Topoisomerases in kinetoplastids

Christian Burri, Annette L. Bodley, Theresa A. Shapiro

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

34 Scopus citations

Abstract

Topoisomerases are enzymes that mediate topological changes in DNA that are essential for nucleic acid biosynthesis and for cell survival. The kinetoplastid protozoa, which include pathogenic trypanosomes and Leishmania, have yielded an interesting variety of purified topoisomerase activities as well as several topoisomerase genes. In these parasites, topoisomerases are involved in the metabolism of both nuclear and mitochondrial (kinetoplast) DNA. In this review, Christian Burri, Annette Bodley and Theresa Shapiro summarize what is known about topoisomerases in kinetoplastids, and consider the intriguing possibility that these enzymes may act as valuable antiparasite drug targets.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)226-231
Number of pages6
JournalParasitology Today
Volume12
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 1996

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Parasitology

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