PathwayStep489 PathwayStep496 PathwayStep506 Lagging Strand Synthesis Leading Strand Synthesis DNA strand elongation Accurate and efficient genome duplication requires coordinated processes to replicate two template strands at eucaryotic replication forks. Knowledge of the fundamental reactions involved in replication fork progression is derived largely from biochemical studies of the replication of simian virus and from yeast genetic studies. Since duplex DNA forms an anti-parallel structure, and DNA polymerases are unidirectional, one of the new strands is synthesized continuously in the direction of fork movement. This strand is designated as the leading strand. The other strand grows in the direction away from fork movement, and is called the lagging strand. Several specific interactions among the various proteins involved in DNA replication underlie the mechanism of DNA synthesis, on both the leading and lagging strands, at a DNA replication fork. These interactions allow the replication enzymes to cooperate in the replication process (Hurwitz et al 1990; Brush et al 1996; Ayyagari et al 1995; Budd & Campbell 1997; Bambara et al 1997). Authored: Tom, S, Bambara, RA, 2003-06-05 08:03:21 GENE ONTOLOGYGO:0006271 Pubmed1536007 Pubmed1976634 Pubmed7623835 Pubmed8594377 Pubmed9081985 Reactome Database ID Release 4369190 Reactome, http://www.reactome.org ReactomeREACT_932 Unwinding of DNA