Topoisomerase II

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Topoisomerase II

Topoisomerase II (pronounced: toh-poh-aye-soh-MER-ayz too) is an essential enzyme that plays a crucial role in DNA replication and transcription, as well as chromosomal segregation. It is one of the two types of topoisomerases found in the cells of living organisms.

Etymology

The term "Topoisomerase II" is derived from the Greek words "topos" meaning place and "isomerase" from the Greek "isos" meaning equal and "meros" meaning part. This refers to the enzyme's ability to change the topological state of DNA during replication and transcription.

Function

Topoisomerase II functions by creating a transient break in the DNA double helix, allowing the two strands to pass through one another, thereby altering the topology of the DNA molecule. This process is essential for resolving DNA tangles and supercoils that occur during the processes of DNA replication and transcription.

Related Terms

  • DNA: Deoxyribonucleic acid, the molecule that carries genetic information in all living organisms.
  • Enzyme: A protein that catalyzes biochemical reactions.
  • DNA replication: The process by which a DNA molecule is copied.
  • Transcription (genetics): The process by which the information in a strand of DNA is copied into a new molecule of messenger RNA.
  • Chromosomal segregation: The process by which two identical copies of a chromosome separate so that each daughter cell receives one copy during cell division.

See Also

External links

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