Beta Phase: Square45 is currently in beta testing. Expect some features or content to be incomplete or missing.
45

DNA Replication Fork

The complex molecular machine responsible for synthesizing new DNA strands during S phase, maintaining genomic stability and fidelity.
📜

The statement of the theorem

Let vv be the polymerization velocity of the replication fork. The synthesis of DNA is modeled by the rate of incorporation of nucleotides. For the leading strand, the rate of synthesis is constant: d[Dlead]dt=v\frac{d[D_{lead}]}{dt} = v For the lagging strand, synthesis occurs in discrete Okazaki fragments, requiring a processivity model. The rate of synthesis of a fragment ii is viv_i, and the gap filling rate is vgapv_{gap}. The overall fidelity and stability are maintained by the error rate ϵ\epsilon: ϵ=NmismatchNbases≤ϵcrit\epsilon = \frac{N_{mismatch}}{N_{bases}} \le \epsilon_{crit} where NmismatchN_{mismatch} is the number of incorrect base pairs and NbasesN_{bases} is the total number of bases synthesized. The fork movement is governed by the balance of polymerization and helicase unwinding rates: dPositiondt=vpoly−vunwind\frac{d\text{Position}}{dt} = v_{poly} - v_{unwind}
Source: Wikipedia