DNA gyrase
DNA Gyrase (pronounced: dee-en-ay jy-race) is a type of enzyme that is involved in the replication of DNA. It is a type of topoisomerase that introduces negative supercoils (or relaxes positive supercoils) into DNA.
Etymology
The term "gyrase" comes from the Greek word "gyros", which means "circle" or "ring". This is in reference to the circular motion that the enzyme makes when it is unwinding the DNA.
Function
DNA gyrase is essential for DNA replication because it helps to relieve the tension that is created when the DNA double helix is unwound by the helicase enzyme. This tension, if not relieved, could potentially lead to the DNA strand breaking. DNA gyrase accomplishes this by cutting the DNA strand, allowing it to unwind, and then resealing it.
Related Terms
- Topoisomerase: An enzyme that alters the supercoiled form of DNA.
- Helicase: An enzyme that unwinds the DNA double helix during DNA replication.
- Supercoil: A structure that is formed when the DNA helix is overwound or underwound.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on DNA gyrase
- Wikipedia's article - DNA gyrase
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