RNA primers serve a specific function in DNA replication
the verdict
SUPPORTED
the evidence backs this
confidence 88/100
RNA primers are essential for DNA replication, as primase enzymes synthesize short RNA sequences that provide the free 3'-OH group required by DNA polymerases to begin DNA strand elongation.
Evidence for · 5
Enzymatic characterization of the individual mammalian primase subunits reveals a biphasic mechanism for initiation of DNA replication.
1993 · cited by 118
Demonstrates that mammalian primase subunits initiate DNA replication by extending or synthesizing RNA primers.
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More for · 4
Isolation and characterization of a DNA primase from human mitochondria.
1985 · cited by 70
Shows that human mitochondrial primase synthesizes RNA primers that are covalently linked to nascent DNA during replication initiation.
A DNA primase from mouse cells. Purification and partial characterization.
1983 · cited by 46
Purifies a mouse DNA primase that synthesizes oligoribonucleotides serving as primers to initiate DNA synthesis.
Structural Basis for the Interaction of a Hexameric Replicative Helicase with the Regulatory Subunit of Human DNA Polymerase α-Primase*
2012 · cited by 38
Notes that the eukaryotic DNA polymerase alpha-primase complex plays an essential role by initiating synthesis of the leading strand and Okazaki fragments with an RNA primer.
DNA primase isolated from the yeast DNA primase-DNA polymerase complex. Immunoaffinity purification and analysis of RNA primer synthesis.
1989 · cited by 15
Finds that yeast DNA primase is an RNA-polymerizing enzyme that specifically synthesizes RNA oligomers to function as primers in replication.