DNA LIGASE Meaning and
Definition
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DNA ligase is a crucial enzyme involved in the process of DNA replication and repair. It is responsible for catalyzing the formation of phosphodiester bonds between the adjacent DNA fragments, thus sealing the nicks in DNA backbone and joining the broken strands together. This enzyme plays a pivotal role in maintaining the integrity and stability of the DNA molecule.
During DNA replication, DNA ligase primarily acts in the final step, known as the ligation step, to connect the Okazaki fragments on the lagging strand. It accomplishes this by forming a covalent bond between the 3'-hydroxyl group of one nucleotide and the 5'-phosphate group of another nucleotide, resulting in a continuous DNA strand. Similarly, during the process of DNA repair, such as in nucleotide excision repair or recombinational repair, DNA ligase is instrumental in sealing the gaps and nicks in the DNA molecule.
DNA ligase also plays a significant role in recombinant DNA technology. In genetic engineering, it is utilized to join DNA fragments from different sources, including plasmids, vectors, and target DNA, to create a recombinant molecule. This process, called ligation, is a crucial step in constructing gene libraries, gene cloning, and other molecular manipulations involving the insertion of specific DNA sequences into a host organism. DNA ligase is often used in conjunction with DNA restriction enzymes to generate the desired recombinant molecules.
In conclusion, DNA ligase is an enzyme essential for DNA replication, repair, and recombination. It serves to join the fragmented DNA molecules by catalyzing the formation of phosphodiester bonds, ensuring the stability and continuity of the DNA molecule.
Common Misspellings for DNA LIGASE
- sna ligase
- xna ligase
- cna ligase
- fna ligase
- rna ligase
- ena ligase
- dba ligase
- dma ligase
- dja ligase
- dha ligase
- dnz ligase
- dns ligase
- dnw ligase
- dnq ligase
- dna kigase
- dna pigase
- dna oigase
- dna lugase
- dna ljgase
- dna lkgase
Etymology of DNA LIGASE
The word "DNA ligase" originates from the combination of two different terms: "DNA" and "ligase".
1. DNA: The term "DNA" stands for deoxyribonucleic acid, which is a molecule that carries the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms. The acronym DNA was coined in 1944 by combining the first letter of each word in "deoxyribonucleic acid".
2. Ligase: The term "ligase" comes from the Latin word "ligāre", which means "to bind" or "to tie". In biology, a ligase is an enzyme that is responsible for catalyzing the joining of two molecules through the formation of a chemical bond. The term "ligase" was introduced in the field of biochemistry to describe this particular type of enzyme.
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