Final Answer:
a) DNA replication
In both E. coli and eukaryotes, the sliding clamp is intimately associated with the cellular process of DNA replication. This essential molecular component plays a pivotal role in ensuring the efficiency and accuracy of DNA synthesis.
Step-by-step explanation:
During DNA replication, the sliding clamp functions as a processivity factor. In E. coli, it is part of a complex known as the clamp-loader, which facilitates the loading of the sliding clamp onto the DNA. Once loaded, the sliding clamp encircles the DNA double helix, providing a stable platform for DNA polymerase to perform continuous synthesis without dissociating from the template strand. This process ensures the smooth and uninterrupted replication of the entire DNA molecule.
In eukaryotes, the counterpart of the bacterial sliding clamp is called proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Like its bacterial counterpart, PCNA is loaded onto the DNA by a clamp-loader complex and serves as a cofactor for DNA polymerase during replication. The sliding clamp, whether in the form of PCNA or the bacterial clamp, is vital for maintaining the processivity of DNA synthesis and contributing to the fidelity of genetic information transfer.
The detailed molecular mechanisms of DNA replication, the structure and function of the sliding clamp, and its significance in ensuring accurate and efficient DNA synthesis.
Question:
Identify the function of the sliding clamp in both E. coli and eukaryotes and choose the correct cellular process it is associated with:
a) DNA replication
b) Cell signaling
c) Photosynthesis
d) Metabolic regulation