title: Reverse gyrase, a hallmark of the hyperthermophilic archaebacteria.
abstract: Investigation of the presence of a reverse gyrase-like activity in archaebacteria revealed wide distribution of this activity in hyperthermophilic species, including methanogens and sulfur-dependent organisms. In contrast, no reverse gyrase activity was detected in mesophilic and moderately thermophilic organisms, which exhibited only an ATP-independent activity of DNA relaxation. These results suggest that the presence of reverse gyrase in archaebacteria is tightly linked to the high growth temperatures of these organisms. With respect to antigenic properties, the enzyme appeared similar among members of the genus Sulfolobus. In contrast, no close antigenic relatedness was found between the reverse gyrase of members of the order Sulfolobales and that of the other hyperthermophilic organisms.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire d'Enzymologie des Acides Nucléiques, URA 554 Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, France.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bouthier de la Tour
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Portemer
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nadal
authors.forename: K O
authors.initials: KO
authors.lastname: Stetter
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Forterre
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Duguet
mesh_terms: D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000378:metabolism; D001105:Archaea / Q000145:classification / Q000201:enzymology*; D015153:Blotting, Western; D003429:Cross Reactions; D004264:DNA Topoisomerases, Type I; D004250:DNA Topoisomerases, Type II / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D004278:DNA, Superhelical / Q000378:metabolism; D015180:Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional
chemical_list: D004278:DNA, Superhelical; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate; C041813:DNA reverse gyrase; D004264:DNA Topoisomerases, Type I; D004250:DNA Topoisomerases, Type II