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Topoisomerases and the regulation of neural function

Nature Reviews Neuroscience volume 17, pages 673–679 (2016)Cite this article

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Abstract

Topoisomerases are unique enzymes that regulate torsional stress in DNA to enable essential genome functions, including DNA replication and transcription. Although all cells in an organism require topoisomerases to maintain normal function, the nervous system in particular shows a vital need for these enzymes. Indeed, a range of inherited human neurologic syndromes, including neurodegeneration, schizophrenia and intellectual impairment, are associated with aberrant topoisomerase function. Much remains unknown regarding the tissue-specific function of neural topoisomerases or the connections between these enzymes and disease aetiology. Precisely how topoisomerases regulate genome dynamics within the nervous system is therefore a crucial research question.

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Figure 1: Mammalian topoisomerases.
Figure 2: Topoisomerase function.

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Acknowledgements

The author thanks the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) (NS-37956, CA-21765), the Cancer Center Support Grant (CCSG) (P30 CA21765) and the American Lebanese and Syrian Associated Charities of St Jude Children's Research Hospital for financial support. Space constraints limited the number of primary research papers cited.

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  1. Department of Genetics, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, 38105, Tennessee, USA

    Peter J. McKinnon

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McKinnon, P. Topoisomerases and the regulation of neural function. Nat Rev Neurosci 17, 673–679 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrn.2016.101

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