Structural Mechanisms for Replicating DNA in Eukaryotes

Abstract

The faithful and timely copying of DNA by molecular machines known as replisomes depends on a disparate suite of enzymes and scaffolding factors working together in a highly orchestrated manner. Large, dynamic protein-nucleic acid assemblies that selectively morph between distinct conformations and compositional states underpin this critical cellular process. In this article, we discuss recent progress outlining the physical basis of replisome construction and progression in eukaryotes.

Keywords: ATPase; DNA replication; MCM; ORC; PCNA; clamp loader; helicase; polymerase; primase.