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Isolation of Kinetoplast DNA

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DNA Topoisomerase Protocols

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 94))

Abstract

The kinetoplast DNA (kDNA) network of the protozoan parasite Crithidia fasciculata is a naturally occurring gigantic catenane containing several thousand DNA minicircles. Because of its unusual structure, kDNA is an excellent substrate to use in decatenation assays of topoisomerase activity. Beyond this application, kDNA has also proven a fascinating experimental subject in its own right. Studies of the unique structure, mechanism of replication, and genetic function of kDNA have led to numerous interesting discoveries (see refs. 1-5 for reviews).

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References

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA

    Theresa A. Shapiro, Viiu A. Klein & Paul T. Englund

Authors
  1. Theresa A. Shapiro
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  2. Viiu A. Klein
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  3. Paul T. Englund
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA

    Mary-Ann Bjornsti

  2. Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA

    Neil Osheroff

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© 1999 Humana Press Inc.

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Shapiro, T.A., Klein, V.A., Englund, P.T. (1999). Isolation of Kinetoplast DNA. In: Bjornsti, MA., Osheroff, N. (eds) DNA Topoisomerase Protocols. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 94. Humana, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59259-259-7:61

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59259-259-7:61

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  • Publisher Name: Humana, Totowa, NJ

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-89603-444-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-59259-259-3

  • eBook Packages: Springer Protocols

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