What is replication fork?

During DNA replication, double stranded DNA is unwound by enzyme helicase. This unwinding process generates a Y-shape structure which exposes 2 separated single strands after helicase movement. Each separated single stranded DNA is used as template (leading and lagging template) for DNA synthesis by polymerase. The junction between the newly separated template strand and the double stranded DNA in front of helicase is called Replication Fork (RF). Based on the replisome structure, replication fork is also defined by the point where both unwinding activity of helicase Continue Reading →