Topoisomerase
.....................religation favorable..........................................................TOP/DNA..................................................religation unfavorable............
DNA topoisomerases (TOPs) help regulate DNA supercoiling and remove the tangling of DNA strands, facilitating DNA replication and transcription. TOPs do so by cleaving DNA, allowing the DNA to relax by partially uncoiling, and then rejoining the cleaved strand(s). Topoisomerases are important targets for anticancer and antibacterial therapies. We are carrying out simulations of type IA TOP-catalyzed DNA cleavage and religation, in collaboration with Dr. Yuk-Ching Tse-Dinh, to identify structural factors that can be used for antibiotic design.