337,448 views
16 votes
16 votes
1) what is the nucleophile in the reaction catalyzed by dna polymerase? why is this significant for the initiation of dna synthesis?

User Jessie Stalk
by
2.8k points

1 Answer

23 votes
23 votes
The 3' end of the DNA strand acts as a nucleophile that forms a covalent bond with an atom of the phosphorus of the alpha phosphate group of the dNTP that combines with the DNA.The reaction involving elongation of the chain of the DNA is catalyzed by DNA polymerase and involves the attack by a nucleophile on the 3' hydroxyl group of primer on phosphorus atom found in the innermost part of deoxynucleoside triphosphate.
User Adam Dyga
by
2.9k points