Single-Strand Binding Proteins

Definition

Single-strand binding proteins are proteins that bind to the single-stranded DNA during replication to prevent the separated strands from reannealing or being degraded.

Related terms

Primase: An enzyme involved in DNA replication that creates RNA primers necessary for initiation of synthesis on each strand.

Okazaki Fragments:

Short sequences of DNA nucleotides which are synthesized discontinuously and later linked together by ligase during replication.

Replication Bubble: A region within the DNA molecule where the double helix is separated and replication takes place.