Topoisomerase II beta levels are a determinant of melphalan-induced DNA crosslinks and sensitivity to cell death

The role of topoisomerase (topo) II in DNA repair has yet to be fully elucidated. Current evidence suggesting a role for topo II in the repair of DNA damage has been obtained by using in vitro model systems or inferred from correlative data in drug resistant cell lines. In this study we directly examined the role of topo IIα and β in mediating the repair of melphalan-induced crosslinks in cellular DNA. To accomplish this, we used siRNA technology to knock down either topo IIα or β in human chronic myelogenous leukemia K562 and histiocytic lymphoma U937 cell line. Our data demonstrate that topo IIβ levels, (but not α), are a determinant of melphalan-induced crosslinks and sensitivity to melphalan. Furthermore, we show that knocking down topo IIβ inhibits the repair of melphalan-induced crosslinks in K562 cells. These studies represent the first direct evidence that topo IIβ participates in the repair of DNA damage induced by an alkylating agent in cellular DNA. Finally, these results suggest non-redundant roles for these two isoforms in mediating repair of DNA crosslinks.