Suicide reaction

{
  "id": "MLC-T-CHM-011543",
  "term": "Suicide reaction",
  "field": "Chemistry",
  "definition": "A reaction in which a DNA-processing enzyme, typically a topoisomerase, becomes covalently and irreversibly trapped on its DNA substrate as a cleavage complex that it cannot reseal. Such suicide complexes persist as protein-linked DNA breaks, which turn into lethal damage when replication or transcription collides with them, and the cell dies. Topoisomerase poisons such as camptothecin and etoposide kill cells by stabilizing similar cleavage complexes.",
  "subject": "Chemistry and Human Health",
  "references": [
    "PAC, 2007, 79, 1153. 'Glossary of terms used in toxicology, 2nd edition (IUPAC Recommendations 2007)' on page 1316 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac200779071153)"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/chemistry/suicide-reaction/"
}