Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 20, 2026
14:01
Isolation and Derivation of Mouse Embryonic Germinal Cells
Published on: October 22, 2009
16.6K
TOP2B: The First Thirty Years
Caroline A Austin1, Ka C Lee2, Rebecca L Swan3
1Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK. caroline.austin@ncl.ac.uk.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|September 19, 2018
Summary
This review covers 30 years of research on Type II DNA topoisomerases (EC 5.99.1.3), focusing on the topoisomerase IIβ isoform. These enzymes are crucial for DNA topology changes essential for cellular processes like transcription.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Type II DNA topoisomerases are ATP-dependent enzymes that manage DNA topology.
- They perform strand passage reactions, crucial for DNA replication, transcription, and repair.
- Vertebrates possess two isoforms: topoisomerase IIα and topoisomerase IIβ.
Observation:
- Topoisomerase IIβ was first identified in 1987.
- This review synthesizes research on topoisomerase IIβ spanning three decades.
- The enzyme's role in vital cellular functions is highlighted.
Findings:
- The review details the catalytic mechanisms and structural features of topoisomerase IIβ.
- It explores the diverse biological roles of topoisomerase IIβ, including its involvement in gene regulation.
- Recent advancements in understanding topoisomerase IIβ function and regulation are presented.
Implications:
- Understanding topoisomerase IIβ is critical for comprehending DNA metabolism and cellular function.
- Insights into topoisomerase IIβ may lead to novel therapeutic strategies for diseases involving DNA topology.
- This review provides a comprehensive resource for researchers in the field of DNA topoisomerases.
Related Concept Videos
02:07Tumor Progression
Tumor progression is a phenomenon where the pre-formed tumor acquires successive mutations to become clinically more aggressive and malignant. In the 1950s, Foulds first described the stepwise progression of cancer cells through successive stages.
Colon cancer is one of the best-documented examples of tumor progression. Early mutation in the APC gene in colon cells causes a small growth on the colon wall called a polyp. With time, this polyp grows into a benign, pre-cancerous tumor. Further...
Colon cancer is one of the best-documented examples of tumor progression. Early mutation in the APC gene in colon cells causes a small growth on the colon wall called a polyp. With time, this polyp grows into a benign, pre-cancerous tumor. Further...
02:56Treatment Resistant Cancers
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. A cancer cell is genetically unstable and hence can mutate faster. They can also modify their microenvironment and escape immune surveillance. The difficulties in treating cancer are further compounded by the emergence of rapid resistance to anticancer drugs. The most common ways to attain resistance in cancer cells include alteration in drug transport and metabolism, modification of drug target, elevated DNA damage response, or...
01:05Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes
Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
02:56Treatment Resistent Cancers
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. A cancer cell is genetically unstable and hence can mutate faster. They can also modify their microenvironment and escape immune surveillance. The difficulties in treating cancer are further compounded by the emergence of rapid resistance to anticancer drugs. The most common ways to attain resistance in cancer cells include alteration in drug transport and metabolism, modification of drug target, elevated DNA damage response, or...
01:28Pulmonary Tuberculosis II
Tuberculosis, or TB, is a bacterial infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. While its primary impact is on the lungs, leading to pulmonary tuberculosis, it can also affect various other organs, a condition referred to as extrapulmonary tuberculosis.
Here is a detailed explanation of its pathophysiology:
Transmission: The process begins when a person inhales droplet nuclei containing M. tuberculosis. These are typically released into the air when an individual with pulmonary or...
Here is a detailed explanation of its pathophysiology:
Transmission: The process begins when a person inhales droplet nuclei containing M. tuberculosis. These are typically released into the air when an individual with pulmonary or...
01:20Actuarial Approach
The actuarial approach, a statistical method originally developed for life insurance risk assessment, is widely used to calculate survival rates in clinical and population studies. This method accounts for participants lost to follow-up or those who die from causes unrelated to the study, ensuring a more accurate representation of survival probabilities.
Consider the example of a high-risk surgical procedure with significant early-stage mortality. A two-year clinical study is conducted,...
Consider the example of a high-risk surgical procedure with significant early-stage mortality. A two-year clinical study is conducted,...