Design science primer: tools for changing the world - A Design Science Primer | Science | Knowledge

Received 9 July 2004
In final form 8 October 2004
Published 18 November 2004

Received 9 July 2004
In final form 8 October 2004
Published 18 November 2004

A primer is a short strand of RNA or DNA (generally about 18-22 bases) that serves as a starting point for DNA synthesis . It is required for DNA replication because the enzymes that catalyze this process, DNA polymerases , can only add new nucleotides to an existing strand of DNA. The polymerase starts replication at the 3'-end of the primer, and copies the opposite strand .

In vivo DNA replication utilizes short strands of RNA called RNA primers to initiate DNA synthesis on both the leading and lagging strands — DNA primers are not seen in vivo in humans. These RNA primers can be made de novo .

The lagging strand of DNA is that strand of the DNA double helix that is orientated in a 5' to 3' manner. Therefore, its complement must be synthesized in a 3'→5' manner. Because DNA polymerase III cannot synthesize in the 5'→3' [1] direction, the lagging strand is synthesized in short segments known as Okazaki fragments . Along the lagging strand's template, primase builds RNA primers in short bursts. DNA polymerases are then able to use the free 3'- OH groups on the RNA primers to synthesize DNA in the 5'→3' direction.

All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional.

Received 9 July 2004
In final form 8 October 2004
Published 18 November 2004

A primer is a short strand of RNA or DNA (generally about 18-22 bases) that serves as a starting point for DNA synthesis . It is required for DNA replication because the enzymes that catalyze this process, DNA polymerases , can only add new nucleotides to an existing strand of DNA. The polymerase starts replication at the 3'-end of the primer, and copies the opposite strand .

In vivo DNA replication utilizes short strands of RNA called RNA primers to initiate DNA synthesis on both the leading and lagging strands — DNA primers are not seen in vivo in humans. These RNA primers can be made de novo .

The lagging strand of DNA is that strand of the DNA double helix that is orientated in a 5' to 3' manner. Therefore, its complement must be synthesized in a 3'→5' manner. Because DNA polymerase III cannot synthesize in the 5'→3' [1] direction, the lagging strand is synthesized in short segments known as Okazaki fragments . Along the lagging strand's template, primase builds RNA primers in short bursts. DNA polymerases are then able to use the free 3'- OH groups on the RNA primers to synthesize DNA in the 5'→3' direction.

All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional.

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Received 9 July 2004
In final form 8 October 2004
Published 18 November 2004

A primer is a short strand of RNA or DNA (generally about 18-22 bases) that serves as a starting point for DNA synthesis . It is required for DNA replication because the enzymes that catalyze this process, DNA polymerases , can only add new nucleotides to an existing strand of DNA. The polymerase starts replication at the 3'-end of the primer, and copies the opposite strand .

In vivo DNA replication utilizes short strands of RNA called RNA primers to initiate DNA synthesis on both the leading and lagging strands — DNA primers are not seen in vivo in humans. These RNA primers can be made de novo .

The lagging strand of DNA is that strand of the DNA double helix that is orientated in a 5' to 3' manner. Therefore, its complement must be synthesized in a 3'→5' manner. Because DNA polymerase III cannot synthesize in the 5'→3' [1] direction, the lagging strand is synthesized in short segments known as Okazaki fragments . Along the lagging strand's template, primase builds RNA primers in short bursts. DNA polymerases are then able to use the free 3'- OH groups on the RNA primers to synthesize DNA in the 5'→3' direction.