Question

What feature of the clamp allows it to slide along the DNA?

Short answer

DNA clamp or sliding clamp is a protein complex that plays the role of processivity promoting factor in DNA replication.

Step-by-step solution

Sliding clamp or DNA clamp

The sliding clamp is a ring-shaped protein that encircles duplex DNA, binds to DNA polymerase enzyme, and tethers it to the DNA template.

Feature of clamp

Clamp forms clamp-DNA complex that is responsible for sliding of clamp along with the DNA.

The ATP is used in this sliding process

Clamp loaders that are ATPase operate to ensure processive DNA replication.

So, Clamp slides along DNA and prevents the dissociation of DNA polymerase to DNA strands.