Definition of Dideoxyribonucleotides



Dideoxyribonucleotides are the inhibitors of the enzyme, DNA polymerase. They are used in Sanger method to produce the DNA strands of varying lengths which are utilized in the process of DNA sequencing. The structure of DNA molecule is easily analyzed and understood by these ddNTPs due to the fact that they stop the polymerization of the strands of the DNA during the process of replication.

 


In this way, the template strand produces different lengths of the DNA. These short strands are further used in the gel electrophoresis method which determines the sequence of the strand. The ddNTPs are generally labelled with a fluorescent dye for better and easy analysis.

 

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