DNA helicase

DNA helicase is an enzyme responsible for the separation of two annealed strands of nucleic acids. This process allows a single-stranded DNA to form and be used as a template during transcription. ATP hydrolysis provides the energy for the enzyme to translocate along the double helix and generate a replication fork. In E. coli DNA helicase is called the DnaB protein, and it differs slightly in the way it carries out it's function. DnaB forms a three-fold ring structure, with the lagging strand binding in the central region, whilst the leading strand is excluded. The DnaB translocates through a mechanism where dNTP's bind and cause a conformational change, forcing the DNA strands to separate.