Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: NaCl on 16/11/2009 11:08:21

Title: How do nucleic acid polymerases distinguish between different bases?
Post by: NaCl on 16/11/2009 11:08:21

So I understand that DNA polymerase has a small binding pocket helps it distinguish dNTP and riboNTP. What mechanism does the RNA polymerase use to distinguish riboNTP and dNTP, U and T? Any papers I can refer to?


Thanks

Title: Re: How do nucleic acid polymerases distinguish between different bases?
Post by: Nizzle on 17/11/2009 14:43:00

I think the best thing to do is go to a second hand book store and buy a molecular biology handbook.

Here's a hint: It's not a mechanism that distinguishes U and T, it's morphology. And the morphology of a protein is influenced by... [;)]