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The S phase, short for synthesis phase, is a period in the cell cycle during interphase, between G₁ phase and the G₂ phase. Following G₁, the cell enters the S stage, when DNA synthesis or replication occurs. At the beginning of the S stage, each chromosome is composed of one coiled DNA double helix molecule, which is called a chromatid. The enzyme DNA helicase splits the DNA double helix down the hydrogen bonds (the middle bonds). DNA polymerase follows, attaching a complementary base pair to the DNA strand, making two new semi-conservative strands. At the end of this stage, each chromosome has two identical DNA double helix molecules, and therefore is composed of two sister chromatids (joined at the centromere). During S phase, the centrosome is also duplicated. These two events are unconnected, but require many of the same factors to progress. The end result is the existence of duplicated genetic material in the cell, which will eventually be divided into two ^[1].

Damage to DNA often takes place during this phase, and DNA repair is initiated following the completion of replication. Incompletion of DNA repair may flag cell cycle checkpoints, which halts the cell cycle. However, after the cell has completed this phase, it is very likely that the cell will continue on to complete the cell cycle.

[edit] See also

• S phase index (SPI)

v • d • e Cell cycle Interphase G1 phase · S phase · G2 phase M phase Mitosis (Preprophase · Prophase · Prometaphase · Metaphase · Anaphase · Telophase) · Cytokinesis Cell cycle checkpoints Restriction point · Spindle checkpoint · Postreplication checkpoint Other cellular phases G0 phase · Apoptosis

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[edit] References

1. ^ Huang, James N., et al (July 9, 2001), "Activity of the APC Cdh1 form of the anaphase-promoting complex persists until S phase and prevents the premature expression of Cdc20p", Journal of Cell Biology 154: 85-94, http://biosupport.licor.com./docs/odyssey/pubs/TexasChildrensPaper.pdf