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Inhibition of topoisomerase 2 does not inhibit transcription of RNA polymerase 1 and 2 genes

Journal Article · · Molecular and Cellular Biology; (USA)
 [1]
  1. Div. of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Dept. of Molecular and Cell Biology, Univ. of California, Berkeley, CA (US)

Injection of VM-26 (teniposide) into {ital Xenopus} oocytes inhibits the activity of topoisomerase II but does not inhibit transcription by RNA polymerases I and II. A specific assay for topoisomerase II, resolution of catenated DNA molecules into product rings, was used to quantitate VM-26 inhibition in vivo. When catenanes were injected without VM-26, about 60% of them were separated into product rings in the first 5 min after injection, and decatenation of the remainder was complete within 15 min. When VM-26 was coinjected, 60% of the catenanes were separated into product rings in the first 5 min after injection, but the remaining 40% were stable over the next 40 min. At 1 h after injection catenanes were no longer detected in the gel analysis, but the increasing numbers of linear product rings indicated that topoisomerase II continued to be inhibited by VM-26. These results suggest that a short lag of approximately 5 min is required for VM-26 to inhibit topoisomerase II and that after this initial period topoisomerase II is inhibited by more than 90%.

OSTI ID:
6423209
Journal Information:
Molecular and Cellular Biology; (USA), Journal Name: Molecular and Cellular Biology; (USA) Vol. 10:6; ISSN MCEBD; ISSN 0270-7306
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English