Role
of
Membranes
in
Replication
It has been suggested that the replicating apparatus in E. coli consists of an enzymatic complex at the point of attachment of the DNA to the plasma membrane. This point is known as the replicating point. The DNA thread moves through the replicating point and is replicated as it does so.
This condition is therefore the reverse of the condition in eukaryotes where the enzyme moves long the DNA strand. Although DNA has been , interpreted to be in physical or chemical association with the plasma membrane the chemistry of the interaction is not clear. It has been suggested that membrane phospholipids have some role in the initiation process. Polymerases II and III appear to be associated with the complexes in the cell membrane.
