Clinical Significance
- See also topoisomerase inhibitor
Many drugs operate through interference with the topoisomerases . The broad-spectrum fluoroquinolone antibiotics act by disrupting the function of bacterial type II topoisomerases. These small molecule inhibitors act as efficient anti-bacterial by hijacking the natural ability of topoisomerase to create breaks in chromosomal DNA.
Some chemotherapy drugs called topoisomerase inhibitors work by interfering with mammalian-type eukaryotic topoisomerases in cancer cells. This induces breaks in the DNA that ultimately lead to programmed cell death (apoptosis). This DNA-damaging effect, outside of its potentially curative properties, may lead to secondary neoplasms in the patient.
Topoisomerase I is the antigen recognized by Anti Scl-70 antibodies in scleroderma.
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“History is the interpretation of the significance that the past has for us.”
—Johan Huizinga (1872–1945)