The synthesis of a short nucleotide polymer using one strand of unwound DNA as a template. The product is usually a RNA molecule between 4-15 nucleotides long that provides a free 3'-OH that can be extended by DNA-directed DNA polymerases. In certain conditions, for example in response to DNA damage, some primases synthesize a DNA primer.
Synonyms:
narrow_synonym:
DNA priming; DNA replication, synthesis of DNA primer; DNA replication, synthesis of RNA primer