Title: DNA Topoisomerase I and Illegitimate Recombination
Abstract: DNA topoisomerase IB (Top1) is a ubiquitous nuclear enzyme whose main role is to remove torsional tensions associated with transcription or replication by introducing transient single-strand breaks in duplex DNA. Once supercoils are suppressed, DNA breaks are rapidly resealed during the religation step of the Top1 reaction. The striking similarity between Top1-mediated religation and the strand transferase activity of various recombinases have suggested that Top1 could be involved in DNA recombination and contribute to the maintenance of genomic integrity. Moreover, Top1 is routinely used as a reagent for molecular cloning (Topo® PCR cloning). In this chapter, we will review the experimental evidences suggesting the potential role of Top1 in illegitimate recombination either via its strand transferase activity, or independently of its religation activity via the regulation of other cellular mechanisms such as transcription or DNA repair.
Publication Year: 2011
Publication Date: 2011-08-26
Language: en
Type: book-chapter
Indexed In: ['crossref']
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Cited By Count: 2
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