A stochastic model of fragment formation when DNA replicates. (English) Zbl 0798.92016
Summary: The double-stranded molecule, DNA, has the unique property of replication and, because of this, it is the central molecule of life. The mechanism of replication for each single strand is intricate, involving enzymes which move along each of the single strands building a complementary copy. At the frontier of this action, the events have a strong stochastic character due to the random location on the DNA of key ‘sites’ where copying commences.
A model of this process is analysed. The central problem of interest is the mean length of certain ‘islands’ of newly replicated DNA developed at the randomly located ‘sites’. These islands, which have been observed experimentally, are called Okazaki fragments.
A model of this process is analysed. The central problem of interest is the mean length of certain ‘islands’ of newly replicated DNA developed at the randomly located ‘sites’. These islands, which have been observed experimentally, are called Okazaki fragments.
MSC:
92C40 | Biochemistry, molecular biology |
60K10 | Applications of renewal theory (reliability, demand theory, etc.) |
92C45 | Kinetics in biochemical problems (pharmacokinetics, enzyme kinetics, etc.) |
92D20 | Protein sequences, DNA sequences |