Table of Contents Toggle Know in one minute about prokaryotic DNA   The prokaryotic DNA found in the cytoplasm is usually circular and present in fewer amounts. It is naked without histone protein. It exists as single chromosome  Apart from that additional plasmid DNA is also present. The compact mass of DNA is called the nucleoid. Non-coding introns absent with little non-functional DNA

Introduction 

Prokaryotic DNA is a cytoplasmic circular DNA and is found in fewer amounts. This DNA is naked that is having no histones. It exists as a single chromosome, and apart from that additional plasmid DNA is also present. The compact mass of DNA is called a nucleoid.

Prokaryotic DNA replication and its steps

DNA replication is a process of forming copies of DNA. It is a semi-conservative and bidirectional process.

•         Initiation
•         Elongation
•         Termination

Initiation

1. Replication starts at a specific initiation point called the OriC point or replicon.
2. In prokaryotes like E.coli the Ori C is a 245 base pair long sequence.
3. DNA replication starts with the unwinding of DNA strands by the enzyme called DNA helicase. DNA helicase separates the two strands of DNA at the origin of replication and forms two Y-shaped replication forks.
4. Helix destabilizing protein is attached to the single-stranded region to prevent the strands from rejoining.
5. Topoisomerase reduces the tension between the strands and hence, prevents supercoiling.
6. RNA polymerase forms a primer for the synthesis of the leading strand while primase is in the form of primasome synthesis for the lagging strand.
7. DNA polymerase III will form the replisome. Replisomes consist of DNA polymerase and other enzymes.

Elongation

1. DNA polymerase III adds nucleotides to the 5’ to 3’ direction to synthesize new strands.
2. To add nucleotides free 3’-OH group is required to which DNA polymerase adds the nucleotide by forming a phosphodiester bond between the 3’-OH group end and the 5’ phosphate of the next nucleotide.
3. The new strand which is complementary to the 3’ to 5’ parental strand is synthesized continuously toward the replication fork known as the leading strand.
4. On the leading strand, the primer is loaded only once. While the other strand, complementary to the 5’ to 3’ parental DNA strand, is extended away from the replication fork, in small fragments called Okazaki fragments. This strand is lagging.
5. On the lagging strand, primer is multiple times to form Okazaki fragments.
6. Sliding clamp protein is required to hold the DNA polymerase in its place to add nucleotides continuously.
7. As the synthesis of new strands proceeds, the RNA primers are replaced by DNA polymerase I, which cut the RNA and fills the gaps with DNA nucleotides.

 Termination

In E. coli away from Ori C there is one large termination sequence called ‘ter’ elements that allow the two replication forks to pass through in one direction. ‘Tus’ protein binds to ter elements and stops the unwinding of DNA.

 Difference between prokaryotic DNA and eukaryotic DNA

Prokaryotic DNA	Eukaryotic DNA
It is located in the cytoplasm	It is located in Nucleus, mitochondria, and plastids.
It is circular	Linear in the nucleus and circular in mitochondria and chloroplast
Not associated with histone protein	Associated with histone protein
Forms tangled mass on denaturation	Two chains of polynucleotides appeared on denaturation
Codes for less number of proteins	Codes for a large number of proteins
Extrachromosomal DNA may be present in the form of a plasmid	Plasmid absent
Non-coding introns absent with little non-functional DNA	Non-coding introns present with a major part of  DNA non-functional

 

Difference between prokaryotic DNA replication and eukaryotic DNA replication

Prokaryotic DNA Replication	Eukaryotic DNA Replication
The process of DNA replication in prokaryotes is continuous	DNA replicates in the S-phase of the cell cycle
Replication takes place in the cytoplasm	Replication takes place in the nucleus
Only one origin of replication is present	Multiple origins of replication
Less amount of DNA is present	The DNA is 50 times more than the prokaryotic DNA
DNA polymerase I and III are involved in the replication	DNA α, δ and ε are involved in replication
Okazaki fragments are large in size	Okazaki fragments are small in size
DNA gyrase is required	DNA gyrase is not required

Q&A

1. Where is DNA located in a prokaryotic cell?

Ans.  In prokaryotic cells, DNA is located in the cytoplasm.

 2. What is the major difference between prokaryotic DNA replication and eukaryotic DNA replication?

Ans.  The difference between prokaryotic DNA replication and eukaryotic DNA replication is given below:

Prokaryotic DNA Replication	Eukaryotic DNA Replication
DNA replication process in prokaryotes is continuous	S-phase of the cell cycle is having DNA replication.
Replication takes place in the cytoplasm	The nucleus is the main region for replication
A single origin of replication is present	There are multiple origins of replication
Less amount of DNA is present	The DNA is 50 times more than the prokaryotic DNA
DNA polymerase I and III are involved in the replication	DNA α, δ and ε are involved in replication
Okazaki fragments are large in size	Okazaki fragments are small in size
DNA gyrase is required	DNA gyrase is not required

 3. Where is DNA found in prokaryotic cells?

Ans. The prokaryotic DNA found in the cytoplasm, is usually circular and present in less amount

4. Where is DNA housed in a prokaryotic cell? Where is it housed in a eukaryotic cell?

Ans. In prokaryotic cells, DNA is housed in the cytoplasm, whereas in eukaryotic cells DNA is in the nucleus.

Written By: Neetu Ladiya

Reference

Zoology – B.Sc Second year by V.K. Tiwari and V.K. Singh (Shiva Lal Agrawal and company)