Replication in prokaryotes

DNA replication occurs in the cytoplasm of prokaryotes and in the nucleus of eukaryotes. Regardless of where DNA replication occurs, the basic process is the same. The prokaryotic chromosome is a circular molecule with a less extensive coiling structure than eukaryotic chromosomes. The eukaryotic chromosome is linear and highly coiled around proteins. In prokaryotic cells, there is only one point of origin, replication occurs in two opposing directions at the same time, and takes place in the cell cytoplasm. Eukaryotic cells, on the other hand, have multiple points of origin and use unidirectional replication within the nucleus of the cell. Replication in prokaryotes starts from a sequence found on the chromosome called the origin of replication—the point at which the DNA opens up. Single-strand binding proteins bind to the single-stranded DNA near the replication fork to keep the fork open.

In prokaryotic cells, there is only one point of origin, replication occurs in two opposing directions at the same time, and takes place in the cell cytoplasm. Eukaryotic cells, on the other hand, have multiple points of origin and use unidirectional replication within the nucleus of the cell. The prokaryotic chromosome is a circular molecule with a less extensive coiling structure than eukaryotic chromosomes. The eukaryotic chromosome is linear and highly coiled around proteins. Prokaryotic genomes contain one or several chromosomes [1], most of which are circular [2]. The chromosomes consist of two anti-parallel DNA strands, and are supposed to have a single origin of replication (eubacteria) [3] or may have single or multiple origins.