Type II topoisomerase enzymes are important in replication and transcription because they
A) prevent autocleavage.
B) prevent DNA cleavage.
C) relieve the positive supercoiling.
D) stabilize the cleaved complex.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Type II topoisomerases relieve the positive supercoiling that can occur during replication and transcription by inducing a double-stranded break in DNA and passing another segment of DNA through the break. This process requires the enzymes to transiently cleave the DNA, which is stabilized by the enzyme until the strand is religated.

Type II Topoisomerase Enzymes Are Important in Replication and Transcription