Topoisomerase II poisons represent some of the most important and widely prescri
ID: 31516 • Letter: T
Question
Topoisomerase II poisons represent some of the most important and widely prescribed anticancer drugs currently in clinical use. These drugs encompass a diverse group of natural and synthetic compounds that are commonly used to treat a variety of human malignancies. At the present time, six topoisomerase II-targeted anticancer agents are approved for use in the United States, and additional drugs are prescribed elsewhere in the world. These agents all act as traditional topoisomerase II poisons and function primarily by inhibiting enzyme-mediated DNA ligation.
Briefly describe what TopoII does and how it works. Explain what "inhibiting enzyme-mediated DNA ligation" means.
My thoughts for the first question are Type II topoisomerases cut both strands of the DNA helix simultaneously in order to manage DNA tangles and supercoils. They use the hydrolysis of ATP. It changes the linking number of circular DNA by
Explanation / Answer
First question:
In general, topoisomerases are enzymes that relieve supercoiling in DNA strands and tangling in chromosomes. Type II topoisomerases is special among eukaryotic topoisomerases, considering they use divalent metal ions and ATP hydrolysis in their active site. The enzyme cuts both strands of the DNA helix simultaneously (double strand break) in order to manage DNA tangles and supercoils. It changes the linking number of circular DNA by
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