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DNA Topoisomerases

DNA Topoisomerases

Topoisomerases are enzymes that relax overwound DNA molecules during various cell processes, including DNA replication and transcription. These enzymes regulate positive and negative DNA supercoiling without changing the nucleotide sequence. DNA overwinding in a clockwise direction results in positively supercoiled DNA, whereas underwinding in a counterclockwise direction produces negatively supercoiled DNA.
Types and Mechanism of action
Topoisomerases are divided into two main types. ...

Bacterial Transcription

Bacterial Transcription

RNA polymerase (RNAP) carries out DNA-dependent RNA synthesis in both bacteria and eukaryotes. Bacteria do not have a membrane-bound nucleus. So, transcription and translation occur simultaneously, on the same DNA template.
Transcription can be divided into three main stages, each involving distinct DNA sequences to guide the polymerase. These are:

Single-Strand DNA Binding Proteins

Single-Strand DNA Binding Proteins

For successful DNA replication, the unwinding of double-stranded DNA must be accompanied by stabilization and protection of the separated single strands of the DNA. This crucial task is performed by single-strand DNA-binding (SSB) proteins. They bind to the DNA in a sequence-independent manner, which means that the nitrogenous bases of the DNA need not be present in a specific order for binding of SSB proteins to it. The binding of SSB proteins straightens single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) and makes...

DNA Packaging

DNA Packaging

The DNA Replication Fork

The DNA Replication Fork

An organism’s genome needs to be duplicated in an efficient and error-free manner for its growth and survival. The replication fork is a Y-shaped active region where two strands of DNA are separated and replicated continuously. The coupling of DNA unzipping and complementary strand synthesis is a characteristic feature of a replication fork. Organisms with small circular DNA, such as E. coli, often have a single origin of replication; therefore, they have only two replication...

The DNA Replication Fork

The DNA Replication Fork

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 6, 2026

CD Spectroscopy to Study DNA-Protein Interactions

CD Spectroscopy to Study DNA-Protein Interactions

Published on: February 10, 2022

DNA supercoiling during transcription.

Jie Ma¹, Michelle D Wang²

¹School of Physics ; State Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Materials and Technologies, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, PRC.

Biophysical Reviews

|March 10, 2017

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

DNA supercoiling influences gene transcription, a relationship detailed by the twin-supercoiled-domain model. Recent advances in mapping and single-molecule methods offer new insights into this crucial DNA process.

Keywords:

chromatin gene regulation mechanics supercoiling torque transcription

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Published on: March 1, 2022

Area of Science:

Molecular Biology
Genetics
Biophysics

Background:

The twin-supercoiled-domain model explains the bidirectional relationship between DNA supercoiling and transcription.
This interplay is fundamental to gene regulation and other DNA-related processes.
Previous research established the basic mechanisms through in vivo and in vitro experiments.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the mechanisms governing the interplay between DNA supercoiling and transcription.
To discuss the biological implications of this relationship.
To highlight recent discoveries and technological advancements in the field.

Main Methods:

Genome-wide DNA supercoiling mapping techniques.
Single-molecule biophysical methods.
Literature review of in vivo and in vitro studies.

Main Results:

DNA supercoiling significantly impacts gene transcription.
The twin-supercoiled-domain model provides a framework for understanding this regulation.
New insights have emerged from advanced mapping and single-molecule approaches.

Conclusions:

DNA supercoiling is a critical regulator of transcription.
This regulatory role extends to various other DNA transactions.
Recent technical progress has significantly advanced our understanding of DNA supercoiling dynamics.