 3′ direction. Therefore, in one strand (the template 3‘→5‘) it is continuous, hence called continuous replication while on the other strand (the template 5‘→3‘) it is discontinuous replication. They occur as fragments called Okazaki fragments. The enzyme called DNA ligase joins them later.

DNA Replication Fork
Termination
Termination of replication occurs in different ways in different organisms. In E.coli like organisms, chromosomes are circular. And this happens when the two replication forks between the two terminals meet each other.
Also Read:Â DNA Structure
Enzymes Involved In DNA Replication
DNA replication is a highly enzyme-dependent process. There are many enzymes involved in the DNA replication which includes the enzymes DNA-dependent DNA polymerase, helicase, ligase, etc. Among them, DNA-dependent DNA polymerase is the main enzyme.
DNA-dependent DNA polymerase
It helps in the polymerization and catalyzes and regularises the whole process of DNA replication with the support of other enzymes. Deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates are the substrate as well as the energy provider for the replication process. DNA polymerase is of three types:
DNA Polymerase I
It is a DNA repair enzyme. It is involved in three activities:
- 5′-3′ polymerase activity
- 5′-3′ exonuclease activity
- 3′-5′ exonuclease activity
DNA Polymerase II
It is responsible for primer extension and proofreading.
DNA Polymerase III
It is responsible for in vivo DNA replication.
Helicase
Helicase is the enzyme which unzips the DNA strands by breaking the hydrogen bonds between them. Thus, it helps in the formation of the replication fork.
Ligase
Ligase is the enzyme which glues the discontinuous DNA strands.
Primase
This enzyme helps in the synthesis of RNA primer complementary to the DNA template strand.
Endonucleases
These produce a single-stranded or a double-stranded cut in a DNA molecule.
Single-stranded Binding Proteins
It binds to single-stranded DNA and protects it from forming secondary structures.
Also Read:Â Difference between Replication and Transcription
DNA Replication in Prokaryotes
The DNA replication in prokaryotes takes place in the following place:
- The two strands of DNA unwind at the origin of replication.
- Helicase opens the DNA and replication forks are formed.
- The DNA is coated by the single-strand binding proteins around the replication fork to prevent rewinding of DNA.
- Topoisomerase prevents the supercoiling of DNA.
- RNA primers are synthesised by primase. These primers are complementary to the DNA strand.
- DNA polymerase III starts adding nucleotides at the end of the primers.
- The leading and lagging strands continue to elongate.
- Â The primers are removed and the gaps are filled with DNA Polymerase I and sealed by ligase.
DNA Replication in Eukaryotes
The DNA replication in eukaryotes is similar to the DNA replication in prokaryotes. However, the initiation process is more complex in eukaryotes than prokaryotes. In eukaryotes, there are multiple origin of replication present. A pre-replication complex is made with other initiator proteins. The process is entirely the same but the enzymes used are different. E.g. in eukaryotes, the polymerization process is carried out by the enzyme Pol δ, whereas in prokaryotes it is done by DNA Pol III.
Also Read:Â DNA Packaging
For more information on DNA replication in prokaryotes and eukaryotes and the steps involved in DNA replication, keep visiting BYJU’S website or download BYJU’S app for further reference.
easy and simple to understand
Very good understanding