DNA Topoisomerases in Unicellular Pathogens: Structure, Function, and Druggability
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Updated: Jan 31, 2026

Development of an Electrochemical DNA Biosensor to Detect a Foodborne Pathogen
Published on: June 3, 2018
Somenath Roy Chowdhury1, Hemanta K Majumder1
1Laboratory of Molecular Parasitology, Infectious Diseases and Immunology Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata 700 032, India.
Abstract:
All organisms, including unicellular pathogens, compulsorily possess DNA topoisomerases for successful nucleic acid metabolism. But particular subtypes of topoisomerases exist, in all prokaryotes and in some unicellular eukaryotes, that are absent in higher eukaryotes. Moreover, topoisomerases from pathogenic members of a niche possess some unique molecular architecture and functionalities completely distinct from their nonpathogenic colleagues. This review will highlight the unique attributes associated with the structures and functions of topoisomerases from the unicellular pathogens, with special reference to bacteria and protozoan parasites. It will also summarise the progress made in the domain pertaining to the druggability of these topoisomerases, upon which a future platform for therapeutic development can be successfully constructed.
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