The archaeal topoisomerase reverse gyrase is a helix-destabilizing protein that unwinds four-way DNA junctions.

ABSTRACT: Four-way junctions are non-B DNA structures that originate as intermediates of recombination and repair (Holliday junctions) or from the intrastrand annealing of palindromic sequences (cruciforms). These structures have important functional roles but may also severely interfere with DNA replication and other genetic processes; therefore, they are targeted by regulatory and architectural proteins, and dedicated pathways exist for their removal. Although it is well known that resolution of Holliday junctions occurs either by recombinases or by specialized helicases, less is known on the mechanisms dealing with secondary structures in nucleic acids. Reverse gyrase is a DNA topoisomerase, specific to microorganisms living at high temperatures, which comprises a type IA topoisomerase fused to a

SUBMITTER: Valenti A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2978581 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature