Deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis (DNA synthesis)

Deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis—commonly called **DNA synthesis**, **DNA replication**, or **DNA biosynthesis**—is the fundamental biological process by which new molecules of deoxyribonucleic acid are created from existing templates. This occurs naturally during cell division when each daughter cell must receive an exact copy of genetic material. The key steps involve unwinding the double helix at origins of replication via helicases; synthesizing short RNA primers using primase; and extending new complementary strands through the action of various **DNA polymerases**, which add nucleotides according to base-pairing rules[1][3][7]. This highly regulated mechanism ensures faithful transmission and maintenance of genetic information across generations and is essential for growth, development, tissue repair, and reproduction in all living organisms[3]. Errors in this process can result in mutations leading to cancer or other genetic disorders[1]. In medicine and biotechnology, synthetic manipulation includes techniques like PCR (*in vitro* enzymatic amplification) and gene assembly (*de novo* gene construction). Many anti-cancer drugs act by inhibiting enzymes critical for this pathway—most notably antimetabolites that block nucleotide formation/incorporation or direct inhibitors/modifiers of replicative enzymes such as topoisomerases and polymerases[2]. Because "deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis" describes an entire cellular pathway/process rather than a single molecule/protein/receptor/enzyme/transporter/etc., it should not be considered a canonical drug target per se. Instead, individual components within this pathway—such as specific isoforms of **DNA polymerase**, topoisomerase IIα (**TOP2A**) etc.—are valid molecular targets commonly referenced in pharmacology.[2]

Other names

DNA replicationDNA biosynthesisS-phase DNA replicationIn vitro DNA amplification (when referring to artificial processes like PCR)Gene synthesis (for artificial assembly)

Drugs targeting this process typically: - Inhibit nucleotide biosynthesis or incorporation into new strands - Block activity of enzymes essential for strand elongation/replication fork progression (e.g., polymerases) - Induce chain termination by incorporating faulty nucleotides