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Camptothecin, a specific inhibitor of type I DNA topoisomerase, induces DNA breakage at replication forks

Journal Article · · Mol. Cell. Biol.; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1128/MCB.8.8.3026· OSTI ID:6864765

The structure of replicating simian virus 40 minichromosomes, extracted from camptothecin-treated infected cells, was investigated by biochemical and electron microscopic methods. The authors found that camptothecin frequently induced breaks at replication forks close to the replicative growth points. Replication branches were disrupted at about equal frequencies at the leading and the lagging strand sides of the fork. Since camptothecin is known to be a specific inhibitor of type I DNA topoisomerase, the authors suggest that this enzyme is acting very near the replication forks. This conclusion was supported by experiments with aphidicolin, a drug that blocks replicative fork movement, but did not prevent the camptothecin-induced breakage of replication forks. The drug teniposide, and inhibitor of type II DNA topoisomerase, had only minor effects on the structure of these replicative intermediates.

Research Organization:
Fakultat fur Biologie, Universitat Konstanz, D-7750 Konstanz (DE)
OSTI ID:
6864765
Journal Information:
Mol. Cell. Biol.; (United States), Journal Name: Mol. Cell. Biol.; (United States) Vol. 8:8; ISSN MCEBD
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English