RNA Primers = Part of Okazaki fragments?

[ahyaa]

Hi, I have a simple semantics question.

I have been reading some literature that seems to consider RNA Primers as part of Okazaki fragments, but this should not be so because Okazaki Fragments by definition are just the DNA portions synthesized on the lagging strand. Any opinions/clarifications on this?

 

[SW VandeCarr]

Hi, I have a simple semantics question.

I have been reading some literature that seems to consider RNA Primers as part of Okazaki fragments, but this should not be so because Okazaki Fragments by definition are just the DNA portions synthesized on the lagging strand. Any opinions/clarifications on this?

As you probably know, each Okazaki fragment for the lagging DNA stand requires its own RNA primer, but if I understand your question, the RNA primers are not retained in the final DNA stand whereas the Okazaki fragments are.

EDIT: It's possible that the name 'Okazaki fragment' may no longer apply once the RNA primer has been removed by DNA polymerase and the fragments joined by DNA ligase. At this point, it seems they are no longer fragments.