Topoisomerase II Alpha

Antigen Background

Topoisomerase II alpha is an essential nuclear enzyme involved in DNA replication and is a target for many anti-cancer drugs used for cancer therapy. Decreased expression of topoisomerase II alpha is the predominant mechanism of resistance to several chemotherapeutic agents. A significant variation in the range of expression of this protein has been reported in many different tumors. Reports of the analysis of primary breast tumors have indicated that topoisomerase II beta is more widely expressed than topoisomerase II alpha. Topoisomerase II alpha expression and activity is linked to the cell cycle and is associated with the proliferation status of cells.

Disclaimer

Topoisomerase II Alpha is recommended for the detection of specific antigens of interest in normal and neoplastic tissues, as an adjunct to conventional histopathology using non-immunologic histochemical stains.