Computational Investigation of DNA Polymerase I Conformations With Mismatch Base Pairs

Jake A. Collins
Dr. Bill R. Miller, Faculty Mentor

DNA replication is a vital process to the growth and reproduction of cells. During DNA replication, DNA Polymerase I is the main enzyme responsible for connecting Okazaki fragments together by deleting RNA primers and adding correct Watson-Crick base pairs. The polymerase does this by sampling open, ajar, and closed  structural conformations. While usually pairing the G-C and A-T Watson-Crick base pairs, occasionally the bases can hydrogen bond to form a non-Watson-Crick base pair. It has been proposed that the rate limiting step for incorporating the bases is a conformational change with the polymerases structure, not a catalytic one. This project is investigating the energy barrier associated with the mismatches and the structural changes of the polymerase.

Keywords: DNA Polymerase, Biochemistry, Computational Chemistry

Topic(s):Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Presentation Type: Oral Presentation

Session: TBA
Location: TBA
Time: TBA