topoisomerase

topoisomerase

 [to″po-i´so-mer-ās]

an enzyme involved in mobilization and replication of DNA during cell division.

to·po·i·so·mer·ase

(tō'pō-i-som'ĕr-ās),

A type of enzyme converting (isomerizing) one topologic version of DNA into another; acts by catalyzing the breakage and reformation of DNA phosphodiester linkages.

[topo- + isomerase]

topoisomerase

(tō′pō-ī-sŏm′ə-rās′, -rāz′)

n.

Either of two isomerase enzymes that alter the topology of DNA molecules by breaking and reconnecting coiled strands.

topoisomerase

[to′po-i′so-mer-ās]

an enzyme involved in mobilization and replication of DNA during cell division.

topoisomerase

an enzyme involved in DNA replication that introduces a single-strand nick in the DNA enabling it to swivel and thereby relieve the accumulated winding strain generated during unwinding of the double helix.