Definitions for topoisomerase
topoi·so·merase

WiktionaryRate this definition:3.0 / 2 votes

1. topoisomerasenoun

   Any of several enzymes that effect the topology of DNA, especially ones that relax supercoiling

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Topoisomerase

   DNA topoisomerases (or topoisomerases) are enzymes that catalyze changes in the topological state of DNA, interconverting relaxed and supercoiled forms, linked (catenated) and unlinked species, and knotted and unknotted DNA. Topological issues in DNA arise due to the intertwined nature of its double-helical structure, which, for example, can lead to overwinding of the DNA duplex during DNA replication and transcription. If left unchanged, this torsion would eventually stop the DNA or RNA polymerases involved in these processes from continuing along the DNA helix. A second topological challenge results from the linking or tangling of DNA during replication. Left unresolved, links between replicated DNA will impede cell division. The DNA topoisomerases prevent and correct these types of topological problems. They do this by binding to DNA and cutting the sugar-phosphate backbone of either one (type I topoisomerases) or both (type II topoisomerases) of the DNA strands. This transient break allows the DNA to be untangled or unwound, and, at the end of these processes, the DNA backbone is resealed. Since the overall chemical composition and connectivity of the DNA do not change, the DNA substrate and product are chemical isomers, differing only in their topology.

WikidataRate this definition:3.0 / 1 vote

1. Topoisomerase

   Topoisomerases are enzymes that regulate the overwinding or underwinding of DNA. The winding problem of DNA arises due to the intertwined nature of its double helical structure. For example, during DNA replication, DNA becomes overwound ahead of a replication fork. If left unabated, this tension would eventually halt DNA replication. In order to help overcome these types of topological problems caused by the double helix, topoisomerases bind to either single-stranded or double-stranded DNA and cut the phosphate backbone of the DNA. This intermediate break allows the DNA to be untangled or unwound, and, at the end of these processes, the DNA backbone is resealed again. Since the overall chemical composition and connectivity of the DNA do not change, the tangled and untangled DNAs are chemical isomers, differing only in their global topology, thus their name. Topoisomerases are isomerase enzymes that act on the topology of DNA.

How to pronounce topoisomerase?

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Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of topoisomerase in Chaldean Numerology is: 3

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of topoisomerase in Pythagorean Numerology is: 8

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References

1. ^ Wiktionary
   https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Topoisomerase
2. ^ Wikipedia
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Topoisomerase
3. ^ Wikidata
   https://www.wikidata.org/w/index.php?search=topoisomerase