2006-12-15 03:03:31 · 5 answers · asked by alasuhornet 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
Helicases unwind DNA - there are many proteins that are helicases.
2006-12-15 03:14:31 · answer #1 · answered by heidavey 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Two of the above posts are correct but like many answers I've seen, ultimately incomplete.
Yes, helicases unzip double stranded DNA, but is certainly not the only one.
For example, RNA polymerase has the ability to unzip DNA without a helicase subunit/protein - it does it all by itself (the solved 3D-structure of RNA polymerase won the Nobel prize for medicine this year).
Additionally, a RecBCD protein in bacteria (and a close homolog in humans) also unzips DNA for DNA repair.
Additionally, the initiation step in DNA replication involves unwinding of DNA (in fact, you can't just put a helicase into DNA without 'unzipping' it initially in the first place so that it can get into the DNA). Initial unwinding is notoriously caused by a protein called dnaA which actually binds to DNA and separates the two strands so that replication machinery (including the helicase) can now enter this formed 'bubble'.
-Kevin
2006-12-15 04:33:15 · answer #2 · answered by Squawks 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Helicases, unwind double-stranded DNA, as part of the DNA replication complex.
2006-12-15 03:29:19 · answer #3 · answered by pdigoe 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
DNA polymerase. It's a protein found in the nucleus.
2006-12-15 03:11:15 · answer #4 · answered by ~*Bubbles*~ 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
it doesnt unzip, it gets pulled a part
2006-12-15 03:06:45 · answer #5 · answered by Matthew K 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋