Processive synthesis on the lagging strand

The key event that allows the processive synthesis on the lagging strand, is polymerase switching from pol alpha to pol delta, as on the leading strand. However, the processive synthesis on the lagging strand proceeds very differently. DNA synthesis is discontinuous, and involves the formation of short fragments called the Okazaki fragments. During the synthesis of Okazaki fragments, the RNA primer is folded into a single-stranded flap, which is removed by endonucleases. This is followed by the ligation of adjacent Okazaki fragments.

滞后链上的进程性合成关键事件，在于多聚酶从多聚酶α切换至多聚酶δ，正如在领头链上。然而，滞后链上的进程性合成过程则截然不同。DNA合成呈现出不连续性，涉及短片段的形成，即所谓的Okazaki片段。在Okazaki片段的合成过程中，RNA引物折叠成单链翅膀状结构，随后由内切酶将其去除。此过程之后，相邻的Okazaki片段随即被连接。