Microbiology Procedure
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Index >> Bacteriophages - Part One >> Rolling Circle Mechanism

Rolling Circle Mechanism


Rolling Circle Mechanism
- A rolling circle mechanism has also been suggested for T4 DNA replication. According to this mechanism the DNA would first undergo circularization. One or more replication forks would then go around the circle, generating DNA molecules of multiple unit length.


It has, however, been found that T4 DNA need not circularize to replicate. Moreover, multiple unit length molecules are detected only after several rounds of replication, and not immediately after the first round, as would be required by the rolling circle model.

The long molecules observed can also be created DY recombination. In T4, the rolling circle mechanism, if it occurs, would be confined to the late rounds of replication.

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