DNA Gyrase vs. DNA Helicase

[jayson]

What is the difference between the two ? (not structurelly (sp?), but by function)

Thanks in advance.

[sdekivit]

DNA gyrase produces DNA supercoiling and DNA helicase unwinds DNA

[jayson]

Doesn’t Gyrase also relive the tension from the DNA strand.

[Jennifer]

DNA helicase unwinds the double helix by disrupting the hydrogen bonds of the base pairs of nucleotides. DNA gyrase relieves the tension from the unwinding of the double helix by cutting the strand, and reannealing it once the tension has been released.

[sdekivit]

NOOOOOOO!!!!!! DNA gyrase = DNA topoisomerase II and produces negative supercoils

–> DNA topoisomerase I relaxes these negative supercoils.

DNA helicase pulls the DNA strands away from each other for transcription and is completely different from producing/relaxing supercoils

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